Holiday Inn Elangeni








Samosas are savory
pastries made with
meat or vegetable








Elephant life expectancy
is around 70 years







At Lake Jozini observe
wildlife from the
comfort of the water







Wild dogs hunt in
packs. During pursuit,
they may reach speeds
of up to 45 mph







The Zulu are best
known for their
beadwork and
basketry

Teen's Adventure to

South Africa


A ghostly mountain, the Zulu warriors of South Africa and some of the most famous wildlife reserves in South Africa – this is an outrageous adventure chock full of exciting excursions, incredible animals and powerful cultural experiences. Find out what a traditional healer does and watch the centuries-old dance of armed warriors. Look for the famous ‘Big Five’ – elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard – on horseback, by boat, open vehicle and on-foot. Work on projects that benefit local communities and learn about cheetah research. Understand this country’s dramatic history in Soweto – home of the Freedom Struggle against Apartheid. Don’t miss out on this wild ride through Zululand!

Days 1/2 - New York or Washington, D.C./Johannesburg/Durban
Board your overnight flight to Johannesburg connecting with your flight to Durban. Upon arrival, you are escorted to your hotel situated on famous North Beach. HOLIDAY INN ELANGENI. (Meals Aloft)

Day 3 - Durban/Zululand
Find out what every Durbanite already knows – that their city is a seaside playground off the Indian Ocean! After a tour drive to Zululand, home of the Zulu nation. Your afternoon is spent boating on Lake Jozini, where crocodile, elephant, rhino and hippo cavort on its shores. The fierce tiger fish inhabits the waters – fishing rods are available if you feel up to the challenge. Your inn is at the foot of Ghost Mountain, where rumors tell of ghostly spirits that play nightly games with flickering lights and fires. GHOST MOUNTAIN INN. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Zululand/Hluhuwe-Umfolozi Park
Set off in your open vehicle for a safari in one of South Africa’s oldest parks and internationally-renowned for its role in saving the white rhino from extinction. Check off the ‘Big Five’ and find out who will spot the first nyala – an antelope with spiraled horns. Even if you’re not into birds, you may start now; with over 300 species, it’s hard to miss them! Lunch is at Hilltop Camp. GHOST MOUNTAIN INN. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Zululand/Kwangwenya/Horseback Riding
Get to know the Zulu people and their culture while visiting the homestead of the Ngobe family. Taste their drink of choice, amahewu, and see if it compares to your favorite soda. Have lunch with your new friends before delving into the mystical world of the Inyanga (traditional healer) at the Gumede Homestead. Then, climb aboard your trusty steed for a horseback safari for a different view of rhino, giraffe and zebra. Enjoy a true African experience – dining around a huge fire in an outdoor boma. GHOST MOUNTAIN INN. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Zululand/Mkuze Reserve
Spend the day at Mkuze Reserve. Walk along the Mkuze River banks underneath a dense green canopy held in place by ancient sycamore fig trees. Try to get your arms around one of their giant, twisting trunks! Scout the river for crocodile and hippo, and watch Fish Eagle snag its prey. Spot black and white rhino striding through the grass, herds of elephant, buffalo, blue wildebeest, and possibly a pack of wild dog. Peer into shady areas for the very small suni antelope – only 17 inches high. Exciting impi (armed warriors) demonstrate spear fighting and traditional dance during dinner tonight. GHOST MOUNTAIN INN. (B,L,D)

Days 7/8 - Zululand/Community Service Projects
The next two days will be an eye-opening experience as you go into local communities to help in various capacities. It could be as simple as playing a game with children at an orphanage, building shelves and painting walls at a school, to trail maintenance. You will get a better grasp of the difficulties faced by students in their quest for quality educations, and how they are able to accomplish so much with so few tools, such as computers, books, pens, pencils and paper. A visit may be made to the Flying Doctors facility; they provide life-saving care to remote areas. GHOST MOUNTAIN INN. (B,L,D Daily)

Days 9/10/11 - Kosi Bay Nature Reserve/Tembe Elephant Park
Travel over the impressive uBombo Mountains to the tropical paradise of Kosi Bay Nature Reserve along the Indian Ocean. Your adventures will be amazing; canoeing with gliding water mongoose and clawless otter, graceful flamingo and Tsongo fishermen practicing age-old methods; drive across forested sand dunes to Bhanga Nek on the coast for a ‘day at the beach.’ Exciting elephants – the biggest in South Africa – will greet you at Tembe Elephant Park. Learn about their tragic history and fight for survival. Your exclusive lodge is the only one located on the reserve. KOSI FOREST LODGE (B,L,D Daily)

Days 12/13 - Johannesburg/Soweto/De Wildt Cheetah Santuary/New York or Washington, D.C.
Arrive Johannesburg then off to Soweto (home of the Freedom Struggle against Apartheid) for revelations about this country’s political history with visits to Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s former homes, Hector Pietersen Square – site of the 1976 Soweto Uprisings, and the new Nelson Mandela Bridge. Next day tour the De Wildt Cheetah Sanctuary, which rehabilitates injured cheetah and facilitates a breeding program. The Sanctuary helps other endangered wildlife too, including wild dog and brown hyena. After lunch, transfer to the airport and board your flight home. GARDEN COURT SANDTON CITY (B,L,D; B,L; Meals Aloft)

Post-Extension to Cape Town, South Africa
Discover Cape Town while participating in a multitude of activities that may include kayaking, mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking. Experience the euphoria of being on top of Table Mountain, take part in a service project at the informal settlement of New Rest, ferry over to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned and watch the comical penguins at Boulders Beach – all under sunny skies amidst friendly people.

Your Journey Includes:

  • Roundtrip air transportation from New York or Washington, D.C.
  • Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
  • All wildlife viewing by open 4x4 vehicles, canoe or boat, horseback and nature walks.
  • Community service projects on main trip and extension.
  • Visits to Kwangwenya community, Tembe Elephant Park and De Wildt Cheetah Sanctuary.
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily while on safari; other meals per itinerary.
  • Complimentary bottled water in vehicles while touring.
  • All applicable hotel/lodge taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
  • All park entry fees.
  • Complimentary baggage tags and passport wallet.

 

For more information or reservations, please contact:
Classic Escapes Inc. at (800) 627-1244