PASSAGE TO AFRICA ITINERARY:
Day 1 United States
We board our international flight bound for South Africa.
Day 2 Cape Town
A seamless airport arrival has been arranged by the Micato
Safaris Tour Escort, who also accompanies us to one of Cape
Town’s ultra-deluxe hotels, the Table Bay or Cape
Grace. The stylish Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is virtually
at our doorstep and a stroll around the shops and cafes is a
lovely introduction to South Africa.
Day 3 Cape Town
With a magnificent view of the ocean, we enjoy breakfast at
the hotel before heading off to explore the Cape Peninsula area
on a full-day tour. Views of both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans
are breathtaking as we drive along the coastline en route to the
fabled Cape of Good Hope. At Cape Point we ascend by funicular
for a memorable view of the union of two oceans…and some say
that the ghosts from centuries of shipwrecks also inhabit these
shores! Then to historic Simon’s Town with its charming
Victorian architecture and surprising penguin colony found at
Boulders Beach.
And tonight, a very special event awaits us. Micato travellers
are welcomed to cocktails and dinner at the home of a prominent
Cape Town couple—Micato’s hosts in South Africa—who share their
local knowledge, favorite places and, best of all, warm
hospitality. A guest speaker will also be on hand to lecture on
topics of relevance to the new South Africa.
Day 4 Cape Town –Winelands
Not only are South African wines world-renowned, but the
vineyard region—a mere forty-five minutes from Cape Town—is
lyrically lovely. Hence our time today is spent in
elegant pursuits…visiting wine estates, touring a winemaker’s
private cellar and enjoying tastings of vintage private stock.
And, naturally, an inspired gourmet lunch at one of the
vineyards. We also tour the charming village of Stellenbosch,
with its streets of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian buildings
seemingly untouched over the centuries. Our return
drive through the lush countryside—steeped in history, dotted
with gabled, whitewashed houses and surrounded by dramatic
mountains—concludes in Cape Town and our splendid waterfront
hotel.
Day 5 Cape Town – Rovos Rail
While only a short trip to the railroad station in Cape
Town, it is a genteel step back in time. The golden age of rail
travel—a magic and romance all but lost to the modern world—
endures exclusively today aboard Rovos Rail. The experience is
luxurious
and grand, matched perhaps only by the celebrated Venice Simplon
– Orient–Express.
Rovos Rail is comprised of twenty superbly restored coaches,
many dating back to the halcyon days of rail travel in the
1920s, replete with plush furnishings, fine wood paneling and
period décor. The heart and soul of Rovos Rail is, of course,
its vintage
steam locomotives that not even the Orient-Express can claim.
Dining aboard Rovos Rail is a singular pleasure as well, with
world-class cuisine served in opulent style. The train calls
this evening in Matjiesfontein and we stroll this picturesque
village.
Day 6 Rovos Rail
Following an old pioneering trail carved out of the African
bushveld, the train travels past winelands, through mountains
and along the scenic Hex River Valley. Astonishing views are
everywhere but especially from the Observation Car at the end of
the train with its large panel windows and magnificent open-air
balconies. Our deluxe cabins offer twin or double beds
with en suite bathrooms and sitting areas, decorated with the
elegance that one would expect from the world’s most luxurious
train. Today we stop in Kimberley, DeBeer’s diamond boomtown. A
tram ride takes us through town to tour the diamond museum.
Day 7 Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve
At midday we quit the legendary train in Pretoria and board
light aircraft bound for the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, one of the
most luxurious locales for wildlife-viewing in Southern Africa,
set beside the famous Kruger National Park. We will soon see
that Sabi Sabi enchants guests by giving them a highly unique
experience in the midst of the African bush. The ambience of
lavish surroundings in concert with the excitement of days in
the open veld creates life-enhancing experiences. Indeed, the
Sabi Sabi experience seems to be exceptional enough to cater
even to royalty!
In addition to myriad celebrities, renowned peacemaker Nelson
Mandela, Their Royal Majesties King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia
of Spain, as well as King Harald and Queen Sonya of Norway have
experienced the golden joys of Sabi Sabi. Get ready for a safari
fit for a king!
Day 8 – Day 9 Sabi Sabi
Sabi Sabi is also distinguished by its award-winning food,
fine wines and superb accommodations. There are three lodges
here—the romantic Selati Lodge, the spirited Bush Lodge and the
dramatic, award-winning Earth Lodge. The lodges’ striking
atmospheres range from the evocative “Out of Africa” feel to the
classic African safari mood to a modern African Renaissance of
sorts. All three lodges are equally dazzling and create a cocoon
of comfort for discriminating guests in the wilds of the South
African savannah. So, as you set out into the bush with your
trusty ranger and
Shangaan tracker each day to contemplate, question and learn
about the native flora, fauna and life in the bush, you can look
forward to revisiting a sanctuary of sumptuous
delights come evening!
