Highlights include Cape Town, Table Mountain, Johannesburg, Soweto, Nairobi, Safari Game Drives, Masai Mara, Carnivore Restaurant, |Cairo, Pyramids of Giza, Luxor, 4-night Nile Cruise, Aswan and more.|
Itinerary:
Day #1 Overnight Flight - Welcome as you join us on the trip of a lifetime combining the best of South Africa, Kenya and Egypt. Explore South Africa’s rugged coastline, overnight in Kenya’s world-famous Masai Mara, and soak in the ancient sights on a 3-night cruise along Egypt’s famed Nile River.
Day #2 Cape Town, South Africa - Tour Begins - Your tour begins today with your arrival in the picturesque coastal city of Cape Town, South Africa. One country with a world of treasures, South Africa offers breathtaking mountain scenery, winding coastlines, remarkable cultural diversity and abundant wildlife in its natural habitat.
Day #3 Cape Town - Journey south this morning to explore the spectacular coastal scenery and charming towns that populate the Cape Peninsula. Travel out to Cape Point, stopping for a visit with the local penguins at Boulder Beach. During your return to Cape Town, discover the fascinating biodiversity of South Africa during a visit to the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. These gardens are home to over 5,000 species of plants native to South Africa. Gather with your fellow travelers for a spectacular welcome dinner this evening!
Day #4 Cape Town - Begin your day with a panoramic tour of the city, taking in much of the historic architecture. Enjoy a thrilling ride on a cable car as it whisks you to an altitude of more than 3,000 feet, landing atop Table Mountain. The views below of Cape Town, Robben Island and Lion’s Head will leave you breathless. Return to the city via Table Bay, passing through the Malay Quarter and stopping at the Milnerton Lighthouse. The evening is free for you to explore the Victoria and Alfred waterfront or simply relax.
Day #5 Cape Town - Today is yours for independent exploration. You may wish to join a spectacular optional tour of the famous winelands region of South Africa or perhaps tour Robben Island and the prison where Nelson Mandela spent many years. This evening, gather together for a true South African experience as you tour Africa’s Gold Museum and enjoy a delightful dinner full of local south African flavors.
Day #6 Cape Town - Johannesburg - Fly this morning to the capital city of Johannesburg where you will become immersed in the culture of South Africa during a guided tour of Soweto township. View luxurious mansions and informal settlements as you learn about the historic significance of the area. Experience the regional lifestyle as you join locals for lunch at a nearby shebeen (tavern). The remainder of the day is yours to explore independently.
Day #7 Johannesburg - Nairobi, Kenya - Depart this morning for the magical country of Kenya. For a once-in-a-lifetime safari adventure there is no better place for scenic beauty and abundant wildlife than Kenya. Arrive in the capital city of Nairobi and enjoy a delightful dinner at the world-famous Carnivore Restaurant.
Day #8 Nairobi - Masai Mara - This morning you travel to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The Masai Mara is an extension of the great Serengeti Plain and is generally thought to be the most magnificent game viewing spot in all of Kenya. Here you may see lions, giraffes, zebras, elephants and other wildlife as they exist in their natural habitat. Enjoy an afternoon game drive in search of these great animals! Your bush experience is truly complete as you relax this evening in your luxurious tented camp. Your tent will provide all the deluxe amenities of a lodge, complete with the adventure of the Masai Mara.
Day #9 Masai Mara - Experience the magic of the Masai Mara with a full day of activities. An optional hot air balloon ride over the plains is available this morning. Venture back into the wilds of Africa in search of the Big 5: elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo, on both morning and afternoon game drives.
Day #10 Masai Mara - This morning journey out to a local Masai village and become immersed in their culture and indigenous way of life. Learn about the fascinating customs of the Masai people and how they have survived for so many years in such harsh conditions. Enjoy another game drive this afternoon. This evening you will be treated to a traditional bush dinner featuring a Masai traditional dance performance.
Day #11 Masai Mara - Nairobi - Return to the city of Nairobi this morning before traveling to ‘Karen’. Located on the outskirts of Nairobi, you will visit the famous farmhouse of Karen Blixen, the author of “Out of Africa”. You will have the opportunity to feed the endangered Rothschild giraffes from a raised platform during the visit to Giraffe Manor. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to a local school to see the efforts of the tour group Foundation at work! Enjoy an evening at leisure.
Day #12 Nairobi - Cairo, Egypt - A very early morning flight brings you north to Egypt. This spectacular country provides the perfect backdrop to discover thousands of years of history, legends and ancient wonders. Enjoy an early check in at your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours to relax.
Day #13 Cairo - Travel to Giza to visit what are perhaps Egypt’s most recognizable landmarks and one of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World…the Pyramids of Giza. This afternoon, travel south to visit the site of ancient Memphis with its 40-foot statue of Ramses II, and Sakkara, where you will see the oldest of all the pyramids, the Step pyramid.
Day #14 Cairo - Today is yours to explore the city of Cairo independently. You may choose to take an optional excursion to the city of Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great , this great city was at the center of the Roman civilization – rivaling Rome itself! Visit the famed Alexandria Library and the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Or, perhaps you will stay in Cairo and explore one of the many museums filled with ancient treasures.
Day #15 Cairo - Aswan - You may opt to take an optional tour to Abu Simbel* this morning to see the extraordinary temples built by Ramses II. Arrive this afternoon in the Nubian city of Aswan. This evening you will enjoy a sunset sail in a traditional felucca, or Egyptian sailboat.
Day #16 Aswan - Board Cruise Ship - This morning you’ll visit the High Dam, the unfinished obelisk, Granite Quarries, and the ancient Philae Temple of Isis, before boarding your cruise ship for a spectacular 3-night cruise on the fabled Nile River. This evening your ship will begin to cruise the mighty Nile toward Kom Ombo.
Day #17 Kom Ombo - Edfu - This morning, visit the imposing structure of Kom Ombo, a unique twin sanctuary dedicated to both the crocodile god and the falcon god. Return to the ship and relax this afternoon as you sail toward Edfu. Upon arrival, visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the best preserved ancient temple in all of Egypt and second in size only to Karnak. During a guided tour you will learn about the temple’s construction beginning in 327 BC and its long history.
Day #18 Edfu - Luxor - Continue sailing north to Luxor. Upon arrival this morning, explore the massive Temple of Karnak, perhaps the most impressive site in Egypt and the largest temple complex ever built by man. Your local guide will explain the history of the three main temples and discuss construction of this massive complex, built over a 1,300 year period dating back to the 16th century BC.
Day #19 Luxor - Disembark Cruise Ship - Disembark your cruise ship this morning and discover the West Bank of Luxor. Journey through the Valley of Kings and Queens, one of the most famous archeological sights in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. For a period of almost 500 years, from the 16th to 11th century BC, elaborate tombs were constructed for kings and other powerful nobles. Marvel at the amazing designs on the tombs and learn of their history from your local guide. Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
Day #20 Luxor - Cairo - Depart Luxor and return to Cairo this morning. Enjoy a spectacular guided tour of the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities this afternoon. A culmination of all that you have just experienced, you will see statues, reliefs, sarcophagi and the treasures of the tomb of Tutankhamen. Come together this evening for a fantastic farewell celebration.
Day #21 Cairo - Tour Concludes - Your tour ends today in Cairo.