South Africa - Escorted Tour 2025

Travelspan Adventures Feb 25 - Mar 08, 2025


SOUTH AFRICA ADVENTURES - 12 DAYS

Tour Highlights:

• Experience Cape Town, during the city tour pass by the Castle of Good Hope, the Grande Parade, and visit Table Mountain*
• Tour historic Robben Island**, a World Heritage Site, and view the former prison cell of Nelson Mandela
• During the Cape Peninsula Tour, visit the Cape of Good Hope reserve and view the penguin colonies at Boulders Beach
• Thrilling game drives in the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park
• An exclusive surface tour of the working Cullinan Diamond Mine
• In Soweto, the most metropolitan township, visit Nelson Mandela's former home and the stirring Apartheid Museum

Package Includes

• Round-trip Airfare from New York (JFK)
• Intra-flight Cape Town-Johannesburg
• 10 Nights Hotel accommodation (w/Hotel taxes, fees, and services charges) in: 
  • 5 Nights at the four-star AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront, CapeTown
  • 3 Nights at the four-star Bakubung Bush Lodge Sun City
  • 2 Nights at the four-star Protea Hotel Fire & Ice Melrose Arch, Johannesburg
• 17 Meals:- 10 Breakfasts, 2 Lunch, 5 Dinners
• Hotel porterage of (1) one piece of luggage per passenger
• All transfers included are Group Transfers based on Group Air Itineraries †
• Professional English-speaking guide/Tour Manager
• Transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary in an A/C motor coach bus
• Entrance fees as per the itinerary
• Game drives in modern 10-seater Safari Vehicles

Excluded

• Optional Insurance (recommended)
• Any item of a personal nature.
• Any optional tours/excursions
• Any meals/beverages which are not mentioned under ‘included services'
• Visa charges.
• Tips and any additional porterage that are not included in the itinerary.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

DAY 1, Wednesday, February 7, 2024 – Depart the USA
Board your plane for your overnight, trans-Atlantic journey to Africa on Emirates Airlines.

DAY 2, Thursday, February 8 – Arrive in South Africa
Arrive in South Africa, a large, diverse, and incredibly beautiful country that occupies the southern tip of Africa. Its long coastline stretches more than 2,500 km - from the desert border of Namibia on the Atlantic coast, southwards around the tip of Africa, and then north to the border of subtropical Mozambique on the Indian Ocean. On clearing Customs & Immigration at Cape Town International Airport (CPT), transfer to your hotel, passing the towering symbol of the city – Table Mountain. Check in to your four-star hotel, the AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront.  The AC Hotel Waterfront is in the very heart of Cape Town and minutes away from the iconic V&A Waterfront, the city is a shopping mecca and the gateway to Robben Island. The hotel is a stylish addition to the city, with contemporary design and decoration and views that include Table Mountain, Lions Head, and Signal Hill. The city is at your fingertips at the AC Hotel Waterfront. At the hotel, there is the AC Market that offers grab-and-go products as well as the bar where the finest locally crafted spirits are served. The hotel also has its own state-of-the-art fitness center.  The rest of the day is at leisure in this seaside city … the Mother City, the "Green City", the "Tavern of the Seas"... or whatever name you give it, it is a bucket list destination to be experienced and enjoyed.  Overnight: Cape Town

