27 June 2007 On arrival at OR Tambo (Johannesburg) Airport you proceed through passport control to the luggage collection area and then through Customs to the Arrivals Hall. Look out for our representative, Wilro Tours. They will be holding a name-board with your surname on it. They will transfer you from the airport to your hotel. Protea Hotel Balalaika SandtonThe Balalaika is a superior hotel in the heart of Sandton, adjacent to the Village Walk shopping centre and within easy walking distance of Sandton City. This comfortable four star hotel provides an elegant retreat from the bustle of the city with its unique garden offering peace and tranquillity. The two sections of the hotel, Main and Crown Court, each have their own private garden and swimming pool. The hotel also has a fully equipped fitness centre complete with two steam rooms. Dine in style at The Colony, relax in the Lords Cigar bar or try out one of the many restaurants and bistros in the Village Walk (accessed directly from the hotel.) Johannesburg'E'Goli', as it is called by the locals - the City of Gold. Johannesburg is the pulsating heart of South Africa's industrial and commercial life where, more than a mile below the bustling city traffic, miners still dig for the world's most precious metal. Ever since a fateful day in 1886 when George Harrison, a humble prospector, stumbled upon an outcrop of gold-bearing rock, the region's economy and life have been driven by the rhythm of the mining industry. The effects are inescapable. Walk down the avenues of downtown Johannesburg and you find streets, building and museums that evoke vivid memories of the days of 'gold fever' and the 'Randlords'. Harrison's discovery sparked off a gold rush never experienced before. Prospectors and fortune-seekers descended on the area in search of instant wealth. Makeshift shelters and tents were pitched all over the once tranquil veld. A massive, sprawling, rough and raucous shantytown sprang up overnight. Within three years Johannesburg was the largest town in South Africa. A rudimentary stock exchange was established. Hotels and canteens, brothels and music halls were erected everywhere to satisfy the needs of the boisterous community. Soon, however, mining began to get more costly as they had to dig deeper. The major mining corporations moved in to take control of the industry and swallow up many of the small individual claims. The Randlords emerged on the scene, and soon dominated it. Men like Cecil John Rhodes, Barney Barnato, JB Robinson, Alfred Beit and Julius Wehrner quickly accumulated fortunes and imposed some order on the unruly mining town. Less than five minutes drive from the bustling downtown lie the quiet, elegant suburbs of Houghton and Parktown where they built their opulent mansions.The city is not known for its natural beauty but there is certainly enough here to interest the visitor for a couple of days from its botanical gardens and lakes, its museums, theatres and art galleries and the numerous excursions to Soweto, Lesedi, Pretoria or the Cradle of Humanity at Sterkfontein. Johannesburg is also known for its world-class design in gold and diamond jewellery, ethnic fashion, and arts and crafts. Security in JohannesburgThe downtown city centre is not for casual sight-seeing. If you do want to visit central Johannesburg, we recommend that you take an organised tour or a private guide. This is also the case with Soweto, which is badly signposted and confusing to the casual visitor. Museums, sights and galleries in the Northern SuburbsSuperb examples of African tribal art is on display downstairs at the Gertrude Posel Gallery at the University of the Witwatersrand and includes valuable examples of vanishing African art forms such as masks, headdresses and beadwork. Campus level, Senate House, Wits University, Jorissen Street. Open Tuesday to Friday 1000 to 1600. Contact them on (011) 716 3632.The Museum of South African Rock Art (situated within Johannesburg Zoo) is an open-air exhibition of rock engravings, featuring reproductions of some of South Africa's best rock art paintings created by San people (Bushmen) and other nomadic tribes and which date back several centuries. Also within the Zoo grounds is the South African Military Museum. The Zoo and its museums are open daily 0830 to 1700. Sir Herbert Baker was the architect of many of the Randlord's mansions and we recommend a walk or drive through the lofty heights of Parktown perched high on Braamfontein ridge. The English-born architect began in Cape Town and moved to Johannesburg developing a characteristic style seen in the steeply pitched tiled roofs, high brick chimneys, stone walls and small paned windows. Many excellent examples of his work have been restored to their prime. Museums, sights and galleries in Downtown Johannesburg (to be visited with a guide) The Apartheid Museum is the story of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Beginning in 1948, the white-elected National Party government initiated a process which turned over 20 million people into 2nd class citizens, damning them to a life of servitude and abuse. Their liberation in 1994 with the election of Nelson Mandela, the prisoner who became president, was a climax in South Africa's resistance, courage and fortitude. The Apartheid Museum, the first of its kind, illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid. The Museum has been assembled and organized by a multi-disciplinary team of curators, filmmakers, historians and designers. The exhibits are from film footages, photographs, text panels and artefacts illustrating the events and human stories that are part of the epic saga, known as apartheid. For anyone wanting to understand and experience what South Africa was really like, a visit to the Apartheid Museum is fundamental. Situated on Northern Parkway and Gold Reef Road. Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 1000 to 1700. Tel (011) 3094700Market Theatre - This former Indian market is now an internationally renowned theatre complex and houses an interesting collection of alternative shops, theatres, galleries, coffee houses and restaurants some of which offer some genuine South African dishes such as crocodile and mopani worms. There are several specialist museums in the complex including the SA Breweries Museum, the Workers Museum and Museum Africa (see below). Corner of Bree and Wolhunter Streets, Newtown.Museum Africa - is a modern museum, which traces the black people's contribution to the development of Johannesburg through exhibits focusing on gold mining, hostel life, township life and the run-up to the first democratic election in 1994. Opposite Market Theatre at 121 Bree Street, Newtown. Open Tuesday to Sunday 0900 to 1700. Contact them on (011) 8335624 The Johannesburg Art Gallery is situated in a fascinating building combining old and modern architecture. Contains both old (Pierneef and Irma Stern) and contemporary township South African art. Klein Street, Joubert Park. Open Tuesdays to Sundays 1000 to 1700. Gallery tours available on Wednesday at 1030 and Saturday at 1500. Contact them on (011) 7253130Rockey Street - has been described as "a slice of New York's East Village in Africa." Clubs and ethnic cafes mix with second-hand bookshops, lingerie and leather shops. One of the few places where you will see all races mixing easily if eccentrically. Rockey Street is in Yeoville to the northeast of the city centre. Shopping in JohannesburgWe are often asked about shopping in Johannesburg and indeed there are many excellent shops for African Art, jewellery and African artefacts. Much of the Northern Suburbs' shopping is done at large shopping malls, the three main ones being the exclusive Hyde Park, Sandton City and its close neighbour, Sandton Square. A pleasant alternative to the shopping mall is Rosebank suburb that, in addition to its own mall, has many sidewalk cafes for alfresco dining aside craft stalls selling wirework, ceramic pots, soapstone sculptures and jewellery. Usual hours of trading are 0830 to 1700 Monday to Saturday, and 1000 to 1400 or longer on Sunday in the shopping malls. 28 June 2007 This morning you are collected for your Soweto tour. Our tour is designed to give visitors to Johannesburg an overall impression of 'Egoli (the City of Gold), South Africa's commercial and financial capital. We first drive through the leafy northern suburbs, then continue to the hustle and bustle of Hillbrow and Braamfontein, home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa. We drive through the downtown area to the Carlton Centre, to view a 'mini-Manhattan' from the viewing deck on the 50th floor. Onward to Soweto (SOuth WEstern TOwnship), largest black residential area in South Africa, where we see a fascinating contrast to Rosebank and Sandton in the north. This sprawling 'city within a city' is home to approximately 2-million people, many of whom work in various parts of the greater metropolitan area of the Witwatersrand. In many ways, the story of Soweto is the story of South Africa. Our tour includes all the major points of interest, such as Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Baragwanath taxi rank, Freedom Square, Hector Pieterson Memorial and Nelson Mandela's former home. We bid farewell to Soweto and return to the city centre. The elevated M2 motorway offers a spectacular view of the city, before we head through the downtown area along Rissik Street, one of the city's major thoroughfares, passing the City Hall and the old Rissik Street Post Office. Our lunch stop is at a nearby restaurant, which serves a variety of traditional African dishes.After lunch we visit the Apartheid Museum (closed on Mondays), opened in 2002. Here you may embark on a historical voyage of discovery, a personal exploration of the past that examines the story of apartheid right up to Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990 and the first democratic elections held in 1994. You dropped off at your hotel later this afternoon.
29 June 2007 This morning at 09h00 your Group C rental car (Toyota Corolla Automatic or similar, with air-conditioning, power-steering, automatic transmission and CD player/radio) is delivered to your hotel. There are various additional charges which may be put onto your credit card, if you have not already booked them through us. These may include: · Delivery or Collection Charges · Additional Driver - per rental and per driver· One way free - varies depending on pick-up and drop-off points· Refundable fuel deposit· Young driver surcharge (if driver is under 21 years of age)· Cross border fees, if applicable Includes:
Super Damage Waiver, Super Theft Waiver, Personal Accident Insurance
incl Europ Assist, Unlimited mileage, Airport surcharge, Tourism levy, VAT,
Option mobile phone rental (to reserve in advance), National and Regional
Maps, Inbound Guide/Useful Information.
