Spectacular South Africa

br />Book by August 31, 2010 and save $200 per couple on air-inclusive bookings on 1/20/11, 2/24/11 departures.

Restrictions apply, based on availability.
Ask your agent for details today!Click here for terms and conditions.South Africa’s cosmopolitan cities, posh resorts, expansive desert, magnificent wildlife and fertile wine country combine with a harmonious mix of many cultures to create a beautiful mosaic to discover on this 13-day tour. Explore Soweto, birthplace of Nelson Mandela, and dine with locals at a shebeen (tavern). Search out the “Big Five” during open-air safari game drives. Travel the lush Garden Route between the mountains and the balmy Indian Ocean. Visit a working ostrich farm. Spend four leisurely nights in Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Day 1: Overnight Flight
One country with a world of treasures, South Africa awaits your arrival. Breathtaking mountain scenery, winding coastlines, remarkable cultural diversity and abundant wildlife in its natural habitat comprise this incredible experience.

Day 2: Sandton, South Africa - Tour Begins
Your journey begins in Sandton, a city established in 1969. Famous for its rich veins of gold and other valuable minerals, it is now the bustling cosmopolitan center of greater Johannesburg. Gather this evening with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sandton - Soweto - Sandton
LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. A guided tour of Soweto - South West Township - showcases luxurious mansions and informal settlements as you learn about the historic significance of the area. Experience the regional lifestyle when joining locals for lunch at a nearby Shebeen or house tavern. This afternoon, visit the Apartheid Museum for a look into the dynamic history of racial segregation in South Africa.

Day 4: Panoramic Route - Kruger National Park
Travel through the spectacular Drakensburg Mountain Range en route to Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa. Scenic wonders surround you as you pass through the Blyde River Canyon, made mostly of red sandstone and known as one of Africa's greatest natural wonders. Set against the triplet mountain formation of the Three Rondovals, resembling traditional round houses of the indigenous people, the canyon is the third largest in the world. Along this magnificent route you will also see Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the dramatic natural cylinders shaped by millions of years of natural erosion caused by fast flowing sand-filled waters.

Day 5: Kruger National Park - Safari Game Drive
Have your cameras ready for an unforgettable day of adventure and excitement! Enjoy a full day open air vehicle safari game drive. A local expert leads you in search of the Big 5 - elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino - and provides insight into these fascinating animals along the way. Watch carefully - you may also see a graceful impala, dazzling zebra or gorgeous giraffe.

Day 6: Kruger National Park - Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth
Travel back to Johannesburg to board your flight to Port Elizabeth, today one of South Africa's major ports. Founded in 1820 as a place to house British settlers, this coastal town is the gateway to the Garden Route, a scenic stretch of coastline set between mountain ranges and the Indian Ocean.

Day 7: Port Elizabeth - Knysna
Journey through the Tsitsikamma Forest, a natural gem along the Garden Route. Known for its gorges and steep cliffs, the indigenous forest is home to hundreds of species of birdlife. Continue along the southern coast where a jagged shoreline meets quaint villages. Arrive in the picturesque resort town of Knysna, in the heart of the Garden Route. This afternoon, your township tour will highlight the diversity of this community followed by a touching experience as you visit a school. Learn about the efforts of the Collette Foundation and the local community to conquer the challenges of educating the children of the region. Enjoy a relaxing dinner at one of Knysna's waterfront restaurants.

Day 8: Knysna
Today you visit nearby Featherbed Nature Reserve. Begin with a lagoon cruise out to the famous Knysna Heads which mark the entrance to the lagoon. Next, board a 4x4 vehicle and travel deep into the forest. Discover the local flora and fauna during a leisurely-paced nature walk. Enjoy lunch amongst the ancient milkwood trees - so called because of their white latex sap - before your return cruise. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to independently explore Knysna’s charming waterfront.

Day 9: Knysna - Oudtshoorn - Cape Town
Travel to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of South Africa. Enjoy a guided tour of one of the oldest working ostrich farms in the area and, if you wish, go for a ride on one of these great birds! An outdoor barbecue lunch caps off an amazing day. Next, you journey to captivating Cape Town.

Day 10: Cape Town
A panoramic tour of the beautiful harbourside city of Cape Town celebrates its noted architecture which fuses the traditions of French, German and Dutch influences. Enjoy a thrilling ride on a cable car as it whisks you to an altitude of more than 3,000 feet, landing atop the aptly named and flat-topped 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 with its mosques and minarets, and stopping at the Milnerton Lighthouse. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to discover charming Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, known for its shopping and entertainment venues.

Day 11: Cape Town
Explore the coastal scenery and charming towns that populate the Cape Peninsula. Travel out to Cape Point, stopping for a visit with the penguins at Boulder Beach. On your return, explore the fascinating and famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, home to over 5,000 species of plants native to South Africa.

