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Africa Part of Cape to Cairo Gold Tour20 days duration (22 days including travel days to and from Africa).
You depart from your various homes today aboard your flights bound for Singapore. Here you meet the escort, if you were not on the same aircraft as them. We remain in transit until the departure of our flight to Cape Town early the next morning. (Meals Inflight)
On arrival at Cape Town International Airport we are met and taken to our deluxe hotel strategically situated in the heart of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The Waterfront is undoubtedly Cape Town’s most visited attraction and here we are made welcome for our four-night stay.
In the late afternoon we hold a very informative Tour Orientation Meeting in which we get to know each other better and outline the important aspects of the day-to-day operation of the Gold Tour. Following the meeting Inca Tours hosts a ‘Tour Welcome Dinner’. (Meals Inflight, D)
This morning we enjoy a city tour taking in most of the highlights of Cape Town, which include the Castle of Good Hope from 1666, the Malay Quarter and the magnificent Table Mountain. Here we ascend to the top (weather permitting) by revolving cable car, where we can marvel at the birds-eye view of the city and its beaches far below.
After descending from the mountain we proceed to the harbour, where we board a ferry to Robben Island. Formerly a political prison, now a museum and National Monument, we view what was once Nelson Mandela’s maximum-security prison cell during his 18 years of incarceration. (BL)
Today’s pleasant tour begins with a scenic drive along the Atlantic Coast, with its glorious views of the Twelve Apostles, part of the Table Mountain Range; the fishing village of Hout Bay, one of Cape Town’s best-kept secrets; and then on to Cape Point in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Following the False Bay Coastline, we return to Cape Town by way of Simon’s Town where we visit the Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach, Fishoek fishing village and the Muizenberg Mountain.
Before our return, we stop at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens for a short walking tour of these beautiful gardens. The final leg of the tour takes us past the University of Cape Town, Rhodes Memorial and the Groote Schuur Hospital where the world’s first successful human heart-transplant was performed in 1967. (BL)
Today will be at leisure to enjoy Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope as you wish. (B)
Leaving Cape Town today, our tour covers the country’s major wine routes. While South Africa’s fertile valleys of the Western Cape are world famous for their crisp white and classic French-style red wines, the area is also a treasury of rustic beauty and sprawling estates shaded by giant oak trees. This area was first settled in the late 17th Century by French Huguenot refugees, bringing Southern Africa's first vines with them. Our first stop is at Paarl, where you will be struck by the beauty of the valley. Here we visit the KWV cellars, home to the largest wine vats in the world. Next we continue to a nearby wine estate with its classic Cape Dutch homestead, for a lovely picnic lunch in the lush gardens. (weather permitting)
The last part of the tour takes us to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa. Here we view the gracious blend of 18th Century Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian buildings and massive Oak trees still shade the original water furrows found in the town. We spend the night at a deluxe vineyard hotel nearby. (BL)
After breakfast we are taken to Cape Town Rail Station where we board the famous Rovos Rail for our two-night journey across the vast South African interior to the inland capital of Pretoria. This historic train, the Pride of Africa, captures the romance and atmosphere of a by-gone era when privileged travellers experienced the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant fashion. Its suites are the most spacious train suites in the world. The superb cuisine served aboard is elegant yet simple and meal times in the dining cars are a highlight of the journey.
Initially we pass through the Cape Winelands then ascend to the interior through the Coastal Mountain Range. In the evening our train stops to let us visit the historic village of Matjiesfontein with its authentic, perfectly preserved Victorian period village. (BLD)
As we continue our relaxing journey on board the Pride of Africa, we stop for an off-train excursion at Kimberley, the “Diamond City” of Africa, where we visit the “Big Hole”, one of the world’s largest hand-made excavations (source of the Hope Diamond) and site of what was once the richest diamond mine in the world.
