An Exclusive Poe Travel Itinerary
Custom-Tailored for the TODAY Show's

Welcome! Please read below to see the full details of the fabulous itinerary we've conjured up for Sarah and Mark. All of this was made possible by the incredible support of our friends and colleagues in Southern Africa! Thank you! In the meantime, for more information on Poe Travel go here.

Don't forget to VOTE!

Sep 17     8:45am depart Washington Dulles on South African Airways flight SA208 to Johannesburg

Sep 18      arrive Johannesburg 7:40am.  Connect on SA 074 departing at 10:55am for Windhoek Namibia. Arrive 12:55pm, and transfer to  Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp  located in one of the most remarkable sites in the Namib Desert. The camp is situated on a 42 000 acre private reserve.Huge towering dunes rise dramatically, more than 1000 feet above the surrounding plains at Sossusvlei itself. The camp's location provides easy access to Sossusvlei, yet also offers privacy and exclusivity. The camp has been built near the top of a mountain, using rock, brick, timber and thatch and provides a comfortable refuge from the desert. 

There are 9 guest rooms, each with its own private plunge pool. The bedrooms are well appointed and offer comfort and atmosphere with wonderful views onto the desert plains below. The en-suite bathrooms have both hot and cold running water, showers and flush toilets.

The main living area is under thatch with an outdoor deck for dinner under the stars. Activities center round early morning excursions in 4x4 vehicles to the magnificent Sossusvlei dunes and the "vlei" itself. Wonderful desert breakfasts are served under camel-thorn acacias surrounded by the dunes. Afternoon nature drive or walking activities are enjoyed on the property where guests can spend time taking in the desert scenery and its unique fauna and flora.

Sep 19      Enjoy spectacular early morning ballooning, beginning at first light. The 60-minute balloon safari offers a truly unique experience to soar silently above the magnificent sand dunes and desert - with a champagne breakfast served at your landing site.

Sep 20      Transfer to Windhoek by air and connect on SA 1754 at 1:10pm to Cape Town South Africa. Arrive at 3:10pm - you will be met by a Wilderness Safaris representative and transferred to the world renowned Cape Grace Hotel where you will stay for three (3) nights in The Penthouse Suite on a bed and full English breakfast basis. With a classically inspired exterior and gracefully elegant within, Cape Grace is set on its own private quay on Cape Town 's vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The hotel becomes a destination in itself, offering the ultimate guest experience for discerning travellers. Cape Grace's charm lies in its intimate atmosphere, stylish décor and unique personalised hospitality. Here you will find staff warm and flexible with a spirit of unrivalled generosity. The sumptuous elegance begins at the welcoming reception lounge extending to the rich comfort of the spacious harbour and mountain-facing rooms. A series of comfortable spaces, all 122 rooms feature exquisite furniture, luxurious fabric and intriguing detail, providing an immediate sense of place.

Located on the top floor of the hotel, with panoramas of Table Mountain, the city and yacht marina, the African-influenced Spa is owned and operated by Cape Grace and is exclusive to hotel guests. Offering spectacular views of the yacht marina and Signal Hill, one.waterfront restaurant is a vibrant combination of friendly, seamless service, relaxed atmosphere and adventurous culinary flair, reflecting strong classical foundations with a modern South African influence. Bascule whisky bar and wine cellar on the water's edge has a selection of over 420 whiskies of the world and the finest of Cape wines. Enjoy the African sun as you laze around the outdoor heated swimming pool embraced by trellised gardens.

Sep 21      Morning at leisure. This afternoon meet your Wilderness Safaris guide at 1:00pm in the reception area of Cape Grace from where you depart on a private half day tour of Cape Town city.  Drive through the city via the Bo-Kaap, the Cape Malay quarter, and then leave your vehicle to walk through Government Avenue where the original settlers planted their vegetable gardens.  Today it is home to South African Museum, Cultural History Museum, Houses of Parliament, National Gallery and St George's Cathedral.  Walk through the city to the old town square which is bustling with the market traders of Greenmarket Square and the St George's Mall.  Drive to the castle, the oldest building in the country with its beautiful collection of old Cape paintings .  It is home to the Western Cape command. See the Grande Parade where Nelson Mandela spoke to Capetonians after his release in 1990. Visit the moving District Six Museum, highlighting the horror of the forced removal of people from their homes.  The museum contains a moving collection of memorabilia donated by former residents of the area and their descendants.