Our quotes include the following additional items: Contract fee
Excludes:
Refundable fuel deposit, Additional Driver charge of per rental, Young
Driver surcharge per day per young driver under 21 years, any optional
equipment, Traffic Fine Handling Fee, Claim Handling Fee, no show fee,
Windscreen, Tyre & Hubcaps damage (additional waiver possible), Water, Sand
and Under-carriage damage, Towing charges, delivery fees You will also be offered various additional services. These will include: GPS unitsThese are available for approx R60 per day (subject to change) and are available in 14 languages. These are only available for airport collections (not deliveries) in Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg. Please pre-book this service if required. CellphonesYou can hire a South African cellphone for use in South Africa, or simply a sim card to place in your personal phone. There is a nominal daily charge for the insurance and the phone calls are at standard SA cellphone call rates. Tourist Information Via RadioThis is installed in your car enabling you to listen real time to satellite transmission of tourist information as you pass specific points of interest. Currently available only in the Western Cape for an additional R15 per day. Maximum Cover upgradeIf you have pre-paid car rental with Standard cover instead of Maximum cover, you can choose to upgrade to Maximum Cover for an additional daily premium (which varies by car group). This will reduce your excess to zero. Additional tyre & windscreen insuranceAdditional tyre & windscreen insurance is available for an additional R25 per day Please be aware that if you have an accident or receive a speeding fine, there will be a claim administration fee, or a traffic fine handling fee, levied on your credit card. Please refer to your Car Rental terms and conditions at the end of this itinerary for further detail on possible charges. After breakfast you drive to Swaziland and the Mbabane area for your overnight stay at Foresters Arms Hotel near the Mlilwane Nature Reserve. Directions from Johannesburg to Foresters Arms Hotel:Take the N12 highway in the direction of Witbank. From Witbank you take the N4 all the way to Nelspruit. From Nelspruit you take R40 sign posted for Barberton. Once you are past Barberton, you turn off the R40 and continue on the Swaziland road. The road turns to gravel as it starts to climb over Saddleback Pass. This is a very scenic road but it is quite tricky to drive as it is quite corrugated, approximately 35km from Barberton. After the border post at Bulembu, you take the forest roads to the town of Piggs Peak, approximately 19km. Please note that this border gate closes at 1600. Continue south on the main road to Mbabane. After 51km you reach a four-way junction where you turn left to travel 14km to Mbabane. When you reach Mbabane, you take the bypass road. After a few kilometres on this road, you come to a set of traffic lights with a sign for Foresters Arms. Turn right here and at the roundabout please go straight over in the direction of Mhlambanyatsi and Bhunya. There is another sign for the Forester's Arms. Take this road due south to Mhlambanyatsi for 27 km. The Foresters Arms Hotel is sign posted off this road. The country hotel is set in hectares of grounds with lovely views from the pool terrace. Foresters Arms HotelForesters Arms Hotel is a comfortable inn in the mountains, set in hectares of grounds with lovely views from the pool terrace. It offers simple, fairly traditional, accommodation but the character of the place is very agreeable and the dinners are delicious. The countryside towards the north of the country is superb, something like Switzerland, and the local people are well-known for their handicrafts, particularly glassware and the recognisable Swazi candles. Horseriding and walking trails available on the property. SwazilandSwaziland is a beautiful, peaceful and relatively prosperous African country. The Swazis have a well-developed sense of their own culture and are open-minded and friendly in their outlook. It is a small country but with several ecological zones from rain forest in the northwest to savannah grassland in the dry eastern parts. The western edge of the kingdom is heavily forested with deep gorges, lush valleys and fast flowing rivers and waterfalls. From Mbabane, you descend to the grassland plateau containing many tropical fruit farms, where the majority of people live whilst the eastern part is generally less attractive, with sugar plantations interspersed with dry scrubby bushveld and fever trees. The Swazis, mainly descended from Sothos and Nguni tribes, are a proud and independent people - over the centuries they have managed to withstand the Zulus who tried to annex their lands. They sought help from white traders and this was almost their downfall. During the 1880's white pioneers began to arrive in search of gold. King Mbandzeni began to sell land concessions and by the time his son inherited the throne, much of Swaziland was owned by the concessionaires. Sobhuza II began a campaign to regain their land and even today no Swazi owns land. It remains the property of the nation. Many visitors are attracted the beauty of Swaziland's homemade crafts. Cottage industries making pottery, leatherwork, candles and fabrics are still thriving. Popular places to buy crafts are Mbabane's Swazi Market (Miller Street) and Tintsaba crafts at the Highland Inn (Piggs Pigg). In the Ezulwini valley, there are several craft shops such as the Mantegna Craft centre just off the