Here is opportunity to travel to Africa with a small group of wonderful people. While at Aviva Travel Group we travel all over the world, this remains our most popular trip. Take a look at the Day-by-Day itinerary and I am certain you will not want to miss this amazing experience.
Ruth
January 4 Arrive in Senegal
We arrive in the morning and transfer to our hotel. We'll rest for awhile, then in the afternoon we'll visit a village and its library and present library supplies. In the evening we'll enjoy a welcome dinner together.
Accommodations: The Radison Blu Hotel
Located on the tranquil Cape Verde Peninsula, this sophisticated, modern resort boasts an enviable address in the elegant Fann Corniche neighborhood. The 241 guest rooms and fully equipped apartments of this stylish accommodation are characterized by their contemporary design and superb amenities, including individual climate control and Free high-speed, wireless internet. The Dakar Sea Plaza houses 3 on-site dining options and one bar for your enjoyment.
January 5
Goree Island
In the morning we tour the city of Dakar, with stops that include the University Cheikh Anta Diop Library, Soumbedioune Artisan Village for shopping, Sandaga Market, the Presidential Palace, and the Grande Mosquee. In the afternoon, we take a ferry boat to Goree Island, where we will listen to a lecture at the Slave House [photo at left], visit the museum, and walk around the island of Goree.
January 6
Joal
Today we will travel to the picturesque coastal town of Joal, birthplace of the first president of Senegal, Leopold Senghor. A short distance away lies Fadiouth, an island built entirely of seashells, which have accumulated over many centuries. We return to Dakar traveling along the beautiful "Petite Cote." That evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner.
January 7
Flight to Cape Town
We wake up very early in the morning for the flight to Cape Town, South Africa.
Accommodations: Victoria & Alfred Hotel
The lovely Victoria & Alfred Hotel in Cape Town faces the Waterfront and is close to many of the city's attractions. It offers elegant and luxurious interiors, a laid-back atmosphere, warm and personalized service, and a view of Table Mountain.
January 8
Penninsula Tour
We will be collected from our hotel for a full day Penninsula Scenic tour. The sights will be spectacular: Hout Bay, a historical fishing village [photo at left, below], Chapman's Peak, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve & Cape Pointe Lighthouse, Boulder's Beach, where there is the African Penguin Colony [photo at right, below], and Simon's Town historical naval base.
January 9
Winelands Tour
The following day will feature a full-day, private tour of the winelands countryside: Stellenbosch, with its tree-lined streets, historical architecture, and good shopping; Franschhoek Valley [photo at left]; Paarl, home to the Afrikaans language; Cape Dutch architecture and wine tasting on some of finest Cape Wine Estates; and a wine tasting and cellar tour.
After the tour, we will return to our hotel.
January 10
Table Mountain, Robben Island
Today is a full day tour: we will see iconic Table Mountain, with a return cable car ride [photo at left below taken on the 2015 Aviva Travel Group tour of South Africa]; the Malay Quarter; Cape Town city center; Company Gardens; the Castle of Good Hope; and Robben Island [photo at right], where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for many years.
January 11
Flight to Johannesburg
We will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg.
Accommodations: The Michelangelo Hotel
Located on Nelson Mandela Square, The Michelangelo is the very essence of status and success. The Michelangelo offers world-class facilities in a stylish and elegant setting with easy access to Africa's finest shops, restaurants, cinemas, and theaters. The Michelangelo is a proud member of "The Leading Hotels of the World."
January 12
Soweto, Apartheid Museum
Our day will be spent touring Soweto, the cities' main township and prominent historical site, Johannesburg's best, including the CBD, Sandton, Rosebank, the Market Theatre Complex, and Nelson Mandela Bridge, and finally the Apartheid Museum [photo at right].
January 13
Flight to Hoedspruit, The Bush
We will fly to Hoedspruit and transfer to Thornybush Waterside Lodge, our newest accommodations. It is situated next to a Game Reserve. The tranquil lakeside setting and exclusive game viewing will ensure you of a wonderful experience.
January 14 & 15
Game Drives
One of the activities is a game drive in the Game Reserve. The drives are led by experienced rangers, and you will be quite comfortable in an open Land Rover. Ruth Bridges captured the remarkable photo of the lions at the top of the newsletter while on a game drive on a previous trip. You might also see one or more of the "Big Five": elephants, leopards, Cape buffalo, or a rhinoceros or two on the drive!
January 16 Flight to Zambia
We leave Thornybush for our flight to Zambia.
Accommodations: Royal Livingstone Hotel
Stretched out along the banks of the Zambezi River in Zambia, the elegant Royal Livingstone Hotel is situated just a short walk from Victoria Falls. The hotel even has a private footpath and its entrance to the hotel. You can watch the sunset from the famous Riverside Sundowner Deck, while hippos grunt in the river below. Colonial style buildings house the hotel rooms. Each boasts luxurious decor and private terraces.
January 17
Victoria Falls
Discover how the Falls were formed and what local customs and traditions surround them.
Described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800’s as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ - ‘the Smoke that Thunders’ and in more modern terms as ‘the greatest known curtain of falling water’, Victoria Falls are a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe.
A path along the edge of the forest provides the visitor who is prepared to brave the tremendous spray with an unparalleled series of views of the Falls. One special vantage point is across the Knife edge bridge, where visitors can have the finest view of the Eastern Cataract and the Main Falls as well as the Boiling Pot where the river turns and heads down the Batoka Gorge.
Other vantage points include the Falls bridge and the Lookout Tree which commands a panoramic view across the Main Falls. Different times of the year will provide completely different experiences of the Falls region.
January 17
The African Queen
That evening we will take part in an unforgettable experience: a cruise on the Upper Zambezi River at sunset. The African Queen meanders slowly upstream along the length of the Mosi - oa - Tunya National Park looking for game on the way. A number of animals and a host of bird species can be viewed from comfortable chairs on cool wooden decks. Transfers to the jetty are from where guest are lodging. Ruth Bridges shot the photo at the right while on this cruises on a previous trip.
January 18
Fly Home
We will be transferred back to the airport to begin our flights back home to the U.S.
Pricing & Airfare
The cost of the trip is $5,999 double per person.
Balance is due no later than November 4, 2016.
Airfare
All airfare, international from New York, and within Africa is, $2,600.00 per person. Airfare Deposit is $200, please send with your Tour Deposit. Balance is due on November 4, 2016.
Registration
To register, please go to the blue Print Registration button at the top right of this page to download the registration form. Please send the form and your deposit to:
Ruth Bridges Aviva Travel Group 2314 S Route 59, #146 Plainfield, IL 60586
Please make checks payable to Aviva Travel Group.
We also accept credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. Go to www.paypal.com (or click on the icon below) and send funds to avivatravel@aol.com.
Contact
Ruth Bridges
Aviva Travel Group
2314 S Route 59, #146
Plainfield, IL 60586
Home Office: 630-832-3553
Cell Phone: 602-481-5680
Fax: 331-225-3190
Email: avivatravel@aol.com http://www.literarysisters.com