Sep 22     This morning please meet your Wilderness Safaris guide at 09h00 in the reception area from where you depart on a private full day tour of Cape Peninsula tour including lunch. Travel along the Atlantic Seaboard coast passing the seaside suburbs of Sea Point , Bantry Bay and  Clifton. S top at the granite boulders for magnificent views of the Twelve Apostles along the Atlantic coast side of Table Mountain, and the beach of Camps Bay.  Continue along Victoria Drive past Bakoven and Llandudno to Hout Bay, a charming little village and fishing harbour.  Board a boat to see the mass of Cape Fur Seals on Duiker Island (weather dependent)  The seals are mainly males waiting our their time till they are the right breeding age .  Leave Hout Bay and drive along the spectacular Chapmans Peak road.   Chapmans Peak drive, 600m above the ocean is considered to be one of the finest scenic coastal drives in the world.   Enjoy a wonderful view of Long Beach and continue through the Noordhoek valley to Kommetjie and Scarborough, little hamlets on the Atlantic Coast.  Between June and November there is the chance of seeing whales along the coastline. These are mainly Southern Right Whales that come into these waters to mate and calve. Enter the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and take a drive off the main road to the untouched area of Olifants Bay.  There is a herd on endemic Bontebok living on this side of the reserve and there is the possibility of seeing them on the beach and in the surrounding "fynbos", our magnificent indigenous floral vegetation with flowering species throughout the year.

Enjoy lunch at Seaforth restaurant. 

Spend time exploring the rocky coastline and fynbos with possibilities of seeing the African Black Oystercatchers and Avocets as well as fynbos endemics such as the Cape Sugarbird and Protea Canary, as well as various Sunbirds.  Drive to the tip of the Cape Peninsula and either walk or take the funicular to the lighthouse at Cape Point with it's beautiful views overlooking False Bay, so named as the early navigators thought they had put into Table Bay!  Drive to the Cape of Good Hope, the south western most point of the African continent.

Leave the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and drive along the False Bay coastline to Boulders Beach, and an opportunity to study the only penguins to be found on the continent of Africa, the African  Penguin.  Continue on through historic Simonstown, with its past and present naval traditions and travel along the coast to Fish Hoek.  Return to the city over Boyes drive with views of the fishing village of Kalk Bay and the seaside towns of St James and Muizenberg.

Sep 23      Transfer to Cape Town Station and board the world renowned Blue Train for 25 on it's journey through South Africa's wine country to the Capital City Pretoria.  The Blue Train is unique - it  is not merely a train but combines the luxury of the world's  leading hotels with the charm of train travel. Think of it as an all inclusive luxury rail cruise with an opportunity to view South Africa's spectacular  landscapes and  visit  interesting tourist attractions along the way. Take a journey into a timeless world of grace, elegance and romance, where spectacular scenery stirs your imagination and luxurious comfort soothes your body and soul. Sit back, de-stress and relax as South Africa passes by.

Sep 24      Arrive in Pretoria at  1:45pm.  On arrival, a Wilderness Safaris representative will meet you and transfer you by road to The Grace Hotel where you will be staying for one night on a Bed & Breakfast basis, in a luxury suite. The Grace Hotel is located in the heart of Rosebank and surrounded by boutiques, art galleries, art cinemas, high quality craft markets and a mix of restaurants and clubs.  The Grace provides an excellent blend of personalized hospitality and devotion to detail.

Sep 25 At a time to be advised, a Wilderness Safaris representative will meet you and transfer you by road to Johannesburg International Airport where you will check-in for South African Airlink flight SA 8126 departing at 11:10am arriving at MalaMala at 12:10pm.  Meet and transfer to MalaMala's luxurious 7 suite enclave - The Sable Camp   which occupies a prime elevated position overlooking the Sand River and surrounding bush. The Sable Camp is an ideal retreat for the more reclusive traveler who prefers privacy and exclusivity. The Sable Camp accommodates 14 guests in 7 luxury suites. The fully air-conditioned, beautifully appointed Sable Camp has a truly 'Out of Africa' feel enhanced with modern comforts. A library with satellite television and internet connectivity give one the option to stay in touch with the world whilst the intimate safari bar, swimming pool and large wooden deck surrounding the camp provide the platform from which to admire the unimpeded views that make the Sable Camp experience so rich and interactive. A dedicated team of staff are on hand to make sure that every need is taken care of. Highly qualified rangers and trackers will take you on safari through the MalaMala Game Reserve over the next three days as you track down Africa's Big Five.

Sep 28      Your final morning at MalaMala before you transfer to South African Airlink flight 

SA 8127 from MalaMala Airfield departing at 12:30pm arriving at Johannesburg International at 1:35pm. Connect to SA 207 departing JNB at 6:40pm for Washington Dulles 

Sep 29       Arrive Washington Dulles  6:45am

Photos on this page copyright: South African Tourism, Wilderness Safaris, Dana Allen, Michael Poliza, The Cape Grace, The Blue Train, and Mala Mala.