CHANDRA H.
Travelista Chronicles
South African Odyssey: A Cultural & Fun Adventure!
Dec 28, 2024 to Jan 5, 2025
Overview
Visualize your journey
Summary
1) December 28 - 30: Protea Hotel Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton, Johannesburg
2) December 30, 2024 - January 2, 2025: The Commodore Hotel, Cape Town
3) January 3 - 5: Kapama River Lodge, Kapama Private Game Reserve
Overview
Itinerary at a glance
December 28
Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you are met and transferred to your hotel in Sandton, an upmarket suburb of Johannesburg.
You check in for your 2-night stay. This afternoon is free time for some shopping at Sandton City or an afternoon of rest.
This evening you enjoy your welcome dinner.
December 28 - 30
Johannesburg
Protea Hotel Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton 2 Nights
December 29
Full Day - Johannesburg, Soweto & Apartheid Museum Lunch at restaurant in Soweto
December 30
This morning is an early rise and breakfast before check-out. You are met and transferred to Johannesburg Airport where you board a flight to Cape Town. On arrival in Cape Town you are met by your guide and taken on a Full-Day Tour.
Half Day City & Table Mountain Tour Robben Island
December 30, 2024 - January 2, 2025
Cape Town
The Commodore Hotel 3 Nights
December 31
Cape Winelands Tour
Dinner & Drumming At Gold Restaurant
January 1
Free Day
January 2
Full Day Cape Point Tour
January 3
This morning you check out of your hotel. You are transferred to Cape Town Airport where you board a flight to Hoedspruit.
On arrival in Hoedspruit, you are met and transferred to your lodge in the Kapama Private Game Reserve,
which forms part of the Greater Kruger Park. You check in for your 2-night stay.
There is time to freshen up before heading out on your afternoon game drive.
January 3 - 5
Kapama Private Game Reserve Kapama River Lodge
2 Nights
January 3 - 5
DAILY SAFARI PROGRAMME
* Morning Game Drives
* Afternoon Game Drives
* Bush walks
January 5
After your morning game drive and breakfast, you check out of your lodge. You bid this African Wonderland Farewell
as you are met and transferred to Hoedspruit Airport where you board a flight to Johannesburg connecting to your
International flight home.
December 28-30 Johannesburg
Johannesburg, affectionately called Jozi or Joburg by locals, is the vibrant heart of South Africa and a dynamic cosmopolitan hub of culture, economy, and social trendsetting. As the largest city in South Africa, Johannesburg is a bustling metropolis known for its skyline that blends modern high-rise architecture with historical buildings.
For American tourists, Johannesburg offers a compelling mix of experiences. The city is a gateway to exploring South Africa's history, from the Apartheid Museum, which provides a poignant look at the country's past, to Constitution Hill, a former prison that now serves as a museum and the home of South Africa's Constitutional Court. For those interested in the birthplace of humanity, the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just a short drive away and offers fascinating insights into our ancient ancestors.
Johannesburg's Maboneng Precinct is a trendy urban area with art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes, perfect for experiencing the city's modern culture and enjoying its culinary delights. The Neighbourhoods Market on weekends is a food lover's paradise, with a range of gourmet and artisanal food stalls.
For the adventurous, Soweto, the township known for its significant role in the fight against apartheid, offers bike tours and cultural experiences, allowing visitors to engage with the city's history and its people firsthand.
With its complex history, rich cultural tapestry, and spirited energy, Johannesburg is not just a stopover city; it's a destination with soul, offering an authentic South African urban experience.
December 28-30 Protea Hotel Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton
Discover a tranquil oasis in the heart of the bustling business and entertainment hub of Gauteng at the Protea Hotel
by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton. This upscale hotel in Sandton features two sections, the Balalaika and the Crown Court, each with its own landscaped garden and sparkling swimming pool where guests can relax and unwind. Boasting 330 stylish guest rooms and suites, the hotel is conveniently located with easy access to the main Johannesburg/Pretoria highway, OR Tambo International Airport, and three local airports. Two restaurants provide exceptional on-site dining.
Meals: Welcome Dinner
December 29 - Full Day - Johannesburg, Soweto & Apartheid Museum
Two of our most popular tours, Johannesburg & Soweto orientation and Apartheid Museum & Soweto, are combined to give visitors one full day to experience South Africa's commercial and financial capital - Johannesburg - the City of Gold, known amongst locals as Egoli, Jozi or Jo'burg.
