ROYAL AFRICAN DISCOVERIES SOUTHERN AFRICA FIT MANUAL 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Royal African Discoveries Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Map of South Africa.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Map of Southern Africa .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Using our FIT Manual ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Tips for Tourists .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 Programmes ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 South Africa – Johannesburg, Pretoria and Surrounds ......................................................................................................................................... 8 South Africa - Sun City, Madikwe and Waterberg Area .....................................................................................................................................20 South Africa - Kruger National Park and Surrounds .............................................................................................................................................22 South Africa – Kwa-Zulu Natal Province ................................................................................................................................................................27 South Africa – Eastern Cape Province and Port Elizabeth .................................................................................................................................32 South Africa – Western Cape Province, Cape Town and Garden Route .......................................................................................................38 South Africa - Luxury Rail ..........................................................................................................................................................................................50 Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana ........................................................................................................................................................................55 Namibia ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................60 Mozambique..............................................................................................................................................................................................................63 Terms & Conditions ...................................................................................................................................................................................................66 2 FIT Manual - WORLD Royal African Discoveries Introduction Royal African Discoveries is one of South Africa‟s leading privately owned tour operators and DMCs. Over the past twelve years, the company has built a reputation for service excellence, personalised service and innovative experience-based tours. Widely respected for its precision and efficiency, Royal African Discoveries should be your first choice when selecting a tour operator in Southern Africa. A dedicated and experienced Royal African Discoveries team is always on hand to take care of the traveller‟s every need. Our team has extensive knowledge of the whole southern African region (not just South Africa) and has personally experienced the products and properties we recommend. The team is also familiar with the requirements of very diverse markets from all the corners of the world. To go the extra mile has become second nature at Royal African Discoveries. A meet and greet service is provided to all guests arriving at Johannesburg or Cape Town International airports and all our clients have access to a 24-hour assistance number. Our transport providers all have impeccable operational records and carry the required public liability insurance. Reputable and service-orientated hotel groups and suppliers (such as restaurants, sightseeing providers and guides) are selected with the utmost care to ensure that the tour programme delivers a top quality experience. Royal African Discoveries is also national member of SATSA (The Southern Africa Tourism Association). SATSA acts as benchmark organisation for credibility and quality within the South African Tourism industry. WE PROVIDE Impeccable reputation Experienced staff A dynamic and personalised service Innovative tour programmes Best value-for-money rates A programme of experiences - more than just sightseeing 24-hour support to all tour members A meet and greet service 3 FIT Manual - WORLD Map of South Africa 4 FIT Manual - WORLD Map of Southern Africa Victoria Falls 5 FIT Manual - WORLD Using our FIT Manual The Royal African Discoveries Manual contains a selected number of programs that can be sold to first -time but also repeat visitors to South Africa. A wide variety of clients will all therefore be able to find a particul ar program that will suit them. The programs are either on a private or seat-in-coach/scheduled departure basis. The differences between these tours are as follows: PRIVATE PROGRAMS: This describes a tour where