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Itinerary
for South Africa Tour - September 2012
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Included
meals are indicated as B =
Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner |
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05.09.12
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Australia - Dubai
Brisbane passengers
depart at 8.45pm on EK 435, arriving
in Dubai at 5.25am the next morning (06.09.12).
Sydney passengers depart at 9.10pm on EK 413, arriving in Dubai at
5.45am the next morning (06.09.12).
Melbourne passengers depart at 9.25pm on EK 407, arriving in Dubai at
5.25am the next morning (06.09.12). |
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06.09.12
(B)
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Dubai
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the Holiday Inn Al
Barsha, where you will be able to get straight into your rooms. The
morning
is free to recover from your flight or explore Dubai.
In the afternoon
there is a sightseeing tour, where we view the Burj Al Arab,
which
is considered by many to be the most famous building
in
Dubai.
Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel which stands on an artificial
island. The shape of the building is designed to mimic the sail of a
ship. Also view the Jumeirah Mosque, which is located within a coastal
residential area of Dubai. There is also a visit to the Gold
Souk,
which is a traditional market in Dubai, located in the heart of Dubai's
commercial business district. The souk consists of over 300 retailers
that trade almost exclusively in jewellery. By some estimates,
approximately 10 tons of gold are present at any given time in the
souk.
Afterwards you are returned to the hotel. |
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07.09.12
(B/D)
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Dubai
This morning is at
leisure. In the afternoon there is a
four
wheel drive 'desert safari' excursion including dune driving, camel
ride, henna painting and Arabic costumes for photographs. For dinner
there is a dune safari meal, including barbeque meats and salads, as
well as fresh fruits and local Arabic sweets. Afterwards you are
returned to the hotel. |
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08.09.12
(B)
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Dubai - Cape Town, South
Africa
After an early
breakfast you are transferred to the
airport for your flight to South Africa. Depart Dubai at 8.50am on EK
770, arriving in Cape Town at 4.25pm. Upon arrival you are met and
transferred to your hotel. |
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09.09.12
(B) |
Cape Town
This
morning you
will be taken to visit the older historical part of the city.
Then it is onto the Company Gardens opposite the Houses of Parliament.
The Company Garden is one of the city's premier tourist attractions - a
green jewel in the heart of a vibrant, bustling metropolis that is the
remaining half of a fresh produce garden planted in the 1650's by the
region's first European settlers.
Time permitting, we move onto Greenmarket Square for some serious
browsing and shopping. Greenmarket Square is a large open air arts and
craft market and is a colourful hive of activity. Afterwards
transfer to the famous V&A Waterfront where you will
have time
to
do some shopping before boarding the ferry to Robben Island, an icon of
the struggle in South Africa for the freedom of it's people. Nelson
Mandela and hundreds of other political prisoners were held there for
many years. Please note that the ferry trip to Robben Island is also
dependant on weather conditions at the time. Return to your hotel and
overnight.
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10.09.12
(B) |
Cape Town
After breakfast board the coach for Table Mountain and weather
permitting you will be able to take a cable car ride up to the top of
Table Mountain where the views are never ending and you can mail your
post cards to friends and family back home. Should the weather
be
unfavourable, you will be taken to Signal Hill to take in the views
from there. Signal Hill is known for the firing of the noon-day gun. In
times gone by, signal flags were used to communicate weather warnings
as well as anchoring instructions to visiting ships in order to ensure
that they prepared adequately for stormy weather while in the bay.
Similarly, ships could use flags to signal for assistance. The guns on
Signal Hill were used to notify the public when a ship was in trouble
and there was a possibility of casualties on the coast near Cape Town.
You will be taken on a spectacular drive over Chapman's Peak and onto
Boulders or Penguin Point at False Bay. Situated on the eastern shores
of False Bay, and in the town of Simons Town, the Boulders area forms
one of the only protected mainland breeding colonies of African penguin
on
the entire African continent.
Continue on to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where you will see
the south western most point of the African Continent.
Return to your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening at leisure. |
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11.09.12
(B/D) |
Stellenbosch - Cape
Winelands
After breakfast head
out into the Cape Winelands stopping
to visit the historical town of Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch is well
known for it's Cape Dutch architecture and Oom Samie se Winkel (Uncle
Samie's Store). The store is an institution in Stellenbosch and a
recommended stop on any visitor's agenda. Continuing the fine old
tradition of the rural trading post, Oom Samie Se Winkel stocks
everything from handcrafted straw yard brooms to clothing, fruit and
veg and arts and crafts. Continue through the Winelands and check into
a Guest Lodge, which will be your home for the next two nights.
