2008 Itinerary
Day 1: Tauck's South Africa travel begins in Captivating Cape Town
Your South Africa travel adventure begins at the Cape Grace hotel at 6:30 pm. A transfer from Cape Town International Airport to the Cape Grace hotel, which is perfectly situated right on the waterfront in the heart of this beautiful city, is included. Found on the prestigious
Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List, the hotel offers marvelous views of Table Mountain. Meet your Tauck Director and your fellow travelers at our welcome reception and dinner tonight.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa
Day 2: Cape Peninsula kaleidoscope
As the first full day of your South Africa travel begins, you’ll see a bit of Cape Town and the surrounding area before, you’re off to discover the majesty of the Cape Peninsula. Board a funicular for a ride up to Cape Point to admire its historic lighthouse and see the tumultuous Cape of Good Hope for yourself. This evening, indulge yourself in the dining and entertainment options on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront as you please.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa
Day 3: The story of South Africa's freedom fighters
Following a journey by cable car, you’ll find yourself atop famous Table Mountain. As you stroll along the trails, admire both the 14,000 species of plants that grow here and the magnificent views of the sea far below. After returning to sea level, a ferry ride across Table Bay to Robben Island, a World Heritage Site, awaits you. Take time to look back at Table Mountain on the way. The fascinating history of the island unfolds during a guided tour and the struggles of South Africa’s freedom fighters come alive as you view the infamous prison and the cell in which Nelson Mandela was confined for 27 years. The remainder of the day is free to explore Cape Town as you wish.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa
Day 4: A five-star day a a five-star wine estate
South Africa travel offers memorable sights, scents and tastes today. At Kristenbosch National Botanical Garden, discover a variety of plants unique to South Africa as their sweet scents surround you. Then head to South Africa’s wine country, stopping to taste the country’s wines at a historic estate. Visit the decidedly Dutch town of Stellenbosch, located in one of the oldest and most important wine-producing regions in South Africa. Founded in 1679, it features whitewashed Cape Dutch buildings along oak-lined streets. You’ll always remember your stay tonight at a 5-star wine estate renowned for the quality of its food and wines.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Lanzerac Manor & Winery, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Day 5: At home on safari
South Africa travel just wouldn’t be complete without opportunities to view Africa’s fascinating wildlife in an up-close-and-personal way that you are about to enjoy at one of South Africa’s finest private game reserves located within Kruger National Park. And you’ll set out on game drives from a luxurious lodge set on the banks of the Sabie River in the heart of the bushveld. The nearby watering hole attracts the animals that make the surrounding plains their home.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge / Tinga Private Game Lodge, South Africa
Day 6: Private game reserves and "Big Five" antics
With the help of experienced Shangaan trackers, set out in search of Africa’s "Big Five" – the elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhinoceros – in an open-top Land Rover on morning and afternoon game drives. Look for gamboling gazelles, stately giraffes and watch the antics of the antelopes as your guide shares insights about their lives. The resident rangers will tell you all about the geography of the area, the wildlife and the efforts being made to conserve these living treasures.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge / Tinga Private Game Lodge, South Africa
Day 7: Bush safari to city sophistication
Enjoy one more game drive early this morning before bidding the bushveld farewell and flying to Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city. The Westcliff, your city home for the next two nights, is set in one of the city’s most sophisticated residential neighborhoods. Add your name to its prestigious guest list that included Peter Ustinov and U2.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Westcliff, Johannesburg, South Africa
Day 8: Sights and sounds of Soweto
During a guided tour, you’ll see the diversity of Soweto, from its thriving business environment of today to its historical importance as a residential township in the time of the apartheid. View the homes of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Winnie Mandela as well as Freedom Square and the Hector Pieterson memorial. The evening is free to enjoy as you wish.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: The Westcliff, Johannesburg, South Africa
Day 9: Experience the grandeur of Victoria Falls
Fly to Victoria Falls, regarded as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Zambezi River plunges more than 300 feet into the Zambezi Gorge, often creating rainbows in the spray. It is nearly twice as wide and twice as high as Niagara Falls. Enjoy elegant accommodations at The Victoria Falls Hotel, established in 1904. In your free time, stroll the hotel’s private pathway atop the gorge for inspiring views of the Victoria Falls Bridge crossing into Zambia.
