Dubai & Cape Town South Africa January – February 2024

You must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the return date of travel. Visas are required for entry into the UAE and will be obtained upon arrival in Dubai. Visas are not required for American passport holders for entry into South Africa. Non-U.S. citizens should check with the respective consulates as to the most current visa requirements to all their travel destinations.

All visitors are required by the South African immigration authorities to have a minimum of two consecutive blank visa entry pages in their passport. Insufficient pages in the passport normally results in denied boarding or denial of entry upon arrival and the person is likely to be detained pending return to their country of origin. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.

Day One:

Depart US

Depart Houston International Airport (IAH) on an overnight flight to Dubai, UAE on Emirates Airlines.

Day Two:

Arrive Dubai

Welcome to the United Arab Emirates! You will be met and transferred to the luxurious 5 Star The Address Hotel Dubai Marina for a four-night stay.

Day Three:

Dubai

After breakfast, get ready to explore Dubai on an unforgettable full day guided city tour. Highlights include: the magnificent view of Dubai Creek, The Dubai Museum, where the city’s past with all its developing stages is recorded, take an Abra–a traditional boat to cross the Creek, the popular Spice & Gold Souk with its narrow passages that are lined with small stores selling every herb and spice under the sun. The Gold Souk offers a huge selection of jewelry made from gold, silver, diamonds and other precious metals and stones. Next a photo stop at the Jumeirah Mosque – Dubai’s most beautiful mosque and one of only a handful in the UAE that are open to non-Muslims. Later, at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, after ascending 1477 feet in a high-speed elevator, experience “At the Top” observation deck where you’ll be greeted by breathtaking, unobstructed 360-degree views of the city, desert and ocean and one of the world’s largest shopping malls, the Dubai Mall.

Day Four:

Explore Dubai independently today or join the Optional Musandam Cruise in Dibba.

Option #1:Musandam Cruise in Dibba

This day trip takes you through the unique scenery and rugged mountains between the borders of UAE and Oman, until you reach the East Coast Peninsula of Musandam, in Oman. You will be picked up from hotel approx. 07:30 am and after a 2.5 hour drive, you will arrive at Dibba Al Byah’s Fishing Port where the Dhow Cruise departs. Cruise to the famous stone houses, fishing villages, Zake Haffa village, Haffa beach, white mountains, cutting rocks, beautiful caves, salty mountains and magnificent bays of Musandam. There will be 2 stops, one before lunch and one after lunch, where you can spend time sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling in the beautiful ocean where various sea creatures can be observed. Return to the harbor by 4pm and be back to hotel by 7pm. Price $130 per person.

Option #2: DESERT SAFARI AND BBQ DINNER

Morning at leisure and independent lunch. In the afternoon, safari guides will take you in a 4-wheel drive into the golden sand dunes of Arabia. Experience the thrill of a lifetime while riding through the dunes. Enjoy a beautiful scenic sunset overlooking the desert, from where you continue to a Bedouin campsite to enjoy camel riding, Henna design, Arabic coffee, local dresses, soft drinks, tea, a “Hubbly Bubbly” and delicious BBQ buffet. Adding to the atmosphere of the night is an enchanting belly dancer performing to the Arabic rhythms. Price: $55 per person.

Day Five:

Dubai

Relax at the pool today or go shopping at the Dubai Mall! You may also take the opportunity to visit the Dubai Expo today.

Day Six:

DUBAI UAE/FLIGHT/ CAPETOWN/AQUILA GAME RESERVE

This morning, transfer to the Dubai airport for your flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival to Cape Town airport, you will be met and transferred to The Aquila Private Game Reserve. Located on 7500 hectares of pristine conservancy in the southern Karoo outside of Touws River, Aquila is home to the Big 5: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. The lodge offers adventure seeking travelers a choice of 39 well-appointed luxury suites comprising five Bush Cottages, 21 Standard Luxury Chalets, eight Family Luxury Chalets and five Premier Luxury Chalets. Suites are tastefully decorated and designed to blend in naturally into the surrounding environment. Suites are spacious with the option of twin room and single room configurations with en-suite facilities with separate bath and outdoor shower. The lodge provides 4-Star accommodation and further features onsite amenities comprising a sociable a la carte restaurant and trendy well-stocked bar. You will be greeted with a refreshing Welcome Drink. After settling in, enjoy a delicious lunch followed by your first game drive later this afternoon. Relax for a while and then it’s time for dinner! Get a good night’s sleep tonight as you’ll be up early for a morning game drive tomorrow before departure.

Day Seven:

AQUILA/CAPE TOWN

Rise and shine for an early morning game drive today. After a delicious breakfast depart Aquila for Cape Town. Cape Town is addictive and inspires discovery and has been voted as the best place in the world to visit by the prestigious New York Times. This vibrant multicultural city is a healthy mix of urban and convenient living vibe day and night spots, nature and relaxation as well as the ocean and white sand beaches at your fingertips. Ride the revolving cable car to the sky on Table Mountain; shop at the V&A Waterfront, one of Africa’s premier shopping destinations; stand on the edge of the world at Cape Point or delve into South Africa’s past at Robben Island, the prison that once held one of the world’s greatest heroes, Nelson Mandela. The “Mother City,” the “Green City,”
the “Tavern of the Seas”…whatever name you give it, it stays beautiful and beckons to be explored—the more, the better. Check into the elegant 4* Westin
Sun Hotel. Facilities include a heated outdoor swimming pool, access to the fully equipped fitness center and a complimentary V&A Waterfront shuttle service.

In the late afternoon you will be picked up from the hotel and transported to the top of Signal Hill for drinks and canapes. Enjoy magnificent views over the
“Mother City” while sipping your champagne!

Day Eight:

CAPE TOWN CITY TOUR

Today, enjoy a half-day City & Table Mountain Tour. Explore South Africa’s exciting ‘Mother City’ on this guided tour of the historical and cultural sights of Cape Town. You will step into the rich history of the city passing by key historical monuments and places of interest, such as the impressive Castle of Good Hope and Cape Town City Hall. The tour stops at the beautiful St. George’s Cathedral, passes the through the lush Company Gardens, and explores a cultural hub of Cape Town, the Bo-Kaap, also known as the Cape Malay quarter. A tour of this vibrant city, home to street markets of every kind, cosmopolitan and rustic eateries, and a host of cultures is an unforgettable experience.

Day Nine:

CAPE TOWN (B) OPTIONAL TOUR

Explore Cape Town independently or join a memorable optional Full Day Cape Point Excursion. Cape Peninsula tour begins with a scenic drive passing steep mountains, secluded coves and sweeping beaches en route to Cape Point at the southern tip of the Peninsula where you’ll arrive at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. The reserve is rich with flora and fauna and you may see baboons, rheboks and Cape Mountain zebras. Savor the stunning views of the coastline where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Later drive along the majestic coastline along False Bay and visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens where you’ll enjoy the magnificent display of indigenous South African flora. (Approx. cost $130 pp)

Day Ten:

CAPE TOWN OR OPTIONAL TOUR(B)

Day at leisure or join an excursion to the beautiful wine region. Travel to culturally and historically significant Stellenbosch, a quaint town in the heart of this scenic region, filled with wineries. Walk through the town and explore the impressive Cape Dutch architecture. Your next stop is at a wine estate where you’ll attend a wine tasting session, have an opportunity to explore the grounds and gardens and maybe purchase some local wines! Approx cost of excursion: $75 per person.