Depart from New York (JFK) or Washington, DC on your international South African Airways flight to Cape Town, South Africa via Johannesburg.

On arrival at Johannesburg's Oliver Tambo International Airport's Central Terminal Building, collect your luggage and then clear Customs & Immigration. Re-check your bags for your domestic flight to Cape Town. Then upon arrival at Cape Town Airport, you will be met by a Lion World Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.

The luxurious Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa lies where earth, sea and sky meet poised above Atlantic rollers and flanked by the majestic Table Mountain and her Twelve Apostles mountain range in glorious Cape Town. This intimate 5-star hotel fully lives up to its stunning location, with exceptional standards of service and relaxed Cape hospitality providing the perfect counterpoint to its dramatic backdrop. Deluxe guest rooms and spacious suites, two breathtaking pool gardens magically perched above the ocean, the glorious Azure Restaurant accompanying exquisite cuisine, wonderful friendly service with endlessly seductive sea views. All barely ten minutes from the bustling heart of the city, with nearby attractions including prime diving spots, nature trails, and seals, dolphins, whales and penguins.

Enjoy your first day at leisure in the fascinating city of Cape Town. The Twelve Apostles Hotel offers a complimentary scheduled shuttle to and from the V&A Waterfront between 08:00 AM and 08:00 PM.

Cape Town is a city with a diverse range of attractions, sights and activities to offer and it has something for everyone. From the landmark beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay to the vibrant V&A Waterfront and Cape Town city centre, the award-winning wine farms of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek - time spent in Cape Town will not be forgotten. Cape Town is a sophisticated city at the gateway to a majestic continent. The Mother City is a place where old and new harmoniously converge - in history, architecture, cultural pursuits and the essence of its people. Warmed by the African sun, the city is dominated by a towering, table-shaped mountain, set on a peninsula of soaring, rocky heights and lush valleys, where two oceans converge- Indian and Atlantic. Immense natural beauty and the fast pace and bright lights of a great urban centre meld effortlessly here. Firmly positioned on the international map, Cape Town offers a myriad things to do and places to see, whatever your tastes, inclinations or budget.

Today is your last full day in Cape Town for last minute shopping or a visit to one of the many places of interest.

There is a marvellous combination of natural beauty and historic and cultural sites, offering world-class museums and bustling markets, inviting beaches and lush gardens, as well as great restaurants and wonderful shopping.

Today you will be taken by road transfer from your hotel in Cape Town to Franschhoek Country House & Villas in the Cape Winelands (an hours drive from the city).

Set in the picturesque wine-producing valley of Franschhoek, the Franschhoek Country House & Villas offers luxury and indulgence. This restored manor house and former perfumery dating back to 1890, is situated on the outskirts of the village in the Cape wine lands and is surrounded by enchanting vineyards and majestic mountains.

Franschhoek Country House offers 14 luxury rooms - most lead out onto balconies or private patios. All rooms have expected luxuries and amenities including satellite TV, direct dial telephone. Some also feature fire places, under carpet heating and air-conditioning. The new Villa Suites offer the ultimate in luxury with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, fountain courtyard and swimming pools. The ambience is one of a French provincial village, complete with water features, fountains, cobblestones and olive trees. The Monneaux Restaurant has consistently been voted one of the Top Restaurants in the country. Lunch is served on the magnificent fountain terrace and dinner in the relaxed, yet elegant dining room.

Spend the day at leisure in the beautiful Cape Winelands village of Franschhoek.

Franschhoek, near the Drakenstein Mountains, was founded in 1688 by French immigrants fleeing the Huguenot religious persecution in Europe. The beautiful village offers amazing arts, crafts, antique shops and galleries and the main streets are lined with coffee shops. Eight of the top 100 restaurants are situated in Franschhoek which is probably why it is often referred to as the gourmet capital of South Africa. Most of the wine farms still bear their original French names; have Cape Dutch homes, oak trees and sweeping vineyards. The area boasts a wide selection of wine cellars, from small wineries, to large cellars. Franschhoek has become one of South Africa's leading culinary and wine-tasting destinations.

This morning transfer by road from Franschhoek Country House & Villas to Cape Town Airport in time for your flight to Kruger-Mpumalanga.

On arrival at Kruger-Mpumalanga Airport you will be met and transferred to your safari lodge in the Sabi Sands.

Lion Sands River Lodge is positioned on a site with trees dating back 800 years. The Lodge is about spirit, warmth, nature and relaxation, hosted by a family of staff that will make it feel like home away from home. The Lodge has been built on the banks of the Sabie River. There are 18 luxurious thatched bedrooms with en-suite bathroom and wooden viewing deck. All rooms are air-conditioned and have a mini-bar and telephone. The interior is tranquil with pebble-inlaid floors in the bathroom.

