Compare Spirit of Africa by Spirit Tours vs South Africa in 9 days - Cape & Kruger Explorer - Charm by Exoticca

Day 1: Depart USA

You choose your route via Europe, or via JFK or Washington DC. We can assist you in making travel plans to Cape Town

Day 2: Arrive Capetown

Transfer to the Radison Hotel Waterfront is situated on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and overlooking its own marina , the hotel has a distinctly maritime feel. Located  a short walk away from the Victoria & Alfred shopping complex on the harbour, this large and spacious hotel is convenient and  comfort able, offering you high quality accommodation and service. A large pool terrace contain s a rim - flow swimming pool that overlooks the sea, a great place to relax.

Day 3: Cape Town Robbin Island Tour

The morning begins with meditation and daily prayer followed by breakfast at 9:00am . At 1:00pm we catch the Ferry to Robben Island, previously used by the Dutch to house;convicts and late as a leprosy colony. The real historical significance however lies in the use of Robben Island as a political prison by a previous "apartheid" government where the leaders of  the struggle against "apartheid" were incarcerated. A guided tour on Robben Island will provide special insight to the conditions under which the political; prisoners were held as well as interesting insight into the struggle against "apartheid". During the tour, the highlight will be a visit to the prison cell of the icon Nelson Mandela, later to become the first democratically elected president of South Africa.That evening we will have our welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 4: Cape Point Tour

The morning begins with meditation and daily prayer followed by breakfast at 9:00am. We will then take the Cape Point Tour. This is an awe - inspiring tour to the towering headland known as Cape Point. Magnificent beaches, breathtaking 3 views, historic and picturesque coastal villages are to be seen along the way. The Cape tour is one of the world’s most scenic areas and stretches from the city centerto Cape Point. We will travel along one of the world’s most breathtaking coastal drives. We will travel thru Camps Bay and Haut Bay. Our last leg of the tour takes us along the Atlantic Seaboard stopping at a Llandudno look - out point. We will travel thru Silver mine Nature Reserve area to Cape Point and the  Good Hope Nature Reserve , which has magnificent  fynbos vegetation, birdlife, endemic antelope species, zebra, historic lighthouses and shipwrecks. Cape Point is perceived to be the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. We will visit the African penguin colony located at the beautiful Boulders Beach . These quaint flightless birds are one of the main eco- tourism attractions in Cape Town. You can view the penguins from elevated boardwalks. Here we will have lunch. We will continue thru historic Simon’s Town, a village with charming Victorian architecture, a naval base.The tour ends at 4:00pmat your hotel

Day 5: Table Mountain

The morning begins with meditation and daily prayer followed by breakfast at  9:00am. After the group meeting we will have some free time to shop oneof Africa's most famous waterfront shopping & centres. We will be met in the hotel foyer at1:30pm by an Ilios Travel Representative to beginour tour of Table Mountain. We will take a 65 passenger cable car ride from Tafleberg Road to the top of TableMountain ,where we will enjoy spectacular views in all directions and a bird’s eye view of the city (weather permitting). Once on top you are free to follow paths tovarious look - outs, make use of the telescopes and enjoy a  light meal or simply a sundowner drink in the restaurant. (Regardless of the weather at the base of the mountain, take a windbreaker as it can often be cool  on the mountain top. Wear sturdy walking/hiking shoes.) By the late 1870's, several of Cape Town's more prominent citizens hadsuggested the introduction of a railway line to the top of Table Mountain. Plans to implement a proposed rack railway got under way but the outbreak of the Anglo - BoerWar put a halt to these efforts. By 1912, with a strong desire to gain easyaccess to the t op of Table Mountain, the Cape Town City Council commissioned an engineer to investigate the various options for public transport to the top. Thenew cableway was officially opened on the 4th of October 1997, the anniversaryof the original launch, almost 70 years previously. To date the Cableway has transported more than 16 million passengers to thesummit. 800000 visitors from all over the world use the Cableway annually. Even with so many visitors, queuing time is minimal due to the new upgraded system . 4 The cable car was imported from Switzerland and there are only 2 other in the world in Titlis in the Swiss Alps in Switzerland, and one in Palm Springs in  America.The cable car floor rotates giving everyone a 360 degree view on theway up. At its highest point Table Mountain is 1085m above sea level. The tourconcludes at approximately5:20pm when you will be dropped off at your hotel. That evening we will enjoy dinner on our own.

