What do you mean by 'private tour'?

At Heritage Tours, a private tour means that arrangements are made just for you. You will be driven by private car or minivan. There are no buses. No waiting for late people. No annoying strangers. And no straining to hear a guide. Travel at your own pace and follow your passions.

Your guide will be yours. Not just to recite facts, but to give you an insight into South Africa, shatter myths and share her or his own stories with you. We search long and hard to find the best guides in all the countries we serve.

You choose the dates and we make the arrangements. Simple. All arrangements are subject to availability, so we do urge you to book as early as you can.

Will there be others in my group even if there are only two of us?

No. Your private vacation is just that: private. (we do require a minimum of two people).

The lodges and the majority of the accommodations we select for you tend to be small and intimate, where you will experience South African hospitality at its finest and perhaps have a chance to chat with your hosts and some of the other guests.

You will not be seeing Africa through the tinted windows of a tour bus.

How do I make arrangements?

Simply give us a call at 212 206 8400 or 800 378 4555. Reservations are placed upon receipt of a non-refundable deposit (20% of cost of trip) and one reservation form per person.

Payment for air is due when your tickets are issued. The balance is due 75 days prior to the tour. Just tell us whether you want our hand-picked SELECT hotels or hand-picked DELUXE hotels - South Africa's most luxurious. And we will do the rest.

How can I make payment?

Payment is welcome by check, wire or by American Express. Non-U.S. residents are asked to pay by bank wire.

What about air transportation?

We are happy to help with air arrangements or you can book flights directly. We can provide reasonable contract rates with Delta/SAA (South African Airlines) from most North American cities via New York or Atlanta.

What if I prefer to make my own air arrangements?

Great. If making your own arrangments, please note the land package begins in Cape Town and ends in Johannesburg. If needed, we can provide domestic air to supplement your international air itinerary.

Delta (800 221 1212) and South African (1 800 722 9675) codeshare and offer nonstop flights. Most European carriers fly to South Africa via their hub cities.

If you arrange your own air, PLEASE HAVE YOUR AIR ARRANGEMENTS PRIOR TO BOOKING.

What is included on this private tour?

All of your hand-selected hotels and safari lodges, among the most charming and luxurious in South Africa. All of your safari activities, including all meals and the services of some of South Africa's best wardens and trackers. And of course private tours with our excellent guides - yes, the very same guides we use for our museum and VIP clients (you are one of them now).

You are on your own for any incidentals as well as the customary gratuities. A list of what is included and not included is found at the end of the full itinerary

Besides the far-superior accommodation, is the game-viewing experience different in the more expensive private lodges than the "public" areas of Kruger? How is it different than safaris in other parts of Africa?

Unlike the public areas of Kruger (and other national parks in Africa), within the private reserves your ranger/warden can drive off-roads in safari-ready special vehicles in search of the Big Five. This allows you infinitely more viewing opportunities, including mothers playing with cubs, scenes of everyday life, cubs playing in trees.

You will be up-close and personal with the Big Five, whereas in the National Parks, this is only possible should they be next to or on the road itself.

Unlike Kruger and other national parks in Africa, due to the limited number of guests allowed in the private reserves, you have a special opportunity - when there is a find, there are just one or two other vehicles perhaps. In Kruger, there can be dozens.

And best of all, the vehicles in the private reserves of South Africa are open-roofed (and completely safe, as long as you stay inside them) unlike the school-bus type vehicles in many other African countries.

The intimacies of the bush - from butterflies to elephants - will be brought to life by our game rangers (we have special ones for those of you traveling with pre-teens and teens) and trackers. The trackers are indigenous tribesmen whose fathers, grandfathers and all those before them have depended upon game tracking for their livelihood.

The lodges for both packages are within Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, the oldest and the best Private Game Reserve in South Africa. Game viewing is unsurpassable.

Do I need a visa to travel to South Africa?

American passport holders do not need a visa. You do need six months remaining on your passport and two blank pages opposite one another. If you are not an American citizen and have questions about visas, please contact the South African embassy at 202 232 4400.

If you are taking the extension to Victoria Falls or to Benguerua Island in the Indian Ocean, exit fees are applicable and payable upon your departure.

Why is this trip such good value?

These are specially negotiated rates with top suppliers offered as a courtesy to Heritage Tours' reputation in the market and the press.

Heritage Tours has developed a reputation for the quality of its services. We strive to provide excellent value; we have approached certain suppliers to offer this special for Heritage Tours clients only, valid only through December 15, 2005. All arrangements are subject to availability.

We have specially negotiated these prices in spite of a very weak dollar and a very strong rand, and in face of the immense popularity of South Africa.

What about the extensions: is Victoria Falls worth it?

This is the 150th anniversary of Dr. Livingstone's "discovery" of the Smoke that Thunders and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the trading outpost of Livingstone.

There are some places that everyone should visit once during their life (Macchu Pichu, the Alhambra, Angkor Wat to name a few). Victoria Falls is among them, not just to check it off your "list", but to experience the humbling and ethereal power of such a place.

I have never heard of island resorts off of Mozambique? What are they like?

They are like Heaven. A bit of paradise all to yourself.

Resorts in the Seychelles and Mauritius can now top $2500 a night (plus a five-hour flight each way).

We are huge fans of some of the places that have been opening just off the shore of Mozambique. The flights are shorter and the properties are less expensive. They offer wonderful beaches and great coral reefs. They still retain a bit more of the real character of Africa. Maybe the menu wont include New Zealand lamb served on Wedgewood china (although very fresh seafod is guaranteed) but what you have in exchage is a very real, romantic and intimate experience in a small and special retreat on some incredibly beautiful beaches.

What if I wish to do something else after this trip?

There are countless options; we are happy to help you arrange something for you, while keeping the first portion of your trip at the 25% discount.

Many clients choose another safari camp, such as the amazing Phinda Private Game Reserve or some of the camps in the Okovanga Delta.

Other clients visit ancient Bushman rock art or the amazing game lodges in Botswana's Okovanga Delta. The opportunities are endless.

Madagascar is another option for those who really want to rough it, but to experience a fantastically unique and rarely-visited island.

What if I have something else in mind for my African experience?

Heritage Tours can arrange a private tour based around your preferences, tastes and budget. Simply contact one of our travel coordinators and they will be pleased to discuss the many experiences possible in South Africa.

We arrange honeymoons, family gatherings, corporate events and museum tours. Based on your special interests, the highly-qualified staff at Heritage Tours can offer their expertise in arranging a custom-designed experience.

When should I book?

Now! Many of these places are small. These prices are all subject to availability. Air can also be tricky, as prices are subject to availability at our contract rates with the airlines. We have had many disappointed clients who have waited too long to decide.

What other countries does Heritage Tours offer?

Besides Southern Africa we have been considered America's leading experts on Morocco, Spain and Turkey for over ten years. We are especially well-known for arranging things like private cooking lessons, private wine tastings, meeting gallery owners and artists, private gulet cruises down the magical Aegean coast of Turkey, and on and on...

We have recently expanded into South America and are now offering Peru (we have a special there as well), Chile and Patagonian Argentina.

Founded by a Fulbright Scholar and author, Heritage Tours has been mentioned in virtually every major newspaper and travel publication in the United States. We are widely respected for our unique approach to travel.

In all of the countries we serve, Heritage Tours promotes responsible tourism. A portion of our annual proceeds supports the Nelson Mandela Childrens' Fund.