Travel to South Africa: South Africa Family Safari

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South Africa Family Safari

			DAYS: 12 GRADE: I-II, active family adventure define PRICE: From $5895 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Kruguer National Park Cape Town Garden Route Active Wildlife Viewing Adventures ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Discover the wonders of South Africa on an active family vacation featuring incredible wildlife viewing in Kruger National Park, fun beach and marine activities along the Indian Ocean, and personal cultural adventures in cosmopolitan Cape Town. On safari, share the sense of awe watching a lioness and her cubs strolling through the savannah, a troop of baboons frolicking in the trees or a group of hippos leisurely lounging on the riverbank. Extending our wildlife experiences beyond the bush, we visit animal sanctuaries to learn about the care and rehabilitation of injured and abandoned animals and walk hand in trunk with a rescued elephant. In Cape Town we witness a kaleidoscope of cultures sampling local dishes and African specialties and enjoying native dancing, singing and drumming. To top it off, we swing through the indigenous forest canopy on a zipline, ride horses along the sand, and cruise the waters looking for whales, dolphin, and other marine life. All of the chosen accommodations eagerly welcome families with the wildlife reserve offering special activities for children. This Wildland South African safari is guaranteed to create unforgettable family memories!

DAY 1 :  ARRIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA
Receive a warm South African welcome on arrival in George, the largest town along the Garden Route, a scenic stretch of coastline along the country's southern shore and a two hour flight from Johannesburg, the hub for most international flights. Settle into a comfortable timber chalet nestled among Milkwood trees and on the shores of the Knysna Lagoon. These casual, family oriented accommodations are the perfect base for indulging in the numerous activities offered by the surrounding area and recovering from jet lag. Each chalet features two bedrooms, a bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and a sundeck. The private beach offers safe swimming, canoes, windsurfers and row boats. Overnight Under Milkwood Resort or similar.

See dolphins, seals, whales, penguins and numerous birds along South Africas rugged coastline.

DAY 2 :  BOATING AND HORSEBACK RIDING
The morning begins sailing the Knysna Lagoon on a 50 foot mono hull yacht learning about the area's bountiful marine life and hoping to catch sight of whales. If conditions allow, we venture through the Heads, the sandstone cliffs which guard the mouth of the lagoon, into the Indian Ocean beyond. The captain shares tales of local lore and the treacherous seas that have shaped the history of this coastline. Fortified with lunch, we mount horses for a ride through fynbos (a unique ecosystem with a great diversity of flowering plants and found only in parts of South Africa), indigenous forest and along the beach of the Goumkamma Nature Reserve. On summer, low tide beach rides there is often the chance to swim with your horse! (Horse back riding is suitable for all ages with ability and experience determining the route of the ride.) Overnight Under Milkwood Resort or similar. [BLD]

DAY 3 :  MONKEYLAND, ELEPHANT SANCTUARY AND ZIPLINE TOUR
Today we not only learn about monkeys, we get to act like monkeys too! First, its off to Monkeyland where the emphasis is on physically and emotionally rehabilitating and then freeing previously caged primates. On a private guided tour you learn about the different primate species who roam this sanctuary, how monkeys are reintroduced to the wild and why monkeys shouldn't be kept as pets. Next we visit the Elephant Sanctuary to touch, feed, walk trunk in hand and interact with six rescued African elephants. Each elephant has a dedicated handler and a fully qualified guide who will accompany you and share facts and stories about these intelligent creatures and their unique personalities. A stop for lunch allows us to catch our breath before our zipline tour. This three hour state of the art canopy tour begins with a safety briefing before we are strapped into our full body harnesses. Swing through the Tsitsikamma indigenous canopy gently gliding on a steel cable to a series of ten platforms and ten fufi slides built high up in the giant Outeniqua yellowwood trees. Our guides not only insure our safety but explain the ecology of the forest, while pointing out the incredible bird life and helping us spot monkeys. Don't worry, any fear of heights is soon lost as a sense of awe over takes you! Overnight Under Milkwood Resort or similar. [BLD]

DAY 4 :  THE OVERBERG
We relax over breakfast before setting out on a four hour drive west to the fynbos covered mountains, windswept plains and rugged beaches of the Overberg region, known for excellent whale watching opportunities. With no schedule to keep, we let the weather, your energy level and mood dictate the afternoon activities. Perhaps we will hike along the cliffs whale watching, stroll the beach investigating tidal pools, or walk through coastal fynbos and milkwood forests. There will be time to unwind and take a dip in the pool at our guesthouse which overlooks the traditional fishing harbour in Gansbaai. Overnight at Saxon Lodge or similar. [BLD]

DAY 5 :  MARINE LIFE AND THE COASTAL ROUTE
Looking for Humpback and Bottlenose dolphins, seals, Cape gannets, Southern giant petrels, cormorants and other marine life we take a morning boat ride around Dyer Island. Located 8 km offshore, this conservation reserve is a bird sanctuary as well as breeding site for the African penguin. Between July and December we are almost guaranteed to spot Southern right whales breeching in the water and may see Great white sharks, Brydes whales, and Humpback whales. Returning to land, we drive the beautiful coastal route to Cape Town. Depending on your interests, we stop to try a bit of sandboarding on the beach dunes, hike to a waterfall in the nature reserve at Harold Porter Botanical Garden, or visit an African penguin colony. Arriving in Cape Town, settle into a cozy guesthouse situated on the slopes of Table Mountain with stunning views of the city, harbor and mountain and enjoy the warm hospitality of the owners. Overnight at Gingko Guesthouse or similar. [BLD]

	Massive Table Mountain overlooks Cape Towns active harbor and vibrant city life.

