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ZOOM SOUTHERN AFRICA ITINERARY
Cape Town, Safari, and Victoria Falls
Limited to a small group of guests, ZOOM SOUTHERN AFRICA embodies all the elements of a perfect Southern Africa vacation: the beaches and nightlife of cosmopolitan Cape Town, the delectable wine country, the exhilarating Big Five game viewing at Kruger National Park from the terrace of your deluxe tented chalet or a Range Rover, bustling Johannesburg, and stunning Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Plus, your dedicated Zoom Concierge is there to make sure your trip is nothing short of spectacular. You will enjoy the best hotels and custom activities you have come to expect from a Zoom Vacations trip. Learn for yourself why Zoom Vacations was voted favorite small tour operator by the readers of
Out Traveler Magazine and voted Best Small Tour Operator by PlanetOut.
DAY 1: August 26, 2010 – CAPE TOWN
Arrival in Cape Town. Transfer in a Mercedes sedan to the Taj Hotel.
Cape Town's history goes back almost 400 years. Located at the base of majestic Table Mountain, at the tip of Africa, Cape Town is a dynamic and cosmopolitan city of abundant natural beauty. Blessed with some of the most beautiful golden beaches in the Southern Hemisphere, Cape Town enjoys year-round sunshine and a Mediterranean climate.
Join us for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner at one of the best restaurants in Cape Town.
ACCOMMODATIONS: TAJ HOTEL, 5 STARS
MEALS INCLUDED: WELCOME COCKTAIL RECEPTION AND DINNER
DAY 2: August 27, 2010 – CAPE TOWN
Morning taste of Cape Town city tour with our own personal expert guide, including visits to Table Mountain by cable car to see a panoramic view of the city, stunning Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the world-class Two Oceans Aquarium which showcases the incredible diversity of marine life found in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. We end at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront marina and shopping complex to explore this cosmopolitan shopping playground. Evening is at leisure to explore one of Cape Town’s fantastic restaurants, and its nightlife.
ACCOMMODATIONS: TAJ HOTEL, 5 STARS
MEALS INCLUDED: BUFFET BREAKFAST
DAY 3: August 28, 2010 - CAPE TOWN & CAPE PENINSULA EXPERIENCE
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel and depart for a full day experience to the Cape Peninsula and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, an area known for its beautiful scenery. We travel along False Bay and stop at Simonstown to visit Boulders beach, home to the endangered African penguin colony. We then head to Cape Point Nature Reserve and have some time to view the general geographic spot where it is said the two great oceans meet, and maybe even see the rare and cuddly Bontebok, a small furry animal who makes the peninsula its home. On our way back, we stop for lunch at a gourmet restaurant personally recommended by none other than celebrity chef Art Smith. Evening is at leisure to explore one of Cape Town’s fantastic restaurants.
ACCOMMODATIONS: TAJ HOTEL, 5 STARS
MEALS INCLUDED: BUFFET BREAKFAST and LUNCH
DAY 4: August 29, 2010 - CAPE TOWN & WINE VALLEY EXPERIENCE
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, we take a short driver to South Africa’s famous Wine Valley, for a wine tasting experience with and expert sommelier and unforgettable lunch at one of the most famous gourmet restaurants in all of Africa. It boasts expansive views of the wine valley vineyards, and even carries its own private wine label. We will have some time to walk through the charming wine village of Franschhoek and do some shopping in the numerous boutiques, confectionaries, and craft and antique shops before heading back to Cape Town.
ACCOMMODATIONS: TAJ HOTEL, 5 STARS
MEALS INCLUDED: BUFFET BREAKFAST and LUNCH
DAY 5: August 30, 2010 - KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Buffet Breakfast in hotel and airport transfer for flight to Kruger National Park.
Arrival in Kruger National Park and transfer to our uniquely small and luxurious safari lodge experience, Sabi Sabi Camp where you will stay in a luxury tented chalet. Sabi Sabi Selati Camp is part of the award-winning Sabi Sabi family ans will be our exclusive home during our safari. Having the camp exclusively means more freedom to be yourself, more room to spread out, and more flexibility to follow your own pace. The lodge is located in the Sabi Sands, one of the best areas for spotting leopards, lions, water buffalos, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, elephants, hyenas, zebras, springbok, monkeys, and wild boars.
After check-in, relax in your deluxe tented chalet or by the swimming pool before afternoon tea. You are also invited for a late afternoon game drive before dinner.
