South Africa Jazz Festival

Arrival and Meet and Greet - Day One On the first day of the South Africa Jazz Fest, guests will arrive at the designated location in South Africa. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our team who will assist with luggage and transportation to the hotel. After check-in, you will have some free time to relax and freshen up before the official meet and greet event. This event will take place later in the evening and will give guests the opportunity to socialize and network with other travelers. There will also be a brief overview of the week's itinerary and any important information or updates will be provided. We look forward to welcoming our travelers to South Africa and kicking off the South Africa Jazz Fest with a memorable first day!

Today you will experience the beauty of more winelands with a full-day tour of some of the country's principal wine routes of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, with a stop en route for lunch (for own account). We will start with a visit to Paarl where you will be struck by the beauty of the valley, the pristine blue sky, the rolling vineyards and the Pearl of Paarl set high above the valley. We will enjoy a wine-tasting and cellar tour at one of the local estates. From Paarl, we'll continue northwest to the beautiful village of Franschhoek. A memorial in the town commemorates the arrival of these early settlers who helped develop the wines sought after by Napoleon, Bismarck and Edward VII, the Prince of Wales. We will make a stop for lunch and another wine tasting at a vineyard. We'll then head to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa and the historic heart of the country's wine region. Enjoy a final wine tasting before returning to Cape Town.

South Africa is a popular destination for safari experiences due to its diverse wildlife and natural beauty. The "Big Five" (lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, leopards, and buffaloes) and other fascinating animals can be seen during game drives. One of such great game reserves is the Garden route. From Cape Town, we'll travel to Garden Route Game Lodge. This is an approximately 3hr drive. Set against the backdrop of the majestic Langeberg Mountain Range, the Garden Route Game Lodge guards the entrance to South Africa’s world-famous Garden Route Coast. Only 3½ scenic hours drive from Stellenbosch  (313km), this amazing game reserve is home to an abundance of animal and bird life including the Big 5. You will enjoy game viewing in open Landrovers, beautiful accommodations and a memorable dining experience in one of our African-style restaurants.

Today is the South Africa Jazz Fest, one of the biggest and most popular jazz festivals in the world. The day will begin with a township tour and visit to Robben Island. The tour of the Cape Town township will offer insight and interaction with different cultures and communities. Witness everyday life in a harsh environment where you will hear some of the 11 official languages being spoken. See why 27 April 1994 was such an important day in South Africa (first democratic elections). This is a true story with a positive and happy ending! Start with a tour of District Six. See 3 mosques and 5 churches and find out about this area which was once home to thousands of people of various cultures who lived at the foot of Table Mountain. Our tour continues to the Cape Flats to visit Langa, the oldest formal township in Cape Town, where we'll see the local market, an art & crafts centre, and try to find the elusive traditional healer. Find out how people live together and operate their day to day life and businesses in informal settlements. Visit a crèche (if open) offering fun and a haven for the local children. View Bonteheuwel, Nyanga, Crossroads, Khayelitsha, home to over a million people, and Gugulethu where we see the Gugulethu Seven Memorial and the Amy Biehl Memorial. At the end of the tour, you will have a greater understanding of how the Rainbow nation developed and people of all colors live in this democratic country in relative harmony. The rainbow is associated with the hope of a bright future and symbolizes the diversity of South Africa's cultural, ethnic, and racial groups. Tonight you will enjoy the first day of the festival until you retire to bed.

Today is the final day of the South Africa Jazz Festival. We will kick off the day with a tour of the iconic Table Mountain, which is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The mountain provides Cape Town with a stunning backdrop of unparalleled beauty and is often described as the "Old Grey Father" of the city. One of the mountain's most distinct features is the tablecloth, a cap of cloud that rolls across the flat summit and drapes itself over the edges in a neat line during summer months. At the summit, visitors can see the famous Lion's Battery, which is used to fire salutes during ceremonial events and for visiting ships. The signal gun is fired electrically at noon every day, except Sundays, and the sound echoes throughout the city, scattering multitudes of pigeons from their resting places. Later in the day, we will visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which is renowned as one of the world's most beautiful botanic gardens. The garden is situated against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain and offers breathtaking views of the city. Kirstenbosch boasts an array of indigenous plants and flowers, and visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the garden's magnificent landscapes. We will spend the rest of the day at the jazz fest. It's been an unforgettable week at the South Africa, and we hope you've had a great time exploring the country's rich culture, history, and natural beauty.

Today marks the end of the South Africa Jazz Fest tour. We hope you have had an unforgettable experience exploring the country's rich culture, history, and natural beauty and depart with wonderful memories. Safe travels!