FEGIL211912

Cape Town

Arrive in Cape Town, undeniably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. As you transfer to the hotel, you will see the city's iconic symbol, Table Mountain greeting you in the distance. Tonight, discover some of Cape Town's world-class restaurants on your own.

Accommodation: Cape Town Lodge or similar, Cape Town
Meals included: none

Cape Town

This morning, meet with your Tour Manager to learn about all of the must-see sights of Cape Town before you depart on a city tour. Driving to the city centre, pass famous landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope built in 1666 by the Dutch East India Company and City Hall, a splendid baroque building, and of course the Grand Parade. See St. George's Cathedral, the Anglican Diocese of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Pass the Company Gardens and the Malay Quarter. The route then leads to Kloof Nek and the magnificent Table Mountain. Relax at a cafe while you take in the views from the base of the mountain. Perhaps ascend to the summit by cable car* (ticket not included) and marvel at a bird's eye view of the city and its beaches. Continue to the V & A Waterfront where you will have the opportunity to learn the three billion-year-old story of diamonds while touring prominent Shimansky Jewelers & Museum. The 45-minute tour reveals the origins of diamond mining and includes explanations of colour, cut and clarity. Following the tour (or for those who do not wish to participate) stroll through the adjacent V & A Waterfront with its endless shopping and dining opportunities before returning to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. This evening, treat yourself to a seafood dinner at one of the trendy outdoor seaside restaurants, while watching the magnificent sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. 

Accommodation: Cape Town Lodge or similar, Cape Town
Meals included: Breakfast

Cape Town

While in Cape Town, outdoor enthusiasts will not want to miss the optional tour to the stunning Cape Peninsula, known for its steep mountains, secluded coves and beautiful pristine beaches. The Cape of Good Hope within Table Mountain National Park is surrounded by rich biodiversity and is home to at least 250 species of birds as well as antelope, ostrich, and baboons. Walk the rugged cliffs, or, take the famous Flying Dutchman funicular, a beacon for early explorers that climbs uphill to the old lighthouse. Afterwards, visit Boulders Beach to see the unique spectacle of penguins waddling freely, and walk through spectacular Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Accommodation: Cape Town Lodge or similar, Cape Town
Meals included: Breakfast

Cape Town

Spend your day at leisure relaxing on the beach, or perhaps join the optional South African Wine Tour which takes you along the country's principal wine route to the scenic towns of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch with tastings along the way. Alternatively, thrill-seekers will not want to miss the optional excursion to "Shark Alley" to experience great white shark cage diving.* Tonight, attend the optional Daily Music Show to learn about the Cape's cultural heritage through music and storytelling. After the show, meet with the artists and enjoy a dinner of traditional Cape cuisine before returning to the hotel 

Accommodation: Cape Town Lodge or similar, Cape Town
Meals included: Breakfast

Cape Town  Johannesburg  Limpopo Province

This morning fly to Johannesburg, known as "Gauteng: the City of Gold". Upon arrival, drive to Limpopo Province located just three hours outside of bustling Johannesburg. Your stay will be at the Mabula Game Lodge where the varied habitats provide ideal conditions for an astounding selection of large mammals including the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino) other predators such as hyena and jackal, and a variety of antelope from red hartebeests to eland. Here, accompanied by a ranger, uncover the magic of the African bush in this wildlife wonderland. In the late afternoon, enjoy an exciting game drive in a landscape that is an alluring combination of rolling hills, tumbled mountains, valleys, and grassland plains. Game sightings include a variety of predators such as lion, leopard, and cheetah with herds of elephant and buffalo that can often be seen at close range. The game and bird viewing opportunities are truly incredible. This evening recount your sightings with your fellow travellers while dining at the lodge.

Accommodation: Mabula Game Lodge or similar, Limpopo Province
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Limpopo Province

Depart early for a morning game drive, or participate in the optional Balloon Safari. Drift peacefully above the beautiful landscape, watching for the wild game below. A glass of sparkling wine awaits you at the end of the journey. Join the rest of your group on the morning game drive in open safari vehicles where you may have a chance to see not only the large majestic beasts but also the smaller mammals, birds and insects. After lunch, relax at the lodge before setting out for your afternoon game drive. Return in time for dinner and toast to your final night in South Africa.

