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 Where can you witness the dramatic, primitive cycles of life and death ... sample some of the finest vintages on earth ... stand in awe at magnificent scenery ... and lose yourself in the progressive rhythms of one of the world's most progressive cities. South Africa! And Hermes has the perfectly paced, activity-packed itinerary for you and your small group, with first-class and luxury lodges making us feel right at home. Join us, and see just what makes a Rainbow Nation.
 • Kruger National Park Safaris, including 2 half-day safaris, 1 full-day safari, and a rare opportunity for a walking safari
• 3 Wine Tours and Tastings, in Franschhoek, Paarl, and Stellenbosch
• Cape Town Tour, including Table Mountain and Robben Island
• Cape of Good Hope Tour, including Hout Bay, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, and Boulders Penguin Colony
• Ample free time to explore Cape Town's gay life on your own
• Accommodations for 9 nights in first-class and luxury hotels
• Services of a Hermes Tours escort
• Services of an expert, local guide in all cities
• Entrance fees to all sites visited
• $100 per person savings if you reserve 5 months before departure!
• Extension to Victoria Falls, Zambia: Marvel at one of world's most spectacular natural wonders.
Day 1 - October 1, Friday
Arrive in Johannesburg for an overnight stay at an airport hotel. Get to know your fellow travelers over our Hermes welcome dinner tonight.
Meal: D
 Day 2 - October 2, Saturday
We board our short flight to Kruger National Park, one of the world’s most renowned national parks and Africa’s oldest. More than 147 species of mammals roam these plains and woodlands, including the sought-after Big Five—rhino, elephant, cape buffalo, leopard, and lion. Keep your eyes peeled as we set off on first game drive today. This evening, feast on a traditional Boma dinner.
Meal: B, L, D
Day 3 - October 3, Sunday
After breakfast join your safari guide for a walk in the bush. This is a unique safari experience that's sure to reveal local flora and maybe even a game sighting or two. This afternoon we drive further into the park, concluding our day with another "Sundowner."
Meal: B, L, D
 Day 4 - October 4, Monday
Spend another thrilling day in the bush taking in Kruger's incredible wildlife. Or, join our optional tour of the Panorama Route, which highlights the region's breathtaking beauty. We'll visit God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, and Blyde River Canyon. This evening we gather for traditional dinner.
Meal: B, L, D
Day 5 - October 5, Tuesday
Today we fly to Cape Town. Upon arrival, we drive to Franschhoek, a classic wine territory of the Western Cape set in a valley with a strong French Huguenot heritage. We'll sample some favored vintages at a local farm.
Meal: B
 Day 6 - October 6, Wednesday
Today we visit Paarl, the third oldest European settlement in South Africa and a region known for its award-winning reds such as Roodeberg, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and even port. They all earned this area the title of the first "Red Route" in the world. We'll taste some of these superb reds, perhaps learning a bit about the full-bodied character of some winemakers, too!
We'll admire Paarl's architectural heritage of lovely Cape Dutch houses and breathtaking scenery. It made headlines when President Mandela was freed from the Victor Verster Prison on the outskirts of the town, heralding the new South Africa.
We’ll also stop to admire the Taal Monument, or Afrikaans Language Monument, then continue to Stellenbosch. Many award winning wines originate from this superb growing area. We'll enjoy lunch and a wine tasting here.
Meal: B, L
 Day 7 - October 7, Friday, Thursday
We drive to Cape Town today, one of the most beautifully situated cities in the world, nestled between a dramatic bay and the flat-top Table Mountain. This is where the Rainbow Nation was born, a term coined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, rich as it is in cultural diversity.
We board a cable car for a ride to the top of Table Mountain, where we're greeted by spectacular views. Afterwards we take a boat to Robben Island, the infamous site where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
Meal: B, L
Day 8 - October 8, Friday
Today we discover more of Cape Town's natural beauty as we drive along the scenic Chapmans Peak Drive to the Cape Peninsula, visiting Hout Bay. Our drive culminates at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where we'll ascend Cape Point by funicular to view the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. After our included lunch we visit the Boulders Penguin Colony and return to Cape Town for a free evening.
Meal: B, L
 Day 9 - October 9, Saturday
You have the whole day to yourself to explore Cape Town on your own. You might browse the shops at the Victoria & Albert Waterfront, linger in the gay village at Green Point, or catch some sun at Clifton Beach. Share your memories at tonight's Hermes farewell dinner in the African bush on the cape.
Meal: B, L, D
Day 10 - October 10, Sunday
Your African discoveries don't have to end. Join us for our post-tour extension to Victoria Falls, Zambia. Otherwise, your Hermes tour ends today.
Meal: B
 Day 10 - October 10, Sunday
Transfer north to Victoria Falls today. We'll stay on the Zambian side of this magnificent natural wonder.
Meal: B
Day 11 - October 11, Monday
High as Niagara Falls and 1.5 times as wide, "Vic Falls" were discovered by Stanley Livingstone, who proclaimed that "scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight." They are truly astonishing to behold. We'll see them up close today, then have free time at our lodge.
Meal: B
Day 12 - October 12, Tuesday
Flight from Livingstone to Johannesburg connecting to your international flight home.
Meal: B
Johannesburg:
 
4 Star boutique The Peech Hotel located in the north of the city. Described as "Contemporary, edgy and Afrocentric" by Condé Nast Traveller UK and nominated as Africa's leading Boutique hotel (World Travel Awards 2008), the Peech is the ideal hangout for trendy travellers in the hunt for something unique and different. The architecturally houses feature impressive interiors, with the Main House making extensive use of natural textures such as pure cotton, wood, paper and stone, and cleverly controlled lighting. Add one of the most exciting restaurants in the city, and you have the very best in South African style.
