Day 1 --Wed Sep 7 – Depart the USA
Depart the USA on any regularly scheduled flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2-- thu sep 8– Johannesburg South Africa
Upon arrival at Johannesburg airport, we will be met by a Coda representative who will assist us to the transfer vehicle. Transfer to the Da Vinci Hotel.
South Africa is famous for its sunshine. A subtropical location, moderated by ocean on three sides of the country and the altitude of the interior plateau, account for the warm temperate conditions so typical of South Africa - and so popular with its visitors. It's a relatively dry country, with an average annual rainfall of about 18 inches. While the Western Cape gets most of its rainfall in winter, the rest of the country is generally a summer-rainfall region. South Africa is a nation of diversity, with over 47-million people and a variety of cultures, languages and religious beliefs. South Africa has 11 official languages, and plenty of unofficial ones as well. English is the most commonly spoken language in official and commercial public life - but only the fifth most spoken home language.
Hotel Da Vinci Hotel
Room Standard rooms
Meals Breakfast

Day 3 -- fri sep 9 – Johannesburg to Kruger
Breakfast served at the hotel. After breakfast we will complete check out formalities and transfer by road to O.R Tambo Airport for your flight to Nelspruit.  Upon arrival at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, we will be met by our driver who will assist us to the transfer vehicle. Transfer to the lodge. Check in at Tintswalo Safari Lodge. Lunch is served at the lodge. This afternoon we will depart on a game drive in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. Afterwards, return to the lodge where we will enjoy dinner.
Tintswalo Safari Lodge is located in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa on the private Manyeleti Reserve concession - a lush, exclusive lodge nestled between the Timbavati Private Reserve to the north, Sabi Sand Reserve to the south, and open to the Greater Kruger National Park on its fenceless eastern boundary. Resting amidst an ancient sycamore tree grove that overlooks a waterhole frequented by large herds of elephant and other big game, Safari Lodge is a pristine wilderness reserve abounding in big game and spectacular bird life.
Hotel Tintswalo Safari Lodge
Room Standard chalet /
Meals Full Board + Game Activities

Day 4 -- sat sep 10 – Tintswalo Safari Lodge
We will rise early to go on an exciting morning game drive. The wildlife found within the Manyeleti Game Reserve is plenty and varied. And yes - this is a BIG FIVE reserve (Big Five being the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot - including Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant.) Return to the lodge for breakfast. We will have the rest of the morning at leisure to relax in the lounge or at our private plunge pool. Lunch will be enjoyed at the lodge. Take an afternoon nap or have a massage. In the late afternoon when the animals are again on the move, we will depart on another game drive in an open 4x4 safari vehicle.  Return to the lodge. Dinner will be enjoyed at the lodge.

Hotel Tintswalo Safari Lodge
Room Standard chalet
Meals Full Board + Game-viewing Activites

Day 5 -- sun sep 11 – Tintswalo Safari Lodge
Enjoy another day of exciting game viewing. We are sure to spot a long-list of game from the more "exciting" predator species, such as the Lion, Cheetah, Hyena, Wild dog, Leopard, Side-striped Jackal and Black backed Jackal, to the graceful antelopes including Kudu, Giraffe, Impala and Duiker, Klipspringer, Steenbok, Bushbuck, and Nyala. Other species we expect to come across are Wildebeest, Zebra, White Rhino, Waterbuck, Warthog and large herds of Buffalo. Uncommon sightings include the rare Black Rhino and Sable antelope.
Hotel Tintswalo Safari Lodge
Room Standard chalet
Meals Full Board + Game-viewing Activities

Day 6 -- mon sep 12 – Tintswalo to Johannesburg
We will get our early morning wake up call for a last chance to spot elusive game. After breakfast we will complete check out formalities and transfer to the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for the flight to Johannesburg.  On arrival at we will be met and taken the Apartheid Museum for a tour. The Apartheid Museum is the story of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. After our visit, we will check in to the Da Vinci Hotel for overnight.
Hotel Da Vinci Hotel
Room Standard rooms
Meals Breakfast

 Day 7 -- tue sep 13 – Johannesburg to Victoria Falls
Breakfast at the hotel.  Transfer to the Johannesburg airport for the flight to Victoria Falls.  On arrival transfer to Elephant Camp.
Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. The Local people call it "Mosi-oa-Tunya" -- the smoke that thunders. There is a magic about them manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and deadly crocodiles lurk. The Victoria Falls is 5603 feet wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world.  It drops between 295 feet and 351 feet into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 19,423,066 cubic feet of water plummet over the edge every minute. Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria Falls inspires visitors as much today as it did David Livingstone in the 1860's. The Falls and the surrounding area have been declared National Parks and a World Heritage Site, thus preserving the area from excessive commercialization.
This afternoon, you may wish to "interact" with the resident elephants at Elephant Camp. Enjoy watching them frolicking, feeding or swimming in the waterholes.
This evening we transfer from our hotel to the mighty Zambezi River for a Zambezi River cruise. The "sundowner cruise" is a superb way to relax and enjoy the beauty of the river. We may have the opportunity to see a variety of game, including hippo, crocodile, elephant and sometimes even rhino as well as enjoy many different bird species.  There are great photo opportunities against often-spectacular African sunsets
Hotel Elephant Camp
Room Standard rooms
Meals Full Board Basis

