South Africa

Join RTTtravel for the adventure of a lifetime in South Africa where we will spend over a week exploring the top sites and rugged natural beauty including an open jeep safari in Kruger National Park!  Flights, hotels, all activities, and most meals are ALL INCLUDED!  Plus a winery visit with a tasting, a penguin colony visit, Table Top Mountain, Cape of Good Hope, sightseeing in Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg and a special trip to Khayelitsha Township.  This trip will satisfy that yearning for culture and travel adventures in exotic and beautiful locations in every way…

Day 1, Friday: Travel Day
Our amazing adventure gets underway in the late afternoon when we board our bus for transfer to Frankfurt airport followed by an evening departure from Frankfurt on an non-stop overnight flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2, Saturday: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Kruger National Park
Welcome to South Africa, an exotic, once-in-a-lifetime experience! We begin with an orientation drive through Pretoria, the official capital of South Africa, before venturing north, towards the famous Kruger National Park, one of the world’s most famous safari destinations. This flagship of wildlife preservation is home to some of the most incredible animals such as lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, and more. Upon arrival, we check in to our Game Reserve Lodge, where we enjoy a delicious dinner of local specialties.  After dinner a good night's sleep is waiting, so we are at our best for the first day of exploring the bounties of this amazing.

Day 3, Sunday: Kruger National Park
Today we capture the essence of Africa. After breakfast, we embark on a full-day safari from the comfort of our motorcoach, where the untamed wilderness and beauty of Africa will surround and embrace us. The extensive game population in the Kruger National Park is one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet. Here we have the rare opportunity to see the famous "Big Five" (Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Rhino), a variety of colorful birds, as well as some reptile and amphibian species. An unbelievable number of other impressive and exotic animals will cross our path as we travel through the Park’s impressive rugged landscapes. When the sun sets over the Game Reserve Lodge and the savanna falls silent, another well-deserved, delicious dinner will be waiting for us.

Day 4, Monday: Johannesburg, Cape Town
Our journey continues on, to the coast of the continent. After breakfast, we depart for Johannesburg and fly south to Cape Town. Upon arrival in Cape Town, we will check in to our hotel and enjoy another dinner together at the hotel.

Day 5, Tuesday: Cape Town, Table Top Mountain
After breakfast, we will take in the amazing views Cape Town has to offer, either shrouded in mist or basking in sun and clear skies, the natural beauty of the rugged mountainous coastline is simply mesmerizing. Our day of sightseeing starts with a visit to Bo-Kaap, famous for its colorful houses, Georgian architecture, and cobbled roads. Next, will visit the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, perched on the Atlantic shore, at Table Bay Harbor. From here we take a short cable car ride to the top of Cape Town, to Table Top Mountain, renowned as one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World”.  Table Top Mountain provides the most stunning peak, overlooking the Cape Peninsula, with views extending all the way to the Cape of Good Hope. As the evening draws near, we enjoy the lively Camps Bay area, famous for its posh seafood restaurants, mellow cafes, and cocktail bars, and enjoy dinner here before returning to the hotel.

 Day 6, Wednesday: Cape of Good Hope
Today is dedicated to the Cape of Good Hope. After breakfast we drive along the famous Camps Peak Drive (weather permitting) to the most southern point of the Cape, famed as the Cape of Storms due to the turbulent seas and weather that can occur here. There will then be free time for you to embark on your own excursions, such as the cog rail train (Load Shedding permitted) that takes you up to the most beautiful viewpoint or take a stroll down to the lighthouse, both activities are highly recommended. On our way back into town we stop at the famous Boulders Beach to see one of South Africa’s oceanic wildlife at the Penguin Colony located here.  Just a few minutes down the road from here, a fantastic dinner is waiting for us in the seaside town of Fish Hoek, famous for its sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters.

Day 7, Thursday: Cape Town, Robben Island, Nelson Mandella Memorial
Following breakfast, we set out to visit Robben Island and the world-famous prison where Nelson Mandela, the father of the South African Nation, was imprisoned. A ferry takes us from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town to Robben Island.  From the island port, we travel by bus to Murray's Harbor on the east coast of the Island, where we will visit the historically significant sites and the Maximum Security Prison that now serves as a museum. The guides providing tours of the prison are all former political prisoners, offering an unparalleled knowledge of the history and culture of the area. Our tour of the prison will also include a visit to the cell where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his life.  Back on the mainland, we will enjoy some free time before coming together for an amazing meal at a traditional African restaurant. A variety of African dishes will be served in hand-painted bowls and accompanied by African entertainment throughout the evening.

