South Africa: An Elegant Adventure

•   Private game drives during four nights at private game reserves in or near Kruger National Park – two nights at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge and two nights at Tinga Private Game Lodge

Day 1: Arrive Cape Town
Welcome to South Africa! A transfer is included from Cape Town International Airport to the Cape Grace, occupying its own private quay in Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, and consistently recognized as one of the world’s top hotels. Cape Town is one of the world’s most beautiful cities, and your location is perfect; all guest rooms have views of the iconic waterfront or the dramatic vista of Table Mountain as a backdrop. Join us for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner tonight.
Overnight: Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Guided Discoveries on Robben Island
Tauck has arranged a visit to Robben Island (weather permitting), recognized as a World Heritage Site for its key role in South African history. The site of an extraordinary nature reserve and former whaling station, this island is probably best known for its old maximum security prison. A ferry takes you across Table Bay, with fantastic views of Table Mountain, for a guided “insider’s” tour of the island. Learn about the island’s complex history, visit the prison and see the cell that housed future South African president Nelson Mandela for so many years. South Africa’s wines have enjoyed a royal following since the days of emperors and kings; savor the fruit of the vine along with local specialties at a wine-pairing dinner in Constantia in the Cape Winelands.
Overnight: Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 3: Table Mountain and Cape Peninsula
Sightsee in and around Cape Town this morning, then head out to the spectacular Cape Peninsula. En route, weather permitting, take a rotating cable car up Table Mountain, enjoying 360-degree views of the city and bay during the ride up and on a walk at the top. Awe-inspiring sights continue when you board a funicular for Cape Point and the historic lighthouse. Your bird’s-eye view includes hundreds of seagulls who soar over the cliffs and the Cape of Good Hope below. After lunch, meet birds who prefer to congregate closer to the sea; standing about two feet tall and bursting with endearing curiosity, one of Africa’s only two land-based colonies of African penguins nests in the boulder-strewn coastal park outside of Cape Town. Meet them up-close in their unique beachfront sanctuary before returning to your hotel for a free evening to enjoy as you wish
Overnight: Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 4: Fly to a Private Game Reserve
Depart Cape Town and board a flight for the country’s northeast corner, where your South African safari experience* begins at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, situated within the Sabi Sands Game Reserve bordering expansive Kruger National Park. Comprising five smaller private game reserves set along the Sabie River, the Sabi Sands reserve is home to a great biodiversity of habitat and wildlife, including Africa’s iconic “Big Five” – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard; wild dogs, cheetahs and over 300 species of birds can also be spotted here. An afternoon game drive is your introduction to life in the African bushveld.
Overnight: Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, Sabi Sands Private Reserve, South Africa
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 5: Exclusive Game Drives, Sabi Sabi
Venture out from Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge into the wilderness for exclusive morning and afternoon game drives aboard a four-wheel-drive, open-top Land Rover. On each experience, Shangaan trackers use their finely honed skills to help you spot the animals who migrate through the reserve – ranging from impala, kudu and giraffes to elephants and lions – while experienced rangers provide fascinating insights into local geography and wildlife, as well as ongoing conservation efforts in the region. Between game drives, there’s time for a swim or an optional guided bush walk. A buffet lunch is served at the lodge, and afternoon tea and biscuits precede the day’s second wildlife-viewing opportunity; enjoy a traditional braai barbecue for dinner at the bush camp this evening.
Overnight: Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, Sabi Sands Private Reserve, South Africa
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Kruger National Park & Tinga