Day 8 -- wed sep 14 – Victoria Falls
Breakfast will be enjoyed at the hotel.  We depart for an informative guided tour of Victoria Falls.  Learn about the history of the Falls as well as the flora, fauna, bird & wildlife. Raincoats are provided when needed.
After the tour we will go to Victoria Falls Hotel for High Tea. Established in 1904,this legendary hotel is situated on a site overlooking the magnificent Victoria Falls. Dinner will be enjoyed at Boma Restaurant tonight. This restaurant offers a unique African experience that bombards the senses with the tastes, sights, sounds and smells of Africa - coupled with the warmth and hospitality of the local people.
Hotel Elephant Camp
Standard rooms
Meals Bed and Breakfast, High Tea, Dinner

Day 9 -- thu sep 15 - Victoria Falls to Cape Town
Breakfast served at the hotel. After breakfast fly to Cape Town via Johannesburg. Upon arrival at Cape Town transfer to the hotel. Check in at new 15 On Orange.
Hotel 15 On Orange
Room Standard room
Meals Breakfast

Day 10 -- fri sep 16 – Cape Town
Breakfast served at the hotel. Meet our guide and depart on a scenic and historic drive through the local wine regions in Cape Town: Stellenbosch, Franschoek and Paarl. The day will also include stopping at some of the famous wine estates to sample the local wines produced in South Africa.  Stellenbosch has the first winery in South Africa - founded in 1971.  During the day we will visit, Franschoek, the Gourmet Capital, surrounded by majestic mountains. Visit the Huguenot museum.
Paarl, the "Pearl of the Cape," lies nestled in the Berg River Valley, guarded by the huge granite rocks from which it gets its name. We will also visit the Stellenbosch Museum currently comprised of four houses of historical interest and their gardens. Enjoy lunch at an excellent local restaurantin the area. Afterwards we will return to the hotel with the rest of the evening at leisure. Perhaps tonight you will want to check out the gay scene in Cape Town.
Hotel 15 On Orange
Room Standard room
Meals Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11  -- sat sep 17 -- Cape Town
Breakfast served at the hotel. After breakfast travel outside the city via the 12 Apostles and Hout Bay, as well as Chapman’s Peak – one of the region’s most dramatic mountain drives offering amazing panoramic views over the city and environs. Situated on the Atlantic Coast, at the south-western tip of South Africa, it is one of the most spectacular marine drives anywhere in the world. Continue to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, established in 1939 to protect 19,150 acres of indigenous flora and fauna. The reserve comes to an end at majestic Cape Point.  Situated at the junction of two of earth's most contrasting water masses, the cold Benguela current on the West Coast and the warm Agulhas current on the East Coast, the Cape of Good Hope is popularly perceived as the meeting point of the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans. We will take the funicular to the vantage point from where we are able to witness the “meeting of the two oceans”. Thereafter travel through the historic naval base of Simon's Town to visit a colony of African Jackass Penguins in their natural environment at Boulders Beach.  Enjoy lunch at a restaurant Simonstown.
On arrival back in the city, visit the National Botanical Gardens of Kirstenbosch. These gardens are world-renowned for the beauty and diversity of the Cape flora it displays and for the magnificence of its setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Kirstenbosch grows only indigenous South African plants. The cultivated garden displays collections of South African plants, particularly those from the winter rainfall region of the country. Afterwards return to the hotel. A farewell dinner is planned at the hotel.
Hotel 15 On Orange
Room Standard room
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 -- sun sep 18 – Cape Town
Breakfast served at the hotel. This morning you will have the opportunity to visit Table Mountain (optional) or spend some time shopping before departing to the airport. (Time dependent.) Transfer the airport for onward flights. End of services at the airport in Cape Town.

Day 13 –Mon sep 19 -- Arrive USA
Arrive the USA today.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
No visa for South Africa is required for American/Canadian passport holders. Recent new rules at South Africa's airports also require that anyone traveling to South Africa must have two consecutive blank pages in his passport which lie side by side when the passport is open (i.e. a left and a right hand page). U.S. citizens who need to add extra pages to their passport should go to the following website, www.travel.state.gov/extra pages Here you will find instructions on how to add extra pages to your passport. Passengers traveling to South Africa with passports that do not comply with these requirements will either be stopped from boarding the aircraft or risk deportation on arrival in South Africa. A visa for Zimbabwe is required and will be obtained upon entry into Zimbabwe (USD 30 currently).

SHOTS
South Africa is in a malaria belt and anti-malarial prophylaxis is recommended. Please check with your personal physician before traveling. For further information, visit the Center For Disease Control website.

International Airfare
Delta, South African Airways, Iberia Airlines, Air France , KLM and British Airways are among airlines that can be used for this trip. We recommend booking at least 7 months in advance if you want to try to use Frequent Flyer Miles for free tickets or upgrades or the American Express Platinum card 2-4-1 program.

MINIMUMS
All departures are guaranteed on a minimum of 2 participants. A Coda Tour Manager accompanies the tour on a minimum of 10 participants.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURES AVERAGE RAINFALL