Day 1.
U.S.A
Depart on your overnight flight to Johannesburg, South Africa.
Day 2.
JOHANNESBURG /KINGS CAMP
Arrive Johannesburg the following morning. Take a short flight to Hoedspruit. On arrival, transfer to KING’S CAMP, a private game reserve bordering the Kruger Park. Game viewing opportunities are excellent. Enjoy game drives to see lion, cheetah, hippo, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, zebra, gazelle, and many bird species in their natural habitat from the comfort of your open top safari vehicle. An experienced ranger will be your host for the duration of your stay, sharing his knowledge of the African Bush. Dinner will be served at the Camp. The lodge offers South African cuisine with traditional braais (barbeque).
Day 3 - 4.
KINGS CAMP
You will get an early wake-up call to join another exciting opportunity to see the “Big Five” up close. Upon your return to the camp enjoy a great brunch and relax in the tranquil atmosphere of the African Bush. You may sunbathe at the pool, enjoy a guided walk, or enjoy a drink while watching the game activities at the waterhole. In the afternoon there is another game drive with plenty of ‘photo’ opportunities. Dinner will be served at the Lodge.
Day 5.
KINGS CAMP/ CAPE TOWN
Enjoy a final morning viewing of the abundant wildlife before breakfast and a transfer to Hoedspruit for the flight to Cape Town. On arrival, transfer to the COMMODORE HOTEL. Cape Town arguably occupies one of the most spectacular natural settings on earth. Spend the remainder of the day exploring the Victoria and Albert Waterfront. This premier entertainment and shopping complex also incorporates the Two Oceans Aquarium and the IMAX cinema. Enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants
Day 6.
CAPE TOWN
After an early breakfast beat the crowds to the Cable Station of Table Mountain. After the descent drive along the scenic route to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Drive inland via Hout Bay and Costantia Nek and over Die Ou Kaapse Weg with its views of False Bay and the Peninsula Lakes. Continue via Scarborough to the oddly shaped roadside landmark known as Camel’s Rock. Ascend to the highest point of the Reserve on the Funicular and have lunch at Two Oceans Restaurant. After lunch stop at Boulders Beach to see the Penguins and drive past Simon’s town, an old Naval Base. The last stop will be at the lovely Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, beautifully situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain with indigenous plants from Southern Africa. Watch the Sunset on the terrace and enjoy dinner in the restaurant before returning to your hotel.
Day 7.
CAPE TOWN
A full day tour today heading for Paarl with its oak lined streets and beautiful colonial buildings. High on a mountain overlooking Paarl is the Afrikaans Language Monument, visible from miles around and your stop here offers magnificent views over the wine country. Descend to the town of Franschhoek founded by the French Huguenots and retaining much of its French charm and style. Stop at the world famous Boschendal wine farm for a wine tasting before arriving at the Neetlingshof Estate for a tour of the wine cellar including a wine tasting and lunch. Continue to Stellenbosch, capital of the winelands and well known for its distinctive Cape Dutch architecture that lines the narrow streets, especially Dorp Street. Stop at another famous wine farm in Stellenbosch and at Oom Samie’s se Winkel, the oldest trading store in the country. Return to Cape Town and your hotel in time for dinner.
Day 8.
CAPE TOWN
After breakfast at your hotel depart on a morning sightseeing tour of Cape Town. Follow the beautiful coastal drive passing through Camps Bay, Clifton and Sea Point. Clifton is regarded as one of South Africa’s most prestigious suburbs. Drive past President Mandela’s official residence and the houses of parliament before continuing to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. This well restored area is still a working commercial harbor for fishing vessels, tugs and barges. Visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
Day 9.
CAPE TOWN/ JOHANNESBURG/ PRETORIA
After breakfast in your hotel depart Cape Town for the airport and the short flight to Johannesburg. Transfer to your hotel, then leave on a sightseeing tour of Pretoria; South Africa’s administrative capital, with a population of more than a million people; Johannesburg,‘the city of gold’ with a population of more than six million, a big, modern, fast-growing, vibrant African city crowded with modern glass skyscrapers, shopping malls, shoppers and hawkers and; Soweto, the largest black township, at over two million, the township that played a crucial role in the struggle against apartheid. Visiting Soweto is an unforgettable experience.
Day 10.
PRETORIA/ JOHANNESBURG/ ACCRA, GHANA
After a leisurely day in Pretoria for rest, shopping and packing, transfer to the airport in Johannesburg for the evening flight to Ghana. Arrive into Accra and transfer upon arrival to the LA PALM BEACH HOTEL
Day 11.
