African Fusion
Print Itinerary
Gay African Travel
Toto Tours is delighted to partner with Sidney and Alison, a couple with extensive knowledge of this region and a unique approach to adventure travel. They blend lessons in the local cuisine and traditions with exciting excursions into the wilderness. Culinary masters, they also operate cooking schools in Cape Town and in France.
Stay at a fabulous wine estate in Cape Town and truly spectacular lodges in Namibia. Savor this “Fusion” of city life, fine wines, exciting cuisine, exotic wildlife, and jaw-dropping landscapes while exploring these distinctive parts of Africa.
Book gay African travel with Out Travel, enquire for details.
Highlights
Cape Town waterfront & sightseeing
Table Mountain
Optional Trip to Robben Island*
Stellenbosch Wine Route
Windhoek, capital of Namibia
Okahandja wood carvers
Etosha National Park
Game drives
Traditional African Braai (barbecue)
Otjiwarongo Cheetah Reserve
Okonjima, home to The AfriCat Foundation
Guided bushman walk
Namib Sand Sea, some of the world’s oldest and highest dunes*
*UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Since we have the entire afternoon and early evening here, this is the perfect opportunity to take an optional boat ride excursion to Robben Island. Because of Nelson Mandela’s long stay there, it is one of the world’s most infamous prisons and now serves as a historical museum. After dining together at a restaurant where we can sample South African cookery at its best (dinner not included), we return to our Estate for another overnight stay. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Kanonkop Estate is situated on the lower slopes of the Simonsberg Mountains in the Stellenbosch Region of the Cape and boasts some of the country’s premium wines. Lanzerac Estate, situated on the outskirts of historic Stellenbosch town, is a 300-year-old private working wine estate in the Jonkershoek Valley. This evening we enjoy dinner in the valley before returning to our own estate for our final overnight in South Africa. (All Meals)
We depart Windhoek, driving north via Okahandja, which is an important center for woodcarvers from the north who practice their ancient skills at markets next to both the entrance and exit from town. We check into our lodge upon arrival at Etosha. It is nestled on an outcrop of rocks under a forest of Mopane and white Seringa trees. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are free to enjoy the manicured lawns, rustic bush gardens, and sparkling pools at this beautiful oasis in the wilderness. (All Meals)
Other large mammals in the park include giraffe, blue wildebeest, mountain and plain zebras, many species of antelope, hyena and lion. Cheetah and leopard complete the trio of “big cats”. Smaller animals include jackal, bat-eared fox, honey badger, warthog and squirrel. Around 340 bird species reside in Etosha, with roughly one-third being migratory birds, including flamingos. For most of the year Etosha’s animals and birds are dependent on about 30 springs and waterholes. These provide excellent game viewing and photographic opportunities. We return to the lodge in late afternoon to enjoy the African sunset and a traditional African Braai (barbecue) for dinner. (All Meals)
We return to the lodge around midday for lunch before flying back to Windhoek in the afternoon. After landing at Windhoek we visit Penduka Craft Village, a non-governmental organization empowering Namib women to take control of their own lives. Finally, we drive out to our bush lodge in Daan Viljoen Park, where visitors are actually allowed to walk around the park instead of being confined in vehicles. We visit a Kraal this evening, a homestead comprised of a few thatched roof huts and animal enclosures, to feast on a Bushman’s Fondue to celebrate the conclusion of our adventure in Africa. Return to the lodge for overnight. (All Meals)
Preparation for your tour trip
Immunizations—Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the latest immunization recommendations. Make sure your tetanus booster is current. Click here for more details.
What to bring
In April, temperatures in Cape Town will range from night-time lows in the mid-50 to daytime highs in the mid-70s. The weather will be slightly warmer in Namibia, ranging between 60 and 80 in the areas we visit. Laundry can easily be done at any of the hotels where we stay for two or more nights. You will be happier if you pack half of the clothes you think you need, do laundry along the way, and save room in your suitcases for fantastic purchases!
