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South Africa Tour 2021
October 9-20, 2021
$3,495.00 per person, double

ITINERARY
Day 1 (Sunday)    On arrival at Cape Town Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation at Protea Hotel Waterfront Breakwater Lodge - BB Standard Room
Includes: Breakfast
Experience the beauty of South Africa at Protea Hotel Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge. Our hotel, housed in a 19th-century building, offers a scenic location within view of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and Signal Hill. Easily access the Cape Town International Convention Centre and take our free shuttle to Cape Town International Airport. In between your adventurous outings, indulge in a pamper session at our spa. Retire for the day in our modern rooms and suites. We provide complimentary Wi-Fi, plush beds and flat-screen TVs for your utmost comfort. Many of our accommodations also boast waterfront views. Take advantage of our convenient room service and dine at our Stonebreakers Restaurant. Need to host an event? Leave a lasting impression when you reserve one of our 16 meeting venues for your business convention or social soirée. During downtime, get in your workout at our fitness center. However you spend your time, embrace renewing travels at Protea Hotel Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge. (B)

Day 2 (Monday)   Full Day Table Mountain, Cape Town City Tour & afternoon Winelands tour and tastings with your driver and guide. (B)
Table Mountain
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway has transported more than 20 million people to the summit of Cape Town’s most iconic destination, Table Mountain. The cableway offers a comfortable way of reaching the top of the mountain in revolving cars that afford 360° views of the surrounds during the ascent. Each cable car can carry 65 people at a time and trips run on a continuous basis – the cableway is shut down during bad weather. At the top, visitors will discover a series of walking paths and stunning views of the surrounding oceans and the city below. There is a self-service restaurant and deli on site.

Cape Town City
Explore South Africa’s exciting ‘Mother City’ on this guided tour of the historical and cultural sights of Cape Town. You will step into the rich history of the city passing by key historical monuments and places of interest, such as the impressive Castle of Good Hope and Cape Town City Hall. The tour stops at the beautiful St. George’s Cathedral, passes the through the lush Company Gardens, and explores a cultural hub of Cape Town, the Bo-Kaap, also known as the Cape Malay quarter. A tour of this vibrant city, home to street markets of every kind, cosmopolitan and rustic eateries, and a host of cultures is an unforgettable experience.
   
Half Day Winelands
A visit to the Cape is not complete with experiencing the attractions of the Cape Winelands. Sign up for a half-day immersion in the country’s leading wine region of Stellenbosch, centred on a historic town with an elegant mix of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian buildings, yet exuding a modern vibrancy. This is South Africa’s golden triangle for winemaking and the region is known for its reds, whites, blends and bubblies, along with stunning locations, fabulous food and hospitable people. This tour is a marvelous complement to a trip to Cape Town and shouldn’t be missed.

Day 3 (Tuesday)    Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour with your driver and guide 
Visit to Houtbay Harbour
Step into the working harbour of Hout Bay at the end of Cape Town’s Atlantic seaboard for an authentic fishing village experience from the colourful fishing boats moored on the dock to the range of fish markets, restaurants, street markets and shops set overlooking the bay. Indulge in fresh seafood, fabulous views, adventure activities and shopping experiences – everything from jewelry and maritime artifacts to seashells and more. The beach stretches from here to Chapman’s Peak in the east.  (B)

Visit to Cape of Good Hope
The famous Cape of Good Hope nature reserve, a World Heritage site, is set at the end of Cape Town’s south peninsula. Take a trip via funicular to the lighthouse at 286 metres above sea level (built to which warns ships they are approaching the feared “Cape of Storms”), stroll along the cliff paths or venture down the steep slopes to the stunning white-sand beaches below. The reserve is home to a variety of small wildlife and is a favoured picnicking, fishing (with a permit) and hiking destination with its rich plant biodiversity and inspiring landscapes. Enjoy lunch at Two Oceans Restaurant (Included)

Explore South Africa’s exciting ‘Mother City’ on this guided tour of the historical and cultural sights of Cape Town. You will step into the rich history of the city passing by key historical monuments and places of interest, such as the impressive Castle of Good Hope and Cape Town City Hall. The tour stops at the beautiful St. George’s Cathedral, passes the through the lush Company Gardens, and explores a cultural hub of Cape Town, the Bo-Kaap, also known as the Cape Malay quarter. A tour of this vibrant city, home to street markets of every kind, cosmopolitan and rustic eateries, and a host of cultures is an unforgettable experience.