ACCRA
A morning to relax after the flight from South Africa. Take a swim or sunbathe. Lunch at the hotel. After lunch, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Accra, a unique West African city and capital of Ghana. Drive through the administrative and economic districts of the city to experience the flavor of this 124-year-old city, which features a blend of colonial and modern architecture. Drive past the National Theater, Independence Arch, Black Star Square and visit the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, the final resting place of the first President of Independent Ghana
Day 12.
ACCRA
After breakfast, enjoy a morning of shopping for tailored made Ghanaian style clothing. Lunch on the beach at “Next Door”. After lunch visit the Artist Alliance Gallery and meet renowned artist Ablade Glover and other outstanding Ghanaian artists. Return to the hotel.
Day 13.
GOMOA MAIM/ ELMINA
After breakfast, an early morning departure to the Central Region and Gomoa Maim to attend a colorful durbar of chiefs and people of Gomoa Maim amidst performances of traditional drumming, dancing and singing. The chiefs, elders, and the entire community of Gomoa Maim, Central Region, “enstooled” Harriet Lancaster, as Queen Mother Nana Abena Bandowa I on August 15, 1998.
Continue your journey to Cape Coast and view a history of Forts, Castles and Slave Dungeons of Ghana, viewing en route fishing villages and farming communities. Pass Anamabu, believed to be the place that Louis Armstrong traced his roots. Dinner and overnight at Elmina Beach Resort Hotel.
Day 14.
CAPE COAST/ ELMINA
After breakfast, visit Cape Coast, the town that welcomed the first European on its soil in 1471 and where the first Castle, San Jorge d’Elmina was built by the Portuguese in 1482. History unfolds the story of the slave trade, which the impact is still felt beyond the shores of Africa today. Visit the Cape Coast Castle, originally a small trading post, but later one of the largest slave trading posts next to Elmina. After lunch, visit the Elmina Castle. Later enjoy a walking tour of Elmina Township with views of the harbor. Dinner on the beach at the Coconut Grove Beach Resort. Overnight at Elmina Beach Resort Hotel.
Day 15.
KAKUM NATIONAL PARK/ ACCRA
After breakfast, check out and depart for Kakum National Park, West Africa’s most noted tropical rain forest. Experience the soothing effects of being in a tropical rain forest. Choose either a walk through this forest to discover the wide variety of exotic floral species and the medicinal values they offer or, take a walk on the canopy walkway, 100 feet above the forest floor. A boxed lunch will be provided. Return to Accra.
Day 16.
ACCRA
After breakfast visit Makola Market, a large Ghanaian traditional market. After Makola Market, visit the Center for National Culture, known as the Arts Center, a crafts shopper’s paradise, with its endless array of curio stalls displaying a profusion of West African textiles, crafts, carvings, leather work, and brass. Return to the hotel in time for dinner.
Day 17.
ACCRA
Morning tour visiting the National Theater. After lunch a special private tour of the International Conference Center. Return to the hotel in time for dinner.
Day 18.
KOFORIDUA/ ABURI
After an early breakfast, proceed to Koforidua, Central Region, and the bead capital of Ghana. This is a unique opportunity to buy a wide variety of Venetian trade beads and traditional West African beads at wholesale bead markets. Visit the woodcarvers’ village near Aburi, a great place to buy African carvings. A boxed lunch will be provided. Return to the hotel in time for dinner.
Day 19.
TSITO/HO
After breakfast, check out and depart to the Ewe communities of Tsito and Ho, the Volta Regional capital. In Tsito, you will be entertained by an indigenous cultural troupe. Dinner and overnight at CHANCES HOTEL in Ho.
Day 20.
TORGORME VOLTA REGION/ ACCRA
After breakfast, depart for a drive to the Ewe village of Torgorme in the Volta Region, where Jim Lancaster was enstooled as Chief, Togbe Torgorme Ngoryifia I, to attend another, but different, colorful traditional durbar of chiefs amidst performances of drumming, dancing and singing. We pay a courtesy call on the chiefs, elders, and also participate in a naming ceremony where we are each given a traditional African name. See a demonstration of pottery making which is the main occupation of the women in the village. Return to Accra in time for your flight to Johannesburg and the United States.
Day 21.
ACCRA/ JOHANNESBURG
Depart to Johannesburg and your return to the United States.
Day 22.
U.S.A
Arrive U.S.A the following morning.
