South Africa

Jewish Tours to South Africa
Kruger National Park and the Kapama Private Reserve

South Africa is an entire world in one country. Our tour offers breathtaking scenery, insight into diverse cultures, and the option to experience a life-changing “Big 5” Safari. Throughout, the unique impact of Jewish history, culture, and lifestyle on South Africa will also come alive.

Tour Information

Day 1 Thursday Arrival in South Africa

Welcome to South Africa! Upon arrival at Cape Town, meet your local Jewish guide and transfer to the hotel to rest and refresh. Next, enjoy a first taste of Cape Town with a stop at gorgeous Signal Hill, which offers a spectacular view of Table Mountain, the ocean, and the city in between. Then, visit the bustling Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront; this famous harbor is uniquely seen by over 23 million tourists annually. With its abundance of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, the Waterfront provides a true feel of Cape Town’s prime social hub. Dinner at the Waterfront. Radisson Blu Waterfront. (D)

Day 2 Friday Cape Town

Start the day with a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain, not only one of the New Wonders of the World in 2011, but a UNESCO World Heritage site. Next, a Jewish tour of Cape Town. The Hebrew Congregation, established in 1841, is the oldest in this part of the world. Visit the South African Jewish Museum, tour the Great Synagogue, and as well as the equally significant Holocaust Centre. Now, enjoy a walking tour, starting at the Company’s Gardens of the Dutch East India Company. Here was the hub of life in the 17th century, and it is certainly still vibrant. Stop at Greenmarket Square, where African traders thrive. Continue along Church and Long Streets, then board the coach to see other highlights, including the Bo-Kaap, or Cape Malay Quarter. In the evening, enjoy a Shabbat Dinner. Radisson Blu Waterfront. (B/D)

Day 3 Saturday Cape Town

Explore the marvellous Cape Peninsula and Cape Town’s surroundings– all the way to the Cape of Good Hope. The first stop will be Camps Bay, certainly the “Riviera” of Cape Town, to view the “12 Apostles” and Atlantic coastline. Continue to Hout Bay and take a boat trip to Seal Island, habitat for hundreds of Cape seals. Next, travel towards Cape Point. This southeast corner of the peninsula is where ships notably met their demise while sailing from Europe to the Far East. Next, ride the “Flying Dutchman” funicular to see the Old Lighthouse while enjoying spectacular views. Continue to Simon’s Town, a formerly British naval town that is now SA’s own base. Then, visit the penguins at Boulders Beach, stopping for a seafront Lunch. Lastly, on to Muizenberg, a former Jewish hub. See the Shul, built in 1925, before returning to the hotel. Radisson Blu Waterfront. (B/L)

Day 4 Sunday Cape Town – Wine Route – Hermanus

Today, travel westward to the Cape Winelands, heading for Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. These, notably, are the two most acclaimed wine routes in the region (owing to, perhaps, Huguenot French plantings in the 17^th century). En route, visit the Mandela statue, located in the Drakenstein Correctional Centre. Here is where Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990 (after 27 hard years) and consequently commemorated. Next, see Franschhoek, exploring the quaint French-heritage town and visiting its Huguenot monument. Later, enjoy a Wine-tasting and picnic Lunch at a uniquely beautiful vineyard estate. Continue to the uniquely picturesque town of Stellenbosch, second oldest city in South Africa. Here, experience a historic city tour, including a stop at the charming Old Shul. Next, drive along the ocean to Hermanus (“the Whale Town”), and enjoy the evening at leisure. Misty Waves Boutique Hotel. (B/L)

Day 5 Monday Hermanus – Barrydale – Oudtshoorn

Hermanus is justifiably considered to be the whale capital of the world. Every year, these mammals mate here, bringing an influx of visitors as well as an annual “whale festival.” Weather permitting, enjoy a whale-watching cruise and see these magnificent creatures up close. Next, tour Hermanus, stopping at the iconic Old Shul. Then, head toward the small town, or “Dorpie,” of Barrydale via scenic Tradouw Pass. Drive along famous Route 62, stopping at the Barrydale Waterfront. Now, continue past the Lithuanian-style Ladismith Shul and towards Oudtshoorn, previously called the “Jerusalem of South Africa.” Oudtshoorn is equally known as the ostrich capital of the world. In the 19th century, the rising popularity of ostrich feathers brought an influx of Jews from Eastern Europe. Visit the five-generation Jewish-owned Safari Ostrich farm to learn more. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a historical lecture about the Jewish community. Surval Olive Estate. (B/D)

Day 6 Tuesday Oudtshoorn – Knysna – Tsitsikamma

Start the morning with a visit to the CP Nel museum — uniquely one of the few secular museums in the world to house a Shul (which is occasionally still used for services). Next, stop at the Queen Street Synagogue, built from sandstone. Then, departing Oudtshoorn, continue towards Knysna via the Outeniqua Pass — part of the world-famous Garden Route. This route, stretching between the mountains and the Indian Ocean, brings in tourists from all over the world. Stop at two equally panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Indian Ocean. Next, continue the journey to Tsitsikamma, which means “clear water” in Khoi. On the way, visit the beautiful Shul in Plettenberg Bay, a popular resort town among the South African Jewish community. Dinner in the Tsitsikamma National Park region. The Fernery Lodge & Chalets. (B/D)