Visit to Boulders Beach (Penguins)
The sheltered Simon’s Town beach of Boulders Beach is the home of an endangered land-based colony of African penguins (over 2 000 of them), as well as a favourite swimming and beach destination for locals and international travellers, particularly children. One can walk between the three pristine and sheltered beaches on boardwalks, which also link to the penguin-viewing area offering fantastic sightings of these unique and endearing animals in their natural habitat.   

Day 4 (Wednesday)    Full day Robben Island and Township Tour with your driver and guide
Robben Island Tour
Robben Island is best known internationally as being the place where Nelson Mandela and many other famous anti-apartheid activists were imprisoned. For this reason it is today a world heritage site; however it has always been a place of isolation for those not accepted in society and has in its past been home to a leper colony and a mental hospital. Located in Table Bay, just off Cape Town’s coastline, the island is 5.4km in length and comprises 574ha. The tour takes approximately 3.5 hours including the one-hour return ferry trip that departs from the Robben Island Museum at the Clocktower, Nelson Mandela Gateway, V&A Waterfront. Once the ferry embarks on the island, guests will visit the maximum security prison, meet an ex-political prisoner and explore the island on a bus tour accompanied by an experienced guide.
 
Langa Township Tour
Settled in the mid-1920s as a designated area for black Africans, Langa Township is Cape Town’s oldest and largest township. This lively community, which was established pre-apartheid, is steeped in history of the Xhosa people. Even its name pays homage to a famous tribe member who rebelled against the government in the late 1800s and was later imprisoned at Robben Island.

Visitors can tour the community with local Xhosa guides and explore the streets of Joe Slovo, the largest informal settlement in the township. A monument recognizing those who lost their lives in anti-pass campaign protests during apartheid stands at the community’s center, as well as a newly opened craft market stocked with local handmade items and a recently renovated cultural and multi-purpose center.

Bo Kaap Museum
The Bo-Kaap Museum is in the heart of what is known as the Cape Malay quarter, home to many Muslims and descendents of freed slaves. The building, constructed in 1763, has been restored to represent a typical Malay-style dwelling in the 19th century. The suburb is known for its characteristic cobbled streets and colourful houses. The museum documents the history of the Malay people in the Cape. Originally brought as slaves to the Cape, they have contributed extensively to the cultural and culinary make-up of the city in the centuries since.
Enjoy dinner at your hotel (Included) (BD)

Day 5 (Thursday)   Transfer from hotel to Cape Town Airport for your flight to Johannesburg (flight included)
On arrival in Johannesburg you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Enjoy dinner at your hotel. (included)
Accommodation at Garden Court Sandton City - BB Standard Room
Includes: Breakfast 
 
Garden Court Sandton City is ideally placed in the heart of Sandton, one of Johannesburg’s most prestigious suburbs. Set across from Nelson Mandela Square with its alluring array of shops, restaurants and entertainment options, the hotel is also within walking distance of the Sandton Shopping Centre, one of the most popular in the southern hemisphere. The 444 rooms on offer are all comfortably appointed in a modern style complete with Art Deco pieces, very suitable to business travellers as they offer work stations with high-speed internet connectivity and fax/copy facilities. In-house dining facilities include the spacious and sunny Garden Grill for hearty breakfasts and the French-influenced Cafe Maude with its wide-ranging menu and drinks bar. There are many restaurants, cafes and delis within walking distance of the hotel. Guests can make use of the sparking swimming pool and the equipped gym with many other facilities within close proximity to the hotel. (B)

