AFRICAN SPLENDOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1 United States
We board our international flight this evening, bound for
South Africa.
Day 2 Cape Town
Following an afternoon or evening arrival, we settle happily
into the city’s grande dame hotel, the Mount Nelson, set in nine
acres of lush gardens, reclining elegantly at the foot of Table
Mountain. The balance of the day is to relax and enjoy the
surroundings. A sound rest tonight prepares us for tomorrow’s
adventures.
Day 3 Cape Town
A full-day tour explores this dramatically beautiful city,
including a spectacular cable car ride up Table Mountain,
offering a splendid view of Cape Town. Then it’s off to the
Cape Point Nature Reserve of Flying Dutchman fame, and
Day 4 Cape Town
The area’s famed vineyards, home to some of the world’s
finest vintages, are on our agenda today. We enjoy a tour and
sumptuous lunch at one of the wine estates and stroll quaint
colonial Dutch villages. This lyrically lovely region, with
vistas of majestic mountains, lush vineyards and whitewashed
Cape Dutch homes, will leave us breathless.
Day 5 Victoria Falls
This morning we enplane for Victoria Falls, connecting in
Johannesburg. In the afternoon we check into either the
magnificent Royal Livingstone Hotel (Zambia-side of the Falls)
or the old-world Victoria Falls Hotel (Zimbabweside). From
both hotels we hear the roar of the plummeting torrents and see
cascades of billowing mist. Lunch is
served on the hotel’s stunning veranda and the afternoon is at
leisure, delighting in the views and the hotel’s delightful
amenities.
Day 6 Victoria Falls
Breathtaking! This morning we tour the Falls, stopping at
various vantage points to marvel at one of Mother Nature’s most
dazzling spectacles. A scenic flight over the Falls is also
included. The day ends with a sunset cruise along the upper
Zambezi, the perfect venue to enjoy “sundowners” and watch
elephants and giraffes drink at the water’s edge.
Day 7 Johannesburg
We fly to South Africa and find ourselves absolutely enchanted
with our accommodations at the Westcliff Hotel, evocative of a
sprawling Mediterranean village cascading down landscaped
gardens with lush greenery, fountains and panoramic views over
the leafy suburbs.
Day 8 Nairobi
Another hop on the plane and we touch down in Nairobi, Kenya,
where our home will be the celebrated Norfolk Hotel. This
evening Jane and Felix Pinto invite us for
cocktails and dinner at their home. The Pintos take great
pleasure in meeting all of their travelers and delight in
counting them as friends.
Day 9 Lake Manyara
We depart by air to Lake Manyara via Arusha where mahogany
forests, marsh, grass, scrubland and over 350 species of birds
populate this magnificent tangle of
vegetation. On our game runs here, we seek the famous
tree-climbing lions, a sight not as rare as you might think.
Charming rooms at the Lake Manyara Serena Lodge and a superb
dinner await us.
Day 9 Lake Manyara
We depart by air to Lake Manyara via Arusha where mahogany
forests, marsh, grass, scrubland and over 350 species of birds
populate this magnificent tangle of
vegetation. On our game runs here, we seek the famous
tree-climbing lions, a sight not as rare as you might think.
Charming rooms at the Lake Manyara Serena Lodge and a superb
dinner await us.
Day 10 Lake Manyara – Ngorongoro Crater
A Bush Walk is a magical way to begin our day in Manyara.
Our guide is busy every minute pointing out animal tracks,
flora, fauna and birdlife. Then we’re off to Ngorongoro Crater
where our lodge, the stunning Ngorongoro Serena,
is spectacularly situated on the rim of the caldera, revealing
an awesome panorama below.
Day 11 Ngorongoro Crater
We descend into the giant crater of this extinct volcano and
spend the morning tracking animals. This magnificent natural
amphitheatre contains the largest concentration of animals in
all of Africa, including a high density of lions
and thousands of flamingos inhabiting an alkaline lake. Because
the grass is short, game is easily spotted. The ever-changing
mood and tenor of this great caldera will
endlessly hold our attention.
