| |
|
Rotarians worldwide are invited to participate in the Knysna
Rotary Club’s oldest ongoing project. After much research
and an inspection trip of nearly 5,000 kilometres, we
consider Rotary Friendship Tour No 34 to be one of the most
interesting and exciting tours of South Africa that we have
organised during the past 20 years. The tour will be
visiting some new and off the beaten track areas. Charming
accommodation in mainly superior 4 star hotels and lodges
has been hand picked.
 Included in the tour are some of the country’s top
attractions, such as Cape Town, the Garden Route, Cape Winelands, the Kruger National Park and a luxurious,
traditional private game lodge. Completely new territory to
explore will include the hot water springs at Badplaas, the
Majuba Battlefield and the stunningly beautiful Eastern Free
State with the picturesque sandstone cliffs of the Golden
Gate Highlands National Park. Two nights will be spent in
the delightful little town of Clarens and a night in
Bloemfontein will enable us to enjoy a Rotary meeting and
fellowship with local Rotarians. We will have a full day to
explore the historic town of Graaff Reinet in the heart of
the Great Karroo and spend a night at a picturesque inn in
the indigenous forest area of Tsitsikamma. Two nights in
Knysna will be home hosted by local Rotarians with the
opportunity of a make up meeting and Rotary fellowship.
My wife Louise and I, both registered national tour guides,
will accompany the group.
PP James Pannell, Tour Organiser
|
|
| ITINERARY
08 – 29 November 2010
|
| |
|
| |
Day 1 Monday 08 November
OUR ADVENTURE BEGINS IN PRETORIA –
Individual transfers from the airport to hotel
Arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel, located on a tranquil lake near Pretoria, with direct access to a modern shopping complex. Special welcome dinner at Prue Leith’s award winning restaurant this evening.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: CENTURION LAKE HOTEL www.centurionlakehotel.co.za
|
| |
|
| |
 Day 2 Tuesday 09 November
PRETORIA – Past meets the Present
After breakfast our tour of Pretoria will include the imposing Voortrekker Monument, symbolising the Afrikaner’s struggle for freedom and the graceful Union Buildings, administrative centre of the South African government.
Maropeng, the Cradle of Human Kind follows. The entertaining and interactive exhibits at this World Heritage Site tell the story of our ancestry and includes an underground boat ride. Free time for lunch.
Afternoon visit to Lesedi Cultural Village, for a warm traditional African welcome and a tour of the 5 ethnic villages, culminating in a pan African feast and a display of traditional dancing.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: CENTURION LAKE HOTEL
|
| |
|
| |
Day 3 Wednesday 10 November
PRETORIA - HAZYVIEW - Into Mpumalanga, the Province “of the Rising Sun”
Today we drive east to Mpumalanga Province, with a lunch stop in the scenic Schoeman’s Kloof Valley. Our drive then takes us via Nelspruit to the small town of Hazyview and our hotel, surrounded by 10 acres of gardens. Dinner at the inn.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: RISSINGTON INN www.rissington.co.za
|
| |
|
| |
Day 4 Thursday 11 November
HAZYVIEW - Kruger National Park Safari
We have an early start this morning and enter the nearby world famous Kruger National Park. Here we can experience the excitement of spotting and photographing the many species of big game, antelope and birds from the comfort of our coach. We will have many stops at camps and picnic sites, where there is an abundance of bird life – and sometimes animals. After a full day of exploring and game viewing, we exit the Park and return to the luxury of our lodge where a sumptuous dinner awaits us.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: RISSINGTON INN
|
| |
|
| |
Day 5 Friday 12 November
HAZY VIEW - MOTSWARI -From Kruger to Private Game Reserve via the scenic Panorama Route
