Day 1
Arrive in Cape Town. You will be met then transferred to your hotel where you will stay for 4 nights
 Day 2
Today begin your orientation to Cape Town with a half day city tour including a trip up Table Mountain in the cable car, a tour of the castle, and of the historic city, to the flower and craft market (Cable car tickets are not included as it is weather-dependent).
Day 3
Tour around Cape Peninsula including Cape Point. Ever since Jan van Riebeeck sailed into Table Bay in 1652, visitors to Cape Peninsula have enthused about its mountains and valleys, its abundant indigenous flora and beautiful beaches. Highlights include and boat trip to Seal Island and a visit to the Jackass penguins at the little sheltered beach at Boulders.
Day 4
Transfer on own to the railway station. Enjoy the short train ride into wine country to Spier. Spend the day at Spier Wine Estate. An enchanting cultural experience awaits you at Spier, the 300-year old wine farm near Stellenbosch, home of South Africa's oldest dated wine cellar. Surrounded by rolling vineyards and dramatic mountains, Spier's historic Cape Dutch buildings and beautiful riverside garden set the stage for a permanent celebration of the finer things in life: fine food, wine, art and music.
 Day 5
Transfer to the airport for a flight to George airport where you will be met by your Garden Route guide. The Garden Route is richly endowed by nature with beautiful beaches, indigenous forests, lakes, lagoons and rivers. The rugged coastline is carved by bays, beaches, cliffs, coves and capes linking one beautiful resort to another. The delightful town of George, known as "The Gateway to the Garden Route", graces a coastal plateau in a fertile area of lush greenery at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. Stay at the Knysna River Club for 3 nights (breakfast included). Spend the afternoon exploring the Wilderness lagoons and beaches. Perhaps taking a walk in the indigenous forest.
Day 6
Travel to the Little Karoo area over the superb Outeniqua Pass where you will visit a working Ostrich farm and see why this region is known as "The Feather Capital of the World". Also explore the Cango caves that are renowned as one of the great natural wonders of the world. Sculptured by nature through the ages, their fascinating limestone formations occur in a variety of colors. Many child-friendly activities are on offer. Lunch at Ostrich farm is included.
Day 7
Day at leisure. You may like to take the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe (original steam train) for a superb ride over the Knysna Lagoon and through the forests. You could also take a boat cruise on the lagoon to Featherbed Nature Reserve or perhaps enjoying some time on one of the many beaches.
 Day 8
You will be transferred to Port Elizabeth airport (3 hours) where you take a late morning flight to Durban. In Durban you will be met and driven to Shakaland Cultural Village in Northern Natal (approx 2.5 hours drive) where you will enjoy a display of cultural dancing and a traditional South African meal. Experience the essence of Africa: pulsating tribal rhythms, assegaii-wielding warriors and the mysterious rituals of the Sangoma interpreting messages from the spirits.
Day 9
After breakfast you will enjoy the second part of the cultural Zulu tour. Visual and hands on explanations of typical Zulu traditions such as spear making, hut building, pottery, weaving and beadwork, as well as lectures on traditional dress, Zulu etiquette and the layout and social structure of a Zulu kraal, will bring you and your kids closer to understanding this culturally rich nation. Afterwards you will be transferred to Zulu Nyala Game Lodge via the Hluhluwe National Park. Enjoy an afternoon/evening game followed by dinner back at the Lodge. Overnight: Zulu Nyala Game Lodge (dinner & breakfast included).
Day 10
Game activities and boat cruise on Zulu Nyala's river. Big Cats stalk an area with an abundant water supply where the elusive Suni, the dominant Rhino, Leopard, Hyena, Buffalo, Elephant and Hippo may be spotted along with a host of other game, and a wealth of bird life. The rhythm of Ancient Africa beats strongly in the heart of Maputaland, where vast coastal plains are boarded by the magnificent Lebombo Mountains to the west and by the seaboard of the tempestuous Indian Ocean to the east. Here in an unspoilt wilderness, a rich variety of wildlife makes it home. Maputaland is a natural location for some of Africa's most beautiful games reserves and conservation areas, such as Kosi Bay, Nduma and the renowned St Lucia.
 Day 11
After your early morning game drive and breakfast your guide will drive you onto Swaziland to visit Ezelwini Valley and the craft markets. Stay overnight at Phophoyane Lodge (breakfast included) which is tucked away in a small stretch of paradise in its own nature reserve near Piggs Peak. The 500 hectare reserve is home to many small game such as bushbuck, the rare red duiker and the clawless otter, along with more than 230 bird species.
Day 12
Leave Swaziland and travel onto Thorny Bush Game Reserve to arrive in time for lunch. (Or you could travel through the Kruger Park and arrive in time for the afternoon game drive at Thornybush). Spend your last three nights at Thorny Bush Game Reserve (breakfast, lunch, dinner & game viewing included).
Day 13-14
At leisure at Thornybush. From the cool early-morning drives to warm evenings under the stars, Thornybush offers a feast for your soul and your senses. Thornybush Game Reserve is in the heart of the beautiful lowveld, only 45km from world-famous Kruger National Park. The Big Five roam the reserve's 8,500 hectares, and the climate is superb all year round. You and your kids might enjoy spending at least one night sleeping under a glorious canopy of stars in the sleep-out boma, or Xibala (Shangaan for shelter). Xibala is the best way to experience the bush by night, for the darkness heightens the senses and magnifies every sound. Sleep peacefully while an armed ranger and a wall of impenetrable thorns ensure that danger is kept at bay.
Day 15
After early morning game drive, transfer to Hoedspruit for flight to Johannesburg and connect with the evening flight to USA.
Includes: Accommodation and meals as specified, services of registered guide, transfers/tours in a private air-conditioned minibus, entrance fees and porterage.
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