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12.09.12
(B/D) |
Winelands
After breakfast head
out for a day in the Winelands,
taking in the spectacular scenery and tasting wine at some of the award
winning estates. Return to the guest Lodge and overnight. |
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13.09.12
(B/D) |
Oudtshoorn
After breakfast check
out of the Lodge and board the coach
for Oudtshoorn, stopping for lunch along the way. After lunch you will
visit an Ostrich Farm before moving onto Oudtshoorn and checking into
your hotel for the night. |
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14.09.12
(B) |
Cango - Knysna
After breakfast check
out of the hotel and take a guided
tour of the magnificent Cango Caves. At the head of the picturesque
Cango Valley, lies the spectacular underground wonder of the Klein
Karoo - the Cango Caves. Situated in a limestone ridge parallel to the
well known Swartberg Mountains, you will find the finest dripstone
caverns, with their vast halls and towering formations.
The visit to the caves will be followed by a visit to the Cango
Wildlife Ranch where you will have a guided tour of the Ranch.
Cango Wildlife Ranch is an endangered species breeding facility and is
the oldest and biggest cheetah contact centre world wide. They also
have a Bengal Tiger breeding program. From Cango, travel onto Knysna
where you will overnight. |
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15.09.12
(B/D) |
Port Elizabeth
Check out of your hotel
and continue on your journey
towards Monkeyland, a haven for previously abused and illegally owned
primates and unwanted pets. It is the world's first free roaming
multi-specie primate sanctuary. Monkeyland provides the primates who
live here with a stable environment, one with permanence and where
there is definitely no exploitation. After enjoying your up close and
personal encounter with these wonderful animals, continue up the coast
to Port Elizabeth. Stop along the way at the Storms River Suspension
bridge in the breathtakingly beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park. Then
on to Port Elizabeth where you will check into your guest
house
for an overnight stay. |
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16.09.12
(B/D) |
Port Alfred
Check out of the guest
house after breakfast and travel to
the Addo Elephant Park, which has a breeding herd of 326 elephants, the
largest number outside the Kruger National Park. Addo is regarded as
the best elephant viewing park in South Africa. Other species such as
rhino, buffalo, zebra, kudu and more can be seen
here. If
you are lucky you may also see a lion or two. In the afternoon exit the
Park and travel onto the seaside town of Port Alfred where you will
check into your hotel and overnight. |
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17.09.12
(B/D) |
East London - Coffee Bay
After breakfast, check
out of the hotel and head for
Coffee Bay. En route you will pass through East London and the old
homelands of the Ciskei and the Transkei. Coffee Bay is on the Wild
Coast on the Indian Ocean, an area famous for the unspoilt beauty of
its beaches and fabulous rock formations such as the Hole-in-The-Wall.
Check into your hotel in Coffee Bay and transfer to the
Hole-in-The-Wall. Return to your hotel to relax before dinner and
overnight. |
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18.09.12
(B/D) |
Durban
After breakfast the
tour continues to the Kwa-Zulu Natal
coast and the subtropical city of Durban. The Zulu name eThekwini
describes the city perfectly and means "where the Earth and Ocean
meet".
This is South Africa's playground and its carnival atmosphere makes it
great for family holidays. However, Durban has a bustling deep sea
harbour and is an international conferencing destination, which makes
this city a hive of activity for businessmen and tourists alike. Upon
arrival in Durban and if time permits, you will visit the big Indian
market with it's colourful and vibrant atmosphere with the smell of
herbs and spices permeating the air. Check into your hotel where you
will overnight. |
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19.09.12
(B/D) |
Hluhluwe
After breakfast, there
will be an opportunity to visit
uShaka Marine World on Durban's beach front. This is the largest
Aquarium and Dolphinarium in South Africa. After lunch the tour travels
up the coast to Hluhluwe. Your next stop will be the Lodge in Hluhluwe,
close to the world famous Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve. The reserve
is home to the Black and White Rhino. Check into the hotel where you
will spend the next three nights. |
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20.09.12
B/D) |
Hluhluwe
Enjoy a day safari in
the Hluhluwe Game Reserve, stopping
at a restaurant at the Reserve. Hluhluwe is one of the oldest reserves
in Africa, where Zulu kings Shaka and Dingiswayo hunted and where the
first conservation laws were put in place. The Park covers some 96,000
hectares and contains a huge diversity of fauna and flora, including
the Big Five. Return to the hotel in time to freshen up before dinner. |
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21.09.12
(B/D) |
Hluhluwe
After breakfast embark
on a visit to Duma Zulu Village. At
Duma Zulu Cultural Village, visitors are invited to experience
authentic hospitality and learn about traditional arts, crafts and ways
of life of the Zulu Kingdom. Experience the beat of the Zulu drums,
taste the locally brewed beer and discover the rich cultural
significance of Zululand's famous beadwork, basketry, pottery and
weaving.
