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| VANTAGE DELUXE WORLD TRAVEL |
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| Detailed Day by Day Itinerary |
| Best of Africa: Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia & South Africa |
| View Days: [1-5] [6-10] [11-15] [16-17] |
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| Day |
Schedules and Accommodations |
1-2
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Depart Home / Arrive Johannesburg, South Africa
Your discovery of this great continent begins with an overnight international flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. When you arrive in the evening of Day 2, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your Deluxe hotel outside the city in upscale suburb of Sandton.
Hilton Sandton Hotel  |
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Johannesburg
After breakfast you’re off on a tour showcasing the changes taking place in the developing area of Soweto. Once known only for its shantytowns, the African entrepreneurial spirit is sparking development and change, and the area is now home to many successful business people and boasts upscale neighborhoods. Highlights include a visit to the humble home where Nelson Mandela lived before he was arrested by the government, and the Hector Pietersen Monument commemorating the end of apartheid.
After lunch on your own, enjoy an included tour of laid-back Pretoria, featuring Church Street, the heart of the city; the red-sandstone Union buildings and gardens; and entrance to the Kruger House, a museum chronicling the life of Paul Kruger, president of the republic in the 19th century. This evening you’ll enjoy both an orientation meeting and a Welcome Dinner at your hotel.
Hilton Sandton Hotel (B,D) |
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Johannesburg / Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
After breakfast at the hotel transfer to the airport for your included flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls is a colonial-era contrast to Johannesburg, and indeed to much of Africa today, offering you a glimpse of the continent’s bygone days and style. Conversely, the thundering gorge below the falls has become a mecca for white-water adventurers.
Upon arrival you’ll check into your room at your colonial-style hotel. The grounds and gardens offer majestic vistas of the river gorge, the bridge spanning it just below the falls, and the mists from the falls.
In the afternoon you’ll get your first real taste of Africa’s natural splendor on your guided visit to Victoria Falls National Park — or Mosi-ou-Tunya, as it is called in the native tongue. Upon encountering the falls in the mid-1800s, intrepid Scottish explorer-missionary David Livingstone penned in his journal, “on sights as beautiful as this, angels in their flight must have gazed.” On your included tour of the falls, you’ll marvel at the same breathtaking views of the Main Falls, Devil’s Cataract, and Rainbow Falls that inspired him. You’ll also take a guided walk through the tropical forest that is bathed in the mist from the falls. This evening, you’ll be immersed in a timeless Africa, as you join a traditional Boma feast at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, accompanied by traditional singing and drumming, sure to be one of the highlights of your trip.
Victoria Falls Hotel  (B,D) |
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Victoria Falls
Experience Zimbabwean culture and village life on a visit to a craft community where local artisans sell carved figures, beads, African art, and more. Afterward, your cultural explorations continue with a visit to a local school.
Your afternoon is free, or join us for an optional excursion. Two are offered: a “flight of angels” flightseeing tour over Victoria Falls, and a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River on the placid waters above the falls. You’ll even have time for both, if you like. Enjoy the evening at leisure.
Victoria Falls Hotel (B) |
6
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Victoria Falls / Chobe National Park, Zimbabwe
This morning you’ll cross the border into Botswana, a low-key, relatively untouristed nation that enjoys some of Africa’s greatest prosperity and political stability. With it’s vast savannas and wetlands, it also harbors some of the continent’s highest concentrations of wildlife. On this relatively short transfer, you’ll ride by air-conditioned motorcoach through the national park, home to Africa’s greatest elephant herds. Keep your eyes open on the ride, you may spot elephants and other wildlife along the road and in the dense bush. On arrival at the Chobe Safari Lodge, enjoy refreshing chilled towels and a welcome drink. At the lodge, you’ll be surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bush.
While your luggage is being taken care of, you’ll cross the Chobe River to Namibia, with lunch included. In this neighboring country, one of great cultural diversity and spectacular natural beauty, you’ll be treated to a close look at every-day local life. You’ll visit a Namibian village, where you’ll meet some of the people of the village. (For a more in-depth visit to Namibia, read about our optional post-extension on page 158 — you really need more time here!)
Dinner this evening is included on the lodge terrace, overlooking the river. As dusk arrives, you may spot hippos cavorting and even see a crocodile lurking in the shallows.
Chobe Safari Lodge (B,L,D) |
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Chobe National Park
Rise early this morning and set out on safari! In the relative cool of the morning you’ll take a game drive in Chobe National Park. Riding in your 10-person safari vehicle you’ll explore elephant country — the park has the highest population of the great beasts in the world. You also may see lions, water buffalo, hippopotamus, and zebras. The park is home to many water birds, too, in the Savuti Marshes and the Mababe Depression in the western part of the park. Return to the lodge for breakfast, and then enjoy the rest of the morning at leisure.