DAY 3, Friday, February 9 – Cape Town City Tour
Enjoy a morning at leisure to rest up from the journey to the Southern Hemisphere.
After lunch on your own, meet up with your Tour Manager and depart on a half-day Cape Town city and Table Mountain tour. Drive past famous landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope, City Hall, the Grand Parade, and St. George's Cathedral. The route then leads to Kloof Nek and Table Mountain. Ascend to the top (weather permitting) by means of a cable car. (NOTE – cable car tickets are not included due to potential bad weather conditions). Following the tour, return to your hotel to freshen up. That evening, enjoy a uniquely African Welcome Dinner! An evening at Gold Restaurant is often referred to as a taste safari and that’s exactly what it is. This vibrant restaurant promises an evening of wining and dining in scintillating African style. The dinner begins with the drumbeat of the djembe drum and an interactive drum circle and you will then be led into a courtyard where you will ceremoniously wash your hands before the feast begins. This 14-course set menu is authentically Cape Malay and African cuisine, while you are entertained by live performances near your table. Gold Restaurant inspires and immerses you in the spirit of Africa while you savor delicious cuisine.
Overnight: Cape Town | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Saturday, February 10 - Cape Peninsula Tour
Depart on a full-day Cape Peninsula tour to experience some of the most spectacular views. Drive to Cape Point at the southwestern tip of the Cape Peninsula, passing steep mountains, secluded coves, and sweeping beaches en route. After a stop at the fishing village of Hout Bay, one of Cape Town's best-kept secrets, continue to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, comprising over 17,300 acres of indigenous flora and fauna, where you may see baboons by the road-side, rheboks, Cape Mountain zebras, bonteboks and the elusive eland. The native plant life, known as fynbos, forms one of only six floral kingdoms in the world. Following the coastline along False Bay, return to Cape Town after lunch on your own in Simon's Town. While here, visit the penguin colonies at Boulders Beach, and continue with a scenic drive over Muizenberg Mountain. Lastly, visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, resting at the foot of Table Mountain, for a short walking tour of the beautiful gardens before finally returning to Cape Town.
Overnight: Cape Town | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Sunday, February 11 – Day at Leisure or enjoy an Optional $$ Tour South African Wine Tour
Wind through South Africa's fertile wine valleys, prized for their renowned vintages, and discover the rustic beauty of sprawling estates shaded by giant oaks and rows of vines running as far as the eye can see. Travel the country's principal wine route and enjoy tastings at some of the excellent vineyards along the way. Begin in Stellenbosch, South Africa's second oldest town and the historic heart of the country's wine region. First recognized as an ideal location for vineyards in 1679, viticulture has been entwined with the town's history ever since. Also of interest is the town's fascinating variety of architecture, including buildings in Cape Dutch, Georgian, and Victorian styles. Then continue northwest to the old, scenic village of Franschhoek, founded near the Drakenstein Mountains in 1688 by French immigrants, whose descendants eventually supplied highly sought-after wine to Napoleon, Bismarck, and even King Edward VII. Stop for lunch on your own, and then enjoy a final tasting before bidding farewell to the wine country and returning to Cape Town.
Overnight: Cape Town | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Monday, February 12 - Robben Island
Enjoy a quiet morning on your own in Cape Town. After lunch, meet up with the group. Boats depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront and head to one of the most famous prisons in the world, Robben Island. This is where South Africa’s Father of the Nation spent 18 years, the legend of a man, Nelson Mandela. Guests will disembark at Murrays Harbour on the east coast of the island and take a short walk to buses that will transport them to all of the historically significant sites. The tour guides inside the prison today, are former political prisoners and their knowledge of this island is unparalleled and adds a unique cultural layer to this experience. This tour culminates with a viewing of Nelson Mandela’s cell.
* The operation of the Robben Island ferry depends on weather and sea conditions. If the ferry is canceled, the visit to Robben Island will be replaced with alternate sightseeing. Guests must produce a form of identification when they purchase a ticket and board a ferry when visiting the island. All visitors are required to provide either an identification document, passport, birth certificate, or driver’s license. Copies of these documents will be accepted.
Overnight: Cape Town | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Tuesday, February 13 - Flight to Joburg and Evening Game Drive
Following breakfast, transfer to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) for your flight to Johannesburg’s O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). On your arrival, transfer about three hours to the northwest of Johannesburg to the four-star Bakubung Bush Lodge. The lodge is found within the Pilanesberg National Park. Pilanesberg National Park is a short distance from the famous Sun City resort and is within the 57,000-hectare Big Five game reserve that is also malaria-free, making it an ideal family holiday destination.