Accommodation: Mabula Game Lodge or similar, Limpopo Province
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Depart South Africa

Awake early this morning and set out on your final game drive. After an early lunch, bid farewell to the bush and travel east toward Johannesburg. Arrive at the O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 4 pm for your overnight departure flight to Cairo in Egypt.

Accommodation: overnight flight from Johannesburg to Cairo
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Arrive Cairo

Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be met by our travel representative than transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Accommodation: Barcelo Pyramids Hotel or similar, Cairo
Meals included: inflight only

Cairo Pyramids and Egyptian Museum

After breakfast, your private Egyptologist tour guide and driver will pick you up and start your tour. Drive to Giza and visit the Pyramids. Lunch en route. Visit the Egyptian Museum; this houses a magnificent collection of Pharaonic antiquities, especially the golden treasures of Tut Ankh Amun.

Accommodation: Barcelo Pyramids Hotel or similar, Cairo
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Cairo and Nile Cruise (boarding in Aswan)

Breakfast, transfer to Cairo airport for your flight to Aswan, upon arrival you will be met our representative and start a tour of Aswan High Dam, Egypt's modern example of building on a monumental scale. Continue by a short motor-boat ride to the Temple of Philae on the island of Agilka. The temple was dedicated to Isis, sister/wife of Osiris and patroness of the Ptolemaic rule. Transfer to your Nile cruise, embarkation, lunch on board. Dinner and overnight on board.

Accommodation: 5* M/S Princess Sarah in a twin-share cabin with private bathroom facilities or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Nile Cruise (Kom Ombo Temple)

Breakfast, free morning optional to visit Abu Simble temple, sail to Kom Ombo, visit the Sobek Temple, dedicated to the two gods, which offers beautiful murals and reliefs temple, lunch, dinner and overnight in Luxor.

Accommodation: 5* M/S Princess Sarah in a twin-share cabin with private bathroom facilities or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Nile Cruise (Edfu Temple and Luxor Temple)

Breakfast, sail to Edfu, visit Edfu temple set out by horse-drawn carriage to visit the Temple of Horus, the largest and most perfectly preserved of all the Nile temples. Horus, also known as Haroeris, was the falcon-headed solar war god. Back to cruise, lunch on board, sail to Esna. Cross the lock of Esna. Visit Karnak & Luxor Temple. Dinner and overnight on board.

Accommodation: 5* M/S Princess Sarah in a twin-share cabin with private bathroom facilities or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Memnon, and Hurghada

After breakfast, disembarkation, cross to the West Bank of the Nile and visit the wondrous Valley of the Kings, a vast city of the dead, where the magnificent tombs of 62 pharaohs have been discovered. The tombs were carved deep into the desert rock, richly decorated and filled with treasures for the afterlife of the pharaohs. Visit several of the tombs. Next, visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. This beautiful monument to the reign of the only female pharaoh rises out of the desert plain in a series of terraces and merges with the sheer limestone cliffs that surround it.   On the way back stop at the famed Colossi of Memnon, two 66ft, 1 thousand ton statues of Amenhotep III. These colossal statues were known by the ancient Greeks to emit haunting voices at dawn. Though damaged by nature and ancient tourists, the statues are still impressive and visit the magnificent Karnak Temple of Amun with its famous Hypostyle Hall and the 134 huge columns, the Statue of Ramses II, the Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut and the Sacred Lake. Transfer Hurghada with an air-conditioned private bus, check-in hotel and overnight.

Accommodation: Sunrise Holidays Resort or similar, Hurghada
Meals included: Breakfast

Hurghada

Breakfast, free day at leisure to enjoy the Red Sea.

Accommodation: Sunrise Holidays Resort or similar, Hurghada
Meals included: Breakfast

 Cairo

Breakfast, transfer to Hurghada airport for flight back to Cairo, connect for your international flight.

Meals included: Breakfast and inflight

Australia

Arrive home.

Meals included: inflight only