Our tour route covers all the major points of interest, from Sandton in the north to Soweto in the south:
- Suburbs of Sandton, Rosebank and Houghton (drive past Nelson Mandela's home)
- Braamfontein, home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa
- Downtown area, City Hall, Diagonal Street, Newtown, Nelson Mandela Bridge
- Carlton Centre, see the city from the "Top of Africa" enclosed viewing deck on the 50th floor
- Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital
- Regina Mundi Catholic church
- Visit Hector Pieterson Memorial
- Vilakazi Street - Nelson Mandela's former home and Bishop Desmond Tutu's home
- Lunch stop at a local tavern
- Visit the Apartheid Museum
December 30 Robben Island
Activity overview
The ferries depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V & A Waterfront. The tour takes 3.5 hours including the
ferry trip to and from the Island (Depending on the boat used as they have different travel times).
You will disembark at Murray’s Bay Harbour situated on the east coast of the Island and take a short walk to buses that will transport you to all the historical sites around the Island. On the way to the buses, you will pass buildings and a high wall built by prisoners during the 1960s. The buildings were used for family and lawyer visits to prisoners.
You will meet your Tour Guide when you have boarded the busses. The prison tour will be conducted by a Robben Island Tour Guide. This is part of our integrated tour model. They are fully conversant and knowledgeable about the Island’s multi-layered 500-year-old history. The tour route includes the graveyard of people who died from leprosy, the Lime Quarry, Robert Sobukwe’s house, the Bluestone quarry, the army and navy bunkers and the Maximum Security Prison where thousands of South Africa’s freedom fighters were incarcerated for years. The tour culminates with a viewing of Nelson Mandela’s cell.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
December 30 - January 2 - Capetown
Area Overview
Cape Town is a true fan favorite, with its exciting Mediterranean vibe, amazing culinary scene, beautiful Cape Dutch
architecture, thriving art community, and successful sports teams – all set to the backdrop of iconic Table Mountain and the turbulent waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is no wonder it is called The Mother City. This vibrant, trendy city has broad appeal. Local attractions include Table Mountain, Robben Island, the V&A Waterfront, Bo-Kaap, boutique shops, numerous museums, wineries, and world famous restaurants. For those venturing beyond the city, the Cape Winelands and Cape Peninsula are a day trip away.
Cape Town’s rich cultural heritage dates back more than 300 years and its diversity is evident in the city’s architecture, art, and food. It is the second most populous city in South Africa and sits at the southwest tip of Africa.
December 30 - January 2 - The Commodore Hotel
Property Overview
Located in the V&A Waterfront with views of Table Mountain, Robben Island, the Harbour and the Atlantic Ocean is The Commodore, Legacy’s flagship hotel in Cape Town. Stylish living, quality service, and a tranquil setting have ensured that guests return time after time, be it as businessmen or tourists, excited to experience all that is The Mother City.
December 31 Cape Winelands Tour
Meals: Breakfast
Overview
You are collected from your guest house for a tour of the Cape Winelands. While South Africa's fertile valleys are world famous for their crisp white and classic French-style red wines, the area is also a treasure of rustic beauty and sprawling estates shaded by giant oak trees.The tour today will include highlights of the country's principal wine routes of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, with a stop en-route for lunch (own account).
The day starts with a visit to Paarl, known for its beauty, rolling vineyards and the Pearl of Paarl set high about the valley. Paarl made headlines when former President Mandela was released from the prison on the outskirts of the town. You enjoy a wine, cheese and cellar tour at one of the local estates.
Continue north-west to the beautiful village of Franschhoek, near the Drakenstain mountains, founded in 1688 by French immigrants fleeing the Huguenot religious persecution in Europe. Stop for lunch and wine tasting at a vineyard.
Next is Stellenbosch, the 2nd oldest town in South Africa for a final tasting
December 31 Dinner & Music at Gold Restaurant
Dinner & Drumming at Gold Restaurant
GOLD Restaurant is a vibrant pan-African experience offering a set Cape Malay and African menu, together with live entertainment and djembe drumming 7 nights a week. Operating from an old warehouse building and a modern function venue, GOLD offers visitors a sophisticated African experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
January 2 | Full Day Cape Point Tour | Included Tour
Activity Overview
You are collected from your hotel by a tour guide and taken on a drive along the Atlantic seaboard via glamorous Clifton to the quaint seaside village of Hout Bay. You continue via the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape Point. Looking at this dramatic promontory jutting into the sea gives one an idea why early sailors nicknamed it the Cape of Storms. You then follow the coastline northwards via Simonstown, where you visit the penguin colony of Boulders Beach. You also visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, which is dedicated to the extraordinary variety of plants found in the Cape Floral Kingdom. A leisurely drive through the leafy southern suburbs brings you back to the city bowl in the late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
January 3 - 5 | Kapama Private Game Reserve
Area Overview
Nestled between the Blyde River Valley and Kruger National Park, Kapama Private Game Reserve provides an escape for nature lovers from across the globe. This untouched part of Africa is home to some of the most endangered, beautiful, and fascinating wildlife.