Bakubung Bush Lodge has a swimming pool, kids’ playground, tennis courts, a wildlife center as well as a volleyball court and gym. There are a number of bars and restaurants to revel in authentic South African cuisine and enjoy sundowners from the Marula Grill Restaurant and the Bush Boma to the Thutiwa Pool Bar and Motswedi Ladies Bar. Spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the Lodge's facilities before going on your evening game drive and then dinner at the lodge.
Overnight: Pilanesberg National Park | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Wednesday, February 14 - Game Drives
Get up before the “locals” and venture out into the bush to be in position for the animals to awaken as the sun comes up in the East. In addition to the Big Five, Pilanesberg also has a high concentration of brown hyenas, as well as all the usual game suspects such as hippos and the endangered African wild dogs. Compared to the likes of Kruger or Kgalagadi, Pilanesberg is a small park (550km2 compared to Kruger’s 22,000km2), so you can easily scope out most of the best viewing spots or hides within a single day of game driving. Nonetheless, some parts of the park remain largely inaccessible to general visitors, so remember to pack the binoculars and some big lenses for your camera. On returning to the lodge, enjoy a late breakfast and the remainder of the day at leisure. You’ll have access to the property’s facilities or you can arrange for a transfer to the extravagant Sun City with a myriad of entertainment options, concerts, cinemas, water parks, and a luscious golf course (not included in the package).
Overnight: Pilanesberg National Park | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Thursday, February 15 - MORE Game Drives
You have another day in South Africa's gorgeous veldt. Sleep in this morning and then relax in the lodge’s gorgeous setting. That afternoon, head out on the final game drive as the sun sets in the West.
Overnight: Pilanesberg National Park | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Friday, February 16 - Cullinan Diamond Mine
Following breakfast, check out of the lodge and make your way back to Joburg. Along the way, visit the Cullinan Diamond Mine, one of the biggest and most productive diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes in the world. It has produced some of the largest diamonds ever found. The largest diamond, the Cullinan, was chiseled into 98 individual diamonds including the Great and Lesser Stars of Africa, which are now set in the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. The tour starts with a 15-minute video before you are led into the high-security premises of the mine where we are shown the workings and machinery of the mine. You then visit the enormous open cast mine, which is four times larger than the famous Kimberley ‘Big Hole’. After visiting the mine, we will have the opportunity to visit the Cullinan Diamond Mine market for an unforgettable diamond and jewelry shopping experience.  Then, continue on to Johannesburg where you’ll check in to the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice Melrose Arch. This is a hotel of vibrant energy and features the luxury of an urban lifestyle. The design and decoration of this hotel have a focus on Old Hollywood glitz and glamour and classic on-screen beauties can be seen everywhere. The accommodation is luxurious and the facilities are world-class. When staying at the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice Melrose Arch, you can take advantage of a unique gourmet restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, and a fitness center. It is modern living at its best and is well known for its bespoke service in the most chic suburb of Johannesburg. Dinner is at your leisure.
Overnight: Johannesburg | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11, Saturday, February 17 - Soweto Tour
Depart on a half-day tour of Soweto, ground zero to so much societal and cultural change in South Africa's turbulent times in the late 20th century. Drive by Tutu House (the former residence of Nobel Peace Prize-winner, Bishop Desmond Tutu) and visit Nelson Mandela's former home. Continue to the Apartheid Museum, where you will journey through the racial segregation experienced by millions of South Africans.
That evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner in a uniquely South African dining experience.
Overnight: Johannesburg |Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Sunday, February 18 - Maboneng & Return Home
After a leisurely start to your day, check out of the hotel and go to the Johannesburg neighborhood of Maboneng for a walking tour of the neighborhood's arts & crafts markets (similar to New York City's Chelsea neighborhood). Maboneng, meaning Place of Light, is a fully-fledged thriving community that has become a center of creative energy for Johannesburg's urban artists. With a mix of art galleries, retail, and studio space, the precinct draws the inner-city public, as well as a chic, art-going crowd. Enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the area, browsing around the arts and craft shops, and sampling artisan food and produce. As the afternoon comes to an end, transfer to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) for your flight home. On checking in, you are welcome to take advantage of the services and comfort of the Bidvest Lounge, giving you time to change and freshen up for your overnight flight back to New York leaving with a lifetime of memories. | Meals: Breakfast

**Land & air itinerary is subject to change.

Call: USA - 212-243-0865 Trinidad - 645-1604 or 665-3383 Guyana - 227-1707 or 337-4297 to book or for more information!