African Safari 2014

Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime experience with scholar-in-residence Rabbi Natan Slifkin, the Zoo Rabbi. 

• luxury hotels
• gourmet kosher food
• Victoria Falls
• Chobe National Park
• Private game reserve
• Shabbat in beautiful Capetown

For further details, click on "Full Price List," above.  

To see photos of last year's trip, click here (and like us on Facebook!)

To read Rabbi Kelman's impressions on Jewish life in South Africa, click here.

To see our flyer, click here.

Click on these other Torah in Motion 2014 trips for more information:

• Spain, June 30-July 10, 2014
• Central Europe, July 17-27, 2014
• Italy, August 11-20, 2014

Here's what people say about last year's tour:

"Going on safari to Africa: it evokes romantic images of a jeep ride across the bush to see “the big five” wild animals, then afternoon tea in camp on fine china.  Just in the movies, you say?  TIM’s African Safari delivers that and more, including breathtaking Capetown wrapped in a Torah environment and Rabbi Jay's warm hospitality." --Zev Shainhouse, Toronto, ON

"Being in a totally unfamiliar landscape, surrounded by the wonders of nature and the animal world, I gained a new perspective on the incredible balance of the world and its inhabitants. The very knowledgable local rangers and guides enhanced our appreciation of our surroundings, and Rabbi Slifkin's commentary and insights helped turn a remarkable vacation into a Kiddush HaShem.  The well-planned accommodations, arrangements, and food contributed to an unforgettable experience, shared with an interesting and varied group of people."  --Mollie Fisch, Teaneck, NJ

"The trip to Africa with Rabbi Slifkin was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The raw and natural beauty of the  animals and the country we encountered was enhanced by Torah insights, bringing the trip to a spiritual level, as well."  --Frieda Bomrind, Brooklyn, NY

"What a memorable trip with Rabbi Slifkin bringing a Torah perspective to the animals we saw in their natural habitat…an adventure not to be missed."  -- Mena Shupak, Toronto, ON

ITINERARY (subject to change):

Sunday 29 June : Depart for Africa

Monday 30 June : Johannesburg

Arrive at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) in Johannesburg. You will be met and transferred to your hotel in the suburbs for an overnight stay.

Check in and freshen up (if you room is available) and then depart around 12.30pm for a tour of Soweto. Soweto, Southern Africa’s biggest city, is a vibrant city of great contrasts with a pulse and culture of its own. See and hear the fascinating facts about the first victim of the 1976 students’ uprisings. Indulge in the extremely exclusive vibe exuded by the Sowetans.

Accommodation : Hyatt Regency – Hyatt Guest room

Tuesday 1 July : Johannesburg – Victoria Falls

This morning you’ll be transferred back to ORTIA for a flight to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Arrive at Victoria Falls Airport where you’ll be met and transferred to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge for a 2-night stay.  

This afternoon you’ll be collected for a guided walking tour of the Falls, one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.

First stop is the Big Tree – a massive baobab many hundreds of years old with a girth of some 22 metres. The tour continues on to the Falls themselves, starting at Livingstone’s statue and Devil’s Cataract and proceeding through the rainforest to Danger Point. The total walk is 3kms with many spectacular view points along the way.

Accommodation : The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge  

Wednesday 2 July : Victoria Falls

You will be collected this morning for a full day tour to Chobe National Park in Botswana. Transfer across the Botswana, completing immigration and customs formalities before continuing to the Chobe National Park. Cruise on the Chobe River where you should see elephant, crocodiles, pods of hippos and other game species coming to drink and bathe in the river, as well as many bird species. Lunch at a lodge. The afternoon continues with a game drive in open vehicles into the Chobe National Park, with a chance of spotting lion and buffalo as well as numerous plains game species. Transfer back across the Zimbabwean border in the late afternoon.

Accommodation : The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge  

Thursday 3 July : Victoria Falls – Johannesburg – Cape Town

This morning you’ll enjoy an elephant back safari. Clients are transferred to The Elephant Company reception for a 15-minute introductory talk on African elephants and their relationship with man, as well as a safety talk. Clients are then introduced to the elephants and their “Ndunas”. After a short familiarisation with the elephants, the elephant back safari through the bush begins (1.5-2 hours ride).

Late morning : You will be collected at your hotel and transferred back to Victoria Falls Airport for a flight to Johannesburg and a connecting flight to Cape Town. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for a 4 night stay.

Accommodation : The President Hotel

Friday 4 July : Cape Town

Today’s touring will include a cable-car ride up Table Mountain (weather permitting) and a tour of the winelands. South Africa is the world's seventh largest wine producer, and its vineyards are as spectacular as those of France, Italy and California. Leaving Cape Town proceed through the spectacular mountain scenery and lush fertile valleys of the Cape to Stellenbosch, South Africa's second oldest city. This oak lined university town has a museum showing different styles of architecture in the Cape from the 16th century.  You’ll visit Spier ‘s Eagle-Encounters, a bird of prey rehabilitation, education & eco-tourism centre. The day can be spent combining a mixture of fascinating history with spectacular scenery and wine tastings at one or two kosher wineries.

Return to the city in time to prepare for Shabbat.

Accommodation : The President Hotel

Shabbat 5 July : Cape Town

Shabbat – at leisure. Shul is in walking distance of your accommodation.

Accommodation : The President Hotel