Day 6 (Friday)    Full Day Soweto & Apartheid Museum Tour with driver and guide
Visit to Mandela House
Mandela House in Orlando West, Soweto is a national monument dedicated to offering insights into the life of Nelson Mandela and the families that he lived with from 1946 through to the 1990s. Managed by the Soweto Heritage Trust, the house has been fully renovated and hosts a visitor centre as well as excellent multi-media and audio-visual displays outlining the history of the Mandela family. A meaningful experience, visitors are exposed to Mandela’s personal life on this visit. (B)

Visit to Hector Peterson Memorial
On the 16th of June 1976, Hector Pieterson was shot by the police during a protest by schoolchildren about Afrikaans being imposed as the medium of instruction. The Soweto uprising, as it has come to be known, saw 20 children shot by police during what started out as a peaceful protest. One of the pivotal moments in the anti-Apartheid struggle, 12-year old Hector has come to symbolise those that stood against the tyrannical regime. Today, the 16th of June is celebrated in South Africa as National Youth Day in remembrance of those who lost their lives during the protest. The site where Hector was shot is not far from the memorial and close to the Hector Peterson Museum.

Visit to Apartheid Museum
The prestigious and must-visit Apartheid Museum is located in Johannesburg’s Ormondo suburb. The museum, opened in 2001, covers the full history of the Apartheid era in South Africa. The exhibitions span the beginnings of segregation in the country, the implementation of the Apartheid system and all of the factors that have shaped its 20th century history including the discovery of gold that spurred on the migration of thousands of foreigners to the country, the rise of black consciousness and the first democratic elections. The political groups (both for and against the Apartheid system) are represented and the exhibitions combine news articles, photographs and artefacts to create a riveting story of this era.
Enjoy lunch at Chez Alina Restaurant in Soweto (Included). (BL)

Day 7 (Saturday)    Leisure Day –Enjoy this time in Johannesburg at leisure.  Later dinner at Moyo's Zoo Lake restaurant (included). (BD)

Day 8 (Sunday)    Depart to Kruger National Park via a visit to the Lesedi Cultural Village.  
Lesedi Cultural Village offers a unique experience to visitors wanting to immerse themselves in authentic African culture. The village is based in the Cradle of Humankind, an hour’s drive from Johannesburg and it was created to showcase the diversity of African cultures, particularly of the dominant groups found in South Africa – the Zulu, the Xhosa, the Basotho, the Ndebele and the Pedi. Guests will be welcomed in the carpark with traditional African singing before being escorted for a wander through the Ndebele-styled village and craft market. Before embarking on a tour of the five homesteads, each representing a particular culture’s choice of housing materials, decorative details and way of living, guests will be orientated by watching a multi-visual theatre presentation on the history and origin of the South African peoples. Divided into smaller groups, guests are then escorted on a tour of the five homesteads before reuniting with their fellow guests at the bar and heading onto a spectacular lunch on offer in the Nyama Choma Restaurant with a menu offering African speciality dishes. Guests are entertained by local dancers and musicians during lunch. (BLD)

Accommodation at Skuzuku Lodge or other hotel - BB Luxury Twin Room
Includes: Breakfast and Dinner
Skukuza is the largest of the restcamps in the Kruger National Park, and is where the park headquarters are located. It is at the heart of the original Sabie Reserve, on the banks of the Sabie River, which forms the border between the southern and central sections of the park.
The camp has lots of riverine trees that provide shade and a home for the vervet monkeys that live in the camp (be warned that if you leave any possessions, food etc outside and unattended, the monkeys will almost certainly steal them). The camp also boasts a resident group of warthog and nocturnal visits from genets, bush babies and fruit bats. Accommodation is either in 2-3 bed thatched rondavels (round bungalows) and 2-3 bed luxury riverside bungalows. Facilities at the camp include four restaurants, shops, petrol station, bank, post office and two swimming pools.
The area around the camp is home to all of the Big Five and there are also wild dog (wild dog packs roam across huge territories and cover vast distances with ease, making them amongst the most difficult game to spot). (B) (D)