In the afternoon embark for a sunset wildlife cruise on the Chobe River. You guide will help you spot water buffalo, crocodiles, hippos, and birds in the river and along the wild banks. Later, enjoy dinner back at the hotel.
Chobe Safari Lodge (B,D) |
8
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Chobe National Park / Cape Town, South Africa
After breakfast you’ll transfer to Victoria Falls airport for your included flight to Cape Town, South Africa. Poised between sea and mountains, this relaxed, easygoing city is one of the most beautiful in the world.
You’ll arrive in the late afternoon and transfer to to your hotel, where you’ll have dinner included. The hotel is located near the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a lively area replete with restaurants and shops, as well as the aquarium and museums. Your hotel offers a free shuttle right to the waterfront to make it easy for you to explore.
The Cullinan  (B,D) |
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Cape Town
In the morning you’ll set out for an enlightening tour of Robben Island, the Alcatraz-like prison where Nelson Mandela spent 17 years as a political prisoner. Your guide for the tour will be a former inmate who can provide a gripping first-hand account of life at the former prison. You’ll relish the natural setting, too — views can be stunning, looking across the bay to the backdrop of iconic Table Mountain.
After lunch on your own in Cape Town, enjoy a city tour featuring the Houses of Parliament, the city hall, and Green Market Square, a pleasant urban spot that began as a farmer’s market in the early 18th century. Your tour includes a guided visit to the Castle of Good Hope — the oldest building in the city — a fortress built in the 17th century by Afrikaners to secure the Cape’s defense.
The Cullinan (B) |
10
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Cape Town
Set out this morning for a full-day tour of the Cape of Good Hope, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the Cape Floral Region, it harbors once of the richest areas for plants in the world, including types unique to the Cape of Good Hope. Highlights of your tour include the Cape Point Nature Reserve and a ride along the Chapman’s Peak Marine Drive. During the drive, you’ll stop for spectacular views of Hout Bay. Your tour also features a visit to Simon’s Town, a typical colonial town and naval base that once served as the winter anchorage of the Dutch East India Company. Tonight, perhaps dine at one of the numerous restaurants on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.
The Cullinan (B) |
11
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Cape Town
After breakfast you’ll have the option to tour through South Africa’s renowned wine country. It’s an opportunity to savor another taste of African culture with an included wine tasting and a visit to the lively university town of Stellenbosch. Or, you might want to explore Cape Town on your own and spend some time shopping. Tonight enjoy the evening at leisure.
The Cullinan (B) |
12
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Cape Town / Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa
Transfer to the airport for your included flight to Durban on the Natal Coast. Upon arrival you’ll transfer to the resort town of Umhlanga Rocks and your room with a balcony and ocean views at the Beverly Hills Hotel, a seaside resort on the Indian Ocean.
Beverly Hills Hotel (B) |
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Kwa Zulu Natal
Step into the world of the Zulu tribes, as you travel into the countryside to visit a traditional kraal, or Zulu settlement. On this full-day tour of Zululand you’ll experience traditional customs like tribal dancing and a beer drinking ceremony, and have a taste of Zulu food, too. Lunch is included on the tour. Return to your hotel before dinner on your own this evening.
Beverly Hills Hotel (B,L) |
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Kwa Zulu Natal / Kruger National Park, Paul Kruger Gate, South Africa
This morning go on a panoramic city tour of Durban. You’ll ride along the oceanfront road known as the “Golden Mile” — actually about three-and-a-half miles of beautiful beaches — that make this subtropical city very popular for beach-going vacationers. On your tour you’ll see the Vasco De Gama clock, the city hall, and Indian Market. Durban was an important port for early Portuguese trading routes around the Cape of Good Hope.
Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your included flight to Kruger National Park, one of the world’s largest and oldest national parks. The park supports the greatest variety of animals of any in southern Africa.
Upon arrival, check into your modern room at Protea Kruger Gate Hotel, the lodge closest to the park gate.
Protea Hotel Kruger Gate (B,D) |
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Kruger National Park
Embark on an exciting dawn-to-dusk wildlife viewing drive in the park. Your skilled driver-guides will help you seek out lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinoceros. The park is also home to cheetah, giraffe, hippopotamus, several species of antelope, and a variety of smaller animals. During the day, we’ll stop at a rest area within the park to rest and refresh. You’ll return to the hotel in time for dinner this evening.
Protea Hotel Kruger Gate (B,D) |
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Kruger National Park
Head out on an early morning game drive, returning to the hotel for breakfast. You’ll have the midday free, then this afternoon you can enjoy a final safari drive in Kruger National Park. Return to the hotel for a memorable Farewell Dinner, including wine and the entertainment of an African choir.
Protea Hotel Kruger Gate (B,D) |
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Kruger National Park / Return Home
Or begin optional 4-night Namibia: Skeleton Coast and the Desert post-trip extension.
(B) |
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