passengers will be in a vehicle for their exc lusive use with a driver-guide. Private tours depart daily subject to availability and can be tailored to suit your clients' needs. SEAT-IN-COACH/FIXED PROGRAMS/SCHEDULED DEPARTURES: Where passengers join a pre-packaged tour with a fixed program and travel with other passengers. These programs are based on set departure dates/days e.g. Wednesday & Sunday. The contents of the tours cannot be changed although pre-tour and post-tour hotel nights and sightseeing options are available. We‟ve arranged the programs in such a way that you are able to combine a number of programs from various cities into one tour that covers the whole country (and some of our neighbouring countries). Royal African Discoveries is known for its ability to tailor make tours based on the requirements of clients. Any of the listed private programs can thus be fine tuned to the specific requirements of clients (e.g. upgraded to superior accommodation or extending length of st ay at particular property in program etc.). Please contact our office should you have any such requests. MEET & GREET SERVICE: All passengers travelling with Royal African Discoveries will be met upon arrival at either Cape Town International Airport o r Johannesburg International Airport. Relevant documentation and vouchers will be handed over to clients at this stage and passengers will be assisted to their first service (e.g. transfer / car rental kiosk / domestic terminal). All bookings are subject to a once-off & compulsory meet & greet fee of ZAR 240.00 per booking. This is not included in the quoted rates and must still be added. RATE VALIDITY: All rates are valid as specified and all rates are based on the use of standard rooms at hotels or lodges. All ad hoc accommo dation rates quoted are on a bed and breakfast basis unless otherwise specified. 6 FIT Manual - WORLD Tips for Tourists 7 Time difference: GMT +2. Currency: the monetary unit in South Africa is the Rand (R) = 100 cents, with the international symbol ZAR. The current r ate of exchange is 1 USD = ZAR 7.00. The currency exchange is subject to fluctuations and thus just an indication. Most credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, and American Express) and travellers‟ cheques in major currencies are accepted. Petrol/gasoline cannot be purchased with standard credit cards. Electricity: 220/250 V AC, 50 Hz. Plugs are of the round 3-pin variety. Bathroom plugs have two pins. Water: drinking water from taps is safe in towns and hotels. Language: English is widely spoken throughout the country, although there are 11 official languages. E nglish is commonly accepted as the business/commercial form of communication. Royal African Discoveries can provide guides in languages of your choice on reques t for private tours. Most common non-English languages available are: French, Spanish, Dutch, Mandarin, German, Italian and Cantonese. Immunisation: no international immunisation is required when visiting South Africa. Malaria risks exist throughout the year i n certain areas and precautionary action is advised when visiting these areas. For further i nformation on what medical precautions to take before travelling to Africa, please visit www.travelclinic.co.za. Climate: South Africa‟s climate is generally mild throughout the year with summer from October unt il March and temperatures between 15C/59F and 36C/97F. Winter temperatures vary between 2C/36F and 15C/59F. Rainfall occurs in winter months in the Cape and al ong the Garden Route, between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. The rest of the country experiences s ummer rainfall. Shops: open from 08.30 to 17.00 Monday to Friday, and generally closing at 12.30 on Saturdays. In tourist areas shops are oft en open later during the week as well as over weekends. Banks: open from 09.00 to 15.30 from Monday to Friday and on Saturday‟s from 08.30 to 11.00. Taxis: cannot be hailed on the street and must be ordered by telephone. Tipping: for service is standard and any tip is normally welcome but 10% is a good guideline. Tips are not included on restau rant bills. Safety: it is advisable to follow internationally accepted guidelines: o Leave valuables in a hotel room safe or safety deposit facility o Only carry as much CASH as is necessary o Don‟t enter deserted or unsafe-looking areas o Ensure that you have appropriate insurance cover o Visas: please consult your local embassy/consulate on visa requirements. Taxation: 14% VAT (Value Added Tax) is levied on goods and services. Foreign Tourists can have their VAT refunded at a port o f exit, provided the value of items purchased exceeds ZAR 500.00 Proof of payment will be required for claims. No refund on services. FIT Manual - WORLD Programmes South Africa – Johannesburg, Pretoria and Surrounds BACKGROUND: The tent and tin shanty town which sprang up hot on the heels of the discovery of gold in 1886, has developed into South Africa's largest city: a vibrant, bustling modern metropolis which, while lacking the obvious attractions of our coastal towns, certainly