Note: Guests who booked the shorter, nine-day itinerary have a private transfer to the airport in the morning for departure home.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Day 10: The ultimate elephant experience – elephants everywhere
Today will be a most memorable experience in your South Africa travel. Take a morning walking tour into Zambezi National Park before learning all about the African elephant from your guide. Then climb onto a special seat atop an enormous African elephant for a lumbering stroll through the bush in search of wildlife … it’s the ultimate African wildlife experience! You may even still be talking about it at this evening’s farewell reception and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Day 11: Homeward bound or bound for Botswana
Enjoy a final morning at Victoria Falls before your flight to Johannesburg at the conclusion of your South Africa travel.
Tour ends at Johannesburg Airport. Hop on your flight home or on to Botswana for a memorable four-night unescorted safari extension at a luxury tented camp. Whichever way you go, we wish you a safe and pleasant journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Space is limited! Book now for this complete complete South Africa travel experience combining game drives with natural, cultural, and cosmopolitan sights.
Inclusive Prices
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All safari expenses and adventures, entertainment, land transportation, admission fees, luggage handling, and the services of the Tauck Director.
Safari Lodge and Hotel Accommodations – Tauck’s price includes all hotels, safari lodges and tented safari camps with en suite facilities including showers, flush toilets and hot and cold running water. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ from place to place, Tauck's commitment to your comfort is unwavering.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Directors – Each tour is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully-trained employee of Tauck World Discovery.
Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for bellmen, luggage handling, dining room servers, safari guides, and drivers are included.
No Options Sold - Tauck Directors sometimes assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.
On-Tour Flights
Airfare While on Tour – Four on-tour flights must be purchased through Tauck as part of your tour package.
Not Included
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States (subject to availability).
Safari Lodge or Hotel Accommodations Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, many quests prefer to secure lodge or hotel accommodations for the nights preceding or following their tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Safari lodge and hotel accommodations will be added to the tour cost. Airport transfers are included for these bookings. If you wish to spend additional nights, or take the Botswana excursion, please consult the
Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.
Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle guests’ luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to
Tauck Travel Protection on this website for more information.
Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, visa fees (if applicable), vaccinations, departure taxes, and other optional incidental extras, are not included and may be significant.
Tauck Director Gratuities – The customary gratuity to the Tauck Director is not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures – Travelers must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.
Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.
Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking and are subject to change due to airline schedule changes. All booking agents and guests will be advised of such changes. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs.
Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Preparing To Go
Air Conditioning – All of the lodges and hotels on this tour provide air conditioning except for the Mount Sheba Country Lodge.
Clothing and Packing - Generally, lightweight, cotton, short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts, shorts and long pants are sufficient. A light jacket, fleece, or windbreaker, as well as layers of clothing, are suggested for cooler temperatures during early morning game drives, especially from June through August, and for evenings. A bandana or cotton scarf will always come in handy.
For the welcome and farewell dinners, and for dining in the larger cities, many guests like to dress up, but by all means be comfortable. A jacket and tie is required for dining in the upscale Livingstone Room at the Victoria Falls Hotel.
While on safari it is recommended you wear natural earth-colored clothing, such as khakis, tans, browns, and greens, as well as comfortable walking shoes. Bright colors and whites are not advised, and army camouflage uniforms or army hats are forbidden. Blue and black are not suggested, as these colors attract both the sun and Tsetse flies. It is also a good idea to bring a swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip protection.
Game drives can be dusty, so wear something that can be washed while on safari. Valet service is available at all lodges and hotels.
A personal kit with medication for possible upset stomach, aspirin, and allergy medicine may also be useful. If you are taking prescription drugs, bring a prescription signed by your doctor in case you need an emergency refill while traveling. Insect repellent with DEET is a very important item to include in your kit. Pre-moistened towelettes, antibacterial lotion, and a flashlight will also be useful on your safari.
Pack your medical kit in your carry-on bag along with an extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses and a change of clothes in case of luggage delay.
For viewing wildlife, we recommend you bring a good pair of binoculars and your own photography supplies, such as plenty of film, batteries, a 200mm telephoto lens, lens cap, lens papers, UV filter and, for video-recording, an adequate supply of video cassettes.