Day 6: Kirstenbosch Gardens 

The morning begins with stretching and yoga at 7:00 a.m. for those interested, followed by breakfast at 8:00 a.m. (included) and a group meeting for prayer and meditation at 9:00 am .You will be met in the hotel foyer at 9:30 am by an ILIOS Travel Representative to begin your tour of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. The beautiful Kirstenbosch Gardens cover an area of 528 hectares with 36 hectares of cultivated garden.The gardens are a celebration of South African flora - showcasing only indigenous South African plants.Fynbos, proteas, cycads and rolling lawns are intermingled with streams and ponds and well - laid out pathways for easy walking. A great variety of birds inhabit the gardens and the sweeping views from the upper slopes are spectacular. Whether for a casual stroll, a more strenuous walk the gardens are a must - see when visiting Cape Town. We will spend 3 hours at the Gardens and lunchcan be purchased at the restaurant.That eve we will have a Cape town farewell dinner at the African Café.

Day 7: Ngala Game Reserve

This morning following breakfast we will leave the hotel by 8: 0 0am for our 10:00am flight to KRUGER MPUMALANGA INT APTNELSPRUIT KRUGER ZA SOUTH AFRICA AIR8663K SU CAPE TOWN TO NELSPRUIT DEPART AT   1000A arrive1235P We then will be transported on a  3h our drive thrusome of the most beautiful country in South Africato Ngala Private Game Lodge in Kruger National Park.This gracious, colonial - style safari lodge, set in Ngala's extraordinary African wilderness, is renowned for its superb accommodation . It provides an unbeatable family safari experience in the heart of the Kruger National Park. The 20 thatched cottages are shaded by Mopane trees and overlook the riverine below.All cottages feature air conditioning, intimate verandas and green slate in suite; baths and showers. After settling into your room we will venture into the bush for our first game drive. 5 Ngala reserve will provide Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 8: Ngala Game Reserve

Situated within the world -famous Kruger National Park, a safari at Ngala Private Game Reserve is an unsurpassed wildlife experience offering exceptional game viewing, an abundance of birdlife, numerous spectacularly scenic attractions and cultural experiences.

A typical day at a Game Lodge:

5:30a m

After senses are awakened by the sounds of the bushveld, guests congregate with the rangers at the main lodge for tea, coffee and light,; snacks in anticipation of the early morning  game drive .

6:30am

As the early morning sun rises over the horizon, highly skilled game rangers and trackers head out with us into the African bushveld to discover the wonder of the African bush and a unique encounter with its majestic inhabitants. One can sense the excitement.  Who knows what to expect? A  herd of ever – cautious impala  huddled together, a leopard in the  branches of a knobthorn tree with  a  kill from the last hours of darkness,  a  herd of elephant feeding in the lush  vegetation or a pride of lion in the  shade of an acacia. The sound of creatures awakening to a new day stirs your passion for Africa and its  many wonders

9:30am

The fresh aromas of Ngala's signature breakfast entice guests back to  the lodge. Overlooking the Africa n plains from the main deck, a  spectacular  breakfast follows your return from the morning game drive, with a buffet of seasonal fruits, cereals, yogurt and fruit juice, followed by  a delectable hot  breakfast

11:00am

Optional Bush walk can be arranged with Rangers at the Lodge.(For no  additional charge)

1:00pm  

Lunch  -- Ngala’s talented chefs prepare a medley of culinary delights, inspired by African  flavours yet guided by western cooking tradition.

2:00pm

the group meets for an informal discussion and check in followed by free time for relaxation.

