South African Escapade -12 days

Tour Highlights

Cape Town Castle • Old Slave Lodge • Company Gardens • Malay Quarter • Table Mountain • South African Museum • Robben Island • Aquila Game Reserve • cape Peninsula • Hector Pieterson Museum • Rosebank Market • Cradle of Humankind • Sterkfontein Caves • Lesedi Cultural Village • drumming class • 4 Performance Opportunities

Overnights

Cape Town 5, Johannesburg 3

Itinerary

DAY 1: OVERNIGHT FLIGHT
Departure from the USA.

DAY 2: CAPE TOWN
Upon arrival in Cape Town, you will be met by your Tour Manager and private motorcoach and transfer to your hotel, where you can freshen up after your long journey. This evening there is an arrival briefing to discuss the details of your trip. Afterward, celebrate your arrival with a feast of African food at a local restaurant.

DAY 3: CAPE TOWN
Morning guided sightseeing of Cape Town. Highlights of your day include Cape Town Castle, District Six Museum, City Hall, Old Slave Lodge, Company Gardens, Malay Quarter, Signal Hill, and the majestic views from Table Mountain! Ascend up the mountain by cable car. Suggested for this afternoon’s performance debut, is an informal open-air lunchtime performance at the Amphitheatre of the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront! After free time for lunch, there is further exploration with your tour manager this afternoon, including entrance to the South African Museum—known for vast natural and social history collections. Dinner at local restaurant.

DAY 4: CAPE TOWN
This morning visit Robben Island. Originally home to a leper colony, the island became a prison for political activists during Apartheid—it was here that Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. The island is home to a wide variety of wildlife today, including ostriches and a colony of African penguins. Return to Cape Town for lunch. This afternoon, present a joint concert with a local ensemble in one of Cape Town’s townships—it’s a great opportunity for a cultural exchange! Afterwards, enjoy time with your new friends at an informal reception with beverages and snacks.

DAY 5: CAPE TOWN
Today’s excursion brings you to the Aquila Private Game Reserve. Your experienced Ranger will take you on a game drive this morning, ensuring optimal game viewing and bird watching opportunities—this is sure to be a highlight of your tour! The reserve is particularly proud of their efforts of reintroducing rescued lions and cubs. Return to Cape Town for free time before this evening’s performance. Enjoy dinner tonight, at a local restaurant.

DAY 6: CAPE TOWN
There is nothing as spectacular as a tour of the Cape Peninsula; experience some of the most spectacular views in the world, at the majestic meeting place of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The explorer Sir Francis Drake called it, “the fairest Cape that we saw in the whole circumference of the Globe.” You’ll visit Cape Point, the Good Hope Nature Reserve, Simon’s Town Naval Base, and the penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach. Continue on to the fishing village of Hout Bay, where you will board a vessel of circle launches that will take you to the seal colony. Later this afternoon, return to your hotel and enjoy a hands-on opportunity to do some drumming! Let your pulse beat to the original rhythms of Africa. Engage in a "drumming circle,” learning the basic beats and participate in a pulsating rhythmic orchestra conducted by the drum teacher/leader!

DAY 7: JOHANNESBURG
Morning tour of Stellenbosch Winelands. Afternoon flight to Johannesburg. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and dinner.

DAY 8: JOHANNESBURG
Enjoy your Soweto Tour today, including a visit to the Hector Pieterson Museum and an informal performance at a local school or orphanage! After free time for lunch, visit the Rosebank Market for an opportunity to shop for African crafts and "local is lekker" souvenirs or gifts. Return to your hotel later this afternoon to get ready for your farewell performance. This evening’s formal concert could be a benefit for HIV/AIDS awareness. There will be a post-concert dinner tonight at a local restaurant.

DAY 9: JOHANNESBURG
Today is full of South African immersion! Start with the Cradle of Humankind; a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a natural, African savannah wonderland on the outskirts of Johannesburg, and has a selection of delightful restaurants positioned in a magnificent protected natural environment. Included in your tour is a visit to the Sterkfontein Caves. After lunch on your own, visit the Lesedi Cultural Village. Lesedi showcases South Africa's major tribes in all their glory. Villages are set into the savannah and hills depicting traditional tribal life. Tribes-people live there and share first-hand knowledge of their culture in singing, dance, food, craft and storytelling. It is a colorful and interactive experience of the original peoples of this country. This evening, enjoy an African Feast at Lesedi and celebrate your successful performance tour of South Africa!

DAY 10: OVERNIGHT FLIGHT
Enjoy a final day of sightseeing before transferring to the airport to board your overnight flight back to the United States.

DAY 11: ARRIVE HOME
Arrive back to the USA.