has a lot to offer the sightseer and explorer. A popular attraction is Gold Reef City, just south of the city centre, where you can descend 220m underground, see a bar of gold being poured, browse through the charming r econstruction of Johannesburg circa 1888, clip-clop through the streets in a horse-drawn buggy and wind up with a foaming tankard of draught. Its latest attraction is a giant Ferris wheel, allowing panoramic views of Johannesburg. Take a picnic lunch to the Zoo Lake, north of the city centre, where you can feed the ducks, hire a rowing boat or simply rel ax in this peaceful oasis. Close by is the Zoo where the red pandas and white lions can be seen, as well as the farmyard, which the kids will love. Museums abound! The Museum of Military History has a superb collection of airplanes, tanks, armoured cars, weapons and memorabilia pertaining to the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer Wars, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Border War and MK; the Bernberg Costume Museum and the Museum Afrika in the Newtown Cultural Precinct which incorporates the Bensusan Museum of Photography and the South African Museum of Rock Art. For shopping, Johannesburg is back to tops: Southgate, Eastgate, Northgate, Westgate, Cresta, Sanlam Centre, Fourways Mall, Balfour Park, Rosebank, very chi-chi Hyde Park and ritzy, glitzy Sandton City, with its renaissance add-on, Sandton Square. Affectionately known as the Jacaranda City for all the purple blossom-bedecked trees, which line its thoroughfares in summer, Pretoria is an elegant, quiet city that's a perfect contrast with its more frenetic neighbour, Johannesburg, just half an hour away. Pretoria has a long, involved and fascinating history - first as the capital of the independent Boer republic of the Transvaal, then as one of the three capitals of South Africa, it became an international synonym for apartheid. But that all changed in 1994. With Nelson Mandela's inauguration, the Union Buildings morphed overnight from a symbol of white, neo-colonial domination to one of true unity. And it's only one of the many landmarks in this cultural city. The Transvaal Museum boasts excellent natural history displays and is the home of Mrs Ples, the australopithecine fossil found at Sterkfontein in the Cradle of Humankind. Artefacts from the Iron Age state of Mapungubwe are exhibited at the Mapungubwe Museum at the University of Pretoria. The famous golden rhino, golden sceptre, golden bowl and various gold, ivory and copper ornaments, trade beads and Chinese ceramics are on display. Also worth visiting are the Cultural History Museum and the Smuts Museum, in Irene, just outside Pretoria. The fact that the iconic Voortrekker Monument still stands is a tribute to the inclusiveness of the new regime in South Africa. More adventurous travellers could do a short horse trail at the Voortrekker Monument or through the Premier Game Reserve, taking a careful look at some white rhino and a number of eland. Perhaps tandem skydiving or a first jump at the Pretoria Skydiving Club, which is the largest in the country, would be right up your ally. The nearby town of Cullinan is the site of the discovery of the biggest diamond in the world. It's worth a visit; there are mine tours, lovely restaurants, beautiful stone buildings and - best of all - an on-site manufacturing jeweller where you can buy a stone from the mine and have it mounted in a custom -designed piece. 8 FIT Manual - WORLD ACCOMMODATION: Please find below a selection of hotels that we would recommend for your stay in Johannesburg. These are the most popular hot els offering the best location and value for money in each accommodation category. Please refer to our accommodation wholesale rate sheet for alternative hotel options. Property & Description Rate Code [JA1] Peermont Metcourt Laurel (3*) Peermont Metcourt offers stylish and comfortable rooms for corporate, convention and leisure guests. The hotel's clean and modern façade is complimented by a private and sheltered pool terrace, set in a beautifully landscaped garden. [JA2] Peermont Mondior (4*) Peermont Mondior hotel sets an exciting standard in world-class business, conference and leisure accommodation. The hotel features 150 spacious rooms and suites furnished in contemporary African elegance and fitted with cutting-edge technology. [JA3] Crowne Plaza The Rosebank (4*) Crowne Plaza – The Rosebank is a modern and stylish Johannesburg hotel and is only 30 minutes from O.R. Tambo International Airport. The hotel is ideally located for business travel and is a mere 10 minutes drive to Sandton‟s Business District. [JA4] The Radisson Blu (5*) Situated in Africa's richest square mile, Sandton, the Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton, offers beautifully-appointed guest rooms matched with personal service standards. Some of the continent's best shopping and golf experience are close by. 9 FIT Manual - WORLD AIRPORT / HOTEL TRANSFERS: Service Rate Code Private transfers [JT1] SCHEDULED DAY TOURS: HALF DAY SOWETO TOUR: Departures: Daily @ 09.00am