Zamanta's Best of South Africa Yoga Tour

Johannesburg, Karongwe Reserve, Kruger & Cape Town

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, hotels, transfers, many meals, touring & more. Does not include taxes & fees. *

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance
Day	Destination
1	Depart USA
2	Johannesburg
3	Johannesburg
4	Johannesburg, Blyde River Canyon & Karongwe Private Game Reserve
5	Karongwe Private Game Reserve
6	Karongwe Private Game Reserve & Hazyview
7	Hazyview & Kruger National Park
8	Hazyview & Cape Town
9	Cape Town
10	Cape Point & Cape Town
11	Cape Town
12	Depart South Africa
13	Arrive USA

Highlights

Johannesburg, Karongwe, Capetown, Hazyview & Kruger National Park.

Included Features

Round-trip flights from New York via South African Airways wide-bodied jet service, including fuel surcharges Flights, ground transportation and transfers within South Africa 10 nights in superior first class hotels with private bath 10 American-style breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners Professional English-speaking tour directors Comprehensive touring program and safaris, including entrance fees Special opportunity to spend time with the elephants at the Elephant Whispers Meditation & Yoga practice sessions where mentioned

Enjoy an Africa game safari at an exceptional value in one of the world's most magnificent natural settings as you explore exciting South Africa. Begin your South African travel package in cosmopolitan Johannesburg, South Africa's largest metropolis, also known as "Egoli" or City of Gold. Then, head north and enjoy an in-depth wild-life experience in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces where you'll stay at a private reserve in of the country's lush game reserves in search of the "Big Five". Contine your wildlife explorations at Kruger National Park, one of the world's oldest and most famous game reserves. A highlight of your tour is a visit to "Elephant Whispers" for an amazing and up-close encounter with elephants. End your tour in vibrant Cape Town, a truly hot destination for style, night life and gorgeous scenery. Everywhere, you'll be treated to warm, welcoming South African hospitality. Join Friendly Planet, one of the top tour operators in South Africa, and see why this destination has become one of the most popular in the world. Want even more? Extend your stay with a pre-tour to the majestic Victoria Falls or a post-tour to the Garden route, or both. It's a vacation of a lifetime, at a price you won't believe, but don't wait too long to reserve your spot, because space is limited and will go very quickly.

Dates, Prices & Options

As of October 1, 2011, South Africa will require proof of yellow fever vaccination upon entry for passengers arriving from Zambia, Tanzania and some other countries. Passengers travelling to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe should note that if they choose to visit Zambia during their stay, they may be required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination upon return to South Africa.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA. Your fascinating journey to South Africa begins as you depart New York on your overnight flight for Johannesburg.

Day 2: Johannesburg. Arrive this morning in Johannesburg, South Africa's largest and most populous city. Enjoy a panoramic tour of this cosmopolitan city, affectionately referred to as "Jo'Burg" by the locals. Check-in at your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Holiday Inn Rosebank

Day 3: Johannesburg. Begin the morning with a 6:30 am meditation before embarking on a fascinating tour to Soweto (short for Southwestern Township), a sprawling metropolis on the outskirts of Johannesburg. Here you will learn more about South Africa's turbulent past and its unwavering hope for the future. Your tour will give you a close-up look at daily life in this bustling neighborhood, the largest black urban settlement in Africa and center of political campaigns aimed at the overthrow of the apartheid state.

Highlights of the Soweto tour include the former residence of Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela, the Hector Peterson memorial for the victims of the civil unrest in the 1970s, and a drive by the ultramodern Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Visit the Apartheid Museum for an in-depth historical look at the system of extreme racial segregation that plagued South Africa from 1948 until 1994, when it was finally dismantled. Upon return unwind the day with an early evening yoga practice. (B)

Day 4: Johannesburg, Blyde River Canyon & Karongwe Private Game Reserve. After an early breakfast, relax on the scenic drive from Johannesburg to Mpumalanga Province. Pass through Lydenberg; Pilgrims Rest, a quaint historical mining town from centuries ago; and Graskop, near the Blyde River Canyon. Enjoy lunch at the ever-popular Harries Pancakes. Visit the Blyde River Canyon, one of the world's largest, stopping for breathtaking views of rolling mountains, verdant valleys, the Three Rondavels, God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes.