Suggested Packing List:
- Proof of citizenship. Passport with six blank visa pages required.
- Comfy walking shoes for day tours and walks.
- Polo shirts / T-shirts (5 – 6).
- Lightweight, long sleeve shirts (2 – 3) for sun protection.
- Jacket or sweatshirt for cooler nights.
- Lightweight long pants.
- Bandannas (good for game drives).
- Sunscreen / lip balm.
- Sunglasses / sun hat with tie-on.
- Mosquito repellent with Deet.
- Personal toiletries (Bring an anti-diarrhea remedy just in case!)
- Camera, lots of digital memory, extra batteries.
- Ziploc Bags (sandwich size for documents, gallon size for wet items or toiletries).
- A good book for the long flights.
Money
South African currency is the Rand (ZAR), which is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5, and notes in amounts of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200. The Namibian Dollar (NAD; symbol N$) is in note denominations of N$200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of N$5, N$1, 50 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents. It is linked to the South African Rand (R) on a 1:1 basis (South African Rand = 100 cents). The South African Rand is also acceptable as currency in Namibia. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.
Most major credit cards are accepted in both countries, including MasterCard, Visa, and American Express. ATMs can be found in most of the large cities but some machines refuse to accept international cards. Currency exchange can be made at all official exchange offices, large banks, and major hotels and we suggest you carry some dollars in case you find yourself in a situation where an ATM is not available. Click here to find the most up-to-date exchange rates.
Taxes and Tipping: Value Added Tax (VAT) is levied on most goods and services but, as a foreign national, you may reclaim VAT on anything you bought to take out of the country unused. You need to do this before you embark on your flight home. We will make collective tips to our waiters, drivers and guides, and a suggested tip amount will be provided prior to departure. Click here to read an article about tipping and etiquette in South Africa.
Suggested Viewing
- The Cell (2000) – opening/closing scene shot at Sossusvlei Dunes
- Running Free (2000) – shot near Windhoek, Namib Desert
Pricing
Tour prices per person
Price: $6,995 in double occupancy hotel accommodations.
Private Room: $1,000 additional, for a total tour price of $7,995. (Paying a single supplement is not required. Toto Tours will try to match you with a roommate if you are traveling alone and prefer to share a room. If this is not possible, a single supplement will be applied to your reservation before the final payment date.)
Deposit: $1,000
(Due at time of registration for the tour. May be paid with a credit card.)
Remaining Balance (main tour): $5,995 double / $6,995 single
(Assumes $1,000 deposit has already been made.)
Remaining Balance Due: January 25, 2016 (80 days prior to departure)
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this date.)
ACCOMMODATIONS
Cape Town / Zevenwacht (3 nights): The Country Inn
Etosha (3 nights): Toshari Lodge
Okonjima (2 nights): Okonjima Lodge Plains Camp
Sossusvlei (1 night): Sossusvlei Lodge
Daan Viljoen (1 night): Sun Karros
Inclusions:
Airport transfers at the beginning and end of the tour
10 night’s hotel or lodge accommodations
Round-trip regional airfare from Cape Town to Windhoek
Cessna flights (2) within Namibia
Hotel breakfasts daily plus Welcome & Farewell Dinners and other meals as specified in the itinerary
Wine with lunches and dinners
Ground transportation in air conditioned motorcoach
Sightseeing activities and entrances as listed in the itinerary
Fully guided and escorted tour
Not Included
Round trip airfare to Cape Town, South Africa (CPT)
Change fee if you choose to return from Johannesburg rather than Cape Town
Airport taxes and departure fees
Ground transportation for sightseeing on your own (taxis, local guides, etc.)
Meals and optional activities not specifically listed in the itinerary
Alcoholic beverages other than included wines
Insurance
Laundry
Telephone calls
Faxes
Any other expenses of a personal nature
Tips to drivers and guides and support staff at our lodges are not included; tipping guidelines for our group tips will be provided prior to departure.
Operator
Toto Tours
