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: $7350 per person 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 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 the wildlife experiences beyond the bush, 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 witness a kaleidoscope of cultures sampling local dishes and African specialties and enjoying native dancing, singing and drumming. To top it off, 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 and the wildlife reserve offer special activities for younger family members. This Wildland South Africa safari is guaranteed to create unforgettable family memories!

DAY 1 :  ARRIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA
Receive a warm South African welcome from your private guide on arrival in George, the largest town along the Garden Route. George lies along a scenic stretch of coastline along the country's southern shore, just a two hour flight from Johannesburg. Settle into a comfortable room on the shores of the Knysna Lagoon. Overnight at Waterfront Lodge.

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, venture through the Heads, the sandstone cliffs which guard the mouth of the lagoon, into the Indian Ocean beyond. Listen closely as the captain shares tales of local lore and the treacherous seas that have shaped the history of this coastline. Fortified with lunch, enjoy a horseback ride through fynbos (a unique ecosystem with a great diversity of flowering plants and found only in parts of South Africa), an 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! (Horseback riding is suitable for all ages with ability and experience determining the route of the ride.) Overnight Waterfront Lodge or similar. [BLD]

	Visit ring-tailed lemurs at the Monkey Sanctuary.

DAY 3 :  MONKEYLAND, ELEPHANT SANCTUARY AND ZIPLINE TOUR
Today not only learn about monkeys, you get to act like monkeys too! 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 visit the Elephant Sanctuary to touch, feed 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 you to catch your breath before the zipline tour. This three hour state of the art canopy tour begins with a safety briefing before you are strapped into your full body harness. 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. The guides not only insure your safety but explain the ecology of the forest, while pointing out the incredible bird life and helping you to spot monkeys. Don't worry, any fear of heights is soon lost as a sense of awe overtakes you! Overnight Waterfront Lodge or similar. [BLD]

DAY 4 :  THE OVERBERG
Relax over breakfast this morning 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, let the weather, energy levels and mood dictate the afternoon activities. Perhaps you will want to 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 the guesthouse which overlooks the traditional fishing harbour in Gansbaai. Overnight at Saxon Lodge or similar. [BLD]

Southern Right Whales can often be spotted from the coastline between July and December.

DAY 5 :  MARINE LIFE AND THE COASTAL ROUTE
This morning take a morning boat ride around Dyer Island, in search of whales, bottlenose dolphins, seals, Cape gannets, Southern giant petrels, cormorants and other marine life. Located 8 km offshore, the conservation reserve at Dyer Island is a bird sanctuary as well as breeding site for the African penguin. Between July and December you are almost guaranteed to spot Southern right whales breeching in the water and may see great white sharks, Brydes whales, and Humpback whales as well. Returning to land, drive down the beautiful coastal route to Cape Town. Depending on your interests, 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. Upon arrival 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
Begin your exploration of Cape Town with a visit the township of Guguletu. As invited guests of the community, gain insight into the aftermath of the apartheid era as you share the personal history, way of life, lively music, and the hopes and aspirations of the people who live here. Then you may choose to continue your historical exploration with a boat trip across the bay to visit Robben Island. There you can tour the political prison where Nelson Mandela was held captive for two decades before his historic release in 1991. Or you may prefer 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]

The beautiful winelands of Stellenbosch host a variety of activities for the entire family

DAY 7 :  THE COASTLINE AND AFRICAN CULTURE
If the weather looks clear, rise early to be whisked by cable car  to the top of Table Mountain (admission not included) and enjoy the spectacular views over the city and the sea. Then head out along Cape Town's Atlantic coastline with the Twelve Apostles mountain range towering overhead. A stop on a white sandy beach gives you a chance to learn beach cricket and gain a better understanding of South Africa's favorite summer sport. Leaving the beach, you drive into the fertile Stellenbosch Winelands to check into a 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 the parents in a game of boules (lawn bowling) on the hotel's petanque court. In a festive mood, have dinner on the grounds of the Spier winery amidst Bedouin tents and gazebos and with lights sparkling from the trees. 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]

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, 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 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 everyone tours the wine cellar and watches 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 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]

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

DAY 9 :  OFF TO THE BUSH
Say farewell to your Cape guide as you board a regularly scheduled midmorning flight from Cape Town and fly to Johannesburg (not included). There you will connect with a short scheduled charter flight to the Madikwe Reserve. Overnight at Jaci's Lodge. The lodge is situated in the Malaria-Free Madikwe Game Reserve, which boasts 75,000 hectares of excellent game-viewing territory. All the rooms are built using shaggy thatched roofs and canvas walls to create the classic safari tent atmosphere. Each room is en suite with a hand built "rock" bath and outdoor "safari" shower. A private wooden viewing deck at the entrance overlooks a small stream where animals and birds come to drink. Enjoy fire cooked meals in our enclosed boma, or under the stars at a bush braai. Lounge at the pool or enjoy bird watching from the hammock on the bank of the Groot Marico River. Overnight at Jaci's Lodge.  [BD]

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), discover that many of the other animals, such baboons, are just as interesting and amazing to watch. Madikwe is also arguably the best place in South Africa to catch a glimpse of the highly endangered and beautiful wild dog. Knowing that children vary in their attention span and for safety reasons, children 5 -11 are invited to join special family game drives, with older children participating in regular game drives. Children 12 and under eat dinner together at a special dining room with a child-friendly menu. Overnights Jaci's Lodge [BLD]

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

Note: A malaria-free safari option in Madikwe Private Reserve is available for this itinerary. Please call for pricing and details.

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Julia Nesbitt 1(800)345-4453