SOUTH AFRICA FARM & CULTURAL TOUR 2027

ITINERARY

DAY 1: JANUARY 14, 2027: DEPART CANADA [IFM]

Depart Canada for an overnight flight(s) to Johannesburg, South Africa.

DAY 2: JANUARY 15, 2027: ARRIVE JOHANNESBURG [IFM]

Arrive to the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Transfer to hotel for overnight in Johannesburg.

DAY 3: JANUARY 16, 2027: JOHANNESBURG – PRETORIA [B/L/D]

After breakfast we will travel to Soweto. Soweto, the largest “township” in South Africa, was developed for exclusive black occupation under the apartheid system from the early 1950s. Today the population of Soweto is a polyglot community, open to all and including members of all the country’s indigenous groups. Vilakazi Street in Soweto is the only thoroughfare in the world to run past the former homes of two Nobel Peace Prize winners (Nelson Mandela & Desmond Tutu). We will enjoy a tour of Soweto, and we will also visit the Kliptown Youth Program. It was founded in May 2007 and is a community based educational organization that provides holistic support and opportunities to the people of Kliptown and surrounding communities. We will enjoy lunch at Chez Alina. This afternoon we will visit a traditional healer; he will tell us more about the medicinal use of indigenous trees in South Africa. From here we will travel to Pretoria for a dinner & overnight for the next two nights.

DAY 4: JANUARY 17, 2027: PRETORIA [B/L/D]

After breakfast we will travel to Pretoria; we will visit the Voortrekker Monument. It is a 41-m-high granite bulk and is a lasting memorial to the fortitude and perseverance of the doughty pioneers who avoided British rule in the Cape Colony by trekking into the unknown interior between 1834 and 1840. From here we will travel to the town of Brits; we will visit Inyoni Crocodile Estate. It is a commercial farm and at present there are more than 12 000 crocodiles. All the crocodiles on the farm are Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus Niloticus). We will enjoy lunch on the farm. Return to Pretoria. We will enjoy dinner at the hotel.

DAY 5: JANUARY 18, 2027: BELFAST – PRIVATE GAME RESERVE [B/L/D]

After breakfast we will travel to the town of Belfast; we will visit the farm of Gerrit Roos, called “Leeubank”. He farms with Tuli and Pinzgauer cattle breeds, corn, and soybean. We will enjoy lunch on the farm. From here we will travel to a private game reserve. This beautiful private game reserve embraces more than 8 000 hectares of Malaria-free, unspoiled African bushveld. Tonight, we will enjoy a special “boma” dinner. After dinner a wildlife expert will address us about game farming in South Africa.

DAY 6: JANUARY 19, 2027: HOEDSPRUIT - PRIVATE GAME RESERVE [B/L/D]

Before breakfast we will enjoy a game drive. After breakfast we will visit the farm of Jaco Fivaz, called “Mohlatsi. He has 200 000 mango & 8 000 avocado trees on the farm. We will also visit the drying factory on the farm. From here we will travel to another private game reserve; it is home to the “Big Five”: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. We will arrive in time for lunch. This afternoon we will enjoy a game drive. Qualified and enthusiastic rangers will lead us through close and unrestricted encounters with Africa’s big game. Tonight, we will enjoy dinner at the lodge.

DAY 7: JANUARY 20, 2027: PRIVATE GAME RESERVE [B/L/D]

Before breakfast we will enjoy a game drive. The rest of the day can be spent as desired. This afternoon we will enjoy another game drive. All meals will be enjoyed at the lodge.

DAY 8: JANUARY 21, 2027: PRIVATE GAME RESERVE - HAZYVIEW [B/L/D]

Before breakfast we will enjoy a game drive. After breakfast we will visit the Three Rondavels at the Blyde River Canyon. The Blyde River Canyon, a gigantic gorge, is one of the natural wonders of Africa. This canyon is the largest green canyon in the world. From here we will travel to the town of Hazyview. Tonight, we will enjoy a South African barbecue, and we will be entertained by traditional dancers.