DAY 6 :   CAPE TOWN
As invited guests, we visit the township of Guguletu and gain insight into the aftermath of the apartheid era as we share the personal history, way of life, lively music, and the hopes and aspirations of the people who live there. Choose to continue your historical exploration with a boat trip across the bay to visit Robben Island. Tour the political prison where Nelson Mandela was held captive for two decades before his historic release in 1991. Or choose to visit the Two Oceans Aquarium to see the excellent interactive displays revealing the contrast in marine life between the warm Indian Ocean and the icy Atlantic. (Depending on interests, the group may split up with some people visiting Robben Island, while others spend time at the aquarium and Victoria and Albert waterfront. Your guide happily accompanies children to the aquarium if parents wish to visit Robben Island.) Overnight at Gingko Guesthouse or similar. [BLD]

DAY 7 :  THE COASTLINE AND AFRICAN CULTURE
If the weather looks clear, rise early to be whisked by cable car (not included) to the top of Table Mountain and enjoy spectacular views over the city and out to the sea. Then we head out along Cape Town's Atlantic coastline with the Twelve Apostles mountain range towering overhead. A stop on a white sandy beach gives us a chance to play beach cricket and gain a better understanding of South Africa's favorite summer sport. Leaving the beach we drive into the fertile Stellenbosch Winelands to check into our lodge set in its own working vineyard and known for its handmade hospitality. Shake out the beach sand, take a dip in the pool and if there is time, the kids can take on their parents in a game of boules (lawn bowling) on the hotel's petanque court. In a festive mood, we have dinner on the grounds of the Spier winery amidst Bedouin tents and gazebos and with lights sparkling from the trees. We indulge in a sumptuous African buffet featuring local dishes while a host of local performers showcase the Cape African culture through dance, storytelling, drumming and dramatic performances. Overnight Devon Valley Hotel or similar. [BLD]

View incredible wildlife close up and safely under the guidance of your expert driver and tracker.

DAY 8 :  THE WINELANDS THROUGH KIDS EYES
Striving to make this day interesting and fun for all, we include lots of activities for children as well as opportunities for parents to enjoy some wine tasting if they choose. The day begins with a brief tour of the historic town of Stellenbosch, founded in 1679. Seeing the traditional Cape Dutch homes, whitewashed cottages originally built for freed slaves, arsenal, and general store, it is easy to imagine life in an earlier day. Driving toward Paarl, we stop to wander through greenhouses surrounded by free flying butterflies and exotic plants at Butterfly World before reaching the Fairview Winery. Nestled in the side of Paarl Mountain, with views of Table Mountain in the distance, this winery has won numerous prestigious awards for both its wine and for its farm style cheeses produced from the resident goat herd. Adults have an opportunity to taste some wine while children watch the antics of the goats sunning themselves on the winery's signature goat tower, before we all tour the wine cellar and watch the cheese making process. A stop at the winery next door provides another tasting opportunity and the chance to watch local glass blowing craftsmen at work. Looping back by the Spier Winery we visit a Cheetah Outreach Program for an encounter with a hand raised cheetah and learn more about the program to rehabilitate eagles and return them to the wild. Overnight Devon Valley Hotel or similar. [BL]

DAY 9 :  OFF TO THE BUSH
Boarding a regularly scheduled midmorning flight from Cape Town, we fly to Kruger airport (not included) and continue on by short private charter to the Ngala Private Game Reserve airstrip (included). Ngala Private Game Reserve offers superb wildlife viewing in a game rich area adjoining Kruger National Park. We spend the next few days exploring Ngala's wilderness on both day and night game drives and interpretive bush walks safely under the guidance of expert and enthusiastic rangers and trackers. Ngala Safari Lodge features twenty thatched cottages decorated with nostalgic safari memorabilia, en suite bathrooms, air conditioning, and private verandahs shaded by Mopane trees. Pan African cuisine is served under the stars in the dining, sitting and bar area courtyard or boma. Enjoy a dip in the large swimming pool which overlooks a busy water hole where elephants are frequently seen. Overnight Ngala Safari Lodge [BLD]

DAYS 10-11 :  ON SAFARI
See the wonders of nature unfold as you watch giraffes stretching their long necks up into the trees, elephants ambling through wooded areas, hippos wallowing in waterholes or the majestic male lion lazily sleeping in the sun, Always on the lookout for The Big Five (elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo), we discover that many of the other animals, such as wild dog and aardvark are just as interesting and amazing to watch. Believing that the informed child of today is the environmentally responsible traveler of the future, Ngala offers interactive conservation learning experiences designed to help children of all ages become planet managers. Rangers make learning fun with individual bug boxes for collecting insects, frog and fishing safaris, bark rubbing expeditions, wax spoor casting and visits to the garage to watch safari vehicle maintenance. In addition, children receive an eco-guide full of fascinating facts, (such as why the giraffe has a long neck) and tips for animal and spoor identification. Don't be surprised if the kids are invited into the kitchen to help bake the cookies served at tea while adults relish some time unwinding with a book. Knowing that children vary in their attention span and for safety reasons, children 6-11 are invited to join regular game drives at the discretion of the lodge manager and ranger but are not included in adult game walks. Shortened game drives, special walks and early dinners are available for children. Overnights Ngala Safari Lodge [BLD]

DAY 12 :  DEPARTURE
With wonderful memories of your South African adventures, pack up your safari clothes and transfer to the Ngala airport for your flight to Johannesburg (included) to connect with your international departure or continue on to another African destination. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Lyndsay Harshman 1(800)345-4453