Compare Cape Town & Safari with Mauritius by Great Value Vacations vs Kenya & Mauritius in 10 days - Wild Savannah & Island of Eden - Charm by Exoticca
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Trip |
4 | Great
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4.5 | Great
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Duration | 12 days | 10 days |
Price From | $ 5,191 | $ 4,399 |
Price Per Day | $ 433 | $ 440 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included | Airfare included |
Activities |
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Meals Included | N/A | 5 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 3 Dinners in Kenya. All-Inclusive in Mauritius. *** |
Description |
See two diverse regions in South Africa and an island off the continent's coast on this 11-night vacation. Begin in the postcard-perfect city of Cape Town, see lions and giraffes near Kruger National Park, and end your journey on the heavenly island of Mauritius. A breathtaking city, wide-open savannah, and dreamy beaches: this really is the trip of a lifetime! |
Experience thrilling safaris and spot the amazing wildlife on the African continent. Be amazed by the bird-watching paradise of Lake Nakuru and fall in love with the sunsets over the Maasai Mara Natural Reserve, home of the Great Migration and the Big Five. Finish your African adventure by discovering the island of Mauritius, a tropical paradise of beautiful beaches and lush mountains. |
Day 1: Welcome to Cape Town!
Accommodation: Commodore Hotel
Greetings from the Mother City! Arrive in Cape Town and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel, located near the city's scenic waterfront.
Spend your first night in South Africa dining on local cuisine. Grilled meat known as braaivleis is king here, as are other culturally rich dishes with unique (and sometimes hard-to-pronounce) names.
Transfer to Cape Town hotel
Check In - Commodore Hotel
Cape Town, South Africa 4 Out Of 5 Stars
Sit in the center of five stars in this stylish hotel that offers top tier service and a decadent atmosphere to unwind in. Experience the Mother City with the Commodore Hotel as your home base. Offering massages, beauty services in their full-service spa, and an outdoor pool, there are plenty of ways to relax when you're not sitting at the bar, either inside or by the pool.
Dine in at the Commodore's restaurant, enjoy tours through Cape Town, and find adventure in a city that had everything from harbor excitement to spectacular views from Table Mountain.
Day 2: Cape Town
On your first full day in Cape Town, enjoy a scenic tour of the Cape Peninsula led by an English-speaking guide. Visit Cape Point, Chapman's Peak and Boulders Beach!
Return to your hotel in late afternoon and enjoy a sunset stroll on the historic V&A Waterfront just a few minutes walk from your hotel.
Cape Peninsula Tour (Full-Day)
Make the most of this one-day tour through the Cape Peninsula where you'll have the opportunity to visit Chapman's Peak, the Cape Point Nature Reserve where a beautiful old lighthouse stands over beautiful greenery, zebras, baboons, and birds, and Boulders Beach, which is known for its penguins!
Day 3: Cape Town
Taste incredible wine and see beautiful landscapes on a full-day tour in South Africa's Winelands. Stops include the Paarl Wine Region, Franschhoek Valley, and the town of Stellenbosch.
Winelands Tour (Full-Day)
Tour through South Africa's Winelands by starting with a brief tour of Paarl, home to wine producers such as Laborie, Nederburg, Fairview, KWV, Plaisir de Merle, and more. Work your way through to Franschhoek, a cozy little town home to some of the country's top restaurants and where Nelson Mandela was released in 1990: Groot Drakenstein Prison.
Continue on to Stellenbosch where student life, oak-liked avenues, food to delight any foodie, and architecture blend together harmoniously to create an atmosphere rich in art galleries, chic eateries, and charming boutiques.
Day 4: Cape Town
Begin your last day in Cape Town with a half-day tour taking you to the top of the iconic Table Mountain and the lush Company Gardens.
After the tour, consider a visit to District Six Museum which celebrates the multi-racial area of Cape Town that was destroyed by apartheid in the 1960s and 1970s.
Cape Town City & Table Mountain Tour (Half-Day)
Take a trip up one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature: the legendary Table Mountain. Accompanied by a scenic coastal drive and a walk through the Company Gardens, this tour was designed with the nature-lover in mind.
As you walk through the gardens, you'll find yourself surrounded with stunning buildings and museums, such as St. Georges Cathedral, the National Art Gallery, the Jewish Museum, the Salve Museum, and more!
Day 5: Cape Town - Kruger National Park
After an early breakfast, transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your flight to Hoedspruit Airport. Then enjoy a transfer to your lodge in the Thornybush Game Reserve. Adjacent to Kruger National Park, Thornybush is a private nature reserve that has scooped numerous world firsts, both for conservation and hospitality.
