Good news! My favorite traveling grannies are inviting travelers to join them for a trip to South Africa (March 4 - 13, 2011). These ladies are a hoot-and-a-half and should have you laughing and learning nonstop. I’m just back from seeing the Grannies in Scotland at the Adventure Travel World Summit and they also joined me for a radio chat after our paths first crossed in Quebec, Canada, the previous year. I hope you can join them. I KNOW you’ll have fun. But hurry, they only have a few spots left. 

SOUTH AFRICA: NINE (9) DAYS AND EIGHT (8) NIGHTS (MARCH 4-13, 2011)

TOUR ITINERARY

05 March - Upon arrival in Cape Town met by Advantage International Tour representative and transfer to Winchester Mansions.  Afternoon at leisure

06 March - Early Breakfast at hotel and depart 0800 for trip to Cape of Good Hope, Chapman’s Peak, Boulders Penguin Colony in Simons Town, Stellenbosch for wine tasting and a possible visit to the Cheetah Outreach Program.

07 March - After breakfast group visits Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and take ferry to Robben Island for tour of prison.  Walking tour with a visit to Nelson Mandela cell. Island.  Afternoon at leisure in city of Cape Town.

08 March - Breakfast at hotel - free morning (more shopping at V&A Wharf?) Transfer to airport for flight to Johannesburg, transfer to Hippo Hollow, Hazyview where after check-in we go on a safari and cultural village tour.  The Elephant Sanctuary is a safe haven for elephants that were all rescued from harm. We visit the Shangaana Cultural Village to share a traditional way of life with this group

09 March - Breakfast at hotel and leave for our trip to Kruger Park (Kapama Private Game Reserve checking into the Kapama Lodge.  Your animal viewing begins as soon as you enter the game reserve. Early evening prepare leave for your first game drive with a certified guide and tracker.  You will stop for “sundowners” along the way and then view game for the next two hours.  Return to the lodge for a gourmet dinner under the stars.

10 March - Early rising for morning game drive. Return to lodge for breakfast and rest or a swim.  Before the sun goes down prepare for your night game drive. Enjoy your last dinner under the stars when you return from the drive.

11 March - Morning game drive and breakfast.  After breakfast depart for Johannesburg - driving through the might Drakensburg Mountains.  Check in to the art deco very modern Melrose Arch Hotel. This will be your home in Johannesburg.

12 March - Breakfast at the hotel.  Full day of activity - tour Soweto, visit the Apartheid Museum and stop for lunch.  Grannies farewell dinner at Moyo - a contemporary African restaurant featuring food from all of Africa (and a great wine cellar too!)

13 March - Breakfast at the hotel.  Check out of hotel and leave for Ndebele Cultural Village - an experience of a living community of the Mapoch.  The villagers still live in traditional ways and practice cultural customs despite the influence of modern mores.  A traditional lunch is served at the village and the group will have an opportunity to purchase arts and crafts. Later we transfer to the airport for our flights home and bid the beautiful country of South Africa goodbye.

TRIP DETAILS:

DEPART USA GATEWAY - CAPE TOWN (ARRIVAL) - JOHANNESBURG - HAZYVIEW - KAPAMA GAME RESERVE - JOHANNESBURG (DEPART)

TOUR COST ON TWIN SHARING BASIS- USD$3297 per person

AIRFARE FROM CHICAGO - From USD$1049 per person plus applicable tax and fuel surcharge.  Check with Advantage International for flight information and booking.

TOUR LODGING INFORMATION: EIGHT (8) NIGHTS

CAPE TOWN              3 NIGHTS          WINCHESTER MANSIONS

HAZYVIEW                 1 NIGHT              HIPPO HOLLOW COUNTRY ESTATE

KRUGER PARK           2 NIGHTS           KAPAMA LODGE

JOHANNESBURG     2 NIGHTS            MELROSE ARCH HOTEL

For more information and bookings contact: Advantage International, LLC at 312.856.1138