Day 2: Landing in Johannesburg this morning, we will catch a connecting flight to Cape Town. Arriving mid-afternoon, we will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to the Cape Milner hotel for a four night stay. Cradled beneath the majestic Table Mountain in Capt Town’s trendy suburb of Tamboerskloof lies the Cape Milner. This exquisite hotel offers a sophisticated and contemporary ambience with the highest standards in style and luxury. The hotel was voted one of South Africa’s best boutique hotels by acclaimed local magazine House and Leisure. After a long travel day, it is time to unpack and relax. If you wish to have a light dinner tonight, it will be “on your own.”

Day 3: Following breakfast, it is time for a tour of this vibrant multicultural city, including a visit to the top of Table Mountain via cable car. As we ascend the mountain, the cable car floor rotates 360 degrees, ensuring magnificent views of the coastline, beaches, Table Bay and the nearby Winelands. Next, an afternoon excursion to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for almost two decades. This place of banishment and exile came to symbolize the triumph of the human spirit over enormous hardship and adversity. There will be some time for shipping at the Victoria and Albert Waterfront. Our first special evening together will feature a sunset cruise with a barbecue (braai) dinner on board. (B, D)

Day 4: After breakfast, we are off for a full-day excursion to see the natural beauty of the Cape Peninsula. Travel along the scenic Atlantic seaboard, passing through Camps Bay, Clifton, and Llandudno before arriving at Hout Bay for a short visit. Continuing along Chapman’s Peak drive, we enter the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve- an area that provides safe haven for antelope, troops of baboon, and other wildlife. After time here, we continue on to impressive Cape Point, with its steep cliffs and scenic views of the rough seas. The best views are gained from the base of the lighthouse at the top of the ridge. From the Cape Point visitor’s car park, you can take a steep path (with numerous stairways) tot eh top, or the Flying Dutchman Funicular for a small fee. On our return to Cape Town, we stop to see the Jackass Penguin Colony and have the unique trill of viewing several thousand wild penguins from raised wooden boardwalks. Dinner tonight will be at Mama Africa or the Africa Café. (B, D)

Day 5: Today we begin with a Direct Action Tour of a black township (guided by a former African National Congress military unit) to see places and memorials where the Apartheid struggle took place. On the “City and Sites of Memory” tour, we will see a history that is as yet unrecorded. In many cases, our guide’s story telling is the only memorial for the people who lost their lives in the struggle against Apartheid and oppression. After a powerful and reflective morning, visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, with time to walk some of its many trails. Enjoy dinner in this beautiful setting before retuning to our hotel. (B, D)

Day 6: After breakfast, say farewell to Cape Town and head into the Winelands of South Africa. We will visit the historic towns of Paarl (known for its quaint Cape-Dutch architecture) and Franschoek (established in the 1680’s by French Huguenots). Your are sure to enjoy our visit to the Boschendal Manor House, with its magnificent vineyards set dramatically against the backdrop of the Groot Drakenstein Mountains. Dating back to 1812, the historic Manor House is now a museum. We then visit Stellenbosch, the undisputed heart of the Winelands and home to the University of Stellenbosch. Enjoy a tour of the town- including a visit to the Reformed Church to see the stained glass windows, and a look at some of the historic homes. We will overnight at the Le Franschhoek Hotel in Franschhoek for the night. (B, D)

Day 7: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and some leisure time to enjoy the area of the Winelands, before we head out this afternoon to the seaside resort of Hermanus for some whale watching, right from shore! Hermanus is known as one of the best shore-based whale watching spots in the world. The town even has its own Whale Crier, who blows his kelp horn to let visitors know when whales are in the bay. (Whale season is September through November) We will then head back to our hotel for dinner this evening. (B, D)

Day 8: After breakfast, take time to bask in the charm of Hermanus before heading to Swellendam where we stop for an independent lunch. Next we will travel into the Klein (“little”) Karoo en route to the town of Oudshoorn. Wedged between two mountain ranges, the sun drenched Klein Karoo is watered by a number of mountain streams and is perfect for growing grapes and alfalfa. Arriving in Oudshoorn, we will take a tour of this interesting town before checking in to our overnight lodging – the Riempie Estate Hotel. Situated in a farm-like setting on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn, the Riempie Estate is a charming hotel with well-appointed thatched rondavels (chalets). Settle in, and then join everyone for a pleasant group dinner. (B, D)

Day 9: Today will be a fun and unusual day! Since Oudtshoorn is known as the ostrich feather capital of the world, we just knew you would like to visit an Ostrich Show Farm. After learning all about these interesting birds, you will have a chance to shop for ostrich purses and other feather curios. Next we will explore the Cango Caves, located north of Oudtshoorn in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains. The Caves feature huge concert-hall size caverns as well as narrow passages and rooms. Onward to Plettenberg Bay, our home for the next two nights. Plettenberg Bay embraces one of the most beautiful sweeps of coastal scenery in South Africa. Our hotel, the four-star Beacon Isle, is built on a rocky promontory that juts into the warm Indian Ocean, What a spectacular setting! (B, D)

Day 10: Following breakfast, we depart on a special excursion to the Featherbed Nature Reserve at Knysna. While at this National Heritage site we hope to spot a Blue Duiker, one of Africa’s smallest antelope species. Other wildlife found on the reserve includes blue cranes (the national bird), Cape Mountain tortoises, cormorants, bushbuck, and more. Lunch is included today. Return to the Beacon Isle Hotel, to enjoy the balance of your day at leisure and an independent dinner. (B, L)

Day 11: Today we follow the Garden Route from Knysna to Port Elizabeth, stopping en route for a short hike in the Tsitsikamma National Park. This pristine forest escaped logging by the early 18th- century European settlers and is a wonder of indigenous flora and fauna. Later, we will fly from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg and transfer to the Holiday Inn Garden Court Sandton City, for a two-night stay. Tonight we will gather for another pleasant dinner together, followed by a meeting with one or two members of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Committee. (B, D)

Day 12: This morning we visit the Johannesburg Market to shop for artwork and other treasures. Next, travel to Pretoria, a beautiful city that has significant Dutch history. Our tour includes Church Square, the Union Buildings, and the Paul Kruger House. We will also visit the Voortekker Monument that commemorates the Great Trek by the first white pioneers who settled in the country’s deep interior. The deeply religious Voortekkers were the forefathers of the present day Afrikaners. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D)

Day 13: We have planned a special visit to Soweto for our last day. Soweto, the name of the most famous of South Africa’s “black townships,” is in fact an acronym for South Western Townships. It is a place of past and present suffering as well as remarkable pride and achievements. Three winners of the Nobel Peace Prize – Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, and Albert Luthili – lived in Soweto. Residents vary from the extremely poor living in shanty areas to the very wealthy. Most are working-class families who struggle to make ends meet. It is an incredible melting pot of cultures! Late this afternoon we will say goodbye to this beautiful land as we transfer to the airport for our flight back to the United States. (B, in-flight meals)

Day 14: This morning we arrive back in the United States and board the connecting flight for the short trip back to Chicago. We hope you have thoroughly enjoyed your South Africa Discovery Tour!

NOTE: AN OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO KRUGER NATIONAL PARK CAN BE ADDED TO THIS TOUR

Remember to turn in your digital cameras to your group leader so that we can have our video done for this trip. We will plan a get together in a few weeks so that we can share the video and other stories of this beautiful journey.