main road. However you will see people selling their crafts along the roadside throughout Swaziland. People are generally very friendly and prices exceptionally reasonable. West and North of MbabaneNgwenya Glass Swaziland, and its sister company 'Shades of Africa' are the only glass making factories in Southern Africa. Swazi glassblowers fashion recycled glass into delicate animal shapes, table glassware, ornaments and souvenirs. The basic glass is gathered mainly by school children who are paid according to weight. You can see the glass blowers at work, visit the shop or enjoy a coffee in the coffee shop upstairs. On the road from Oshoek border post to Mbabane, 5km from the border. Shop open daily 0900 to 1600 though factory is closed at weekends. Royal Ezulwini ValleyThis is the general name for the green and beautiful valley which runs east from Mbabane and which plays host to many of Swaziland's hotels and lodges as well as riding stables and craft stalls. There is now a bypass road that runs from Mbabane to Manzini and you need to turn off this road at the sign for the Ezulwini Valley road. The Valley road eventually returns to the highway. Mantenga Craft centre - is a rustic collection of craft shops usually selling crafts from rural cooperatives. Open daily from 0800 to 1700Swazi Cultural Village - the cultural village is a living museum of all things traditional and represents a classical Swazi lifestyle during the mid nineteenth century. Here visitors can see traditional dance and song, arts and crafts, food preparation, dress, hairstyling and marriage ceremonies. Open dailyMantegna Falls - just a few metres away from the Swazi Cultural Village is Swaziland's largest waterfall, the Mantegna Falls.Further towards Manzini (another 20km) and on the road to Bhunya is the Malkerns Valley, a beautiful rural area of farms, orchards and forest interspersed with craft workshops. Baobab Batik is a shop and workshop open to visitors. Continue on the road to Manzini and take the second turn off towards Bunya. Shop open daily 0900 to 1700 but workshop is closed at weekends. Swazi Candle Factory - for candles shaped like mushrooms, birds and animals. Shop open daily 0800 to 1630 but workshop is closed at weekends. Game ReservesSwaziland has three main Game Parks and two nature reserves. Two of these are only really accessible if you are staying there (Hlane and Mkhaya both in the east of the country.) However if you are staying one or two nights elsewhere you may like to visit either Mlilwane Game Reserve or Malolotja Nature Reserve.Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary - Despite being so close to the Ezulwini Valley the reserve is quiet with rolling grassland and craggy mountains. It is home to zebra, giraffe, blue wildebeest and many antelope species as well as crocodiles and lots of hippos. Guided game drives are on offer as well as guided walks or horseback riding. 20km from Ezulwini Valley and Malkerns. Open dailyMalolotja Nature Reserve - is a pristine reserve worth visiting en route between Piggs Peak and Mbabane. Set in the Ngwenya hills it is ideal walking country with spectacular views over the lush countryside. Ask at the entrance gate for a map and list of the walks. Dirt roads lead you to the start of walks or to viewpoints - some roads can be very poor and some are marked for '4x4' and should be avoided. The reserve does not contain any dangerous wildlife rather you will be viewing wildebeest, blesbuck, zebra and red hartebeest amongst others. Open daily 0630 to 1800. Adventure ActivitiesRiver Rafting - White water rafting on the Great Usutu River, a grade IV River with consistent water levels and unspoilt natural beauty, is offered on a daily basis throughout the year by Swazi Trails. Using 2-man rafts escorted by a guide, this day trip is suitable for all including beginners. Contact them on (41) 62180.Caving - descend into the earth's bowels in the mystical Mdzimba Mountains. A half-day adventure with overalls, headlamps and all equipment provided, is offered by Swazi Trails. Walking - Hiking trails are well established at both Malolotja and Mlilwane Reserves.Horse-riding - Swazi people are keen horse riders and there are ample opportunities for horse riding for experienced riders and novices alike including in the Mlilwane Reserve. Nyandze Stables and Trail Rides offer riding through the Malkerns Valley. Contact them on 5283090 General InformationThe speed limit is lower in Swaziland (80/km per hour) so please allow more travelling time in Swaziland. This is partly due to the increased likelihood of encountering farm animals, goats and cows along the sides of the roads.The Swazi currency is Emalangeni (E), which is equivalent to a South African Rand. Though strictly speaking Rands are not official currency in Swaziland you will find that nearly all shops, hotels and craft stalls accept them. However you will usually be given your chance in Swazi currency, though you can ask to have your change in Rands. The Emalangeni is not accepted in South Africa. Border posts are not open 24 hours a day. Oshoek/Ngwenya (west) - open 0700 to 2200 - try to avoid Friday evening/early Saturday or Sunday afternoon as many Swazis living in South Africa use this border post to travel home at the weekends and there can be long queues. Jeppes Reef/Matsamo (north) is open 0700 to 2000. Bulembu (north) is open 0800 to 1600. Nerston/Sanlane (west) is open 0800 to 1800. Golela/Lavumisa (south) is open 0700 to 2200. There is a small road toll levy payable when you enter the country.