Day 9 (Monday)    Today you will enjoy a morning and afternoon open vehicle game drive. The leisure time can be spent at the camp. (B)

Scheduled Game Drive (3 Hours)
Guests will leave for the game drive. They will be met and escorted by experienced and registered field guides eager to share their extensive knowledge of the region. The 25-seater open vehicles traverse a region populated by virtually every mammal in Southern Africa including the Big 5 – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo. There are no age restrictions to these safaris and guests are advised to wear comfortable outdoor clothing and bring along binocular, cameras and beverages.

Day 10 (Tuesday)    Transfer with driver and guide back to the Johannesburg Airport for onward flight, with stop in Pretoria (the capital city of SA) for brief tour. (B)
Key:  B (breakfast), L (lunch), D(dinner), BL (breakfast and lunch), BD (breakfast and dinner)

COST INCLUDES:
•    Airfare from JFK/IAD to CapeTown; Cape Town to Johannesburg; Johannesburg to JFK/IAD
COST INCLUDES:
•    4 Nights accommodation at Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge on a BB basis
•    3 Nights accommodation at Garden Court Sandton City on a BB basis
•    2 Nights accommodation at Skuzuza Camp on a DBB + 2 game drive basis
•    Entrance fees to sightseeing venues as stated in the itinerary above
•    Meals mentioned in the itinerary (Daily breakfast and 5 dinners)
•    Porterage at airports and hotels (1 x standard piece of luggage per person)
•    Transport in private touring vehicles 
•    Local English speaking driver on all transfers and sightseeing excursions
•    Local English speaking guide on all transfers and sightseeing excursions

COST EXCLUDES:
•    All other airfares, air reservations and airport taxes
•    All other accommodation
•    All other meals
•    All other transport
•    All other sightseeing
•    Gratuities for meals, tourist guides, drivers, game rangers and trackers**
•    Personal expenses such as alcoholic and other beverages, telephone calls and laundry
•    Any other services not mentioned above
**recommended $2.00 per person, per day, or per service.
 
Note: Itinerary is subject to modification pending final air and tour arrangements.

Deposits/Payments to:  Joy! Cruises and Tours Inc, P O Box 900, Graham, NC  27253. 919-680-3337.
$350.00 per person due at booking.  Full payment required by August 1, 2021.
Other payments:
Equal monthly installments of the balance, or additional payments as required.

Cancellation Policy:  
Cancellation Policy:  Initial Deposits are non-refundable
120 days to 91 days prior to departure:  25% of total cost
90 days to 61 days prior to departure:  50% of total cost
60 days to 30 days prior to departure:  75% of total cost
29 to 0 days prior to departure:  No Refunds

CANCELLATION INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.  Please request a Quote.
For more information, call 919-680-3337 or Email:  escape2@mindspring.com.
 
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Notice: This travel program is administered by Joy! Cruises and Tours Inc., PO Box 900, Graham, NC  27253.  Phone 919-680-3337.  
Email: info@joycruisesandtoursinc.com.  If you need assistance with booking any package, please contact us.

Travel packages are offered for group participants, and all tours/cruises may be cancelled by the program at any time and without prior notice due to group
minimums not being met, and/or changes in departure date or other factors beyond the control of the suppliers and/or the agency.  Full refunds will be available
in the event any sponsor cancellation occurs.  All tour and cruise rates are not guaranteed and therefore subject to change until deposited and/or ticketed for travel.


To be removed from any email or other unwanted communications, please send an email to info@joycruisesandtoursinc, or by mail at the address listed. You may also contact the North Carolina Central University Office of Alumni Relations with questions or comments at 919-530-6363, or email alumni@nccu.edu.