Compare Treasures of South Africa by Smithsonian Journeys vs South Africa in 9 days - Cape & Kruger Explorer - Charm by Exoticca
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| Trip |
3 | Average
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 15 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 8,590 | $ 1,899 |
| Price Per Day | $ 573 | $ 211 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 8 breakfasts and 3 dinners. |
| Description |
A land of spectacular biological diversity and fascinating culture, the wonders of Southern Africa exceed the imagination. Poised between soaring mountains and expansive views of the sea, cosmopolitan Cape Town spans from Table Mountain to Robben Island to the Cape Peninsula coastline. Travel through the breathtaking South African countryside aboard the Rovos Rail, one of the world’s most luxurious trains. Thrill to sightings of the “Big Five” and other animals on game drives from the exclusive accommodations at Thornybush Game Lodge near Kruger National Park. Travel to Johannesburg, a sprawling metropolis that grew out of a 19th-century gold-rush camp. Conclude in Zimbabwe to experience Victoria Falls known as the “Smoke that Thunders.” |
Land in Johannesburg and admire its mixture of both historic and ultra-modern architecture. Get to know the wild side of South Africa as you embark on game drives in the Kruger National Park. Fall in love with Cape Town, explore the Cape of Good Hope and discover the beauty of the Cape Peninsula on an unforgettable journey through the most iconic destinations of this diverse nation. |
Days 1-2: Depart the U.S., Frankfurt
Travelers depart the U.S. for Frankfurt, Germany via overnight air service. After a morning arrival at the Frankfurt Rhein-Main International Airport, check in at the Frankfurt Sheraton Hotel and Towers*, where dayrooms have been reserved for your comfort and daytime relaxation between flights. This evening, depart refreshed and rested for Cape Town, South Africa, aboard scheduled, overnight air service.
*Note: Day rooms are only available to Air Program travlers. Some Air Program travelers may be routed through Munich. In that case, dayrooms will be provided at the Munich Airport Kempinski Hotel.
Day 3: Cape Town
Arrive at the Cape Town airport, and transfer to the exquisite Mount Nelson Hotel, a historic city landmark. The balance of the day will be at leisure to relax and explore the hotel facilities.
Day 4: Cape Town and Robben Island
Meals: Breakfast
Begin the exploration of Cape Town with a tour of the city’s highlights and an ascent of Table Mountain (weather permitting) for breathtaking panoramic views of the city, Table Bay and the Cape of Good Hope. Continue on to Robben Island. For nearly 400 years, isolated Robben Island was a place of exile. Cruise to the island by boat and tour the former prison where the late Nelson Mandela was incarcerated from 1964-1982. The tour is performed by a former prisoner with first hand knowledge of life on the island. Then, see the island’s lime quarry and local village. A lecture on The History and Culture of South Africa will highlight some of the key events in the history of this amazing country, including Dutch and British colonization, the introduction of slavery, struggle of native tribes, discovery of gold and diamonds, and more.
Day 5: Cape Town and Cape Point
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Motor this morning to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Journey along the magnificent Marine Drive, beyond Lion’s Head Mountain and past the Twelve Apostles, limestone stacks that rise from the sea. Continue to picturesque Hout Bay, a coastal suburb of Cape Town. Ascend Cape Point by funicular and marvel at panoramic ocean views. Visit Boulders Beach and see the African Penguin Colony.
Day 6: Cape Town and Rovos Rail
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The 900-mile rail adventure aboard Rovos Rail begins this morning with transfer to the train station where you board a luxury train born in a bygone era. Experience the elegance and excitement of traveling by rail, while marveling at the spectacular South African veldt. Journey to the charming, perfectly preserved Victorian village of Matjiesfontein, an oasis situated in the semi-desert region of Klein Karoo or Little Karoo. Declared a National Historic Monument in 1970, Matjiesfontein is home to the Victorian Matjiesfontein Railway Station. In addition to being a stop on the Rovos Rail line, this historic building is home to the Transnet Museum. Its treasured exhibits include a stationmaster’s office from the late 1800s, the original signal room and signal box. Another highlight of the Railway Station is the Marie Rawdon Museum, which showcases an eclectic collection of Victoriana and Boer War memorabilia.