01 July 2007 This morning after breakfast you depart from Swaziland to Johannesburg Airport where you return your rental car in the late afternoon. Make your way to the Airport Grand Hotel for your overnight stay. Directions Foresters Arms Hotel to Johannesburg:Make your way back to the N4 on the same route as you came into Swaziland. Take the N4 all the way to Windbank. Take the N12 and follow signs for OR Thambo (Johannesburg International Airport) and return your car to the rental car park. Airport Grand HotelThe 151-bedroom Airport Grand Hotel & Conference Centre is situated a mere five minute drive from the Johannesburg International Airport, offering the leisure traveller and business executive convenient access to the major business centres of Johannesburg and Pretoria. Optional Excursions in Johannesburg Lesedi (mid morning or mid afternoon tour for 3-4 hours)You are collected mid morning (or mid afternoon) for a tour to the Lesedi Cultural Village. Living at Lesedi are families from a number of different rural African groups: the Xhosa with their beautiful thatched homes, red blankets and pipe-smoking women; the Zulus with their fighting traditions and beehive huts; the Pedi with their distinctive courtyards and rhythmic drums and the cone straw hats and sturdy mountain ponies of the Basotho. Each village is inhabited by a family who will give you a brief introduction into their history and culture that will enable you to better appreciate the 'Rainbow Nation' of South Africa. A tour will include a walkabout through two of the four homesteads, some traditional song and dance followed by tasting some African dishes. Lesedi can also be visited independently by rental car. From the northern suburbs you take the M1 highway and then follow the N1 ringroad around to the east. Take the Hans Strijdom off ramp sign and turn right onto the R512. You pass the Lanseria airport on the right and Lesedi is on the left hand side 12km further on. The lunchtime tour begins at 1130 (2½ hours) and the evening tour begins at 1630 (4 hours). Booking is essential on (012) 2051394. Pretoria (half day tour)Pretoria is a pleasant city, with a number of historic buildings and a city centre that is easily explored on foot. It's famous for its Jacaranda trees - the best time to visit is in the spring from Oct to Nov when the city is blanketed with their purple blossoms. Founded in 1855, it was named after Andries Pretorius, the hero of the Battle of Blood River, and was the capital of the independent Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek from 1860 to 1910. With the triumph of the Nationalist Party in 1948, it regained its position as the centre of power. President Mbeki now occupies the lovely Union Buildings overlooking the city and since 1994 an influx of foreign embassies and personnel has brought a refreshing cosmopolitan feel to the city. This tour begins with a visit to the Voortrekker monument, an unabashed tribute to the ideals at the heart of apartheid. Completed in 1949, the monument commemorates the Voortrekkers, the Boer families who left the Cape in order to escape British rule in 1835-38 and 'trekked' far into the hinterland to found their own nation. The Hall of Heroes traces in its frieze the momentous events of their Great Trek, culminating in the Battle of Blood River, when a small force of Boers defeated the mighty Zulu army without losing a single life. Next you continue to the centre of the city where you visit Paul Kruger House, the African Window Museum, Church Square and the Union Buildings. Pretoria can also be visited independently by rental car. Premier Diamond Mine and Pretoria (full day tour)Tour the Premier Diamond Mine where the fabulous 3106-carat Cullinan diamond was found, now with the crown jewels in the Tower of London. The mine itself is on a huge extinct volcanic pipe, which has produced many of the world's famous diamonds during the last 90 years. The Cullinan was found by a labourer at a depth of only 9 metres. In 1907 the rough diamond was sold to the Transvaal government for £150 000, and presented to Kind Edward VII. The stone was cut in Amsterdam over a 2-year period into the 530-carat Greater Star of Africa. The tour begins with a video of the mining process and then you travel through the security area to the Diamond House. Later you have a chance to experience a reconstruction of the underground diamond tunnels before continuing to the Big Hole, three times larger than the 'Big Hole' at Kimberley. You visit the blacksmith's shop and the diamond shop. The mine tour is followed by lunch and an afternoon tour of Pretoria. Gold Reef City (morning or afternoon tour - Tuesday to Sunday)Gold Reef City is situated at the Crown Mines, only 8km south of the city centre. This is a rather sanitised theme-park recreation of the early city in the late 19th century. Visitors are taken down Shaft 14, an old mineshaft 220 metres deep which was in use from 1887 to 1971, and watch a recreation of the complete mining process from the extraction of the ore to the pouring of the molten gold into ingot-moulds. Above ground, the pioneer days of the 'gold