Day 10 Sandton
One long, last look over the savannah and we board our
flight to the trendy “new” Johannesburg. Glance at any glossy
travel magazine published within the last year or so and you’ll
probably land on an article about “Jo’burg,” the new epicenter
of style and culture in Africa. Better still, our accommodations
in the tony enclave of Sandton are at the deluxe Michelangelo
Hotel, conveniently connected to the city’s smartest shopping
mall.
Day 11 Victoria Falls
This morning we fly to Victoria Falls and settle into the
legendary Victoria Falls Hotel on the Zimbabwe side of the
falls. Following in the footsteps of presidents, prime ministers
and visiting royalty, we revel in the gracious atmosphere and
gentle hospitality of this old world gem. Nestled amidst
extensive lawns and gardens with its own private
footpath to the Falls, a stay at such a grande dame of world
hotels feels like a return to the halcyon days of travel during
the British Empire. This evening, the Zambezi River calls to us
and we surrender to its tranquil beauty aboard a sunset cruise
with a cool drink in hand.
Day 12 Victoria Falls
One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the grand
cascade of Victoria Falls simply astonishes every traveller.
Rainbows shimmer in a veil of mist, orchids and lilies bloom in
the rainforest, butterflies flutter through the glade, the
curtain of water roars and the utter power of nature is
awe-inspiring. There are so many inviting
paths to explore on our tour, including viewpoints above the
cataracts, the gorges
and footbridge. For the boldhearted, we include an exhilarating
aerial tour, “The
Flight of Angels,” soaring high over the Falls. And for those of
us who may prefer a
more serene setting for contemplating the view, the deep wicker
chairs of the hotel’s
lovely garden terrace always beckon. Afternoon high tea or the
famed Livingstone
cocktail, together with the spectacle of the Railway Bridge
enveloped in mist, will entice us to linger. As the sun
sets over the Zambezi tonight, we listen one last time for the
calling of birds, snorting of hippos and trumpeting of
elephants. And we
recall the majestic sights of Southern Africa that we have
witnessed.What an extraordinary journey this has been.
Day 13 Johannesburg – United States
An additional morning of splendid isolation before winging
our way back to civilisation. Homebound flights await us in
Johannesburg this evening.
Day 14 United States
Arrive in the United States.
Back to AFRICA - Menu Page
2008
Departure Dates (New dates & rates may apply)
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Depart - Return |
Depart - Return |
Depart - Return |
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Jan 03 – Jan 16* |
May 08 – May 21 |
Sep 11 – Sep 24 |
|
Jan 17 – Jan 30 |
May 22 – Jun 04 |
Sep 25 – Oct 08 |
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Jan 31 – Feb 13 |
Jun 05 – Jun 18 |
Oct 09 – Oct 22 |
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Feb 14 – Feb 27 |
Jun 19 – Jul 02 |
Oct 23 – Nov 05 |
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Feb 28 – Mar 13 |
Jul 03 – Jul 16 |
Nov 06 – Nov 19 |
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Mar 13 – Mar 26 |
Jul 17 – Jul 30 |
Nov 20 – Dec 03 |
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Mar 27 – Apr 09 |
Jul 31 – Aug 13 |
Dec 04 – Dec 17* |
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Apr 10 – Apr 23 |
Aug 14 – Aug 27 |
Dec 18 – Dec 31* |
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Apr 24 – May 07 |
Aug 28 – Sep 10 |
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*Holiday supplement may apply.
2009 Departure Dates (New rates
and dates may apply)
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Depart - Return |
Depart - Return |
Depart - Return |
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Jan 01 – Jan 14* |
Mar 26 – Apr 08 |
Jun 18 – Jul 01 |
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Jan 15 – Jan 28 |
Apr 09 – Apr 22 |
Jul 02 – Jul 15 |
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Jan 29 – Feb 11 |
Apr 23 – May 06 |
Jul 16 – Jul 29 |
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Feb 12 – Feb 25 |
May 07 – May 20 |
Jul 30 – Aug 12 |
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Feb 26 – Mar 11 |
May 21 – Jun 03 |
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Mar 12 – Mar 25 |
Jun 04 – Jun 17 |
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