Swain’s Southern Africa In-Style

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

South Africa’s “Mother City” is indescribably beautiful, steeped in fascinating history and pulsating to a heady African rhythm. Indeed, few urban centers anywhere can match its setting along the mountainous Cape Peninsula spine, which slides into the Atlantic Ocean. A ride in a cable car to the top of Table Mountain, a ferry journey to Robben Island, or a meandering tour through the Winelands will leave you in no doubt that this place is an absolute highlight on any vacation to Africa. South Africa boasts incredibly good weather, gorgeous scenery and fantastic beaches and is one of the most diverse and enchanting countries in the world. Exotic combinations of landscapes, people, history and culture offer visitors a unique and inspiring experience.

Today enjoy the ultimate 'Mother City' experience, designed to orientate and give you a full-color insight into the extraordinary magic of Cape Town which includes iconic buildings, snatches of its history, and experiences unique to this City. First up, it's the cable car to the summit of the legendary Table Mountain (weather permitting). Next visit the country's oldest building, The Castle (closed Sundays), and a short distance away, the Company Gardens, both historically fascinating and well conserved. The drive continues past Parliament Buildings, City Hall and the Slave Lodge, and you'll sense the depth of history via their distinctive architecture. Colonial then changes to colorful, as you move up the cobblestoned hills to the Malay Quarter, and marvel at the ice-cream colors of the quaint Bo-Kaap homes. Enjoy an afternoon at your leisure.

Today you travel along the Atlantic Seaboard to explore the Fairest Camp, so desrived by Sir Francis Drake in 1578. Winding along the coast you pass glorious beaches to Hout Bay harbor. From Hout Bay, travel to Noordhoek and through Ou Kaapse Weg and on to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Here you are able to ride the Funicular to the viewpoint where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Leaving the Nature Reserve, proceed to Simonstown, where you stop for lunch (for your own account), as well as a short stop at Boulders Beach. Nestled in historic Simon's Town in South Africa, Boulders Penguin Colony is part of the Cape Peninsula National Park. Almost 3000 African (jackass) penguins, so called because their call resembles the bray of a donkey, reign supreme amidst rounded rocks and fish-filled False Bay.  These endangered, flightless birds are free to roam the seas and return to their private haven - Foxy Beach at Boulders.

The Cape Winelands are amongst the most scenic in the world. A visual feast of lush green valleys, rugged mountains, fine cuisine, and world-class wine producing estates make up the Cape Winelands. Its many historic wine estates, characterized by classic Cape Dutch-style buildings with distinctive gables and thatched roofs, and massive vineyards, date back centuries. Wine estates are bordered by: the Hottentots, Holland; the Franschhoek Mountains; and in the North, by the Wemmershoekberg. This morning you will explore the oldest of the Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch enjoying some of the finest wine tasting experiences. Return to Cape Town in the afternoon for some time at leisure.

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight (own account) to the Sabi Sands. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your Sabi Sands accommodation.

Undoubtedly the most prestigious game park in South Africa, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve is known for having some of the best available Big Five game spotting in the country. Located on the southwest corner of the Kruger National Park, there are no restricting fences so the animals roam freely just as nature intended.

The day will typically start with an early rise. Enjoy a light snack before departing on an activity, with a stop for a snack and tea/coffee en route. Upon return to camp (normally about three hours later) enjoy a sizeable brunch. Free time is them ample during the heat of the day to enjoy a siesta, or a dip in the pool. Mid-afternoon, tea, cakes and savories are served, before you depart on your afternoon activity, with a stop for cocktails en route. Return to camp and savor a sumptuous dinner.

Enjoy another day of morning and afternoon game drives.

Enjoy another day of morning and afternoon game drives.

This morning enjoy your last morning game drive before transferring to Skukuza Airport for your onward flight. Fly to Johannesburg (own account). Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Johannesburg is the economic heart of South Africa, the central focus of Egoli ('Place of Gold'), as the Sotho name for Gauteng suggests. The largest and richest city in South Africa, Johannesburg's lifestyle is a fast-paced and hectic one. No-one could have imagined the repercussions when an unemployed miner found a stone bearing traces of gold here in 1886, an event that led to the discovery of the world's richest natural treasure trove.

Soweto is unlike a suburb you've ever seen or been to, yet the history of struggle encapsulated here is a cornerstone of the South African story. Soweto, acronym for South Western Township, is home to over 2 million people, who, despite living in crowded and chaotic conditions, have a tangible sense of community, one which ironically, the ordered, walled, elitest northern suburbs lack. Inside Soweto, visit the Hector Pieterson Museum and discover the cause of the tragic riots which led to his death; pass Mandela House, with time to visit this fascinating little museum. The journey continues to Regina Mundi Church, site of many secret underground meetings of the then banned political parties. Finally, head past the largest stadium in Africa, Soccer City, host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final - this magnificent stadium is now nicknamed 'The Calabash' for its resemblance to the African Pot. Your afternoon in Johannesburg is at leisure.

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight (own account). On arrival you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. The Victoria Falls, affectionately abbreviated to Vic Falls by anyone who’s been there, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the locals refer to the Falls as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" (the smoke that thunders). There is a magic about them manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and crocodiles lurk.

Late afternoon enjoy a Sunset Cruise. Sip a sundowner as the light gently fades, and let the tranquil wildlife cruise float you along the Zambezi River above the Falls. You'll have the finest vantage point from which to watch hippo, crocodiles and other animals which come down to the river's edge in the early evening, to slake their thirst.

No surprise why Victoria Falls is one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World! You'll understand it instantly as we tour the Zimbabwean side, for there are numerous spectacular vantage points along the width of the Falls, and the sight of this astounding gift of nature, simply takes your breath away. Walk through the permanent, beautifully misty rain forest which flanks the Falls, stopping to marvel at the principal sites as it cascades to the depths below: the Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow Falls, the Boiling Pot, Cataract Island and Livingstone Island. Stand and watch, feel and listen to the spray and thunderous noise, as millions of liters of water tumble over the Falls into a series of narrow gorges below. The seventh Natural Wonder of the World puts on the most dramatic show for you, and you'll be privileged to have watched it. This afternoon is at leisure to relax at the lodge or enjoy another optional activity.

You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport to connect with your scheduled departure flight.