rush' have been recreated in the form of a Victorian funfair, an old brewery and pub, and an old fashioned apothecary. A highlight of the tour is the 'isicathulo' or gumboot dance, the traditional dance of the migrant mineworkers. Their loose fitting gumboots were standard uniform issue and are used in the dance to create a rhythm. Gold Reef City is rather kitsch and may not appeal to all however children usually love it. It can also be visited independently by rental car. Take the M1 highway south through the city centre. At the Xavier exit (about 4km from the fork in the main roads), you turn off. At the traffic lights, you turn right and follow the signs to Gold Reef City on Alamein Road. Open Tuesday to Saturday 0900 to 2200. Guided tours at 1130 and 1500 (with additional tours at 1100, 1430 and 1530 during school holidays and at weekends). Contact them on (011) 4961600. Pretoria and the Mapoch Ndebele Village (full day tour) The Pretoria tour can be combined with a visit to the Mapoch village, home to about 250 Ndebele people who live together in their traditional homes known for their geometric colourful patterns. A local guide will accompany on a walking tour through the village followed by a visit to their own shop selling local handmade crafts. Johannesburg Zoo Johannesburg Zoo has 3 000 birds, animals and reptiles in beautiful grounds as well as the rare white lions. You can spend the day relaxing in the 54 hectare gardens or take one of their tours which include Nocturnal & Behind the Scenes tours. 02 July 2007 Take the hotel shuttle to the airport…domestic terminal. SA8104 Y 02JUL 1 Johannesburg /Polokwane B 835A 935A You will be met / picked up at Polokwane airport, arrive around935am...will be at the main town about 12pm ********that afternoon can do half day tour.....work it out when you arrive or walk though the neighborhoods to get a feel of the area.. Cultural immersion Lodging.. you will stay with the guide and his family in the main town, with breakfast and dinners day tours of the area include 4x4 vehicle, petrol and guiding. Day 2 visit the holy forest, Tshatshingo Pothlesand lake Fundudzi*********walking in villages Day 3 visit Mukondeni potter village at Elim plus other areas. Day 4 transfer to Polokwane airport you leaveat 230pm, so need to leave the main town about 11a
SA8103 K 05JUL 4 Polokwane / Johannesburg 220P 335P Today you make your way back to the Airport Grand Hotel for your overnight stay.
06 July 2007 This morning after breakfast you proceed to OR Thambo (Johannesburg) International Airport where you board your scheduled flight to Maun. BP 216 M 06JUL 5 Johannesburg Maun 925A1125A You are met and transferred by light charter flight from Maun Airport to Camp Moremi. (Luggage allowance is strictly 12kg per person in soft bags.) Camp Moremi Camp Moremi is shaded by giant ebony trees and overlooks the Xakanaxa Lagoon, in the heart of what is reputedly Africa's most beautiful reserve - the Moremi. The camp offers a diversity of habitat and animal life, which is unrivalled in Botswana. Here where the Okavango meets up with the vast Kalahari, ancient Mopane forests, open grassland and seasonal floodplains have formed. Trained resident naturalist guides will share their knowledge and deep love of the wilderness with you on game drives where sightings of wild dog, cheetah, leopard, lion, elephants and buffalo are possible. The famous elevated Moremi Tree Lodge is the stunning focal point of this camp and houses the luxurious main lounge, a wildlife reference library, dining room and cocktail bar, all cooled overhead by punkah-punkah fans. Camp Moremi accommodates only 22 safari guests in beautifully furnished East African-style tents, each with private adjacent facilities connected to the tent by an enclosed "lethaka" (reeded) courtyard accessed through a rear exit to the tent. Other lodge facilities include a sundeck, plunge pool, covered boma (reeded dining enclosure) and an elevated game-viewing platform at the water's edge, affording magnificent views over the lagoon - the perfect spot for sundowners after the day's game viewing and activities. BotswanaBotswana is one of Africa's last pristine lands and offers its visitors beautiful scenery and prolific big game in equal measure. Most people know of the Okavango Delta, yet Botswana conjures up so many memorable images for those lucky enough to visit - the shimmering heat rising from the vast white salt pans of the Makgadikgadi pans; the flight of a fish eagle as it glides over the waterways of the delta; the majestic baobab trees rising out of the Kalahari grasslands; or the elephant family coming down to the Chobe River to drink as dusk falls. An enlightened programme of conservation in this stable country has meant that vast areas, one sixth of the country, remain a sanctuary for magnificent herds of game. The Moremi Wildlife ReserveThe Moremi is protected tribal land, which forms the eastern boundary of the Okavango Delta. It is often described as one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in Africa. It combines mopane woodland and acacia forests, floodplains and lagoons and