Elevation – Johannesburg is located on the interior plateau and is 6,444 ft (1,964 m) above sea level.
Health - All travelers to Africa should be in reasonably good health. There is a significant amount of walking on this tour, frequently in warm weather, as well as climbing in and out of safari vehicles and frequent air travel. Tauck strongly advises that guests who require assistance walking or travel with oxygen tanks may not fully enjoy this very active journey.
Roads in rural and wildlife areas are bumpy and dusty. While we provide reliable and reasonably comfortable vehicles, land travel is not air conditioned and often slow, especially in wilderness areas.
We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them.
For vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website at
www.cdc.gov
Malaria pills are generally recommended for travel in Southern Africa.
Luggage Restrictions:
Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour:
To help in your packing, Tauck will provide each guest with a duffel bag. The duffel bag has been specially designed to provide more than adequate space for essential items needed while traveling to the private game reserves on days 5-6 and to Victoria Falls on days 9-11. Please pack light and bring ONLY the Tauck-issued duffel bag with you on these travel days.
Strict limitations on our on-tour flights require that each guest take only one piece of soft-sided luggage (the duffel bag) weighing no more than 44 lbs(19.95 kg). This weight limit includes all camera equipment. Soft-sided luggage is required to ensure your piece fits into irregularly shaped luggage compartments.
In addition, guests are limited to one soft-sided, carry-on bag per person not to exceed 15 lbs (6.8 kg), and no larger than an average knapsack.
PLEASE NOTE THAT GUESTS WHO BOOK THE BOTSWANA EXCURSION ARE STRICTLY LIMITED TO ONLY 26 POUNDS FOR THEIR CHECKED AND CARRY-ON BAGS COMBINED AND SHOULD PACK ACCORDINGLY.
While you are in the private game reserves, your other luggage will return with the motor coach to Johannesburg and will be delivered to your room at The Grace in Rosebank on day 7. On day 9, after you pack your duffel bag for Victoria Falls, your other luggage will be pulled from your room at The Grace in Rosebank for transfer to Johannesburg Airport where it will be available to you on day 11.
If you reside in the United States, the duffel bag will be sent to your home and should arrive approximately two weeks prior to your departure for Africa. Guests residing outside of the U.S. will receive their duffel bags upon arrival in Cape Town due to customs regulations that prohibit the easy delivery of the duffel bags in advance.
Checked Luggage - General
While it is common that airlines allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person.
In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable for the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.
Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.
Carry-on Luggage - General
Although oversized bags and wheeled carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, which may not be accessible during daytime travel.
Travel Document Requirements – U.S. citizens will need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the tour.
Recent new rules at South Africa's airports also require that anyone traveling to South Africa must have two consecutive blank pages in their passport which lie side by side when the passport is open (i.e. a left and a right hand page). U.S. citizens who need to add extra pages to their passport should go to the following website,
www.travel.state.gov/extra pages Here you will find instructions on how to add extra pages to your passport. Passengers traveling to South Africa with passports that do not comply with these requirements will either be stopped from boarding the aircraft or risk deportation on arrival in South Africa.
For U.S. citizens, a visa is required for entry to Zimbabwe. The visa will be obtained upon arrival at the Zimbabwe airport on day 9 of your tour and is included in the tour price.
As of July, 2006, the country of South Africa does not require a visa for U.S. citizens.
Citizens of other countries should contact the consulates or embassies of Zimbabwe and South Africa to determine what travel documentation is required.
Travel with Children – Many countries have specific entry requirements for children less than 21 years of age who are traveling without one or both parents. Usually a notarized letter, signed by the parent or parents not traveling with the child and stating the name of the child, the adult guardian, the itinerary and dates of travel, and the flight number, is required. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all travelers to comply with the regulations for the country you are visiting. This information is available from each country’s consulate. Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standards for these letters, Tauck does offer
download guidance for writing this letter.
Destination Information
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that guests refrain from cell phone usage during motor coach travel, group functions, sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not impact others, or the wildlife in the private game reserves.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine limitations and services that exist for the destinations to which you are traveling.
Currency and Exchange Rates - American Express, Diners Club, Visa, and MasterCard are all widely recognized credit cards and are accepted at most hotels, shops, and restaurants in South Africa. Guests should use credit cards for purchases as much as possible.