Each bedroom has its own deck with a view of the Sabie River and is linked to all areas by raised wooden walkways. The Lodge has a private lounge and bar, two swimming pools, wooden viewing decks, a secluded bird hide, private hammocks, conference room, health spa, curio shop, and both an indoor and open-air Boma (dining area).

This afternoon take part in your first open vehicle game drive, a thrilling experience!

Enjoy morning and late afternoon game viewing activities in this wilderness paradise.

Lion Sands is the only private game reserve to have access to the perennial Sabie River, which it shares with Kruger National Park. The property's geographical location is an area of great diversity of both fauna and flora and affords guests the opportunity of partaking in the unique activities based around the River system and surrounding area. The six miles of riverfront ensures a great diversity of wildlife and promises an African safari of a lifetime. Lion Sands is home to magnificent wildlife, including the "Big Five" - Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino and Lion.

The philosophy of the safari experience at Lion Sands is to deliver a consistently professional and informative safari experience, ensuring that all spheres of the eco-system, from the small insects to the mighty African elephant, are covered in as much detail as the guest may require. The Senior Ecologist, Ranger & Tracker teams have been carefully selected to make certain that your safari experience will exceed your highest expectations.

Today is another day to participate in morning and afternoon game drives.

You will also experience an awesome elephant interaction! Elephant Whispers are dedicated to securing the future of the African Elephant, and welcomes people of all ages to share in the excitement of close encounters with these magnificent creatures. Experience the privilege of little Lindiwe's compassionate nature, witness Medwa's remarkable memory and enjoy the thrill of interacting with the impressive six ton Tembo. Your visit to Elephant Whispers ensures these six incredible mammals continue in their important role as wildlife ambassadors for their own kind.

Tonight you will be treated to an evening in the Chalkley Tree House.
Enjoy an experience that will never be forgotten, a memory that will last forever. The tree house is a secure bush bedroom under the African stars, with as many of the room comforts as a five star safari lodge, as are practically possible - mosquito nets, mattress, linen, bedside table, toilet and bush vanity.

Guests are taken to the treehouse at sunset, where drinks and a delicious picnic dinner await them. They then enjoy the hours of African dusk relaxing and absorbing the beauty and sounds of the bushveld as it transforms from day to night, before turning in for slumber beneath the stars. As dawn breaks, guests are collected by their ranger for a morning game drive, followed by a delicious bush breakfast at one of the many animal and bird hides

The privacy and seclusion of Chalkley Treehouse allows guests to be completely alone in the wilderness - a unique experience that few places in the world can truly offer. Chalkley Treehouse is built around a majestic 500 year-old Leadwood Tree, with secure access and beautiful views extending over the plains

After an early morning game drive to track the animals that may have eluded you so far, followed by breakfast, you will fly by charter aircraft to Johannesburg. (B)

On arrival at Johannesburg's Oliver Tambo International Airport, connect with your scheduled international flight back to the USA.

Arrive home with a lifetime of memories!


OPTIONAL HELICOPTER EXCURSION FROM LION SANDS: USD $1600.00 PER PERSON

There are two scheduled flights per day, based on a minimum of 2 passengers, and scheduled not to interfere with game drive times.

Departure Times from the Sabi Sand area: 10:00 am and 01:00 pm
Duration of Excursion: 2 Hours 30 Minutes

The Helicopter Excursion is an exhilarating flight that swoops over deep and mysterious gorges, through lush valleys bursting with vegetation and color. Linger above cascading waterfalls, allowing for spectacular photographic opportunities. The flight will continue along the escarpment to Gods Window, which offers awesome panoramic views of the bushveld below and on to the fascinating and dramatic rock formations of the 1 000-meter-deep, 30-km-long Blyde River Canyon, (the third deepest and greenest Canyon in the World). You will have a birds eye view of the curious Three Rondavels! We will land at a sight with magnificent views of the Mpumalanga Lowveld, where you are invited to enjoy a delicious picnic accompanied by South African Sparkling wine!


OPTIONAL UPGRADE TO LION SANDS LUXURIOUS IVORY LODGE: USD $1350.00 PER PERSON

If you are looking for the ultimate in luxury: Lion Sands Ivory Lodge built on the banks of the Sabie River with magnificent views, extending onto the open sand banks of the Kruger National Park. There are six ultra luxurious suites with en-suite bathroom, outdoor & inside shower, courtyard, and lounge with fireplace, wooden viewing deck, patio & private plunge pool. The suites are linked to all areas by raised wooden walkways. They all have breathtaking views over the Sabie River, a setting where game viewing can be done from the luxury of one's private suite.