Duma Zulu Cultural Village is a traditional Zulu Village where you can
watch beaders at work, learn about the art of basket weaving
and
see
how men craft the spears, shields and drums for which this warrior
nation is famous.
Continue onto the St Lucia Wetlands and board the cruise boat for a
tour of Lake St Lucia, where you will see the crocodiles and hippos in
their natural habitat.
A very special slice of Africa, the Wetland Park, which is a World
Heritage Site, offers visitors some of the most diverse wildlife and
outdoor experiences imaginable. This unique 38,000 ha expanse of lake,
islands and estuary, incorporates an astonishing variety of habitats
ranging from the Lebombo Mountains to grasslands, forests, wetlands,
mangroves and vegetated dunes, with magnificent beaches and coral
reefs. Return to hotel. |
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22.09.12
(B/D) |
Swaziland
After breakfast the
tour travels in a southern direction
towards the Lavumisa border post, where you will enter the country of
Swaziland.
You will get the opportunity to stop over at a local market and the
world famous Swazi Candle Factory where every candle is hand made,
before checking into your hotel for the night. |
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23.09.12
(B/D) |
Mpumalanga - Malelane
Check out of the hotel.
After breakfast travel over Pigg's
Peak and through the beautiful mountainous scenery of Swaziland, onto
the border post at Jeppe's Reef, where you will enter Kruger National
Park at the Malelane Gate. Travel through Kruger National Park and exit
at the Numbi Gate, close to the town of Hazyview. Check into the Numbi
Hotel for an overnight stay.
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24.09.12
(B/D) |
Kruger National Park
Depart after an early breakfast
on a full day safari in open
vehicles in the Kruger National Park. See the Big 5 in their natural
environment and feel the thrill of being up close with the majestic
animals. Return to your hotel in time to freshen up before dinner.
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25.09.12
(B/D) |
Panorama Route - Pilgrim's
Rest
After
breakfast check out of the hotel and board the
coach for the scenic and spectacular Panorama Route, stopping at God's
Window and paying a visit to the
Tsinini Silk Weavers where you will see a range of beautiful fabrics
and other items woven from the silk of the Mopani worm. The Panorama
Route is one of the most beautiful and popular travel destinations in
South Africa. It leads through the rugged mountain range of the
northern Drakensberg and passes the north eastern part of the Great
Escarpment.
The tour includes a visit to Bourke's Luck Potholes, the Three
Rondawels and the Blyde River Canyon. Bourke's Luck Potholes is a
natural water feature and marks the beginning of the Blyde River
Canyon. Through countless eons the swirling whirlpools which occur as
the Truer River plunges into the Blyde River caused waterborne sand and
rock to grind huge cylindrical potholes into the bedrock of the river.
The rest of the afternoon is spent wandering around the old mining town
of Pilgrim's Rest. The area is richly imbued with a diversity of
natural, cultural and historic gems. The uniqueness of this historic
village is vividly evident in its museums and historic sites. It offers
the visitor a fascinating window into the past and captures the spirit
of a bygone era and its people in their quest for gold. The entire town
of Pilgrim's Rest was declared a National Monument in 1986 as a living
memory of the early gold rush days in South Africa during the late
1800's/early 1900's. Since then a dedicated team of historians,
architects, curators and special interest groups closely monitor all
developments and refurbishments in the village to
maintain it's
historic
appearance.
Check into the historic Royal Hotel in Pilgrim's Rest for an overnight
stay. |
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26.09.12
(B/D) |
Johannesburg
After an early
breakfast, depart for Johannesburg where
you check into a guest lodge for an overnight stay.
If there was not enough time on the 25.09.12 to see the whole
of
the Panorama Route, there will be sufficient time allocated for this in
the morning before heading to Johannesburg. |
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27.09.12
(B) |
Johannesburg - Dubai
Today is at leisure. You will have a 7pm late check out from the lodge,
when you will transfer to the airport for your flights home.
Depart Johannesburg at 10.20pm on EK 766, arriving in Dubai at 8.20am
the next morning (28.09.12). |
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| 28.09.12 |
Dubai - Australia
Melbourne passengers depart Dubai at 10.10am on EK 406, arriving in
Melbourne at 5.35am the next morning (29.09.12).
Sydney passengers depart Dubai at 10.15am on EK 412, arriving in Sydney
at 6.05am the next morning (29.09.12).
Brisbane passengers depart Dubai at 10.25am on EK 434, arriving in
Brisbane at 6.40am the next morning (29.09.12). |
