LUXURIOUS SOUTH AFRICAN PRIDE TOUR plus VICTORIA FALLS

Depart USA/Canada for Johannesburg, South Africa. 

Arrival in Johannesburg and transfer to your hotel.  This   evening Hermes Tours hosts a welcome dinner so we may better acquainted. Relax and enjoy the colorful brand of African hospitality serving an extensive buffet as rich and exciting as the many diverse cultures it draws from.  Live performers will entertain you to indigenous theater, dance and traditional storytelling. 

Day 3 - Saturday, Oct. 18 —Johannesburg to Kruger National Park (B, D)

We transfer to the airport for our short flight to Kruger National Park.  The Kruger National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the world and the oldest one in Africa. There are 147 species of mammals including the Big Five.  Upon arrive at our luxury lodge, the Lukimbi situated in the Southern section of the park, the lodge has exclusive use of 15000 ha of prime bushveld.  The Lukimbi offers the supreme comfort if 16 luxury suites overlooking the Lwakahle River, a favorite watering hole for  elephants and buffalo.   After checking in we experience our first safari game drive.  What will we see? A lion? Rhino?  Afterwards enjoy a rewarding toast in the bush.  This evening feast on a Boma dinner.

We continue to explore the park on a whole day of Safaris. After breakfast join your safari guide for a bush walk in the park for a unique safari experience.  This afternoon we enjoy another safari as well as “sundowners” in the bush. 

We continue to explore the park on a whole day of Safaris. Alternatively who have an optional tour of the Panorama Route scheduled which offers breathtaking viewpoints of the country.  Visit God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and Blyde River Canyon. This evening we gather for traditional dinner. 

Day 6 - Tuesday, Oct. 21 — Kruger National Park to Franschhoek (B)

Transfer to the airport for our flight to Cape Town.  We drive the short distance to Franschhoek, a classic wine territory of the Western Cape.  Franschhoek is set in a valley with a strong French Huguenot heritage and many farms and street names bear testament to this.  This afternoon we enjoy a wine tasting at a local farm. Our hotel this evening is the small luxurious Mont Rochelle.

We depart this morning for Paarl and visit the Taal Monument as well as enjoy another wine tasting at a local estate.  Excellent microclimates, good soil and a tradition of cultivating legendary red such as Roodeberg, Cabernet Sauvignon, port and Shiraz qualify this area for the title of first “Red Route” in the world.  Not only do you get to enjoy some of the superb reds, but often the individual taste reveals something of the full-bodied character of the winemaker.

Paarl offers architectural heritage, breathtaking scenery and many nature trails.  It made headlines when President   Mandela walked to freedom from the Victor Verster Prison on the outskirts of the town, heralding the new South Africa. 

We continue to the wine area of Stellenbosch.  A high     percentage of award wining wines originate from this superb growing area. Lunch will be followed by wine tasting.  The rest of the evening is at leisure. 

This morning we head off to Cape Town, one of most sought after destinations in Africa. The fairest Cape as it is known throughout the world for its scenic splendor and cosmopolitan sophistication.  It is in Cape Town that the Rainbow Nation really covers the spectrum with cultural diversity. 
We visit Table Mountain and board a cable car for a ride to the top. Table Mountain is probably the most famous landmark in Cape Town and offers spectacular views of the city. Afterwards we take a trip to Robben Island, the infamous site where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated. We check into our luxurious hotel, the Metropole, perfectly situated in the centre of Cape Town. Later this evening we enjoy dinner together at the African Café. 

Day 9 - Friday, Oct. 24 —
Cape Town (B, L)

Today we find out what makes Cape Town so famous.  We drive out to the Cape Peninsula including a visit to Hout Bay, Chapmans Peak Drive, followed by the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.  Here we have the opportunity to reach the summit by monorail where one can view the meeting of the two oceans.  After our included lunch we visit the Boulders Penguin Colony and then return to Cape Town where the evening is at leisure. 

Today is completely free for you to enjoy Cape Town on your own pace.  We will have a number of suggestions for how you can spend your day enjoying some of the best Cape Town has to offer. This evening Hermes Tours host’s a farewell dinner as we share memories of our times in the African bush and in the beautiful cape.  

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg and connect for your return flight home or extend your African Adventure and join us on the Garden Route.