January 3 - 5 | Kapama River Lodge
Property Overview
The largest of the Kapama Private Game Reserve camps, River Lodge’s wide, open spaces and airy design are a constant reminder that you’re sleeping under the African sky. Besides the luxury five-star accommodation, River Lodge is more festive and social than Kapama's smaller, quieter camps, which is why young couples and groups of friends are often among the guests. Escape to a place away from time, and indulge in one of the finest safari lodges near the Kruger National Park, South Africa.
Relax beside a roaring fire in the African themed lounge or saunter over to the bar for a cocktail to sip alongside the sparkling rim flow pool, all the while keeping an eye out for thirsty elephants taking a sedate stroll to the nearby watering hole. For something more indulgent, make your way to the new 12m x 12m pool & cocktail bar. Whether it is a craft gin or classic cocktail in hand, relax on a poolside lounger, or escape the South African sun under a shaded alcove.
Experience & Activities
Two daily game drives are offered and are included in the tariff. Accompanied by a skilled ranger and tracker, guests can expect to encounter a diverse range of animal and bird species on game drives. Since this is a Big Five reserve, seeing lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo is possible over a two-day safari in Kapama Private Game Reserve.
January 3 - 5 | Kapama River Lodge
A fairytale experience awaits you with the Kapama Romantic Sleepout. Sleep in the open air on a private platform high above the ground, illuminated by a golden ring of lantern light. Begin at your sunset arrival, have dinner in the air from your private chef and fall asleep under a million stars for a romantic experience that is unmatched.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlights
- The northern Drakensberg mountain range offers a majestic backdrop
- Big 5 viewing on game drives and bush walks
- Entertainment areas include a pool, lounge, bar, library, curio shop, and boma
- Bliss awaits at Kapama's award-winning wellness centres
- Experience the Romantic Sleepout
- Wine cellar is stocked with over 600 of the finest South African wines
What's included in this trip:
-
Accommodations
- Protea Hotel Johannesburg Balalaika, Johannesburg
- Commodore Hotel, Cape Town
- Kapama River Lodge, Kapama Private Game Reserve
- All listed tours
- Inter-country flights
- Breakfast and Lunch daily (excluding Winery Tours & Free Day)
- Welcome, NYE, and Farewell Dinner
- Air conditioned transportation
- Travelista Chronicles Gift Package
What's not included:
- Visa (free)
- Meals on free day (Lunch & Dinner)
- International Flights (coming by March)
- Travel Insurance
- Beverages w/Included Meals
- Tips & Gratuities
- Meals not listed in itinerary
Disclaimers:
- Age restrictions-you must be at least 30 years of age to attend this trip.
- Passengers are responsible for ensuring that they have the proper travel documents and MUST CHECK with the respective consulate(s) or visa agency to determine whether any visas or passports are required. Some countries require a full blank “VISA” page in the passport for stamping purposes. Any information provided on travel description pertains to US citizens only. Non-US citizens should check with the respective consulate of the country(s) to be visited for current entry requirements.
- Reservations must be made in your FULL NAME as it appears on your passport.
- Traveling abroad requires a passport valid for six months beyond travel dates. For this tour, your passport should not expire before July 28th, 2025.
- Monthly payments are required to keep your reservations current unless you make larger payments than what is required of your monthly payment plan. Your invoice will clearly note your payment plan. We suggest you put this payment plan on your personal calendar.
- Roommate Matching is available but not guaranteed. I will make every attempt to match you. If matching is not available, the single supplement of $1,028 will be added. You will be matched with a roommate once you have paid more than 75% of the balance of your travel reservations and provided the person you will be matched with also paid 75% of his/her balance.
- Name changes are allowed with a $250 name change fee up until the final payment. After final payment date, no changes are allowed.
- All late payment requests must be approved by management before the final payment deadline on your invoice.
- This trip requires standing, and walking (sometimes uneven terrain). You must be able to walk without assistance to attend.
Late Policy:
- Payments are due on the 15th of each month.
- Payments are late by the 21st. Multiple late payments will result in "AutoPay" only.
- Trip will be cancelled on the 25th of the month if payment is not received.
Refund Policy:
- Deposit is non-refundable.
- Trip non-refundable. Refunds will need to be obtained through your travel insurance (be sure to add the option, “Cancel for any reason”).
- No exchanges. No refunds. Non-transferrable.
- Obtain travel insurance to protect your funds.