Turkey or South Africa in mid-late September for a woman in mid-50s?
I really didn't know where to post this, so I decided to post here.
Background: My mum, in her mid-late 50s, is retired and enjoying life to the fullest. Anyhow, she is part of this globetrotter club for women (of all ages really) called "women on wanderlust" (based in India). Every month they have different itineraries and you can really choose from a myriad of options. Usually you end up travelling with a small group of likeminded people (even more useful as she is getting up there in age).
It just so happened that the 2 places she really wanted to go to are both in September (Turkey - early September, S. Africa - Late September), so she has to choose.
This is the itinerary of either trip. I was wondering if anyone has experienced both places..what would be a better place to visit at this time of the year? The cost/travel time is roughly the same from Delhi/Mumbai.
She asked me for help and not being the most tech savvy, I offered to dig deeper and get opinions from the many knowledgeable minds at flyertalk.
I would appreciate any tips or even re-directions where I might find some advice to this.
South Africa
September 18th – Mumbai - Johannesburg to Livingstone.
Upon arrival in Jo’burg, connect with your flight to Livingstone, Zambia. After arriving at Livingstone Airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel for check in and relaxation. Here you will enjoy Africa’s greatest natural wonders in true Zambian style at your hotel located right on the edge of the eastern cataract of the Victoria Falls. Later we will enjoy the WOW Welcome dinner. Overnight at the Zambezi Sun Hotel or similar. Meals – Dinner.
September 19th – Victoria Falls
Enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast at the hotel, before you depart on your morning Tour of the Falls. Lunch on own and later we will make our way down to the Zambezi River for the awesome Sundowner Cruise. Overnight at the Zambezi Sun Hotel or similar. Meals – Breakfast
September 20th – Livingstone – Cape Town
Spend the morning at leisure and later transfer to airport for your flight to Cape Town. Arrive at Cape Town International Airport and transfer to the famous Victoria & Albert Waterfront for dinner on your own. Later we transfer to the hotel for check in. Overnight at Southern Sun Waterfront. Meals – Breakfast. .
September 21st - Cape Town
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast you will meet with your tour guide.
Depart on a half-day orientation tour of Cape Town. Highlights include:
• Table Mountain (weather permitting).
• A scenic coastal drive through Clifton & Sea Point
• Green Market Square – some time for shopping.
• A scenic city tour passing the Houses of Parliament, City Hall, Castle & Company Gardens
• After the tour you can shop at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and enjoy dinner on your own. .Meals – Breakfast
September 22nd Cape Town
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
• Depart on a full day Cape Peninsula Tour. Highlights include:
• View of Clifton Beach & Camps Bay
• Hout Bay with boat trip to Seal Island (weather permitting)
• Simon's Town
• Penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach
• Cape Point Nature Reserve
• The Cape of Good Hope
• Funicular ride at Cape Point
• Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Overnight at Southern Sun Waterfront. Meals – Breakfast. .
September 22nd Cape Town to Cape Wine lands - Hermanus
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
• Check out from the hotel and depart on a full day Cape Wine lands tour..
• This is a classic tour through spectacular vineyard covered valleys and along scenic country roads.Visit Nelson’s Creek for a cellar tour, cheese and wine tasting (alternative estate used on Sundays).
Continue to drive past the Groot Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela was released in Feb 1990
Visit the village of Franschhoek where you will see the Huguenot monument.
Enjoy wine tasting in Franschhoek with some free time in the village for lunch on own.
Drive along Helshoogte Mountain Pass to Stellenbosch.
Walk through the historical town of Stellenbosch which has some of the best preserved historical
buildings in South Africa.
Transfer to Hermanus, about 1 ½ hours from Cape Town.
Check into your hotel located in the heart of Hermanus and the balance of the day will be at leisure. Overnight at the Windsor Hotel. Meal - Breakfast.
September 23rd Hermanus
Enjoy leisurely breakfast at your hotel and rest of the day at leisure. Hermanus is a delightful town, here you can sit and watch the waves or stroll through the quaint market areas. There is an optional whale watching cruise costing approximately RS 3500, this can be booked directly from the hotel. Overnight at Windsor Hotel. Meal - Breakfast.
September 24th Hermanus to Jo’burg – Mabula Game Reserve.
• Transfer back to Cape Town Airport to connect with your flight to Johannesburg.
• You will be met by your driver from the game lodge.
• Transfer to the Mabula Private Game Reserve, in time for the evening/night game drive with your ranger. Overnight at Mabula Game Reserve or similar. Meal-Breakfast and dinner.
September 25th Mabula Game Reserve.
Early morning wake up call for your dawn game viewing safari drive.
• After coffee and snacks on the safari patio, your personal ranger escorts you to his four-wheel drive open safari vehicle and heads off into the reserve.
• Return to the lodge and enjoy breakfast.
• Spend the day at leisure.
• Lunch is served at the lodge.
• Afternoon game viewing safari drive that continues into the night.
• Dinner is served at the lodge upon return from the game drive.
Overnight at Mabula Game Reserve or similar. Meal-Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
September 26th Jo’burg to Mumbai
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg to connect to final fight home. Meals- Packed breakfast.