4:00pm

As the endless African day starts to cool and the shadows are forming across the plains, guests enjoy afternoon refreshments, which are served in the  main lodge before the evening game drive

4:30pm 

A vivid sunset sky forms the backdrop of an unforgettable wildlife experience. As darkness approaches, the animals become more active, rarely seen  nocturnal creatures emerge and incredible  interactions are the order of the day. 

8:00pm

One by one, the drivers return to the lodge, the fires are lit and the night's  entertainment be gins. Return to the lodge for dinner around the fire in the Boma under a starlit sky, or a  gourmet meal by candlelight in  the dining room. A fusion of venison dishes, fresh fish from the South African coast, pastas, soups and  vegetables, dinner at Ngala is a sumptuous affair, where you will be enchanted  by the rhythm and harmony of a local choir. Retire to your suite for a restful night’s sleep in preparation for the next exciting day

Day 9: Ngala Private Game Reserve

5:30am

After senses are awakened by the sounds of the bushveld, guests congregate with the rangers at themain lodge for tea, coffee and light  snacks in anticipation of the early morning game drive.

6:30am

As the early morning sun rises over the horizon, highly skilled gam e rangers and trackers  head out with  us  into the African bushveld to  discover the wonder of the African bush and a unique encounter with its majestic  inhabitants. One can sense the excitement. Who knows what to expect? A herd of ever - cautious impala huddled together, a leopard in the branches of a  knobthorn tree with a kill from the last hours of darkness, a herd of elephant feeding in the lush vegetation or a pride of lion in the shade of an acacia. The sound of creatures awakening to a new day stirs you passion for Africa and its 7 many wonders

9:30am

The fresh aromas of Ngala's signature breakfast entice guests back  to  the lodge. Overlooking the African plains from the main deck, a spectacular breakfast follows your  return from the morning game drive, with a buffet of seasonal fruits, cereals, yogurt and fruit juice, followed by a delectable hot breakfast

11:00am

Optional Bush walk can be arranged with  Rangers at the Lodge.(For no additional charge)

1:00pm  

Lunch  -- Ngala’s talented chefs prepare a  medley of culinary delights, inspired by African flavors yet guided by western cooking tradition .

2:00pm 

The group meets for an informal discussion and check in followed by free time for relaxation.

4:00pm

As the endless African day starts to cool  and the shadows are  forming across the plains, guests enjoy afternoon refreshments, which are served in the  main lodge before the evening game drive

4:30pm 

A vivid sunset sky forms the  backdrop of an unforgettable wildlife  experience. As darkness approaches, the animals become more active, rarely seen  nocturnal creatures emerge and incredible  interactions are the order of the day. 

8:00pm

One by one, the drivers return to  the lodge, the fires are lit and the night's entertainment begins. Return to the lodge for our farewell dinner around the fire in the Boma under a starlit sky

Day 10: Ngala Game Reserve

5:30am

After senses are awakened by the sounds of the bushveld, guests  congregate with the rangers at the main  lodge for tea, coffee and light  snacks in anticipation of the  early morning game drive.

6:30am

As the early morning sun rises over the horizon, highly skilled game rangers and trackers head out with  us  into the African bushveld to discover the wonder of the  African bush and a unique encounter with its majestic  inhabitants. One can sense the excitement. Who knows  8 what to expect? A herd of ever - cautious impala huddled together, a leopard in  the branches of a knobthorn tree with a kill from the last hours of darkness, a  herd of elephant feeding in the lush vegetation or a pride of lion in the shade of  an acacia. The sound of creatures awakening to a new day stirs your passion for  Africa and its many wonders

8:30am

The fresh aromas of Ngala's signature breakfast entice guests back  to  the lodge. Overlooking the African plains from the main deck, a  spectacular  breakfast follows your return from the morning game drive, with a buffet of  seasonal fruits, cereals, yogurt and fruit juice, followed by a delectable hot  breakfast

9:30am

We will check out of Ngala and be transported to a nearby airport HOEDSPRUIT.

About an hour from the game lodge.

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.