"My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, but I have always known that its greatest wealth is its people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds." - Nelson Mandela

South Africa is an amazingly diverse land in so many senses. Its landscapes are unequalled in beauty and splendor ­ from bushveld through deserts and grasslands; up snow-capped peaks and down to wide, unspoiled beaches and coastal wetlands; under the deep blue sea and up into forest canopies. The history and culture of South Africa combine with its stunning natural magnificence to create what has often been referred to as a world in one country.

Cape Town
Bustling and beautiful, the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town is where new and old harmoniously converge. The Mother City is set on a peninsula of soaring, rocky outcroppings and lush valleys, with Table Mountain towering above, and two oceans (the Indian and the Atlantic) converging at its feet. Stunning natural beauty and the fast pace and bright lights of a modern, urban center meld effortlessly in Cape Town. Its world-class shops, craft markets, restaurants, jazz cafes, theaters, and nightclubs, along with its pristine beaches and magnificent countryside, provide a myriad of things to do and places to see.

The Garden Route
The enchanting Garden Route takes a sweeping journey along the Cape's east coast through lush, bountiful scenery. This is a distinctly African garden ­ a rich belt of rugged coastline, flanked by indigenous rain forests, blue lagoons, parallel rows of serrated mountain peaks and fields rich with indigenous vegetation.

Entabeni Private Game Reserve
A wild turn in your elegant South African adventure brings you to the Entabeni Game Reserve. Today the Waterberg is one of South Africa's last great wildernesses, and one of its major advantages is a malaria-free environment. Situated in South Africa's Northern Province, Entabeni encompasses more than 20,000 acres of spectacular scenery and lush vegetation, and provides a wonderful place for bird-watching and wildlife viewing. Enjoy four early morning and evening game drives in open safari vehicles in search of the Big Five ­ elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo, as well as a plethora of other wildlife, in their natural habitat. Your splendidly situated camp provides a memorable blend of luxury in the wilderness.

Departure Cities: (Chicago, Des Moines, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Omaha, St. Louis)

Departures Dates: (3/24/03 - 4/6/03, 3/26/03 - 4/8/03, 3/31/03 - 4/8/03, 4/2/03 - 4/15/03, 4/7/03 - 4/20/03, 4/9/03 - 4/22/03)

Day 1 Fly from your originating city to the Atlanta Airport where you will stay overnight.

Day 2 U.S.A. Depart Atlanta in the early morning aboard South African Airways bound for Cape Town. Enjoy the in-flight service on board.

Day 3 Cape Town Welcome to Cape Town! Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met and privately transferred to your hotel for check in. The remainder of your day is at leisure. Commodore Hotel

Day 4 Cape Town Your morning excursion begins at the base of Table Mountain.Via a revolving cable car, you will reach the 3,000 ft. summit, where, on a clear day, there are spectacular views in every direction. Afterward, highlights of the city include a visit to the fortress-like Castle of Good Hope, built between 1666 and 1679, and, past the City Hall and Company's Gardens, the South African Museum and the Houses of Parliament. Continue to the Bo-Kaap, a picturesque Malay Quarter. Afternoon is at leisure to perhaps visit Cape Town's renovated Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, which evokes the spirit of the early harbor days and is packed with pubs, restaurants, shops, and craft markets. Commodore Hotel B,L

Day 5 Cape Town A full day Cape Peninsula sightseeing presents breathtaking views. Sculptured by time and the elements, this magnificent drive along the Atlantic and False Bay coastlines will present you with scenic wonders and unparalleled photo opportunities. Pass numerous Atlantic suburbs dotting the coastline to Hout Bay, with its picturesque harbor bustling with brightly colored fishing trawlers and local fishermen. On the cliffs of Cape Point you will see the ocean appear to boil as the currents of the Atlantic and Indian oceans converge. Your return takes you northward along the Indian Ocean coast to Boulders Beach to see the penguin colony. Continue back through various places of interest to the world-renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, one of the best of its kind in the world. Commodore Hotel B,L

