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Namibia & South Africa by Sea: Natural Treasures & Human Accomplishments
Rounding the Cape of Good Hope – that was the challenge that opened the world. Beyond the mammoth plateau of Table Mountain, Vasco da Gama spied the spice islands of the East Indies; but he saw far more than that. The arc of Southern Africa he sailed – and we after him – is one of the most astonishing natural environments on the planet. The birds filling the sky above Walvis Bay, the herds of elephants thrashing through riverine forests, the humpbacks leaping in the surf, simply have to be seen to be believed.
It is our great pleasure to invite you to the immense wilds of Namibia and South Africa.
On this very special voyage, we will be exploring no fewer than five of South Africa’s outstanding game reserves, where we will see the Big Five on the march. Each is a unique biosphere, from the Kariega River Valley, where martial eagles circle above the hyenas, to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park, the country’s oldest, a pristine dominion where the black and white rhinos were saved from extinction.
The astounding landscapes are not South Africa’s alone, however. We will also witness tens of thousands of flamingoes and other seabirds take flight in Namibia’s Walvis Bay, and marvel at the extraordinary 1,000-foot-high dunes of the Namib Desert’s world-famous sea of sand.
The story of Namibia and South Africa is one of history, culture, colonialism, and independence – just as much as nature. We will explore these aspects as well, with visits to Namibia’s diamond country and South Africa’s gorgeous Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, with an overnight stay in Cape Town.
Accompanied by area experts and study leaders (including Paul Volcker on the February 14th departure) aboard the elegant 114-guest, all-suite Corinthian II, we will have a truly marvelous experience of the natural and cultural wonders amid the Cape of Good Hope, and beyond. We hope you can join us.
Book early to receive a price reduction of $1,000.
Call 1-800-257-5767 for details.
Itinerary
.jpg "Namibia and South Africa Voyage Map")
Day 1 • FLY FROM USA
Day 2 • WALVIS BAY, Namibia | EMBARK
Day 3 • WALVIS BAY | NAMIB DESERT PARK | WALVIS BAY LAGOON | WALVIS BAY
Day 4 • LÜDERITZ | KOLMANSKOP | LÜDERITZ
Day 5 • AT SEA
Days 6 & 7 • CAPE TOWN | CAPE OF GOOD HOPE NATURE RESERVE and KIRSTENBOSCH NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS | WINE COUNTRY | CAPE TOWN, South Africa
Day 8 • MOSSEL BAY | GARDEN ROUTE and THE BOTLIERSKOP PRIVATE GAME RESERVE | MOSSEL BAY
Day 9 • PORT ELIZABETH | KARIEGA GAME RESERVE | PORT ELIZABETH
Day 10 • PORT ELIZABETH | ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK | PORT ELIZABETH
Day 11 • AT SEA
Day 12 • RICHARDS BAY | HLUHLUWEUMFOLOZI NATIONAL PARK | RICHARDS BAY
Day 13 • MAPUTO, Mozambique
Day 14 • MAPUTO | DISEMBARK | FLY TO USA
View Detailed Itinerary
Paul A. Volcker served in the United States Federal Government for almost 30 years, including two terms as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. After leaving the Fed, he enjoyed a distinguished career in private industry and also served as Professor of International Economic Policy at Princeton University. In 2004, Volcker was asked to chair the Independent Inquiry into the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program. In 2007, he chaired the panel of experts to review the operations of the Department of Institutional Integrity of the World Bank. And in November 2008, President Elect Obama chose him to head the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board. During our voyage to South Africa and Namibia, Mr. Volcker will talk about the state of the international economy, about Africa’s role in it, and about United States leadership in global finance.
February 14 – 28, 2010
Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Naturalist Lyn Mair is an ornithologist who has made Cape Town her home for the past 25 years. The senior author and photographer of Seychelles, the Bradt Travel guide, as well as the author of several articles on nature and wildlife, Lyn is familiar with practically every corner of Africa, where she has studied and observed the wildlife of the countries. During both of our cruises, Lyn will share with travelers her knowledge of and love for the amazing biodiversity of Africa and the places we will visit.
February 14 - 28, 2011
Additional lecturers and guests will accompany us on this voyage. All Travel Dynamics International lecturers share a love for both teaching and travel. Their presence ensures that our journeys are not only pleasant travel experiences but also intellectually rewarding. For more information, please click here to view the brochure.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
FLY FROM USA
Thursday, January 6
WALVIS BAY, Namibia | EMBARK
Arrive and transfer to Corinthian II. Overnight aboard ship docked in port.