Depart after breakfast to explore the Panorama Route, including God’s Window, the amazing Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Blyde River Canyon, third largest in the world and one of the scenic wonders of Africa. Continue via the Abel Erasmus pass to our exclusive private game lodge, reserved exclusively for our group, deep in the heart of the Timbavati Game Reserve, arriving in time for a late lunch. Spend two nights here for an unforgettable wildlife safari experience. Game drives will be in open Land Rovers and you will also have the opportunity of enjoying a bush walk accompanied by a ranger. Dinner in the Boma seated around a large fire under the African sky is a special event.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: MOTSWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE www.motswari.co.za
|
| |
|
| |
 Day 6 Saturday 13 November
MOTSWARI - Full Day Exclusive Safari
This beautiful lodge is well placed in the bushveld adjacent and open to the Kruger National Park, offering unsurpassed game viewing opportunities. It is possible to see all of the Big Five here. Check their excellent website for an insight into what you can expect to experience. Savour another day in the bushveld to learn more about this fascinating eco-system. Dinner in the boma.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: MOTSWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
|
| |
|
| |
Day 7 Sunday 14 November
MOTSWARI - BADPLAAS - From Safari to Hot Springs Spa
After a final game drive and breakfast, it is time to leave our friendly hosts at Motswari and head south to the little village of Badplaas, where we spend two nights, for some well earned leisure time. Our award winning hotel (the best in the area), located in manicured gardens, offers comfortable and well appointed rooms. For eons, the almost boiling water has surfaced at this idyllic holiday destination and, depending on your preference; you can choose either hot or warm, indoor or outdoor large swimming pools. The Spa also offers massage and beauty treatments for those who would like to be indulged.
En route, there will be time to lunch at the Riverside Mall in Nelspruit, with a choice of several restaurants or coffee shops.
Buffet dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: FOREVER RESORTS BADPLAAS www.foreverbadplaas.co.za
|
| |
|
| |
Day 8 Monday 15 November
BADPLAAS - A day of rest - or be more active if you prefer
A full day at leisure. Indulge yourself at the Hydro Spa or just relax and enjoy the hot pools and the surroundings. Horse back riding or a game of tennis can also be arranged for the more energetic. Barbecue dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: FOREVER RESORTS BADPLAAS
|
| |
|
| |
 Day 9 Tuesday16 November
BADPLAAS - CLARENS - On to the Free State via KwaZulu Natal and Majuba Hill Battle Site
With batteries recharged, it is again time to travel. Today’s journey takes us from Mpumalanga, through the province of KwaZulu Natal and into the Free State Province. We visit the Majuba Battle site near the town of Volksrus. The battle of Majuba Hill on 27 February 1881 was the main battle of the First Anglo/Boer War. It was a resounding victory for the Boers. After a tour of the site and a picnic lunch, we continue to the delightful village of Clarens “Jewel of the Free State” where we spend two nights. Out hotel has splendid views of the nearby sandstone cliffs of the Golden Gate National Park. Dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: PROTEA HOTEL CLARENS www.proteahotels.com/protea-hotel-clarens.html
|
| |
|
| |
Day 10 Wednesday 17 November
CLARENS - Golden Gate National Park
We spend this morning exploring the Golden Gate National Park, where we take a walk amongst the magnificent cliffs and view the local flora and fauna. You could point your camera in any direction to take a beautiful photograph.
On returning to Clarens, you will be free to explore the tranquil village, home to many artists and known for its many arts and crafts shops, where you can find many curios and original works of art. Free for lunch at one of the many fine restaurants. Afternoon at leisure and dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: PROTEA HOTEL CLARENS
|
| |
|
| |
Day 11 Thursday 18 November
CLARENS - BLOEMFONTEIN - Cherry Wine Tasting and visit a farm for Lunch
After breakfast, we drive via Ficksburg (centre of the cherry producing area – and November is cherry picking time) to the interesting little town of Clocolan,
where we visit a farm for a cherry wine tasting, followed by a visit
to another farm producing essential oil products, where we enjoy a
talk and demonstration on essential oils, followed by a light lunch.