It's also home to the Big 5, so keep your eyes peeled on your first safari game drive!
Transfer to Cape Town airport (CPT)
Fly to Kruger National Park!
Check In - Thornybush Waterside Lodge
Kruger, South Africa 5 Out Of 5 Stars
Experience tranquility on the shores of a serene lake while staying at the Thornybush Waterside Lodge. Instant relaxation greets all who spend their nights here. With amazing safari adventures led by skilled rangers and trackers working to provide plenty of opportunities to see the Big Five, you can choose to safari at dawn or dusk, or go on the more adventurous bushwalk.
Get a close brush with the wild nature of the surrounding areas, with the opportunity to return to the Lodge to lounge at the pool, relax in your suite, enjoy food and drink at the restaurant and bar, and spend your downtime in outdoor lounged along the lake.
Day 6: Kruger National Park
Enjoy your first full day in the African savannah. Situated within thousands of acres of pristine wilderness, Thornybush Game Reserve is truly a nature lover's dream come true.
Enjoy safari games in the morning and afternoon and get up close to some of your favorite wild animals. Rest assured that you'll see countless mammals, reptiles, birds, and amphibians.
Day 7: Kruger National Park
On your second and last full day at Thornybush, explore more of the facilities at the lodge. Dine on fresh and delicious cuisine at the restaurant and enjoy a relaxing spa treatment.
Sip a glass of 'Cap Classique' sparkling wine as you watch the golden sun dip over the savannah.
Day 8: Kruger National Park - Johannesburg - Mauritius
Leave Thornybush this morning and transfer to Hoedspruit Airport for your flight to Johannesburg, where you will connect with your flight to Mauritius. Once you arrive in Mauritius, you will be met and transferred to the Tamassa All Inclusive Resort, situated at Bel Ombre in the southwest of Mauritius.
Toast to your first night in Mauritius as you watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
Transfer to Hoedspruit Airport (HDS)
Fly to Mauritius!
Fly to Johannesburg (JNB), then catch your connecting flight to Mauritius (MRU)
Transfer to Mauritius resort
Check In - Tamassa
Bel Ombre, Mauritius 4 Out Of 5 Stars
Located in Bel Ombre in the southwest of Mauritius, Tamassa is an all-inclusive 4-star resort providing contemporary accommodations in an incredible beachfront setting. A standard room, housed in a set of villas, features deep bathtubs, separate showers, private balconies, and ocean views. Island Light scented lotions and potions are provided to care for your skin and hair.
Common areas at Tamassa are grouped together in village style, with a view of the sea to one side and a view of sugarcane fields on another. On-site services include multiple restaurants and bars (even an ice cream parlor and food truck serving hamburgers!), a dance club, swimming pools, and beach access. You may also arrange to do water and land activities while you're there, like snorkeling, golfing, bike riding and more.
Day 9: Mauritius
Enjoy a relaxing morning at your resort, either lounging on the white sandy beach or snorkeling in the turquoise lagoon rich in wildlife. With so much to see and do, you may never want to leave the resort!
In the afternoon, head to the bustling capital of Port Louis with its lively local markets. Taste exotic fruit and hear many languages as you walk the colonial streets. After all, Mauritius is one of the most multicultural islands in the world, having been settled by the Dutch, French and British.
Day 10: Mauritius
Release endorphins on a morning hike up Le Morne Brabant mountain, towering over Le Morne Peninsula. Take in the incredible views once you reach the top of the mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Then head to Chamarel to see the waterfall and the Terres de Sept Couleurs (the Seven Coloured Earths). The single-drop waterfall is a sight to behold as it gushes more than 300 ft into a beautiful ravine. After you've snapped enough photos, walk to the Coloured Earths, a natural phenomenon consisting of sand dunes in various colors, ranging from violet to yellow.
Day 11: Mauritius
Begin your last day in Mauritius at Eureka, a historical plantation mansion that's now a museum offering a glimpse into the island's colonial past.
Then enjoy an afternoon on the beach in the charmingly-named seaside town of Flic-en-Flac. The public white sandy beach is one of the longest on the island, giving you ample space to spread out as you please.
At night, savor local Mauritian food at your resort like lentil soup with leg of goat, venison curry with jackfruit and lilva bean or papaya and carrot salad.