Friday, January 7
WALVIS BAY | NAMIB DESERT NATIONAL PARK | WALVIS BAY LAGOON | WALVIS BAY
Explore Namib Desert National Park, with its beautiful sand dunes, home to some of the world’s oldest desert landscapes. Learn about desert life and enjoy a dinner in the dunes. Also explore the wetlands around Walvis Bay, comprising perhaps the most important bird sanctuary in southern Africa, with over 150,000 birds, including flamingoes, chestnut-banded plovers, and curlew sandpipers.
Saturday, January 8
LÜDERITZ | KOLMANSKOP | LÜDERITZ
The first recorded European visitor was Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, who sought shelter here in 1487. In the 19th century Lüderitz became a German colony, and today, the Art Nouveau architecture is unmistakable. Drive through the desert to the ghost town of Kolmanskop, whose buildings give insight into the area’s diamond boom years.
Sunday, January 9
AT SEA
Monday & Tuesday, January 10 & 11
CAPE TOWN | CAPE OF GOOD HOPE NATURE RESERVE & KIRSTENBOSCH NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN, South Africa
Spend two days in Cape Town conveniently docked near the city center. The coastal and mountain geography of the famed Cape Peninsula, on which the city is built, is utterly striking. Travel through rolling hills to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and the lovely Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Also visit Table Mountain and South Africa’s celebrated wine lands, including charming Stellenbosch.
Wednesday, January 12
MOSSEL BAY | GARDEN ROUTE & BOTLIERSKOP PRIVATE GAME RESERVE | MOSSEL BAY
Arrive at the western part of the renowned Garden Route, one of South Africa’s most spectacular areas. Drive to the Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, a wilderness with over 30 animal species, including elephant, giraffe, and mountain zebra, and numerous birds. An alternative visit explores the Oudsthoorn area and Cango Caves.
Thursday, January 13
PORT ELIZABETH | KARIEGA GAME RESERVE | PORT ELIZABETH
Founded in 1820 by the British, Port Elizabeth became a prosperous port and trading center. Drive to the Kariega Game Reserve, set high above stunning Kariega River Valley. It is a sanctuary to abundant game and wildlife such as lion, leopard, hippo, hyena, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, and antelope, and birds, including nesting Martial, Crowned, and Fish Eagle. Later, visit the Ubuntu Education Fund, a private initiative that helps children.
Friday, January 14
PORT ELIZABETH | ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK | PORT ELIZABETH
Drive to Addo Elephant National Park, established in 1931 to protect the last surviving Cape elephants. The park consists of thick, dry brush, and is also home to eland, kudu, Cape buffalo, and red hartebeest. Choose from two full-day excursions: the normally-scheduled game drive or an early morning game drive, which will give the opportunity to see greater numbers of wildlife.
Saturday, January 15
AT SEA
Sunday, January 16
RICHARDS BAY | HLUHLUWEUMFOLOZI NATIONAL PARK | RICHARDS BAY
Drive to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, South Africa’s oldest national park. A pristine wilderness, it is known for its rich wildlife, including black and white rhino, lion, cheetah, leopard, giraffe, and hippo. Choose from two excursions: the normally-scheduled game drive or an early-morning version which gives a chance to see greater numbers of wildlife.
Monday, January 17
MAPUTO, Mozambique
Mozambique’s attractive capital, Maputo is built on the shores of a spacious bay. Inhabited by the Ronga people since ancient times, it was known until 1976 as Lourenço Marques for the Portuguese navigator who “discovered” the area in 1545. Explore the city, with its leafy avenues, graceful buildings dating from the Portuguese colonial period, and bustling markets. Also visit the National Art Museum.
Tuesday, January 18
MAPUTO | DISEMBARK | FLY TO USA
Wednesday, January 19
ARRIVE IN USA
The February 14 departure operates in the reverse direction, from Maputo to Walvis Bay.
Optional Cruise Extension
Post-Cruise Optional Extension to Victoria Falls
Magnificent Victoria Falls is the largest sheet of falling water on Earth. No other waterfall allows visitors such a close approach or supports more varied and easily-seen wildlife. Upon disembarkation, fly to Johannesburg. Overnight accommodations will be at the InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers. After breakfast, transfer to the Johannesburg airport for the flight to Livingstone for a two-night stay at the Royal Livingstone Hotel. Tour Victoria Falls, visit the David Livingstone Museum, and enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
Rates: $2,995 per person, double occupancy ($595 single supplement)
January 18 – 21, 2011 (for the January 5 - 19, 2011 voyage)
February 27 – March 2, 2011 (for the February 14 - 28, 2011 voyage)