Day 7: Rovos Rail
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Breakfast is served on the train. Gather with fellow travelers in the observation lounge and revel in the breathtaking landscape of South Africa. Enjoy the distinctive character and charm of Rovos Rail’s classic, refurbished wood-paneled coaches. After an overview of the world-renowned diamond city of Kimberley, visit the Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole, one of the largest man-made excavations in the world.
Day 8: Pretoria and Kruger National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Enjoy breakfast aboard, and then relax with leisure time before arriving in Pretoria. Disembark the train and motor to the area of Kruger National Park and the deluxe Thornybush Game Reserve.
Day 9: Thornybush Game Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Get an early start this morning with a game drive to find and track South African big game. After this exciting outing, luncheon will be served at the lodge. In late afternoon, another game drive is planned. As the sun sets, join fellow travelers for “Sundowners”. Dinner this evening is a “Boma” traditional dinner.
Day 10: Thornybush Game Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Start the day just after sunrise, for another chance today to track the Big Five African wildlife with a morning game drive. After a hearty lunch, there is time to relax.
Day 11: Johannesburg
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Drive from Thornybush Game Reserve to Hoedspruit for the flight to Johannesburg. After a late morning arrival in Johannesburg, enjoy lunch followed by an afternoon tour of Soweto Township. The tour will drive past the homes of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Afterwards, drive to Kliptown, for a tour of a local youth project and tree planting ceremony. Overnight at the 54 on Bath Hotel.
Day 12: Johannesburg and Victoria Falls
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to the Johannesburg International Airport for the flight to Victoria Falls. Motor to the Victoria Falls Hotel. Victoria Falls is located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe where the Zambezi River plunges over 300 feet into the basalt gorges and mist below. An afternoon excursion visits the falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Day 13: Victoria Falls
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
The day is free of planned activities, however there is time to explore independently or take an optional excursion to Chobe National Park. The excursion sets off on an unforgettable safari through Chobe National Park, the second-largest national park in Botswana and encompasses four distinct ecosystems. See its renowned African elephants that can number from 500 to 5,000 depending on the season. Chobe is also home to one of the most diverse concentrations of game and birds found on the African continent. A Farewell dinner is planned for this evening at the hotel.
Day 14: Victoria Falls
Meals: Breakfast
An early breakfast is served at the hotel. Later, transfer by motor coach to the Victoria Falls Airport. There, board your flight to Johannesburg and connect to the flight to Frankfurt.
Day 15: Connect to Flight to U.S.
Arrive Frankfurt, and connect to trans-Atlantic flights to the U.S.
Day 1: US - Night on board
Arrival at your US departure airport ready to check in for a flight * to Johannesburg. Night on board. * If your outbound flight leaves at dawn (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the selected departure day.
Day 2: Johannesburg
Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the city and its diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods. Tuck into the vibrant food scene and pop-up eateries. The city is a real cultural hub and it is a great place to catch live music performances and indulge in trendy bars and restaurants. Overnight stay in Johannesburg. Why not make the most of your time in South Africa by adding one of our optional excursion packages. Choose between our Gastronomic or Adventure packages in the next step of the booking process! Our Gastronomic Package includes two meals at excellent restaurants in Cape Town plus a Bo-Kapp Cooking Tour and Cape Winelands Excursion. Our Adventure Package includes a Full-Day Kruger Game Drive, an exciting Shark Cage Diving Experience and an Atlantis Dunes Quad Biking Excursion. Please note: you can only choose one of the optional excursion packages (Adventure or Gastronomic).