Duration: 3 hours [JS1] Soweto, a sprawling metropolis of more than 3.5 million people on the outskirts of Johannesburg, is a multi-cultural composite of South Africa today. Peek into the past - hostels, Freedom Square, the struggle for liberty. Stand on the only road in the world that carries the honour of two recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize. The tour includes a full view of Soweto from the vicinity of Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, visits to African merchants of traditional medicines, a typical four-roomed dwelling and informal settlement, a crèche, an old age home, affluent suburbs and a typical shebeen. HALF DAY GOLD REEF CITY TOUR: Departures: Tuesday - Sunday @ 08.15am Duration: 4 hours [JS2] Drive South to Gold Reef City for a 3 hour guided tour including a ride on a sightseeing train, small crafts vil lage and a trip down the Gold Mine, to Level 5 (220m/785 ft below the surface). See a 12.5kg gold pour, be entertained by Siyagida African Dancers. Built around an old gold mine, this theme park is a reconstruction of Johannesburg during the Gold rush Era. Included in this tour is a descent down an old gold mineshaft to learn how gold was extracted in the past, witness molten gold poured and watch an exciting display of tribal dancing. Full day or half -day tours are available at the same rate. HALF DAY PRETORIA CITY TOUR: Departures: Daily 12.00pm Duration: 4 hours [JS3] Beautiful Pretoria is known as the “Jacaranda City”. Visit the Voortrekker Monument, a large granite edifice that incorporates a museum commemorating the Great Trek. Visit Church Square that is surrounded by fine old buildings, including the Old Raadsaal (parliament) and the Palace of Justice. The impressive Union Buildings were designed by Sir Herbert Baker and completed in 1913. Considered by many to be the architect‟s greatest achievement and South Africa's finest architectural masterpiece, this was the site for the inauguration of Nelson Mandela (10 May 1994) and Thabo Mbeki (16 June 1999 &27 April 2004). 10 FIT Manual - WORLD FULL DAY PILANESBERG AND SUN CITY TOUR: Departures: Daily @ 07.00am Duration: 10 hours [JS4] Depart early to the Pilanesberg National Park for an open vehicle game drive. Try and track down the Big 5 (leopard, lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo) during your 2½-hour game drive. You will then be transferred to Sun City that lies deep in the heart of the bushveld and at the heart of an ancient volcano. Africa‟s Kingdom of Pleasure comprises four marvellous hotels, all offering the fantastic facilities of this legendary resort. Sun City offers an enormou s range of things to do - both indoors and out. Scintillating entertainment: shows in the Sun City theatre, games and video arcade, a selection of movies in the cinema complex. Wonderful selection of shops and boutiques stocking souvenirs and mementoes of your stay at one of the greatest resorts of them all! OVERLAND TOURS: 4-NIGHTS MPUMALANGA Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Private [RADJ1P] DAY 1, JOHANNESBURG-BLYDEPOORT-OHRIGSTAD Suggested time of departure: 08.30am. Meet your English-speaking driver-guide at Johannesburg International Airport or at your Johannesburg hotel. Travel towards the Mpumalanga province in the east of the country. One of South Africa‟s top tourist destinations given the scenery, the wildlife, the plant life, the gold rush history and the ancient tribal legends. Few places in the world can match the beauty of the Lowveld and the escarpment. Travel via Dullstroom & Lydenburg to Pilgrims Rest. Explore the historical town of Pilgrim‟s Rest - a living museum. Continue along the Panorama route taking in all the sights: God‟s Window & Bourke‟s Luck Potholes. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: HANNAH LODGE or similar www.hannahlodge.co.za NONE DAY 2, OHRIGSTAD-HOEDSPRUIT After enjoying a sumptuous breakfast, depart on a scenic drive to the Blyde River Canyon of what is regarded as Africa‟s “Gra nd Canyon”. Proceed via the Abel Erasmus Pass to Edeni Private Game Reserve where you arrive in time for lunch. Enjoy an afternoon game viewing drive on open 4x4 vehicles that continues into the evening to search out the nocturnal animals. Dinner is served at your lodge upon yo ur return. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: 11 EDENI HOYO-HOYO TENTED CAMP or similar www.edeni.com BREAKFAST/ LUNCH / DINNER FIT Manual - WORLD DAY 3, HOEDSPRUIT After an early morning wake up call for your dawn game viewing drive in open 4x4 vehicles, return to the lodge for breakfast before. Spend the day at the lodge. After lunch at the lodge enjoy an afternoon game viewing drive on open 4x4 vehicles that continues into the evening to search out the nocturnal animals. Dinner is served at your lodge upon your return. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: EDENI HOYO-HOYO TENTED CAMP or similar BREAKFAST/ LUNCH / DINNER DAY 4, HAZYVIEW After an early morning wake up call for your dawn game viewing drive in open 4x4 vehicles, return to the lodge for breakfast before continuing on your tour. Visit the Hoedspruit Cheetah Research project for a guided tour. Established in 1988, the Centre is the brainchild of Lente Roode, the wife of successful businessman Johann Roode. It was initially established as a breeding programme for the then endangered cheetah, but following the enormous success of the cheetah breeding programme, has evolved into a legitimate breeding programme for other endangered African animal species. The ultimate objective of the Centre is to return endangered African species to the wild once their numbers have increased to such an extent that they can be released. Needless to say, this is a long-term objective that requires substantial commitment, both human and financial. Check into your hotel in the afternoon. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: PROTEA HOTEL HAZYVIEW or similar www.proteahotels.com BREAKFAST DAY 5, HAZYVIEW-JOHANNESBURG After enjoying a sumptuous breakfast, checkout of your hotel and travel back to Johannesburg via the towns of White River, Ne lspruit & Machadodorp. Arrival back in Johannesburg is at approximately 16.00pm and drop off can be at the O. R. Tambo International Airport or your Johannesburg hotel. ** It is recommended that clients not book any connecting flights for the same day as Royal African Discoveries or their agen ts cannot be held responsible for any delays as a result of circumstances beyond our control that could directly or indirectly have any influen ce. ** MEALS: 12 BREAKFAST FIT Manual - WORLD 4-NIGHTS LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Private [RADJ2P] DAY 1, JOHANNESBURG-PHALABORWA Suggested time of departure: 08.30am Meet your English-speaking driver-guide at Johannesburg International Airport or at your Johannesburg hotel. Travel north with the N1 road to Polokwane (formerly known as Pietersburg) and continue past Zion City Moria to Tzaneen and Letsitele. Enjoy views of the Citrus Orchards and plantations en route. Continue to your hotel on the border with Kruger National Park in Phalaborwa. The famous Kruger National Park, one of Africa's largest game reserves, stretches along the entire length of the Estate's eastern boundary. Greet the African dawn on the manicured fairways of the challenging 18 Hole, Par 72 Championship golf course, where crocodile and hippo add spice to the normal "hazards" of a good game of golf. Wild game including elephant, lion, giraffe and a wide variety of antelope and bird life are often seen on the golf course and in the surrounds. The main hotel itself with its large trees, water features and beautifully landscaped gardens, as well as the cool ambience of the traditional thatch, provides an oasis of leisure and elegance, the ultimate African dream. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: HANS MERENSKY HOTEL or similar www.hansmerensky.com BREAKFAST DAY 2, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK This morning is an early start for your full day game viewing drive aboard open 4x4 vehicles in the Kruger National Park. This major international tourist draw card offers a wilderness experience, which ranks with the best in Africa. The sight of elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo is always a thrill, especially at close range. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Sitting on the patio having chilled refreshments is the perfect way to relax at the end of the day. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: HANS MERENSKY HOTEL or similar BREAKFAST DAY 3, PHALABORWA–BLYDEPOORT Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before departing south to the town of Hoedspruit. Visit the Hoedspruit Cheetah Research project for a guided tour. 13 FIT Manual - WORLD Established in 1988, the Centre is the brainchild of Lente Roode, the wife of successful businessman Johann Roode. It was initially established as a breeding programme for the then endangered cheetah, but following the enormous s uccess of the cheetah breeding programme, has evolved into a legitimate breeding programme for other endangered African animal species. The ultimate objective of the Centre is to return endangered African species to the wild once their numbers have increased to such an extent that they can be released. Needless to say, this is a long-term objective that requires substantial commitment, both human and financial. Continue via the Abel Erasmus Pass to your resort commanding excellent views of the Blyde River Canyon - the 3rd largest canyon in the world - for your overnight stay. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: FOREVER RESORTS BLYDEPOORT or similar www.foreversa.co.za BREAKFAST DAY 4, BLYDEPOORT-DULLSTROOM After enjoying a sumptuous breakfast, depart to your hotel in Mpumalanga via the Panorama Route. You will visit to the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke‟s Potholes and God‟s window on the Panorama route. Continue via Pilgrim‟s Rest and Lydenburg en route to your hotel situated in South Africa‟s Trout Fishing Mecca, Dullstroom. Try your hand at fly-fishing in one of fifteen well stocked dams with Rainbow, Brown and Golden Trout, or at Archery or Clay Pigeon shooting, or treat yourself to sunset game viewing. