YOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Depart USA. Your fascinating sojourn to South Africa begins as you depart New York today.

Day 2: Arrive Cape Town. Arrive in Cape Town, South Africa's vibrant and most spectacular city, where you'll be greeted at the airport and escorted to your upscale seaside hotel. En route to your hotel enjoy a guided orientation tour of Cape Town, a truly stunning city sheltered beneath the dramatic shape of Table Mountain. Arrive at your hotel ideally located within easy access to the lively V&A Waterfront. Your hotel offers extensive facilities including a large swimming pool, restaurant, bar and a fitness center. Later enjoy an orientation briefing. Protea President Hotel.

DayS 3, 4 & 5: Cape Town. You'll have three full days at leisure to explore stunning Cape Town and its environs at your own pace. Your hotel is conveniently located within an easy travel distance of many major attractions, as well as the best beaches, shopping and dining. You may wish to ride by cable car to the top of Table Mountain for glorious city and bay views. Discover the exciting V&A Waterfront, the city's focal point where you can easily stroll around and browse the craft and art shops, enjoy world class dining and sample South Africa's renowned wines. From here you can also travel by boat across Table Bay to Robben Island the infamous home to the maximum security prison where Nelson Mandela and others were jailed. Your professional tour host will be glad to make suggestions if you prefer to explore independently. To make the most of your visit and enrich your experience, you'll be offered a chance to join some exciting optional excursions at a special discount to smarTours travelers. A bountiful buffet breakfast is included daily. (B)

In addition to an optional city tour (approx. $40) you should consider the following:

Day 6: Cape Town /Kruger National Park. This morning board a short flight to Johannesburg, South Africa's vibrant commercial and diamond mining center. From here, journey through the beautiful countryside to the picturesque town of Machadadorp where you'll see the Elands River that is filled with trout fish. Descend into the Lowveld area in the province of Mpumalanga ("place of the rising sun") that enjoys sub-tropical climate, abundant sunshine and lush covered hills and valleys where citrus groves and tropical fruit orchards abound. Here you may stop at some of the colorful roadside stands where local merchants offer exotic fruits and nuts. Arrive at your upscale hotel, ideally situated on the outskirts of White River, minutes from renowned Kruger National Park. Encompassing some of the most stunning and diverse terrain, the park is South Africa's premier game sanctuary. With open spaces, African nature at your doorstep and effortless comfort, your hotel epitomizes the beauty, warmth and tranquility of this unique area. A sumptuous dinner at your hotel is included this evening. Protea Winkler Hotel. (B,D)

Day 7: Kruger National Park Safari. Today is devoted to exhilarating and unforgettable game drives to discover Kruger Park's abundant wildlife. A local safari ranger leads you on a morning game drive, in open vehicles, in search of the parks many residents including the "Big Five": Lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino and hopefully the more elusive leopard. You may also spot hippopotamus and crocodiles as well as zebras and giraffes. Plains game and bird life also abound. Have your camera ready! After a break for lunch at your own expense, continue your thrilling exploration with an additional afternoon guided open-vehicle safari. Later return to your hotel where you may relax poolside before enjoying the lavish included dinner. (B,D)

Day 8: Kruger Park/ Mpumalanga / Depart South Africa. Today depart the Kruger Park area en route to Johannesburg. First arrive in Sabie, a small rural town nestled in a deep valley on the escarpment of the Drakensberg mountain range. Proceed to the town of Lydenburg, situated at the foothills of the famous Long Tom Pass and surrounded by the Steenkampsberg and Mauchsberg mountain ranges, the highest points in Mpumalanga. From here continue your drive to Johannesburg Airport where you'll board your return flight home. (B)

Day 9: Arrive USA. Your exciting and memorable journey comes to an end as you touch down in New York this morning.

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• Round-trip airfare from New York (JFK) via South African Airways
• Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
• Intra-South Africa flight and ground transportation
• Accommodations at superior first class hotels with private bath
• 8 meals: 6 buffet breakfasts (B) and 2 dinners (D)
• Cape Town guided orientation tour
• Full day open-vehicle guided safari in Kruger National Park
• Kruger Park admission fee
• Experienced, English speaking tour guide on safari and tour host in Cape Town

TOUR COST AIRFARE INCLUDED
DEPART	RETURN	RESERVE BY FEB 29, 2012		RESERVE AFTER FEB 29
2012		w/cash discount	sale
Mar 7	Mar 15	$ 2179	$ 2279	$ 2679
Mar 21	Mar 29	$ 2179	$ 2279	$ 2679
Mar 28	Apr 5	$ 2079	$ 2179	$ 2579
Aug 15	Aug 23	$ 2179	$ 2279	$ 2679
Sep 19	Sep 27	$ 2179	$ 2279	$ 2679
Oct 10	Oct 18	$ 2179	$ 2279	$ 2679
Nov 7	Nov 15	$ 2179	$ 2279	$ 2679
Nov 21	Nov 29	$ 2179	$ 2279	$ 2679
Dec 5	Dec 13	$ 2179	$ 2279	$ 2679
Jan '13	Jan 17	$ 2179	$ 2279	$ 2679
Rates are per person based on double occupancy. Single room supplement is $250. Optional tour prices fluctuate based on foreign currency rates.
Reservations and Payments: Reservations can be made by phone 1 800 337 7773 and will be confirmed upon receipt of $300 per person non-refundable deposit (by check) which must be received within 7 days of reservation. Full payment is due 75 days prior to departure. Baggage fees may apply. Space and prices subject to availability. For complete booking information and terms & conditions click here. Comprehensive Travel Insurance: Trip cancellation and travel insurance are recommended. For complete insurance information click here. return to top

with optional 3-night Victoria Falls Extension