South Africa still remains a good deal for Americans, provided you can get a break on the airfare. This week's smart deal comes from South African Airways Vacations (tel. 888/722-4872; www.flysaavacations.com) and combines an experience with activities both wild and tame for a nine-day trip to Cape Town. And it also helps you out by bundling in the airfare.
For starters, the package's starting price of $1,899 covers roundtrip international economy class airfare from either New York JFK or Washington, D.C.-Dulles to Johannesburg; airline fuel surcharges will add a couple hundred dollars more. It also takes care of domestic flights per itinerary, game drives and activities, six breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners. In terms of accommodations, you spend four nights at the Protea President Hotel, which overlooks Bantry Bay and has easy access to nearby attractions, or the Commodore, which is on the Victoria and Alfred waterfront and close to shopping and restaurants. For your time out of Cape Town, during the game drive portion of the trip, you'll bunk at the Bakubung Bush Lodge, the Ivory Tree Lodge, or Kuzuko Lodge.
The price is valid for travel starting August 15, 2009. There is no booking deadline -- it's first come, first served -- but you must complete the travel by December 15. If you want to depart from Los Angeles, it's an additional $150; Dallas, $100; Chicago, $50.