Day 12 – Day 13 Serengeti National Park
Returning to the Manyara airstrip, we fly to the Serengeti,
the jewel in the crown of Tanzania, located deep in the heart of
the famous migration corridor. Its far-reaching
plains of endless grass, tinged with the twisted shadows of
acacia trees, have made it the quintessential image of a wild
and untarnished Africa. After two days of intensive
game runs we will be passionate about this land. Our lodgings
are at the exquisite Kirawira Tented Camp, the epitome of
classic safari camp luxury and a member of the Small Luxury
Hotels of theWorld.
Day 14 – Day 15 Maasai Mara
Our journey continues by air across the tapestry of East Africa
to Arusha and Nairobi, where we pause for lunch before
continuing by air to the Maasai Mara. And here,
once again, we find the Africa of our imagination— a pristine
wilderness of haunting beauty, arcing vistas and a sea of richly
rolling grasslands. And here, our splendid
expedition reaches a grand finale with Bush Cocktails on the
plains and a visit to a Maasai village. Two glorious days and
nights are enjoyed in the cosseted comfort of Mara Explorer or
Governors’ tented camps.
Day 16 Nairobi – Europe
Having traversed the African continent from the Cape to
Kenya, we return by air to Nairobi. We may wish to visit an
America Share project this afternoon or revisit a favorite site.
Our international flight departs this evening.
Day 17 Europe – United States
We arrive in Europe and connect to homebound flights.
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2008 Departure Dates (New rates and dates may
apply):
|
Depart - Return |
Depart - Return |
Depart - Return |
Depart - Return |
|
Apr 23 – May 09 |
Jul 02 – Jul 18 |
Sep 10 – Sep 26 |
Nov 19 – Dec 05 |
|
Apr 30 – May 16 |
Jul 09 – Jul 25 |
Sep 17 – Oct 03 |
Nov 26 – Dec 12 |
|
May 07 – May 23 |
Jul 16 – Aug 01 |
Sep 24 – Oct 10 |
Dec 03 – Dec 19* |
|
May 14 – May 30 |
Jul 23 – Aug 08 |
Oct 01 – Oct 17 |
Dec 10 – Dec 26* |
|
May 21 – Jun 06 |
Jul 30 – Aug 15 |
Oct 08 – Oct 24 |
Dec 17 – Jan 02* |
|
May 28 – Jun 13 |
Aug 06 – Aug 22 |
Oct 15 – Oct 31 |
Dec 24 – Jan 09* |
|
Jun 04 – Jun 20 |
Aug 13 – Aug 29 |
Oct 22 – Nov 07 |
Dec 31 – Jan 16* |
|
Jun 11 – Jun 27 |
Aug 20 – Sep 05 |
Oct 29 – Nov 14 |
|
|
Jun 18 – Jul 04 |
Aug 27 – Sep 12 |
Nov 05 – Nov 21 |
|
|
Jun 25 – Jul 11 |
Sep 03 – Sep 19 |
Nov 12 – Nov 28 |
|
2009 Departure Dates (New rates and dates may apply)
|
Depart - Return |
Depart - Return |
Depart - Return |
Depart - Return |
|
Jan 07 – Jan 23* |
Mar 11 – Mar 27 |
May 13 – May 29 |
Jul 15 – Jul 31 |
|
Jan 14 – Jan 30 |
Mar 18 – Apr 03 |
May 20 – Jun 05 |
Jul 22 – Aug 07 |
|
Jan 21 – Feb 06 |
Mar 25 – Apr 10 |
May 27 – Jun 12 |
Jul 29 – Aug 14 |
|
Jan 28 – Feb 13 |
Apr 01 – Apr 17 |
Jun 03 – Jun 19 |
Aug 05 – Aug 21 |
|
Feb 04 – Feb 20 |
Apr 08 – Apr 24 |
Jun 10 – Jun 26 |
Aug 12 – Aug 28 |
|
Feb 11 – Feb 27 |
Apr 15 – May 01 |
Jun 17 – Jul 03 |
|
|
Feb 18 – Mar 06 |
Apr 22 – May 08 |
Jun 24 – Jul 10 |
|
|
Feb 25 – Mar 13 |
Apr 29 – May 15 |
Jul 01 – Jul 17 |
|
|
Mar 04 – Mar 20 |
May 06 – May 22 |
Jul 08 – Jul 24 |
|
*Holiday supplement may apply.