We continue to Bloemfontein, Judicial Capital of South Africa. This
evening we meet with members of the Bloemfontein Rotary Club to
exchange banners and enjoy Rotary fellowship
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: PROTEA HOTEL WILLOW LAKE www.proteahotels.com/protea-hotel-willow-lake.html
|
| |
|
| |
 Day 12 Friday 19 November
BLOEMFONTEIN - GRAAFF REINET - Heading into the Great Karroo and Some More History
Today we continue our journey south on the N1 Highway via Colesberg,
with a lunch stop at Springfontein. We continue on the N9 into the
heart of the Great Karoo “Place of Thirst”, a boundless area covered
by vast sheep and game farms to the historic town of Graaff Reinet,
with magnificent examples of Cape Dutch architecture, where we spend
two nights. Our hotel, filled with antiques and built in 1806 by
famous French architect Louis Thibault as the Drostdy (Magistrate’s
Court) for the district, is now under new management and has
rediscovered itself as the “grande dame” of Graaff Reinet. Set
against a mountain backdrop with it’s magnificent century old Dutch
Reformed Church and over 200 heritage sites, this town is justly
named the Gem of the Karroo. Dinner in the hotel’s elegant dining
room.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: DROSTDY HOTEL www.drostdy.co.za |
| |
|
| |
Day 13 Saturday 20 November
GRAAFF REINET - A trip into the Valley of Desolation
After a walking orientation tour of the town and its lovely buildings, we take a drive in smaller vehicles into the nearby Valley of Desolation with its spectacular rock formations created 120 million years ago. The rest of the day will be at leisure to explore the four extraordinary museums which hold collections of artworks and fossils, tracing the story of the Karroo from pre-history to the present day. Alternatively, you could enjoy some quality time next to the swimming pool with a good book. Dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: DROSTDY HOTEL
|
| |
|
| |
Day 14 Sunday 21 November
GRAAFF REINET - PORT ELIZABETH - TSITSIKAMMA - From the Karroo to the Settler City into the Forest
Today’s drive takes us via the mohair farming area of Jansenville to Port Elizabeth, home to the 1820 British settlers, where we will have a lunch stop on the beach front. After a short city tour, we head in a westerly direction along the N2 to the Garden Route for overnight at the Tsitsikamma Lodge, in the forested area of the Southern Cape. Dinner at the lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: TSITSIKAMMA LODGE www.tsitsikammalodge.com |
| |
|
| |
Day 15 Monday 22 November
TSITSIKAMMA - KNYSNA -
Tsitsikamma Coastal Nat.
Park and discover some of the secrets of the Garden Route
Our first stop today is at the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park, where you can take a walk through the indigenous forest, swim in the ocean, or just relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Our next stop will be at the Crags, where we visit Birds of Eden, a sanctuary for over 3,000 African birds, comprising 220 species, in the world’s largest free flight aviary. There will be free time for lunch on the deck next to the lake. Then on to the Knysna Elephant Park, a sanctuary for elephants in need of the best home possible, born out of the struggle for survival of the Knysna Elephants. Our short visit will include meeting, feeding and interacting with these gentle giants.
