Compare Treasures of South Africa by Smithsonian Journeys vs 9-Day South Africa Luxventure: Wildlife + Winelands by Ker & Downey Africa
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
3 | Average
|
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 15 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 8,590 | $ 6,999 |
| Price Per Day | $ 573 | $ 778 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Luxury |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
|
|
| Meals Included | N/A |
9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 8 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.” |
Discover the best of Cape Town and the African bush. You'll begin in our backyard, one of the world's most loved holiday destinations - Cape Town. And we know how to keep the adventorous busy in Cape Town. You will be escorted to the Stellenbosch Winelands and explore the back roads by mountain bike and indulge in seriously fine wines and foods. Rookies to extremists welcome. Thereafter, search for elusive leopards in the Sabi Sands before searching for the big 5 in the famed Kruger Park. |
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 1-4: Cape Town - Bantry Bay
Accommodation: The Clarendon (Luxury hotel located in or near Cape Town)
Meals: Breakfast
Drinks not included
Main Destination: Cape Town
After arriving in Cape Town Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Clarendon in Bantry Bay - a 5 star mix of sophistication and beach side charm.
Set in the charming and affluent area of Bantry Bay, this stunning boutique hotel overlooks the turquoise waters of the Atlantic ocean and is a wonderful location from which to explore the vibrant Cape Town.
On your second day you will be ushered to the winelands of Stellenbsoch and embark on a full day Devon Valley bicycle tour. This exhilarating eco-biking tour is for everyone and allows you to explore the scenic back roads of the valley, soak up the awe-inspiring views and indulge in a memorable wine and food experience.
Spend the rest of your time in Cape Town at your own leisure. It's an endless playground - from scenic helicopter rides over the Cape peninsula to climbing the world's renowned Table Mountain, soaking up the African sun on one of the many beautiful beaches to sipping cocktails in the luxuriant Camps Bay.
Day 5-6: Cape Town - Sabi Sands
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Singita Boulders Lodge Luxury+ lodge located inside Sabi Sands
All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)
Main Destination: Sabi Sand Game Reserve (Greater Kruger)
After your final breakfast in Cape Town, you will transfer back to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg's OR Tambo Airport for your charter flight to the Singita Airstrip in the Sabi Sands.
Your safari experience will then begin with a road transfer to the absolutely beautiful Boulders Lodge, situated in Singita’s privately owned reserve within the Sabi Sand Reserve. The lodge, set along the banks of the Sand River, boasts magnificent suites with glass walls to allow guests to feel connected to their surroundings. The subtle layers of luxury throughout the lodge combine sensual Africa with high end design. The lodge is complete with its own fitness & spa center, pool and the Singita Boutique & Gallery.
Get up close with Africa's incredible wildlife as you explore Singita's private concession with knowledgeable guides. In the richly-diverse area you may spot leopard, lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant, reedbuck, hyena, hippos, nyala, cheetah, wild dogs and many types of birds.
Day 7-8: Sabi Sands - Kruger National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Singita Lembobo; Luxury+ lodge located inside Kruger NP
All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)
Main Destination: Kruger National Park
After your last breakfast in the Sabi Sands, you will transfer back to the Singita Airstrip for your charter flight to the Satara Airstrip. After a road transfer you will arrive at your last stop, Singita's Lebombo Lodge.
Situated above the N’wanetsi River, Singita Lebombo Lodge exuberates utter luxury. Sophisticated and contemporary, the lodge was inspired by eagles who build their nests in the cliff face of the river bank, offering fantastic views from the wooden viewing decks. Step through your glass-walled suite and sleep directly under the stars with nothing but a mosquito net. This luxurious lodge comes complete with a spa and fitness center, pool and the Singita Boutique and Gallery.
Get up close with Africa's incredible wildlife as you explore Singita's private concession with knowledgeable guides. In the richly-diverse area you may spot leopard, lion, white and black rhino, buffalo, elephant, hippopotamus, cheetah and sable.
Day 9: Kruger - Johannebsurg
Meals: Breakfast
Main Destination: Johannesburg Airport
After your final breakfast in the African bush you will make your way back to Johannesburg's OR Tambo Airport, along with all your amazing memories and photographs, for your onward journey.