DAY 9: JANUARY 22, 2027: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK [B/L/D]

In the early morning, our guides will pick us up at Phabeni Gate. We will spend the whole day in the Kruger National Park and will travel with 4x4 vehicles. The Kruger National Park was the first national park to be proclaimed (1926) in South Africa. We will enjoy lunch at Skukuza Rest Camp. We will return to our hotel at approximately 15:30. Tonight, we will enjoy dinner at the hotel.

DAY 10: JANUARY 23, 2027: NELSPRUIT - VICTORIA FALLS [B/D]

After breakfast we will be transferred to the airport in Nelspruit; from here we will fly to Victoria Falls. This afternoon we will visit the Victoria Falls.

DAY 11: JANUARY 24, 2027: VICTORIA FALLS - KASANE [B/L/D]

After breakfast those who are interested can do a helicopter flight over the falls. We will be transferred to Kasane in Botswana. This afternoon we will enjoy a boat cruise on the Chobe River. Tonight, we will enjoy dinner at the lodge.

DAY 12: JANUARY 25, 2027: KASANE [B/L/D]

Before breakfast we will enjoy a game drive in the Chobe National Park. The rest of the day can be spent as desired. We will enjoy lunch at the lodge. This afternoon we will enjoy a boat cruise on the Chobe River. Tonight, we will enjoy dinner at the lodge.

DAY 13: JANUARY 26, 2027: KASANE - JOHANNESBURG - CAPE TOWN [B/D]

This afternoon we will fly to Johannesburg. From here we will fly to Cape Town. Tonight, we will enjoy dinner at the hotel.

DAY 14: JANUARY 27, 2027: CAPE PENINSULA [B/D]

Today we will experience the splendor of the Cape Peninsula. Our first visit of the day will be to Table Mountain and Signal Hill (weather permitting). Table Mountain (1 134m) is arguably the best-known mountain in the southern hemisphere. We will also visit the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Nearly 8 000 hectares of indigenous fynbos (fine bush) cover the reserve and about 1 200 plant species have been recorded in the area. From here to Boulders Penguin Colony in Simons Town. It is home to a unique and endangered land-based colony of African Penguins. This colony is one of only a few in the world. Tonight, we will enjoy dinner at Karibu Restaurant at the V & A Waterfront.

DAY 15: JANUARY 28, 2027: FRANSCHHOEK - STELLENBOSCH - CAPE TOWN [B] ‍

After breakfast we will travel to the town of Franschhoek. Between 1688 and 1690 land was apportioned to 200 Huguenots fleeing persecution in France. Finding the climate like that of France, the settlers planted vines. The Franschhoek area has no more than 22 wine estates, several of world renown. After lunch we will travel to the town of Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa and was founded in 1679. This town is renowned for its Cape Dutch buildings, university, and wine. We will have time to explore the town. We will enjoy a wine tasting at Lanzerac. Return to Cape Town; we will do a city tour.

DAY 16: JANUARY 29, 2027: HERMANUS - CAPE TOWN [B/L]

After breakfast we will travel to the town of Hermanus. Here we will visit Abagold and enjoy an abalone tour. We will learn more about South African abalone, its biology, life cycle, history in the wild and the farming industry. After the tour we will enjoy an abalone tasting. From here we will travel to the town of Caledon; we will visit “Rouxwil Farm”. The owners, Thys & O’nel Roux, will be our hosts. They farm with sheep, wheat, alfalfa, and canola. We will enjoy lunch on the farm and a farm tour. Return to Cape Town. Tonight, we will enjoy dinner at Baia Restaurant at the V & A WaterfronT.

DAY 17: JANUARY 30, 2027: CAPE TOWN - FLIGHT HOME

After breakfast we will visit the Heart of Cape Town Museum at the Groote Schuur Hospital. Dr Chris Barnard performed the world’s first heart transplant in Cape Town’s Groote Schuur hospital on 3 December 1967. He transferred the heart of 25-year-old Denise Darvall to the chest of Louis Washkansky, a 55-year-old grocer. Washkansky died 18 days later of double pneumonia We will visit the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Kirstenbosch is the headquarters of South Africa’s National Botanic Gardens and is the premier centre for the study and propagation of South Africa’s indigenous flora. It covers 560 hectares filled with over 6 000 species of trees and plants. Return to the hotel to fresh up and pack. We will enjoy dinner at the hotel. After dinner we will be transferred to the airport for our flight back home to Canada.