ACCOMMODATIONS: SABI SABI SELATI CAMP, 5 STARS
MEALS INCLUDED: AFTERNOON TEA, DINNER, DOMESTIC OPEN BAR
DAY 6: August 31, 2010 - KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Wake up at dawn and depart for your second game drive to catch the animals you may have missed the day before. The morning is one of the best times to see animals as they wind down their nighttime hunting, as well as understanding the process of nature waking up – the grass is fresh and humid, the birds are singing and the impalas are grazing along the plain. Return to the Lodge for Buffet Breakfast. A light lunch is served. Relax by the swimming pool before the afternoon game drive.
Tonight we will offer an exclusive pre dinner performance. Bring your camera, and watch as the beauty of Africa unfolds before you.
ACCOMMODATIONS: SABI SABI SELATI CAMP, 5 STARS
MEALS INCLUDED: BUFFET BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER, DOMESTIC OPEN BAR
DAY 7: September 1, 2010 – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Today, we will experience a range of game viewing, including an early “Bush Walk” with your professional game ranger. Bush Walks include informative chats about grasses, trees, wild flowers and animals. You will return to the Lodge and are free relax by the swimming pool before the afternoon game drive in a Range Rover for a game drive and bush walk with your professional game ranger, in the late afternoon when the day cools down. Before you depart, however, you will have time to enjoy some tea or coffee and local patisseries. Perhaps you may want to enjoy a cocktail in the bush and you can enjoy the tranquility of the nature while your professional game ranger helps you look for the animals. Back at the lodge they are preparing a sumptuous dinner to be served under the African sky and a million stars.
ACCOMMODATIONS: SABI SABI SELATICAMP, 5 STARS
MEALS INCLUDED: BUFFET BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER, DOMESTIC OPEN BAR
DAY 8: September 2, 2010 - JOHANNESBURG
Buffet Breakfast in hotel and land transfer to the airport for flight to Johannesburg.
Land transfer upon arrival in Johannesburg and afternoon tour of the Apartheid Museum, a moving historical experience that helps explain modern day South African society. Afternoon check in to Tem Bompas Hotel. The philosophy behind the design is to create a luxurious contemporary boutique hotel in Africa with gentle curves and geometric forms that create an air of sanity and tranquility.
The common areas of the hotel comprise various sitting and meeting areas, an award winning restaurant, glass fronted wine cellar and more.
ACCOMMODATIONS: TEN BOMPAS HOTEL, Boutique, Suite
MEALS INCLUDED: BUFFET BREAKFAST
DAY 9: September 3, 2010 – VICTORIA FALLS
Buffet Breakfast in hotel and land transfer to the airport.
Upon arrival we will be transferred to the hotel by water taxi. Afternoon cocktails overlooking Victoria Falls and private guided tour of Victoria Falls with a local expert on both this UNESCO World Heritage Site and the person who “discovered” them, David Livingstone. Dinner at leisure.
ACCOMMODATIONS: ROYAL LIVINGSTONE HOTEL, 5 STARS
MEALS INCLUDED: BUFFET BREAKFAST
DAY 10: September 4, 2010 - VICTORIA FALLS
Optional white water rafting trip on the mighty Zambezi River Gorge, considered one of the world’s greatest whitewater rafting adventures. Get ready for a very wet and adrenalin filled day. The rapids are all grade 4 and 5, making for big white water. Calm pools of water separate the rapids, perfect for catching your breath and admiring the spectacular scenery around and above you. Alternatively, if you prefer to fly rather than raft, you may choose take a helicopter ride above the falls and rapids of the Zambezi River. This is an experience to remember.
This afternoon, enjoy a unique safari through the African bush, all from the heady heights of your own African elephant! Upon arrival, you will be introduced to your induna (elephant carer) and the elephants themselves. On mounting the elephants the safari begins – view game while riding game, savoring the experience of crashing through the African bush atop a gigantic pachyderm. Bring your camera!
Tonight, we have prepared a special farewell dinner on the banks of the Zambezi River which blends African tradition, nature, and authentic cuisine in an ethereal atmosphere. A Zoom Signature Event, just for you, our guest!
ACCOMMODATIONS: ROYAL LIVINGSTONE HOTEL, 5 STARS
MEALS INCLUDED: BUFFET BREAKFAST
DAY 11: September 5, 2010 - SOUTH AFRICA DEPARTURE
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport in time for the domestic flight to Johannesburg to make your international flight back home. Or you may choose to take an optional voyage from Victoria Falls to Pretoria on the most luxurious train in the world, the Rovos Rail, spend a few days in Botswana’s romantic Okavango Delta, or at the exciting Palace of the Lost City at Sun City in South Africa.
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