Continue to your lodge, located in the Karongwe Private Game Reserve in the heart of Limpopo Province. The Reserve teems with an abundance of game, wildlife and diverse vegetation. After check in, we can enjoy our early evening yoga practice in the beautiful surroundings and dinner at the lodge. Shiduli Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 5: Karongwe Private Game Reserve. After a very early morning wake-up call and fresh cup of coffee or tea, head out in open safari vehicles for your game drive into the African bush in search of the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo—as well as some of the smaller and fascinating creatures such as chameleons, scrub hares and more. Stop in the bush for a hot drink with rusks, a typical South African biscuit. We will return to the lodge for our yoga practice and full breakfast’.

Relax at the lodge and perhaps take an afternoon nap. In the late afternoon, set off on foot for a bush walk with your experienced ranger, who will teach you some bush skills such as animal tracking as well as bird and plant identification. Return to your lodge for dinner (B,L,D)

Day 6: Karongwe Private Game Reserve & Hazyview. Depart for an early morning game drive. After our yoga practice and breakfast continue to Hazyview in Mpulamlanga province, locally just a few miles outside the Kruger National Park. Check in at your hotel, and take some time to relax in the beautiful surroundings.

Later in the afternoon, depart for your Elephant Whispers, an elephant interaction experience. Elephant Whispers are dedicated to securing the future of the African Elephant. There are five tamed and trained rescued elephants, varying in ages from 8 to 19 years. Experience the thrill of being close to these magnificent creatures, and witness their intelligence and compassionate nature. Finally, we will return to our hotel for our afternoon meditation then spend the evening at leisure. Perry's Bridge Hollow (B)

Day 7: Hazyview & Kruger National Park. After an early morning wake-up call, depart for a morning safari in open safari vehicles into the Kruger National Park, one of the world's most famous game reserves. You'll see the ever-present impala, and be on the lookout for wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, and many other types of antelopes. Return to your hotel to rejuvenate with an afternoon yoga practice, before enjoying leisure time to lunch and relax

This evening, The Shangaan River Club will welcome you to festivities under the thatched boma where song dance, verse and magnificent food all come together. The Shangaan River Club is named after the local people of the area, the Shangaan. As the sun sets over the Sabie River, the drums begin to sound as the torches guiding the way are lit. After a traditional handwashing ritual, you can have your face painted or your hair braided. Entertainment is provided by the Ronaldsi Youth Cultural Traditional Dancers. (B,D)

Day 8: Hazyview & Cape Town. After an early morning meditation and breakfast’, we will depart this morning for Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport for your morning flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival, you'll be escorted to your hotel, located near the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Here we will have our early evening yoga practice, then rest and take pleasure of the beauty of Cape Town. Cape Royale Hotel (B)

Day 9: Cape Town. After an early morning mediation and breakfas we will continue on a tour of Cape Town that begins with a half day panoramic city tour showcasing the scenic and historic highlights of this vibrant city. Weather permitting, you'll travel by cable car to the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town's most striking landmark. Stop at Milnerton Lighthouse for spectacular views of the mountain and the city below. Proceed to the country's oldest building, the Castle of Good Hope, an imposing 17th century Dutch fort set against the dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain.

Continue to the Malay Quarter (Bo-Kaap). Lined with brightly colored houses and decorative mosques, this historic neighborhood was founded by former slaves from Malaysia whose Islamic culture gives the neighborhood a distinct character and contributes to Cape Town's rich cultural diversity. The final stop is the lively Cape Town Waterfront, where restaurants and entertainment options abound. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure to get better acquainted with Cape Town. (B)

Day 10: Cape Point & Cape Town. At 6:30 am we will begin our yoga practice, then continue to Cape Point for a full day excursion that begins with a cruise along Hout Bay View where you'll see the seals of Duiker Island. Enter the nature reserve that covers the southern part of the Peninsula, and drive through the unique scenery towards Cape Point. Travel by funicular railway to Cape Point where you can take in stunning views of the Cape of Good Hope.

After lunch, make a brief stop to visit the African jackass penguins at Boulders Beach, and then continue to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where you'll enjoy a magnificent display of indigenous South African flora. Return to your hotel late this afternoon and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. (B,L)

Day 11: Cape Town. Enjoy yoga practice in the morning. You can also choose a full day optional tour to the famous Winelands, visiting the towns of Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, as well as a wine cellar tour. Tonight, we recommend an optional dinner at the lively Gold of Africa restaurant. (B)

Day 12: Depart South Africa. Close your stay with yoga and any last minute shopping. In the early afternoon transfer to the airport for your return flight home, via Johannesburg. (B)

Day 13: Arrive USA. Your memorable South African adventure ends as you touch down this morning in New York.

Booking & Travel FAQs

read more Testimonials