Embark on a final game drive in Sabi Sabi reserve before continuing to incomparable Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves. Established in the late 19th century to protect the wildlife of the lowveldt, Kruger is believed to host more species of mammals than any other African game sanctuary. Game viewing here often rewards with sightings of elephants, hyena, leopard and even cheetah. Your safari accommodations for the next two nights are at Tinga Private Game Lodge, located along the banks of the Sabie River in a private setting inside the park. The river is home to many endangered and rare species of mammals, birds, reptiles and plants – be on the lookout for them on an afternoon game drive before dinner.
Overnight: Tinga Private Game Lodge, Tinga Concession, South Africa
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Tinga Game Drives
Prime wildlife viewing is what game drives are all about at Tinga, whose exclusive 12,000-acre concession occupies an area with one of the highest recorded populations of predators in all of Africa, including the highest density of leopards on the continent; guests have also spied elephants, cheetahs, white rhinos and wild dogs. After today’s two game drives, you’ll have lots to share over dinner, an acclaimed Tinga culinary experience.
Overnight: Tinga Private Game Lodge, Tinga Concession, South Africa
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Johannesburg & the Gems
Say goodbye to the wildlife-rich Sabie River region this morning as you depart the heart of the African wilderness and fly to Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city and commercial hub – and the world’s largest city not situated on a river, lake or coastline – for a two-night stay. Among the most modern and prosperous cities in South Africa today, “Jo’burg” has derived much of its wealth from the major gold- and diamond-mining industry based here; learn about the history of Africa’s precious stones from an expert gemologist this evening. Dine à la carte this evening.
Overnight: DAVINCI Hotel and Suites, Sandtown, Johannesburg, South Africa
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 9: Sightsee Historic Soweto
Cultural discoveries enrich your educational sightseeing tour of Soweto township. See the homes of Winnie Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu and visit the Constitutional Court and the Hector Pieterson Museum. Attend a dance performance at the Youth Center and tour the library, built by guest donations. The evening is free for you to enjoy dinner on your own.
Overnight: DAVINCI Hotel and Suites, Sandtown, Johannesburg, South Africa
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 10: Magnificent Victoria Falls
Fly to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe for two nights at The Victoria Falls Hotel, an Edwardian landmark overlooking the falls; stroll along the private pathway for stunning views. A local historian offers insights on the life of explorer and missionary David Livingstone aboard a private sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. Dine in your choice of hotel restaurants tonight.
Overnight: The Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 11: Explore the Falls and Lunch with Elephants
Take a privately guided walk around Victoria Falls, stopping to view its thundering waters from various vantage points. Learn insights about African elephants from a naturalist during a hands-on visit to an elephant sanctuary. Join us tonight for our farewell reception and dinner.
Overnight: The Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12: Journey Home
Tour ends: Johannesburg Airport. Enjoy time at leisure in Victoria Falls before your return flight to Johannesburg. Please allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/28/2012 - 6/9/2012	$7,790
6/4/2012 - 6/16/2012	$7,790
6/11/2012 - 6/23/2012	$7,790
6/18/2012 - 6/30/2012	$7,790
7/9/2012 - 7/21/2012	$7,790
7/23/2012 - 8/4/2012	$7,790
8/6/2012 - 8/18/2012	$7,790
8/13/2012 - 8/25/2012	$7,790
8/20/2012 - 9/1/2012	$7,790
8/27/2012 - 9/8/2012	$7,790
9/3/2012 - 9/15/2012	$7,790
9/5/2012 - 9/17/2012	$9,290
9/10/2012 - 9/22/2012	$9,290
9/12/2012 - 9/24/2012	$9,290
9/17/2012 - 9/29/2012	$9,290
9/19/2012 - 10/1/2012	$9,290
9/24/2012 - 10/6/2012	$8,390
9/26/2012 - 10/8/2012	$9,290
10/1/2012 - 10/13/2012	$9,290
10/3/2012 - 10/15/2012	$9,290
10/8/2012 - 10/20/2012	$9,290
10/10/2012 - 10/22/2012	$9,290
10/15/2012 - 10/27/2012	$8,390
10/17/2012 - 10/29/2012	$8,390
10/22/2012 - 11/3/2012	$9,290
10/24/2012 - 11/5/2012	$9,290
10/29/2012 - 11/10/2012	$8,390
11/12/2012 - 11/24/2012	$8,390
11/26/2012 - 12/8/2012	$8,390
12/10/2012 - 12/22/2012	$8,390
12/28/2012 - 1/9/2013	$8,390
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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Tisha rated this tour a 5 on 8/13/2011 7:38:41 PM and says:

"

Breathtaking.  I had no idea South Africa was so beautiful. The falls, the wildlife and the city itself.  The tour guide and everything Tauck planned for us was perfect.  I am so happy my travel agent recommended this safari.

"

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