Day 12: Depart Mauritius
Say au revoir to Mauritius as you transfer to the aiport for your scheduled flight to Johannesburg. From there, you will catch your flight home. On the plane, take one last look at the impossibly blue Indian ocean! Fly home!
Day 1: US - Night on board
Arrive at US departure airport ready to check-in for a flight to Nairobi. Night on board.* * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: Nairobi
Arrive at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day off in the dynamic capital of Kenya, known as "the Green City in the Sun". We recommend visiting the National Museum or one of the many markets for a taste of the local culture. Overnight stay in Nairobi.
Day 3: Nairobi - Lake Nakuru National Park
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off by road to Lake Nakuru National Park, a journey of approximately five and a half hours. Arrive at Lake Nakuru, an ornithological paradise worldwide known for its alkaline waters and a large population of flamingos, pelicans and other migratory birds. Transfer to the lodge, arriving in time for lunch. In the afternoon, set off on an exciting safari excursion for your chance to see lions, leopards, antelopes, black and white rhinos, hippos and buffalo. Stop at the edge of the lake to capture some fantastic photographs of this emblematic pink-coloured body of water. Return to the lodge, dinner and overnight stay in Lake Nakuru.
Day 4: Lake Nakuru National Park - Maasai Mara National Reserve
Breakfast at the hotel. After an informative safari introduction, set off by road to the famous Maasai Mara Natural Reserve, named after the unique Maasai tribe that inhabits the area and the Mara River that crosses it. Every year, it plays witness to the great migration, considered the eighth wonder of the natural world. Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge and, in the afternoon, head out for your first game viewing drive in the famous Maasai Mara Reserve. Dinner and overnight stay in the Maasai Mara.
Day 5: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Breakfast at the camp. Today, embark on a full-day photographic safari in the Masai Mara Natural Reserve to observe the largest concentration of wildlife in the world. In the plains, you can find herds of zebras, giraffes and gazelles and in the savannah, mighty lions dominate the environment, as well as hyenas and cheetahs crouched in the long grass. In the forested areas, you can watch hundreds of varieties of birds and monkeys, whilst the rivers are full of hippos and crocodiles, as well as elephants and buffalo. Picnic lunch included. Return to the camp for dinner. Overnight stay in the Maasai Mara.
Day 6: Maasai Mara National Reserve - Nairobi
Breakfast at the hotel and return to Nairobi. Enjoy the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Nairobi.
Day 7: Nairobi - Night on board
Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport ready to check-in for a flight to Mauritius. Night on board. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.
Day 8: Mauritius
Touch down in Mauritius and transfer to the hotel. This island paradise is famous for its crystalline waters, white sands, exotic vegetation and idyllic beaches. Get settled in and begin to enjoy your stay in Mauritius on an All-Inclusive basis. Overnight stay in Mauritius.
Day 9: Mauritius
All-Inclusive. Enjoy the day at your leisure. We suggest visiting a traditional market to get a closer look at Mauritian culture. The best known are the markets of Port Louis or Quatre Bornes, where you can find a myriad of traditional dishes, vibrant coloured textiles and spices. Alternatively, enjoy an optional tour of Mystic South.* Overnight stay in Mauritius. * Optional Mystic South Tour: Visit the central town of Curepipe, home to luxurious architecture and a busy commercial hub, to see a different side of Mauritian life. Next, head to the mighty Trou-aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater, situated high above the city. Head into the mountains to visit the Ganga Talao lake, secluded in the lush heart of the island and considered a sacred Hindu site. Learn about its religious significance before ending the day at the La Vanille Crocodile Park, set in lush greenery and home to crocodiles, giant tortoises and beautiful butterflies and flora.
Day 10: Mauritius
All-Inclusive. Spend the day at your leisure, soaking up the sun or perhaps treating yourself to a spa treatment at the hotel. We recommend an optional tour of Port Louis & the North of the Island*. Overnight stay in Mauritius. * Optional Full-Day Port Louis & North tour: Head to Port Louis and enjoy the lively waterfront, the main craft market and Fort Adelaide, built by the British in 1835. Next, visit an old Sugar Mill for exciting rum tasting and learn about the history of trade on the island. Stop at the spectacular botanical gardens of Pamplemousses, where you are blown away by nature's splendour. The gardens are home to giant water lilies, as big as three metres wide. Enjoy the afternoon in the beautiful gardens before returning to the hotel.
Day 11: Mauritius - Night on board
Breakfast* at the hotel. It's time to bid farewell to magical Mauritius. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the UK/Ireland. Night on board. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.
Day 12: US
Arrive in the US and end your trip.