Day 8, Friday: Free time in Kape Twon or Visit Khayelitsha Township
After breakfast, the day is yours to spend as you please.  Today you have two options; spend the day relaxing and exploring some more of Kape Town’s offerings or join us on a special visit to the township of Khayelitsha, residence to more than three million South Africans and the largest growing township in the Western Cape. Just 20 minutes from Cape Town, Khayelitsha, meaning “new home”, is a patchwork mix of brick and mortar 'box houses' and informal settlements made up of makeshift shacks.  The population here is made up almost entirely of minorities, young in age and determined in spirit.  Tourists who come here experience another side of South Africa, gaining a unique insight into the daily lives of the of community and its people. The Khayelitsha Canoe Club is a non-profit organization, founded by two local men, whose mission is focused on teaching the local residents safe swimming and paddling practices and providing environmental education to help preserve and enhance the Toenship’s wetlands and animals. Their efforts have helped bring positively influenced tourism to the area, create jobs, reduce crime, and improve the quality of life for all residents.  During your visit here, you will have the opportunity to interact with the community members and visit the wetlands that are now the pride and joy of Khayelitsha Township.

Day 9, Saturday: Wine Region South Africa
After breakfast, we check out of our city hotel and drive to the South African wine region, famous for the impressive Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Syrah, and Chardonnay produced here. We will join a vintner for a tour through their estate, learn about the climate in South Africa, and how 300 days of sunshine per year make the wine so unique. The visit is followed by an in-depth wine tasting and a dinner in the heart of the wine country, where we will spend our final night in South Africa.

Day 10, Sunday: Farewell or Afskeid (Afrikaans)
One last time we wake up to this warm and overwhelmingly beautiful country. After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and head to the airport for a morning departure that gets us into Frankfurt (via Munich) that same evening.

• Round trip Transfer by bus: Ramstein Air Base – Frankfurt Airport
• International: Frankfurt - Johannesburg/Cape Town - Frankfurt (one stop en route in Munich)
• Domestic non-stop flight: Johannesburg – Cape Town
• 1 checked bag with 20 kg (44 pounds) luggage allowance
• Airport taxes
• Porter Fees Airport and Porter Fees at Hotels
• All transportation/transfers in South Africa provided in air-conditioned vehicles
• 2 Nights hotel accommodations at Game Reserve Lodge Kruger National Park
• 1 night hotel accommodations Hotel Wine-land Stellenbosch
• 5 nights hotel accommodations in Cape Town
• Local English-speaking guide.  Local guides will be appointed to our group by local booking agencies.
• RTT Tour Escort will be assigned to travel with group if participation reaches a minimum of 20 people
• Entrance fees and activities as listed below:
  
  • Driving tour of Pretoria
  • Full-Day Safari Kruger National Park with open-top jeeps
  • Guided sightseeing tour Cape Town
  • Cable car ride Table Mountain
  • Visit Cape of Good Hope
  • Wine tasting at vineyard in Stellenbosch
  • Visit to Robben Island & Nelson Mandela Memorial
  • Penguin Colony Visit
  • Visit to Cultural Village outside of Johannesburg
  • Visit Township Khayelista
• Meals as listed below:
  
  • 8 Breakfasts provided at hotels (various locations)
  • 3 Dinners provided at hotels (various locations)
  • 1 Dinner in Fish Hoek
  • 1 Dinner at Camps Bay
  • 1 Fare-well dinner Cape Town
  • 1 Dinner at Stellenbosch Vineyard

• Meals & beverages not mentioned or specially noted as included
• Tips and items of a personal nature
• Trip Cancellation Insurance (highly recommended)
• Travelers Health Insurance (highly recommended)

A single/one time administrative fee of Є55 will be levied by RTT to complete a cancellation request, in addition to the per person cancellation fees listed below: 

• From the day of booking until 31 days before travel: 50%
• 30-22 days before travel: 75%
• 21-15 days before travel: 90%
• 14-6 days  before travel: 95%
• Later Cancellations - No refunds
• No Show - No Refund

• Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice, but will not sacrifice the quality of the tour.
• The tour requires a lot of walking and personal stamina for long hours of touring.
• Cancellation insurance is strongly recommended, cancellation fees cannot be waived. For more information, see Travel Insurance section above.
• Health insurance is strongly recommended, RTT nor the Vendor are liable for accidents and health related issues during trip. For more information, see Travel Insurance section above.
• Bring appropiate attire and footware for the range of activites listed on the itinerary.
• Any airline surcharges levied after booking are the responsibility of the customer.
• Departure airports in Europe, other than Frankfurt, may be available
• A 50% deposit per person is required for booking. Full payment is required no later than 31 days prior to the travel date.