Day 7 Wednesday Tsitsikamma – Port Elizabeth

In the early morning, enter Tsitsikamma National Park and head towards the Storms River Mouth. Storms River is a key attraction for tourists from all over the world, epitomizing the true beauty of the Garden Route. There will be an optional walk along the mountains through indigenous forest vegetation towards the suspension bridge, thereby crossing the river mouth. Weather permitting, there will be a boat ride into the gorge. Continue to Port Elizabeth, where English settlers arrived in the 1820s. During the drive, the guide will initiate a discussion regarding the stance of the Jewish community during Apartheid. See the stone pyramid built in memory of Elizabeth Donkin, after whom the city of Port Elizabeth was named. Next, visit the Jewish Pioneers Memorial Museum, originally a synagogue, and now a museum that commemorates the Jewish history of Port Elizabeth. Beachfront Dinner at Port Elizabeth. Radisson Blu Hotel, Port Elizabeth. (B/D)

Day 8 Thursday Port Elizabeth – Johannesburg & Pretoria

This morning, catch a flight to Johannesburg, the economic hub of South Africa and its largest city. Drive to Pretoria, the administrative capital of SA (one of three capitals) and visit the Union Buildings. These form the official seat of the South African government and house the offices of the President. Enjoy a historic tour of Pretoria and visit Paul Kruger house – home of the South African Republic’s President from 1883 to 1900. Next, visit the Sammy Marks Museum, dedicated to the entrepreneurial son of Jewish immigrants who gained a truly close friendship with President Kruger. You will also see the impressive Voortrekker Monument, commemorating Afrikaaner pioneer history. En route back to Johannesburg, enjoy a lecture on Jewish life in Gauteng and Mpumalanaga. In the evening, Dinner will take place at Mandela Square, Johannesburg’s shopping hub. Radisson Blu Hotel, Sandton. (B/D)

Day 9 Friday Johannesburg – Departure

This morning, visit the Apartheid Museum, illustrating the rise and fall of South Africa’s era of oppressive segregation. Next, embark on a half-day “township tour” of Soweto (South Western Townships) – now considered part of Johannesburg. Visit Vilakazi Street, which boasts the house of Nobel Laureate Nelson Mandela. Vilakazi Street has become notably vibrant and popular, a stark contrast to its grim Apartheid days. Then, see the Hector Pieterson Memorial in Soweto. Enjoy a lecture on the infamous days of Apartheid and those who fought against it, such as Hector Pieterson (during the 1976 Soweto Uprising). Lunch, followed by time at leisure. Lastly, on to the airport for the journey back to the US. (Or if you continue on the Safari package, overnight at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Sandton). (B/L)

Optional Extension to
Kruger National Park and the Kapama Private Reserve

Day 10 Saturday Johannesburg – Kruger (Hazyview)

Today, journey to Mpumalanga, one of South Africa’s nine provinces, and home to both the justifiably famous Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon. “Mpumalanga,” in several languages (including Swazi, Zulu, isiXhosa, and Ndebele), means “Place of the Rising Sun.” En route, stop at a Ndebele village, and view the uniquely colorful arts of the local tribe. Next, travel to Middelburg and visit the Old Synagogue, now defunct, and gain insight into the town’s past. En route, stop at Dullstroom (one of the coldest villages in South Africa), and continue to Hazyview, near Kruger. After Lunch, continue to the remarkably wonderful Jane Goodall Institute for Chimpanzees – the first and only chimpanzee sanctuary in South Africa. Afterwards, continue to the resort in Hazyview. Sanbonani Resort Hotel & Spa. (B/L)

Day 11 Sunday Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s largest game reserves – roughly the size of the whole of Israel or the state of New Jersey. It boasts an extremely high density of animals, including the “BIG FIVE” — Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Rhinos, and Buffaloes — as well as species such as zebras, giraffes, and antelopes. In fact, the Kruger has 147 game species in all, more than any other African reserve. Today, a Ranger will take the group in an open-top safari vehicle for game viewing and park exploration, stopping for Lunch and shopping in one of the main rest camps in the park. Return to the hotel in the evening to savor your impressions of this natural paradise. Sanbonani Resort Hotel & Spa. (B/L)

Day 12 Monday Kruger National Park – Private Safari

This morning, embark towards Hoedspruit, in the Limpopo province, with a stop at Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. The Centre focuses on the conservation of rare, vulnerable, and endangered animals, and is notably involved in their rehabilitation. Continue to a private luxury Game Reserve for a warm welcome and Lunch. Next, revel in an afternoon Safari Game Drive — and try to locate all the animals that were not spotted in the Kruger National Park. Lastly, enjoy a buffet Dinner, followed by leisure time to enjoy the facilities. Kapama River Lodge. (B/L/D)

Day 13 Tuesday Private Safari

This entire day will be spent on private Safari, soaking in the ambience of Africa. Enjoy two Game Drives, as well as the optional spa and facilities. Lunch and Supper will be served. Kapama River Lodge. (B/L/D)

Day 14 Wednesday Kapama – Johannesburg – Home Flights

Today, rise early for a thrilling morning Safari Game Drive, followed by Breakfast at the reserve. Then, journey back to Johannesburg, with a few stops along the Panorama Route as well as Blyde River Canyon. Blyde (meaning “happiness” in Afrikaans) is the third largest canyon in the world. Unlike the others, this canyon has lush vegetation and wildlife. The Panorama Route appropriately leads through the gorgeous Northern Drakensberg Mountain range. It is part of the greater escapement: the inland plateau declines steeply and opens to fantastic views of the Lowveld. Stop at the Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the perfectly named God’s Window for spectacular views, also enjoying the sight and sound of waterfalls. Then, head to the airport, with a stop for Lunch en route and another to view the Old Synagogue in Witbank. In the evening, check-in for the home flights. (B/L)