Thomas Cook, Visa and Master Card Traveler’s Checks are widely accepted as well (US Dollars or South African Rand checks are recommended). As in most countries, we suggest you do not carry large amounts of cash.
Additionally, ATM machines are becoming increasingly popular; contact your bank in advance of departure to determine whether you will be able to use your card while visiting South Africa.
The small amount of cash you bring with you for incidental purchases should be in small denominations. Exchanging large denominations has been made difficult – even at banks – due to counterfeiting.
To obtain the up-to-date currency exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website
www.oanda.com.
Please be advised that when exchanging currencies, shopping and using ATMs, the transaction time is much slower than most people may be accustomed to. South Africa’s foreign exchange rules cause the entire process to take more time.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – As of October 2007, South Africa levies a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 14% on most goods and services, but as a foreign national, you may reclaim VAT on anything you bought for over 250 Rand to take out of the country unused. You need to do this before you embark on your flight home, and will have to produce the original tax invoice for the item.
For U.S. residents returning to the United States, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol and tobacco that can be a part of this exemption - one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits at.
www.cbp.gov.
Citizens of other countries should refer to their own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance.
Electrical Current – The electrical current is generally 220/230v, 15 amps, and is supplied through either 15-amp three-prong or 5-amp two-prong plugs, in both cases with round pins. If you bring anything electrical, bring an adapter – or you could buy one in South Africa. Generally, the 110v video chargers work safely on the 220v supply.
Time Zones – South Africa is 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). In June, they are 6 hours ahead of New York City. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website,
www.timeanddate.com
Weather – South Africa is a year-round destination, as frequently the climate features bright, sunny days. Temperatures in the summer (November to February) and autumn (March and April) typically range from the mid-50's to the high-70’s degrees Fahrenheit , or 10 to 21 degrees Celsius, in South Africa, and from the low-60's to the low-90’s F, or 15 to 30 C, in Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, the winter (May to August) and spring (September to October) seasons typically bring temperatures from the mid-40’s to the low-70’s F, or 4 to 21 C, in South Africa, and from the mid-40's to high-80’s F, or 4 to 27 C, in Zimbabwe.
South Africa is generally considered to be an arid region, with two-thirds of the country receiving less than 22 inches, or 56 centimeters, of rain per year. The central part of the country typically sees rainfall in the summer. Meanwhile, in Cape Town and its surroundings, it is typically most rainy in the winter months. The majority of Zimbabwe's rainfall occurs between the months of December and March.
|
Average Temperature |
| |
Cape Town, S. Africa
|
Kruger Nat'l Park, S. Africa
|
| Month |
Farenheit |
Celsius |
Farenheit |
Celsius |
| January |
79 |
26 |
82 |
28 |
| February |
79
|
26 |
82 |
28 |
| March |
79 |
26 |
82 |
28 |
| April |
73
|
23 |
79 |
26 |
| May |
66 |
19 |
75 |
24
|
| June |
64
|
18 |
73 |
23
|
| July |
62 |
17 |
73 |
23
|
| August |
64
|
18 |
73 |
23
|
| September |
66 |
19 |
73 |
23
|
| October |
70
|
21 |
75 |
24
|
| November |
73 |
23 |
77 |
25 |
| December |
77
|
25 |
77 |
25 |
|
|
| |
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
|
|
| Month |
Fearenheit |
Celsius |
|
|
| January |
89 |
32 |
|
|
| February |
85
|
29 |
|
|
| March |
86 |
30 |
|
|
| April |
82
|
28 |
|
|
| May |
82 |
28 |
|
|
| June |
76
|
24 |
|
|
| July |
76 |
24
|
|
|
| August |
82
|
28
|
|
|
| September |
91 |
33 |
|
|
| October |
92
|
33 |
|
|
| November |
86 |
30 |
|
|
| December |
86
|
30 |
|
|
To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website,
www.weather.com
If You Have to Cancel
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, Tauck will charge guests who cancel confirmed bookings a cancellation fee according to the when the cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit guests’ liability, Tauck offers its guests
Tauck Travel Protection
Guests choosing to purchase the non-refundable Tauck Travel Protection will have cancellation penalties waived.
Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
60 days or more before departure
$600 per person
59-8 days before departure
$1250 per person
7-1 days before departure
$2000 per person