Day 12: Cape Town
Discover the enchanting beauty of the famous Cape Winelands region with its colorful mountainous landscape and endless vineyards. Visit local wine farms and learn about the history of wine making in this region while you enjoy sampling some of the local wines. Return to Cape Town this afternoon. This evening, experience a unique farewell to Africa as you enjoy an after-hours guided tour of the fascinating African Gold Museum, followed by a traditional African dining experience!

Day 13: Cape Town - Tour Ends
Your tour ends today in Cape Town.

Don't miss our current specials: Free or Reduced Companion Air to Europe Check out these last minute SAVINGS provided by our airline partners who have offered special pricing for specific tours and dates only. As a result, we're delighted to offer you FREE or reduced companion air on select tours. See list of tours for details on our last minute offer applied to that specific tour when you make your air-inclusive booking. Some restrictions may apply, please call 800-942-3301 for details. Italian Vistas This 13 day trip has everything you've always wanted in a trip to Italy. Enjoy multiple night stays in Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi coast and Stresa in the Lakes District. Discover the treasures of Classical and Christian Rome. Walk in the footsteps on the ancients in Pompeii. See the gems of the Renaissance in Florence's Academy Gallery, including Michelangelo's David. Visit Lugano, Switzerland, and cruise to Isola Bella, one of the scenic Borromean Islands. Reflections of Italy Revel in the magic of Italy on this 10-day tour that explores the cities of Rome, Florence, Venice, Assisi and Perugia. Travel the Tuscan and Umbrian countryside, exploring medieval hill towns and visiting the birthplace of St. Francis, Assisi. Discover the masterpieces of the Renaissance in Florence and see hot glass transformed into exquisite art on Murano Island. Linger in Venice for two nights before ending your journey in the lovely Italian Lake region. Cross the border and explore the Swiss resort town of Lugano. Spain's Classics Spain is a colorful pageant of art, history and culture, set against a backdrop that spans sunny Mediterranean shores and grand mountain ranges, dotted with groves of oranges and olives. Explore the priceless treasures in Madrid’s Prado Museum. Visit the exotic and expansive Alhambra palace, resplendent with Moorish regal flair. See Columbus’ tomb. Feel the passion of the Flamenco with reserved seating at a performance in Seville. Explore Valencia, Barcelona, Granada, Cordoba and Toledo. Travel the Sierra Nevada Canada's Winter Wonderland Immerse yourself in the ultimate winter wonderland — the Canadian Rockies. Hop aboard VIA Rail Canada's Snow Train Express and head for Jasper with spectacular views. Travel across the Icefields Parkway with breathtaking scenery. Relax at three Fairmont properties: Jasper Park Lodge, Château Lake Louise, and the Banff Springs Resort, each magically decorated for the holiday. Enjoy a cooking demonstration, kitchen tour and learn how to make your own holiday pastries FREE Door to Door Service Now Vacations Start at HOME! Don't worry about getting to the airport... because a vacation should be worry-free. With Collette Vacations, enjoy free round trip sedan service that takes you from your home to the airport when you purchase an air-inclusive Collette tour.* This personalized service - including gratuities - is available on new air-inclusive bookings to the South Pacific, Canada, and Europe; and on ALL Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures and Explorations by Collette tours. On departures May 2010 and beyond, Door to Door transfers are included with air-inclusive bookings to all destinations Great Savings • Added Comfort • More Convenience
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/16/2010 - 9/28/2010	$2,199
10/14/2010 - 10/26/2010	$2,199
10/21/2010 - 11/2/2010	$2,199
11/4/2010 - 11/16/2010	$2,199
1/20/2011 - 2/1/2011	$2,249
1/27/2011 - 2/8/2011	$2,249
2/17/2011 - 3/1/2011	$2,249
2/24/2011 - 3/8/2011	$2,249
3/10/2011 - 3/22/2011	$2,249
3/17/2011 - 3/29/2011	$2,249
4/7/2011 - 4/19/2011	$2,249
4/28/2011 - 5/10/2011	$2,199
5/19/2011 - 5/31/2011	$2,399
6/9/2011 - 6/21/2011	$2,399
8/11/2011 - 8/23/2011	$2,399
9/15/2011 - 9/27/2011	$2,499
9/22/2011 - 10/4/2011	$2,499
10/13/2011 - 10/25/2011	$2,499
10/27/2011 - 11/8/2011	$2,499
11/3/2011 - 11/15/2011	$2,499
11/10/2011 - 11/22/2011	$2,499
1/26/2012 - 2/7/2012	$2,599
2/2/2012 - 2/14/2012	$2,599
2/23/2012 - 3/6/2012	$2,599
3/15/2012 - 3/27/2012	$2,599
4/12/2012 - 4/24/2012	$2,599
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Free or Reduced Companion Air to Europe

FREE Door to Door Service

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