Kruger Park:
5 Star Lukimbi Safari Lodge is a luxury safari lodge situated in the southern section of Kruger National Park. The lodge has exclusive use of 15000 ha of prime bushveld where no other vehicles are permitted. The Lukimbi lodge offers the supreme comfort of 16 luxury suites overlooking the Lwakahle River. This river is a favorite drinking place for elephants and buffalo and the adjacent plains are host to a variety of antelope. Each suite has a private deck where guests can relax in privacy, apart from the variety of other decks built around the lodge. Each suite features handcrafted marbled baths as well as spacious showers both inside and outside. Other facilities in the lodge include a swimming pool and a fully equipped gym.
Franschoek:
5 Star Mont Rochelle Hotel invites you to relax in one of the luxurious bedrooms and suites, most of which offer spectacular views across the valleys and vines of Franschhoek.
Each of the 16 bedrooms and 6 suites is individually decorated, creating a unique ambiance. En suite bathrooms, telephones, televisions, safes, under-floor heating, air-conditioning and in-room refreshment facilities are amongst the facilities of each room.
Cape Town:
5 Star Bantry Bay Luxury Suites Hotel An exquisite blend of sea, the mountain and the city of Cape Town. 4 and 5 star luxury in the heart of Cape Town’s Platinum Mile, for the pleasure-seeking tourist and the business executive.
Bantry Bay Luxury Suites is a boutique colonial-style hotel at the foot of Table Mountain. There is an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by sunloungers and parasols. Multilingual staff run the 24-hour front desk, and there are concierge services and wireless Internet access. Room service is available, and there is secure parking available for a surcharge.
Victoria Falls:
5 Star Tongabezi Lodge is a romantic hideaway on the banks of the Zambezi River just upstream of Victoria Falls. We offer a selection of houses and cottages, each beautifully furnished using local materials. Guests can dine beside the river or on their private terrace.
Privately owned and run, Tongabezi combines an exclusive ambience with the warmth and hospitality of the people of Zambia. Luxury safari trips are included, both on the river and in the bush.
Victoria Falls:
 
5 Stars The Royal Livingstone Hotel Offers every facility for a deluxe holiday including a personalized butler service. For guests with an appreciation for adventure, the Royal Livingstone is Africa's playground. Guests may view the Big Five on a cruise up the river, up close from a private land rover or from an elephant back.
Victoria Falls:
3 Stars The Zambezi Sun Hotel The Zambezi Sun Hotel Along the verdant banks of one of the mightiest rivers in Africa is a three star favorite for fun-loving adventure. All 212 en-suite rooms have private balconies that welcome the morning sun and are tastefully decorated with an African flavor.
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South Africa Luxury Tour Itinerary
|
Date |
Destination |
Meals |
| 01 Oct |
Home / Johannesburg |
D |
| 02 Oct |
Johannesburg /
Kruger National Park |
B, L, D |
| 03 Oct |
Kruger National Park |
B, L, D |
| 04 Oct |
Kruger National Park |
B, L, D |
| 05 Oct |
Kruger National Park / Stellenbosh |
B |
| 06 Oct |
Cape Winelands /
Cape Town |
B, L |
| 07 Oct |
Cape Town |
B, L |
| 08 Oct |
Cape Town |
B, L |
| 09 Oct |
Cape Town |
B, L, D |
| 10 Oct |
Cape Town / Home / Extention |
B |
| 10 Oct |
Cape Town / Victoria Falls |
B |
| 11 Oct |
Victoria Falls |
B |
| 12 Oct |
Livingstone / Johannesburg / Home |
B |
|
B-Breakfast, D-Dinner, L-Lunch
Download Complete Itinerary  |
Important Information
 Canadian, American and UK passport holders are not required to have visas to enter South Africa. You must have a valid passport. Visas are required for travel to Zambia which may be obtained upon arrival at the airport.
There are no shots that are required for travel to South Africa but the government does recommend vaccination against yellow fever and Cholera as well as taking Anti-Malaria pills. Hermes Tours also recommends hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines. Also we recommend that your tetanus booster be up to date. Please contact your health care provider as soon as you have registered for this tour. You should check with your doctor to determine which vaccines you will need.
The currency is the South Africa Rand (ZAR). Many banks and hotels exchange foreign currency. Credit cards (Visa and Master Card) are accepted, as are traveler's checks, preferably in U.S. dollars which may be exchanged at banks, some hotels, and foreign exchange offices. Do not rely on your American Express Card or Diners Card as many establishments do not accept this card. We recommended a combination of US Dollars in Cash, some small bills for tips at restaurants etc... and the rest in $50 or $100 bills and your credit card which you would be able to withdraw cash from ATM machines if you needed to.
All activities outlined in the itinerary, all ground transportation, services of a specialized local guide. Services of a Hermes Tours Escort throughout the trip with a minimum participation of 6. All hotels and meals mentioned.
Round-trip international air transportation to and from South Africa/Zambia. Meals and activities not specifically included in the itinerary; insurance; alcohol; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes and any other expenses of a personal nature as well as customary tips to drivers and guides. Domestic Airfare: approx $300 US, we can book this for you.
What Our Travelers Say
"To say that our trip was unbelievable is an understatement. Hermes Tours made our dream vacation a reality. As an avid traveler, I appreciate the thought and planning that Hermes gave to the small details and amenities to make sure that my holiday was a complete delight.
I highly recommend anyone to choose Hermes Tours for a dream of a lifetime holiday. I am sure to again use their services in the near future." Kip Anderson, West Bloomfield, MI
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