18 DAYS—SPECTACULAR SOUTH AFRICA, TANZANIA AND MASAI MARA SAFARI

This journey is a magnificent passage through fabled African lands. Travelers will delight in the civilized charms of South Africa, thrill at the majesty of Victoria Falls and fall silent in awesome appreciation of East Africa’s eternal wildlife. From graceful Cape Town at the southernmost tip of the continent, to the wild heart of Africa’s legendary game reserves, this programme has been carefully crafted to present the best of Africa in luxury.

Six flights add to the comfort of your travels. The programme begins in Cape Town at the lovely Cape Grace Hotel or similar deluxe venue. South Africa’s “Mother City” will open her arms and reveal her many delights during our stay here, including a spectacular cable car rides up Table Mountain, from where we see the beauty of Cape Town sparkling beneath us.

During our two-day visit, we tour the winelands outside of town where some of the world’s finestvintages are grown, and visit Cape Point Nature Reserve where the cool currents of the Atlantic meet for the first time with the warmth of the Indian Ocean. And for a rich aromatic treat, we also visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, considered amongst the world’s most exquisite displays of flowers.

We will quickly see why! Then we fly to Victoria Falls and check into the magnificent RoyalLivingstone or Victoria Falls Hotel, just the rightsetting for the astounding sight we have come so far to see. Here the mighty Zambezi River races over a mile-wide cliff and thunders over 300 feet downward, casting its spray high into the glorious African sky.

After we have recovered our breath, we explore the river on a Sundowner Cruise, enjoying a far more tranquil stretch of her waters. Leaving behind thebeauty of Southern Africa, we embark next on the East African leg of our adventure, traveling into the heart of the big game viewing lands. In Nairobi we are welcomed by Kingsways Family, enjoying lunch or dinner at their home on Lavington Hill or country residence, Ideal Farms in Karen.

Following a gathering with fine food and good conversation, we feel as though the Pintos are lifelong friends. After a sound evening’s rest, we begin our safari with an introductory briefing by our Safari Director, along, with an insightful lecture by Maasai Elder and renowned Safari Guide, Rakita. Then we are off to Tanzania’s Lake Manyara.

This gem of a park is known for its amazing tree-climbing lions, high density of elephants and tremendous birdlife, as well as flamingos and hippos in the lake. Here we have the remarkable experience of a Bush Walk-a chance to become one with the creatures of the wild. Our journey continues to the Ngorongoro Crater, an astonishing natural caldera spanning over 100 square miles with perhaps the best game viewing in all of Africa. Stunning vistas combine with the drama of the wildlife within to take your breath away.

The vast expanse of the legendary Serengeti is next, where we find urselves in the very heart of the migration corridor, a path traveled by nearly every species known to man. Two days will be devoted to an in-depth exploration of the great herds. We also tour the nearby fossil beds at Olduvai Gorge, made famous by the discoveries of Louis and Mary Leakey. After two heady days in the Serengeti we fly by a rare direct flight to the Maasai Mara where delightful events await. We visit a Maasai village to sing, dance and laugh with these proud and ancient people. Maasai Elder Ben Kipeno also meets with us and talks of his vision for the Maasai of today. And perhaps the most enchanting moment of all, Bush Sundowners-cocktails around a bonfire, set high on the Escarpment with exquisite sunset views over the plains. In the Mara we enjoy a classic safari experience with two nights under canvas in a luxuriousm tented camp. Our sojourn ends in Nairobi with a city tour, witnessing the Africa of today as it mingles with the Africa of legend. As we bid farewell we remember the old adage, “You may leave Africa, but
Africa will never leave you.”


AFRICAN SPLENDOUR
18 DAYS—DEPARTS TUESDAY, RETURNS FRIDAY

Day 1: Arrival, are met at the airport in Nairobi and connect to Jannesburg in time for dinner and overnight at Caesars hotel.

Day 2: Cape Town
Following a late morning arrival in Cape Town, we transfer to the lovely Cape Grace hotel or similar deluxe hotel. The balance of the afternoon is atleisure. After a marvelous evening meal, we retire to prepare for tomorrow’s adventures.

Day 4: Cape Town
This morning we enjoy sightseeing in this dramatically beautiful city, including a spectacular cable car ridep Table Mountain, which offers a splendid view of Cape Town. Then it’s off to the Cape Point Nature Reserve with some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. Following lunch, we also pay a visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens—an aromatic oasis for the senses. At day’s end, we return to dinner at the
private home of our Kingsways hosts.

Day 5: Cape Town
Today we tour the area’s famed vineyards, home to some of the world’s finest vintages and enjoy a sumptuous lunch at one of the wine estates.

Day 6: Victoria Falls
This morning we enplane for Victoria Falls, connecting in Johannesburg. In the early afternoon we check into either the magnificent Royal Livingstone Hotel or the old world
Victoria Falls Hotel, both just a short walk from the Falls. From our hotel we hear the roar of the plummeting torrents and see cascades of billowing mist. Luncheon is erved on the hotel’s stunning verandas and the afternoon is at leisure to relax and
delight in the view.

Day 7: 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 8: Rosebank
After a leisurely breakfast we fly to Johannesburg and overnight at the exclusive Grace Hotel in the upscale residential suburb of Rosebank.

Day 9: Nairobi
Our plane touches down in Nairobi and we check into the elegant Hilton Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 10: Lake Manyara
Today we depart by road to Lake Manyara via Namanga border town and Arusha in time for lunches. After, connect by road to Manyara in time for dinner and overnight.

Mahogany forest, marsh, grass and scrubland are home to over 350 species of birds that populate this magnificent tangle of vegetation. On our afternoon game run we seek the famous tree-climbing lions, a sight not as rare as you might think. Our charming rooms at the Lake Manyara Lodge welcome us and a superb dinner awaits.

Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater
A Bush Walk is a delightful way to begin our day in Manyara. Our guide is busy every minute pointing out animal tracks, flora, fauna and birdlife. What an amazing morning! Then we’re off to Ngorongoro Crater where our lodge is spectacularly situated on the rim, revealing an awesome panorama below. Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa/Ngorongoro wildlife Lodge.

Day 12 : Ngorongoro Crater
We descend into the giant crater of this extinct volcano and spend the day 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 hold your attention every second of the day.

Day 13 – Day 14: Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, we drive to the Serengeti. We visit Olduvai Gorge en route, where the Leakey family made illustrious discoveries including the fossil of Homo habilis, living 1.75 million years ago. In the Serengeti we find ourselves deep in the heart of the
savannah on the famous migration corridor. And with two full days of game runs, we have ample opportunity to discover why this land is indeed legendary. Overnight at Serengeti Sopa/ Serengeti Wildlife Lodge.

Day 15 – Day 17: Maasai Mara
We wing our away across the tapestry of East Africa, to Arusha and Nairobi where we pause for a lovely lunch before continuing by air to the Maasai Mara. This celebrated reserve is truly the Africa of our imagination, and it is here that our expedition reaches a grand finale with unforgettable Bush Cocktails on the Escarpment, a Maasai village visit and a lecture by an insightful tribal Elder. Our two nights in the Mara are spent in the unique atmosphere of the original safaris of yesteryear, under canvas in a luxurious tented camp. Overnight at Mara Sopa lodge/ ensuite tented Camp.

Day 18: Nairobi
One last look at the Mara and we fly to Nairobi. The day is for revisiting a favourite site, shopping or simply relaxing in our hotel room. After dinner we proceed to the airport and bid farewell to this grand journey, having traversed the African continent from Cape Town to Nairobi.