South Africa Explorer<br>10 days

Our adventure begins with an overnight flight to Johannesburg, the City of Gold, and one of Africa's most vibrant metropolises. "Moenie worry nie" - relax and enjoy. Meals: In-flight Welcome to Johannesburg, the economic capital of Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa with a multicultural mixture of traditional architecture and ultra-modern skyscrapers, old-style medicine shops, Chinese restaurants and colorful markets, all competing for your attention. Tonight, join us for a welcome orientation and a South African Boma welcome dinner with a cultural dance show. Meals: In-flight, Dinner, Water bottle Inclusions: Transfer from airport to hotel included with purchased AESU group airfare Welcome orientation Boma welcome dinner at Lesedi Cultural Village This morning we'll make a visit to Soweto, the township about 30 minutes west of the heart of Johannesburg. The best way to experience the true and modern face of Soweto is to visit with a local. Home to more than one million people, Soweto is the only place in the world where two Nobel Peace Prize-winners once lived on the same street (Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu) and, of course, it is where the Soweto Uprising of 1976 occurred. See the Apartheid Museum, the Hector Pieterson Memorial, and the Nelson Mandela House during our visit. Lunch will be at a lively restaurant in the area. Back in Johannesburg this evening, we invite you to join an optional fine dining and gin tasting experience. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Water bottle Inclusions: Soweto Township Apartheid Museum Hector Pieterson Memorial Nelson Mandela House Optional activity: Specialty dinner and gin tasting experience After breakfast, we set out on a captivating journey from Johannesburg to Greater Kruger National Park via the famed Panorama Route. Though it's a long day, the spectacular sights along the way make it well worth it. We begin by ascending to the Drakensberg escarpment in Mpumalanga, reaching an impressive altitude of 6000 feet. There, we'll witness the breathtaking God's Window, offering panoramic views of lush mountains, canyons, unique rock formations, baobab trees, and stunning waterfalls. Our adventure continues with a visit to the Blyde River Canyon Reserve, the world's third-largest canyon. It's a visual feast with its captivating landscapes and iconic attractions like Bourke's Luck Potholes. Finally, we reach the Makalali Private Game Reserve (or similar) within the Greater Kruger National Park's conservation area. This renowned destination offers exceptional game viewing, including the Big 5, amidst the diverse African bush. Enjoy a welcome cocktail with Amarula, a South African specialty liqueur. Your culinary experiences will be as diverse as the wildlife, with daily lodge lunches, afternoon tea and options for dinners in the bushveld or 'boma dinners' under the stars. Enjoy a blend of regional African cuisine that represents the continent's rich cooking styles. Meals: Breakfast, Welcome cocktail with Amarula, Lunch, Afternoon tea, Dinner, Water bottle Inclusions: Panorama Route Blyde River Canyon Reserve Bourke's Luck Potholes God's Window Makalali Private Game Reserve (or similar) Greater Kruger National Park Afternoon Game Drive Bush country fauna & flora Join the park rangers for more exciting morning and afternoon game drives in open 4 x 4 vehicles and talks about wildlife conservation efforts. While the animals are taking their siesta, we'll enjoy lunch back at the lodge on the expansive deck. Each day at the lodge you may choose to go on all the game drives (or not), participate in other activities like bush walks, or just lounge by the lodge pool for some quality down time. After fantastic discoveries in the bush with our outstanding guides and trackers, we compare notes and photos at dinner and make plans for another exciting day. Walking Safaris and Night Drives can be organized on request. All rangers are educated in astronomy and will unveil the secrets of the African night sky in star gazing sessions. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon tea, Dinner Inclusions: Morning & afternoon Game Drives Bush country fauna & flora Lodge activities and pool Morning and afternoon game drives will be offered again today. Explore more of the bush wilderness and terrain that houses not only the famous Big Five, but also cheetahs, giraffes, zebras and a vast variety of antelopes and other species. There are also hundreds of species of native birds that can be closely observed in their natural environment among ancient indigenous trees and meandering rivers. You will be in awe at the incredible diversity these game reserves offer, especially around the many watering holes. After another unforgettable sunset, the evening is at leisure after enjoying our last dinner at the lodge together. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon tea, Dinner Inclusions: Morning & afternoon Game Drives Bush country fauna & flora Lodge activities and pool After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight from Hoedspruit Airport to Cape Town. After arrival, we transfer to our hotel, then enjoy a brief orientation tour of the city with its fascinating blend of African, European, and Malay influences in the culture and architecture. Cape Town has it all, from rugged mountains to the crashing surf of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans on stunning beaches. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to relax or explore, the lively waterfront areas and beachfront "Riviera" neighborhoods with a seemingly endless array of diversions to choose from. Tonight, join us for a welcome to Cape Town dining experience. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Water bottle Inclusions: Flight to Cape Town Brief orientation tour of Cape Town Today we take a scenic drive past cape vineyards and along the cliffs of Chapman's Peak leading down to the most Southwestern point of Africa - Cape Point National Park. Here we board the Flying Dutchman funicular that whisks us up to the summit of Cape Point to uninterrupted panoramic views across the Atlantic and over the bay to the historic lighthouse. Cape Town's funicular was named after the legendary 17th century ghost ship that met its end at the "Cape of Storms" on its way back to Holland from Jakarta. After our lunch of local seafood with more stunning seaside views, we'll visit the Boulders Beach Penguin Colony. This is home to coastal seals and flocks of penguins that waddle up and down the beach. As you walk along the boardwalk, you'll be able to see their nests in the sand. An evening back in Cape Town is at your leisure where you'll have no trouble finding some dining options in this city known for its amazing food scene and laid-back lifestyle. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Water bottle Inclusions: Chapman's Peak Cape Point National Park Flying Dutchman funicular Boulders Beach Penguin Colony Our local expert first takes us on a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain, the most iconic landmark of South Africa (weather permitting). This flat-top mountain curls around the city and looks out over the ocean, a selfie-background paradise no matter which way you look. There are about 2,200 species of plants found on Table Mountain and 1,470 exotic floral species. Next, we travel east to the heart of wine country and the historic former Dutch settlement and university town, Stellenbosch. Surrounded by more than 150 wine farms and estates, the town is humming with shops, cafés, restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and museums. We'll enjoy visits to two wineries to taste the fruit of the vine. Enjoy a lunch of locally grown ingredients, sample award-winning wines, each with its own unique charm, while relaxing and drinking in the intoxicating atmosphere of the winelands. Tonight, feel the heartbeat of Africa at our special farewell dinner. This immersive experience will take us on a 14-dish taste safari paired with traditional Mali puppetry, singing, and dancing to the rhythms of the marimba percussion and djembe drums. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Water bottle Inclusions: Table Mountain Stellenbosch Wine Country and Tastings 14-dish taste farewell safari dinner and drumming session After breakfast, we bid farewell to new friends, and begin to plan our next big adventure. Meals: Breakfast, In-flight Inclusions: Transfer from hotel to airport included with purchase of AESU group airfare