Following the visit we re-board our train, which proceeds overnight across the grassy plains of the vast interior. (BLD)
On arrival at Capital Park Rail Station in Pretoria we are met and taken on a comprehensive tour of Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital city. Following the tour we are taken to our hotel conveniently located near the airport for the night. (BL)
This morning we take the hotel shuttle back to the airport to board our flight to Maun. We are met on arrival and assisted to board our flight into the Okavango Delta. The camp is a hidden jewel set on a river in the southwest of the delta. The area encompasses a necklace of islands dotted with palms, figs, ebony and knobthorn, and is home to a myriad of birds, plants and animals. The nature of the habitat means it is the perfect place to experience the diversity of species found within the Okavango Delta. (BD)
Situated on a private concession that allows guided walks, mokoro excursions and night drives in addition to game drives (water levels permitting), the options are limitless. This will lead to a great safari experience which is very different from safari experiences in other parts of Africa. (BLD)
We have a final excursion into the delta this morning. We again board our flight to Kasane where we are met and taken to Livingstone (the Zambian side of Victoria Falls) by road. On arrival we will be taken to our hotel with its commanding views of the Zambezi River. (BD)
After breakfast we are taken on a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, one of the Natural Wonders of the World. During this leisurely walking safari we view the falls from the Zambian side.
Following the visit we are taken to Livingstone Airport where we board our flight to Johannesburg. On arrival we catch the shuttle bus to our hotel for the night. (B)
This morning we catch the shuttle bus back to the airport to board our flight to Nairobi. On arrival we connect with our flight to Arusha, Tanzania’s ‘Safari Capital’. We are met and taken to our hotel for tonight’s accommodation. (B)
Today we are taken by road, via Lake Manyara, to our lodge at Ngorongoro Crater for a fantastic two-night stay. Perched on the lip of the world-famous Crater – one of the Natural Wonders of the World – this comfortable lodge has some of the most breathtaking views in East Africa. (BD)
This morning we leave early in our 4X4 game viewing vehicles and head down into the Crater for a fantastic all day game viewing experience. We enjoy breakfast and lunch in between exploring the Crater and its abundant wildlife before returning to our lodge in the late afternoon. (BLD)
Following breakfast we visit Olduvai Gorge, the archaeological site where some of the world’s most important anthropological finds have been made. There is a small museum and at the lookout on the edge of the gorge one of the local experts will tell us about the excavations below, taking us back in time to envisage our ancestors at the dawn of mankind.
Before returning to our lodge, we visit a nearby Maasai village to meet the proud people, who have lived on these plains with their herds of cattle in harmony with the local wildlife since time immemorial. We have lunch at our Ngorongoro Crater lodge before being taken by road along the crater’s lip and down through lush rainforest to our spectacular lodge overlooking Lake Manyara for tonight’s accommodation. (BLD)
After breakfast we depart from Lake Manyara and slowly leave East Africa behind as we approach Arusha airport where we board our flight to the mystical island of Zanzibar, with its World Heritage listed Old Stone Town. Ruled at different times in its history by the Omanis, Arabs, Europeans and Africans, Zanzibar is an island steeped in exotic history.
We will be accommodated at our enchanting historic hotel, located in the heart of the Old Stone Town and overlooking the Indian Ocean, for magical three-night stay. (B)
Following breakfast we head into the Old Stone Town of Zanzibar for a comprehensive walking tour of the old city. We proceed on our leisurely walk through the narrow streets of Old Zanzibar to experience the rich Zanzibari Culture in its many exotic and colourful bazaars. We also visit the intimidating slave market and slave chambers and the House of Wonders (Museum of History and Culture of Zanzibar and the Swahili Coast).
This afternoon is at leisure for you to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities or explore the interesting town. In the evening we are taken for a traditional Arabic dinner at one of Zanzibar’s restaurants. (BD)
Zanzibar is referred to as the ‘Spice Island’ for good reason. This morning we embark on a tour to a spice and tropical fruit farm, where we see numerous varieties of spices including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, nutmeg and mace as well as tropical fruits such as jack fruit, bread fruit and the perfume and lipstick trees, being grown. We also visit the ruins of the Kibweni Palace to view its famous Persian Baths, built in 1850 by the first Sultan of Zanzibar for his wife, Princess Shehrzard.
Your afternoon is at leisure to relax and enjoy this spectacular hotel and its beautiful facilities. You may wish to take a swim in the waters of the Indian Ocean. (B)
This morning you bid farewell to the other members of the Cape to Cairo Gold Tour when you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. On arrival you remain in transit until the departure of your flight home later today. (B & Meals Inflight)
If you are returning to Australia you will arrive home today.
All prices are subject to currency fluctuations, additional airline charges and changes in costs from ground suppliers. We reserve the right to vary any part of the tour at our sole discretion as circumstances may require.
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