Day 6 Cape Town Today you will be introduced to the spectacular wine country just east of Cape Town. Drive out into the lush and scenic valleys of the winelands to the historic university town of Stellenbosch. Enjoy your first wine tasting at the famous Spier wine estate. You will have a chance to visit their famous cheetah, Shadow, part of a program to save this wonderful creature. Thereafter stroll along oak-lined streets with white walled and gabled houses and visit the Dorp Museum. A second wine tasting will be enjoyed in the area. Proceed to a third wine estate where you will partake in a sumptuous picnic lunch. Before heading back to your hotel, continue to Franschhoek, an area settled by the French in 1688. Commodore Hotel B,L

Day 7 Cape Town Today is at leisure in bustling Cape Town. Bring home a piece of beaded jewelry from a native tribe, a bolt of cloth, a sculpture, or a jewel. A full day optional Cultural Township and Robben Island excursion will be available. Commodore Hotel B

Day 8 Cape Town/Garden Route This morning begin your three-day journey of the Garden Route, one of the most exhilarating scenic drives in the world. Drive via Sir Lowry's Pass and along apple orchards past Caledon and Swellendam, to Mossel Bay. Here you will visit the Post Office Tree and the Maritime Museum which houses a replica of the frail vessel used by the Portuguese explorer Bartholomeu Dias in 1488. After lunch travel along the coast to arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon. Protea Knysna Quays or similar B,L

Day 9 Garden Route Today explore beautiful Knysna. Board a ferry from the mainland and cruise across the Knysna Lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve where you will take a trailer-train to the lookout point on the Western Head. After lunch under milkwood trees, travel from Knysna to George on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train across lakes and through forests, along a route regarded by many as one of the most beautiful in the world. You will end the day with a visit to the Knysna Oyster Company and taste the famous Knysna oysters! Protea Knysna Quays or similar B,L

Day 10 Garden Route The scenery changes dramatically today as you drive through the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the Feather Capital of the world, where you will enjoy a visit to Highgate ostrich farm and also visit the Cango Caves, regarded as one of South Africas foremost natural wonders. Protea Knysna Quays or similar B,L

Day 11 Garden Route/George/Johannesburg to Entabeni Private Game Reserve After breakfast, transfer to George Airport and fly to Johannesburg International Airport. By motor coach continue on to the Entabeni Private Game Reserve. After checking in, there will be time to freshen up before this evenings game drive followed by a delicious dinner served either in the dining room or in the African-style boma. Entabeni Private Game Lodge B,D

Day 12 Entabeni Private Game Reserve Today on two game drives take in the wild splendor to search for big game amongst the pink and gold rock outcrops, waterfalls, clear mountain pools, and the awesome Hanglip Rock. Between outings, your safari camp offers every comfort and convenience, with a romantic ambiance in a secluded corner of the bushveld. There will be an opportunity to participate in an optional visit to an African Cultural Village. Entabeni Private Game Lodge B,L,D

Day 13 Entabeni Private Game Reserve/Johannesburg After an early morning game drive and leisurely breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to this glorious South African wilderness and begin your return to the U.S.A. B

Day 14 U.S.A. Arrive in Atlanta this morning to connect to your hometown cities.

B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner

Victoria Falls Extension in Zambia
Limited availability
Call for further information (Global Holidays 1-800-842-9023)

All land accommodations, local transportation and sightseeing is arranged and operated by Specialized Tours who may use other suppliers or providers to render the services.

Included Features

• Round trip air transportation to Cape Town, South Africa, returning from Johannesburg, South Africa via South African Airways.
• Internal airfare George/Johannesburg.
• Round trip airport transfers in Cape Town and George by private deluxe air-conditioned motor coach.
• First-class accommodations with private bath for 11 nights: 1 night Atlanta airport hotel; 5 nights in Cape Town; 3 nights on the Garden Route; 2 nights Entabeni Private Game Reserve.
• 10 Buffet breakfasts (BB), 7 Lunches (L), 2 Dinners (D) as specified in the itinerary.
• Extensive sightseeing as specified in the itinerary by private deluxe air-conditioned motor coach.
• Professional driver and guide/travel director throughout.
• First-class safari and sightseeing transportation.
• Game drives with professional game rangers, an expert in nature, wildlife and culture of the area. Game-viewing at safari destination as specified in the itinerary.
• Park entry fees, hotel taxes and service charges.
• Complete luggage handling and related tipping.
• Complete pre-flight information

All Images courtesy of South Africa Tourism

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