Day 3: Johannesburg - Mpumalanga - Kruger
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time transfer by road to Mpumalanga. You're headed for Kruger, home to some of the most iconic wildlife in South Africa. Along the way, see some of the most iconic sights of the Panorama Route such as Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavels (entrance fees not included). You'll fall in love with the natural beauty of South Africa's landscapes! * Arrive and transfer to the hotel to check-in. Dinner and overnight stay in Kruger. * Please note: The journey today takes approximately 7-8 hours by road and includes stops along the way for lunch (at own expense) and sightseeing. There will be no accompanying guide for this journey so take the opportunity to enjoy the passing landscapes as you travel through some of the most spectacular regions in South Africa.
Day 4: Kruger National Park
Enjoy a Full-Day 4x4 Game Drive at Kruger National Park. Begin the day early on safari in the southern area of South Africa's most famous game reserves with breakfast on the go. The game viewing area is known as the 'Southern Circle' and is renowned for its rhinos and lions. Enjoy an afternoon game drive in Kruger National Park and discover the amazing diversity of animals in one of the world's largest game reserves. Remember to bring comfortable shoes, warm and rainproof jackets, sunhat and protection and cameras to capture the beautiful wildlife. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Kruger National Park
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure to explore the beautiful natural landscapes of Kruger and the White River. We recommend an optional day trip to Kruger National Park to experience more of its wildlife-rich eco-systems.* Dinner and overnight stay in the Kruger Region. * Optional Kruger National Park Day Trip: Set off to the wilds of Kruger for your chance to spot the famous Big Five. Enjoy a slow drive through the national park, home to elephants, buffalos, giraffes, impalas, zebras and, of course, lions. An unforgettable day in the wilds of Southern Africa. Packed lunch included. (This excursion is included in our Adventure Package of 3 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!)
Day 6: Kruger - Johannesburg - Cape Town
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by road back to Johannesburg, stopping to see the exterior of the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the official headquarters of the South African government. * Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Cape Town. Arrive in Cape Town, known as the 'Mother City', and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Cape Town. * Please note: The journey today takes approximately 7-8 hours by road and includes stops along the way for lunch (at own expense) and sightseeing. There will be no accompanying guide for this journey so take the opportunity to enjoy the passing landscapes as you travel through some of the most spectacular regions in South Africa.
Day 7: Cape Town
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the ticket hop-on hop-off tour in Cape Town. South Africa's capital combines cosmopolitanism, culture, architecture, and the best of nature. With the hop-on and hop-off ticket, you will be able to do over 30 stops to enjoy some of the most remarkable attractions of the 'Mother City'. Take the Cableway and go up to Table Mountain where you can enjoy one of the most breathtaking views of Africa's landscapes.* Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Cape Town. * Please note: the Table Mountain Cableway in Cape Town will be closed for maintenance from the 25th of July until the 28th of August 2022. If your trip coincides with these dates, you will enjoy an included Sunset Cruise instead and your included Hop-On Hop-Off bus tickets will still enable you to visit the lower station of the cableway if you wish.
Day 8: Cape Town
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day by discovering the city further. We recommend taking the optional Cape Winelands excursion, especially if you're a wine lover as this region is known for its award-winning whites and reds.* Overnight stay in Cape Town. * Optional Full-Day Wine Route Excursion with Wine Tasting: Set off into the lush Winelands outside of Cape Town and visit the wine producers in Stellenbosch for delicious wine tasting and a cellar tour. (This excursion is included in our Gastronomic Package of 4 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!)
Day 9: Cape Town
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day by discovering the city further. We recommend taking the optional Full-Day tour of the Cape Peninsula, a paradise of natural beauty, vineyards and coastal seal and penguin colonies!* Overnight stay in Cape Town. * Optional Full-Day Cape Peninsula Excursion: Enjoy the delights of the Cape Peninsula including Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno and the amazing Twelve Apostles. Pass through Noordhoek and see the local ostriches before visiting the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point. Fall in love with the Penguin Colony and Boulder's Beach and see Simons Town and Muizenberg Beach.
Day 10: Cape Town - Night on board
Breakfast * at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Night on board. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.
Day 11: US
Arrive in the US and end your trip.