this great diversity of plant life attracts the abundance of animal life for which Moremi is so well known. It's particularly is famous for its predators, both of the mammal and feathered variety. Please note that night drives and armed game walks are not permitted here (given it is a National Park) but the superb quality of the game-viewing more than makes up for this. Game activities will be mostly land-based in the Moremi. The area was officially designated as a game reserve in 1965 and now it contains approximately twenty percent of the Okavango Delta within its boundaries. Chief's Island, the largest island in the delta, is located within the Moremi, stretching from the southern Okavango to the permanent waters near Mombo. It is an extension of the mainland and, because it is slightly higher than the general level of the Delta, it never floods. It is home to a vast number of animals who benefit from the Kalahari sandveld habitat with its close proximity to water. The arid interior of the island is covered by mopane woodlands and acacia thorn-scrub interspersed with clay pans. This is where the large resident buffalo herds of the Okavango are often to be found as they prefer to drink from the rain-filled pans and give preference to the sweeter grasses of the sandy areas rather than the coarser grasses of the floodplains. On Safari in BotswanaWords cannot describe the thrill of tracking a lion on the hunt or observing a breeding herd of elephants at a waterhole. This is an intimate and informative experience. You enjoy game drives in open-vehicle game drives with an experienced ranger who can give you a deeper understanding of the wildlife and the natural cycles of the bush. The pattern of Game-viewingOn arrival you can relax in your room or by the pool until tea and coffee are served at approximately 1530 (in winter) or 1600 (in summer). The pattern for safaris is to take game activities - whether it be a game drive, a boat cruise or a mekoro trip - in the late afternoon and early morning. This is the time when animals are most likely to be seen. Game activities will start immediately after tea and will continue into the early evening. Clothing and equipment on open vehicle game vehiclesCasual bush clothes are the order of the day at the safari camps and you are not expected to dress for dinner. Please ensure that you have a lightweight shirt and trousers to cover yourself in summer evenings when there are mosquitoes about. Neutral colours are most suitable. Bright colours or white are to be avoided if you are planning to take a bush walk with a ranger, as strong colours will scare off the animals. A hat with a brim and sunblock is also essential in Summer. In Winter and Spring, it can be very chilly in the early morning and late evening, no matter how warm it has been during the day - please believe us! Bring a warm jacket for the 0600 starts! It is best to dress in layers of clothing so that you can peel off as the sun comes up. By 0900 it could be quite hot again! Binoculars are necessary to really appreciate the animals and good mammal and bird books will aid in identification and will boost your own enjoyment and recollection of your safari. Photography on SafariFor close-up photographs of animals, it is essential to have a 300mm or telephoto lens. However much of the bush is characterised by wide open spaces, so a 28mm wide angle lens could also be invaluable, especially if you want to emphasize something in the foreground. 100-200 ASA film will be appropriate for most conditions, but some 400 ASA film can be useful for the light conditions at dusk or if you are lucky enough to come across a cheetah in a high-speed chase. Make sure you bring some spare batteries, as these may not be readily available and an ultra-violet filter is also useful for reducing glare. A lens hood will prevent light from diffusing an image if you have to shoot towards the sun. If you are not a regular photographer, the following tips may be useful:The bright sunlight in South Africa means that early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times for photography. Avoid static pictures of animals - a giraffe drinking is a much better photo than one just calmly looking at you. Think about your background - if you are at a water hole you can select a spot to wait, which gives you a good background and the right light. If you don't have a good tele-photo lens, don't be tempted into taking numerous shots of animals in the medium ground. You will end up with lots of photos of green or brown bush! Instead concentrate on taking landscape or scene shots, for example, zebras playing or animals congregated at a water hole. The mornings start early as this is the best time to spot the night-time animals looking for sustenance. The two to three hour drive finishes in time for a late breakfast that sets you up for the day. The pattern for the middle of the day is similar to the first day with lunch and relaxation around the lodge followed by a late afternoon game drive or boat cruise. A boat cruise is very much another form of game viewing as you may see game coming down to drink at the river.