We make a stop at Plettenberg Bay for an expansive view of the white beaches, lagoon and the rocky peninsula of Robberg. Our final destination for the day is Knysna, where you will be met by your Rotarian hosts, who will home host you for the next two nights. Dinner with your hosts this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Home hosted by Knysna Rotarians
|
| |
|
| |
Day 16 Tuesday 23 November
KNYSNA – Featherbed Bay Nature Reserve, Knysna Rotary Club project visits, Evening Rotary Fellowship
After breakfast, take a ferry to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. A tractor/trailer ride to the top of the Western Head gives spectacular views of the coastline and the Knysna Estuary. Return on foot if you wish to walk through the coastal forest, along the Bushbuck Trail. Buffet lunch under the milkwood trees before returning to the Knysna Waterfront for a little free time. Afternoon visits to some of the Knysna Rotary Club’s projects in the townships. Evening meeting with Knysna Rotarians and partners, with fellowship and exchanging of banners.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Home hosted by Knysna Rotarians
|
| |
|
| |
Day 17 Wednesday 24 November
KNYSNA – ARNISTON – Mossel Bay. Post Office Tree, Swellendam, Cape Augulhas (Southernmost point of Africa)
Today we take the N2 Highway to Mossel Bay, where the Europeans first made landfall in Southern Africa. Here we visit the Maritime Museum and the Post Office Tree, South Africa’s first “post office”. Our drive then takes us through the rolling wheatlands of the Southern Cape with a stop for a hearty country style lunch in Swellendam, South Africa’s third oldest town. After lunch we drive to Cape Augulhas, the southernmost point of the African continent. A short drive then takes us to our hotel, located next to an old fishing village in one the Cape’s most exquisite locations on the warm Indian Ocean. Dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: ARNISTON SPA HOTEL www.arnistonhotel.com
|
| |
|
| |
Day 18 Thursday 25 November
ARNISTON – A day of leisure and indulgence – or some hiking along the coast
After a busy few days, you will have a full day to relax to the rhythm of the waves. Walkers will enjoy a hike to Waenhuiskrans, a large cave a few kilometers along the coast. For the less energetic, a walk to the picturesque fishermen’s cottages and the harbour is a good option. There is a safe swimming beach right in front of the hotel, or you can spoil yourself with a treatment at the spa. Dinner tonight will be a traditional meal in a fisherman’s cottage.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: ARNISTON SPA HOTEL
|
| |
|
| |
 Day 19 Friday 26 November
ARNISTON – WINELANDS – CAPE TOWN
Depart after breakfast for a full day tour of the beautiful Cape Winelands. We visit Franschhoek, in the beautiful valley where the French Huguenots settled, followed by a wine tasting and sumptuous lunch at the famous Boschendal Estate. After lunch we visit historic Stellenbosch with its oak lined streets and the Village Museum, depicting the life and times of a bygone era. We then drive to Cape Town, where we check in at the PORTSWOOD HOTEL on the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where we spend three nights. Free for dinner tonight to dine at the hotel or one of the many fine restaurants nearby.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: PORTSWOOD HOTEL www.portswood.co.za
|
| |
|
| |
Day 20 Saturday 27 November
CAPE TOWN – City Tour, Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens
This morning we do a city orientation tour, followed by a trip by cable car to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting). We visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, beautifully situated at the foot of the mountain. Return to your hotel in time for a late lunch. The rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure to explore the Waterfront.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: PORTSWOOD HOTEL
|
| |
|
| |
Day 21 Sunday 28 November
CAPE TOWN – Cape Peninsula & Cape Point, Boat Trip to Seal Island
Full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, visiting Camps Bay and Hout Bay Harbour, where we take a boat trip to Duiker Island to see the large colony of Cape Fur Seals. Continue the scenic drive across the Peninsula, to Simonstown, for many years an important Naval Base. Lunch stop at the Black Marlin seafood restaurant, housed in a former whaling station. We then enter the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where we visit Cape Point, legendary meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Return to the hotel via the Constantia Winelands. Special farewell dinner at the Waterfront this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: PORTSWOOD HOTEL
|
| |
|
|
Day 22 Monday 29 November
CAPE TOWN – Individual transfers to the airport for departure
A day at leisure to enjoy the Mother City, until it is time for your transfer to Cape Town International Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
ADDITIONAL NIGHTS CAN BE BOOKED FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEND MORE TIME IN CAPE TOWN. |
|
| |
|
|
We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary and to substitute hotels, should this
become necessary due to circumstances beyond our control.
PRE AND POST TOUR PACKAGES TO VICTORIA FALLS CAN BE ARRANGED ON REQUEST
PRICE
R34,490 (South African Rand) per person in sharing accommodation
R9,600 Single supplement
Price based on 25
Passengers travelling together. For lower numbers add
R1900 per person.
Approximate conversions as at January 2010 – Subject to currency fluctuations:
-£2700 -€3100 -US$4400
|
|