08 July 2007 Today you are transferred by light charter flight from Camp Moremi to Kasane Airport. (Luggage allowance is strictly 12kg per person in soft bags.) On arrival at Kasane Airport you are met by a representative from Elephant Valley Lodge who will transfer you by road to the lodge for your two nights stay and game viewing experience. Elephant Valley Lodge Elephant Valley Lodge lies south of the Kazangula border crossing with the Kasane Forest Reserve, which is adjacent to the Chobe National Park. The camp comprises 20 'meru' style luxury safari tents and can accommodate a maximum of 40 guests. The tents feature en-suite shower and toilet.The lodge is situated in the Lesoma Valley and overlooks an extremely productive water hole. Guests at Elephant Valley are encouraged to join qualified guides on both daily activities, these include a river cruise along the Chobe River in a spacious skimmer and an afternoon safari in a custom built game viewer in the Chobe National Park. Your safari experience includes a morning boat cruise on the Chobe River where guests are provided with a magnificent opportunity to view the various species that frequent the Chobe River. Guests then return back to the lodge, where they can while away their time around the pool area or relax in the lounge. The afternoon safari takes guests into the Chobe National Park where your qualified guide will interpret the sights and sounds of this wildlife sanctuary. Guests return to the lodge through the Kasane Forest Reserve, providing guests with further opportunity to experience a game drive after dark. Chobe National ParkChobe National Park lies in the northeast of Botswana, teeming with animals, in particular with huge herds of elephant and buffalo. The elephant population, estimated to number in excess of 35,000 is the largest single concentration surviving in Africa. Vast endless landscapes, open plains, baobab trees and ancient woodland dominate the panorama. Chobe's animal migrations follow an ancient pattern, only partly understood by man. However, broadly speaking, the game is drawn to the Chobe River during the dry winter season and spreads out to the open grasslands of the Savute marsh and interior pans of the Mababe depression during the wetter summer months. The National Park takes its name from the Chobe River, which forms its northern boundary, and since the first Europeans arrive in the 1850's, it was been a Mecca for the trophy hunters - so its proclamation as a National Park in 1968 was none too late. However now, the Chobe and Linyanti river system is known for some of the best elephant viewing in Africa in the winter months (May to October), with huge herds of up to 500 or more congregating at the end of the dry season. Lion are common, and almost expected, with buffalo, cheetah and an amazing variety of antelope often sighted. The river is alive with crocodile and hippo and marvelous birdlife, including kingfishers and bee-eaters. The mornings start early, as this is the best time to spot the night-time animals looking for sustenance. The two to three hour drive finishes in time for a late breakfast that sets you up for the day. The pattern for the middle of the day is similar to the first day with lunch and relaxation around the lodge followed by a late afternoon game drive. You also have the opportunity to go on sunset river cruises along the Chobe River. This is very much another form of game viewing as you may see game coming down to drink at the river. 10 July 2007 This morning a representative from Elephant Valley Lodge transfer you back to Kasane Airport, where you are going to be met by our representative, United Touring Company. They will transfer you across the Zambian border to Victoria Falls. Kingdom Hotel The all new Kingdom at Victoria Falls, built in 1999, is one of Africa's finest resorts. The distinctive Zimbabwean design, based on the Great Zimbabwe Monument in Masvingo, provides this 4-Star property with a unique feel and atmosphere. Built around a man-made water feature, the 294 bedrooms create the impression of having been built on a lake. With a food court, bars and one of Zimbabwe's finest and most attractive casino's, The Kingdom at Victoria Falls has it all, and is the nearest hotel to the mighty Victoria Falls. United Touring Company will collect you this afternoon at 15h20 from your hotel for your Elephant Back Safari. You are transferred approximately 16kms to The Elephant Camp 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). Upon return to Camp, snacks are served and clients are then transferred back to Vic Falls. Victoria FallsThe Victoria Falls is a dramatic scenic contrast and a change of pace from the private game reserves. It is a sight not to be missed - the clouds of spray generated by this thunderous descent have resulted in a lush rain forest full of stunning wild flowers. A host of activities are centred on three separate delights: the Falls, the magnificent Zambezi River and the surrounding Zambezi National Park. To gain an overall impression of the Falls, the helicopter 'Flight of Angels' is essential. A microlight ride and bungee jumping are available for the truly daring. The Zambezi River has two characters - the wide gentle river above the Falls is the perfect place for languorous sunset boat cruises or gentle canoeing, whilst below the Falls, the more adventurous can enjoy serious white-water rafting or jet-boating. Game drives and horse riding are offered in the Zambezi National Park to view elephant and buffalo. Visitors can also sample elephant back safaris and take part in their grooming and feeding activities at the Elephant Camp.
11 July 2007 Today you are collected from you hotel by a representative from United Touring Company and transferred to Victoria Falls Airport for your scheduled to Johannesburg.
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