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: WALKERSONS HOTEL & SPA or similar www.walkersons.co.za BREAKFAST DAY 5, DULLSTROOM–JOHANNESBURG Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before continuing east to the city of Pretoria for a brief orientation tour. 14 FIT Manual - WORLD Beautiful Pretoria is known as the “Jacaranda City”. Visit the Voortrekker Monument, a large granite edifice that incorporates a museum commemorating the Great Trek. Visit Church Square that is surrounded by fine old buildings , including the Old Raadsaal (parliament) and the Palace of Justice. The impressive Union Buildings were designed by Sir Herbert Baker and completed in 1913. Considered by many to be the architect‟s greatest achievement and South Africa's finest architectural masterpiece, this was the site for the inauguration of Nelson Mandela (10 May 1994) and Thabo Mbeki (16 June 1999 & 27 April 2004). Arrival back in Johannesburg is at approximately 16.00pm and drop off can be at the O. R. Tambo International Airport or your Johannesburg hotel. ** It is recommended that clients not book any connecting flights for the same day as Royal African Discoveries or their agen ts cannot be held responsible for any delays as a result of circumstances beyond our control that could directly or indirectly have any influence. ** MEALS: BREAKFAST 2-NIGHTS KRUGER NATIONAL PARK Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Scheduled seat-in-coach [RADJ3S] DAY 1, JOHANNESBURG-KRUGER GATE Depart at 07.00am from your Johannesburg hotel or at 08.00am from Johannesburg International Airport by a striking and unique 'safari branded' vehicle driven by a professional safari ranger dressed in full safari uniform . This adventure accents an authentic African Safari experience from start to finish. From Johannesburg, head east via Nelspruit, White River and Hazyview to the spectacular Mpumalanga. Arrive at the safari hotel set in indigenous forests. Freshen up before your African safari begins. Enter the world famous Kruger National Park, unrivalled in its diversity of flora and fauna and spend the afternoon game viewing in an open safari vehicle. Return to the lodge as the dinner drum sounds, and enjoy dinner under the stars in a traditional African Boma (weather permitting). OVERNIGHT: PROTEA HOTEL KRUGER GATE or similar WEBSITE: www.proteahotels.com MEALS: DINNER DAY 2, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK Enjoy an early morning game drive in Open Safari Vehicle in the Kruger Park with breakfast en route. Return to Lodge and take some time to enjoy the timber walkways threading through the forests or just relax by the magnificent pool to experience the true chorus o f Africa - the grunt of a hippo, the bark of a baboon or a laugh with the hyena. 15 FIT Manual - WORLD Later on depart on your afternoon game drive in Open Safari Vehicle in the Kruger National Park. There are 300 different types of trees, 49 species of fish, 33 types of amphibian, 114 different reptilian species, 507 species of birds and 147 species of mammals in the park. The park is also home to the Big Five game. Return to your hotel where you can enjoy a lavish dinner. OVERNIGHT: PROTEA HOTEL KRUGER GATE or similar MEALS: BREAKFAST / DINNER DAY 3, KRUGER GATE-JOHANNESBURG Your final early morning game viewing drive on an open safari vehicle in the Kruger National Park with your experienced game ranger who will endeavour to spoil you with sightings of the 'big five', general game and prolific birdlife. After returning to the lodge for a sumptuous breakfast, your safari ranger will drive you back to Johannesburg. Depart from this wildlife haven via Sabie and over the scenic Long Tom Pass to Lydenburg. Continue via Dullstroom to Johannesburg arriving in the early evening ( approx 18h30). ** It is recommended that clients not book any connecting flights for the same day as Royal African Discoveries or their agents cannot be held responsible for any delays as a result of circumstances beyond our control that could directly or indirectly have any influ ence. ** MEALS: BREAKFAST 2-NIGHTS MABULA PRIVATE GAME LODGE Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Private [RADJ4P] DAY 1, JOHANNESBURG-MABULA Suggested time of departure: 09.30am Meet your English-speaking driver-guide at Johannesburg International Airport or at your Johannesburg hotel. Travel north with the N1 road to Polokwane (formerly known as Pietersburg) and continue past Pretoria en route to your hotel situated in the magnificent, malaria free Waterberg. Lunch will be served upon arrival. In the afternoon depart on your 4x4 open vehicle game safari. An open vehicle safari at Mabula is an exhilarating experience for nature and wildlife lovers . Return to your lodge where you can enjoy dinner. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: 16 MABULA PRIVATE GAME LODGE www.mabula.co.za LUNCH / DINNER FIT Manual - WORLD DAY 2, MABULA Enjoy an early morning game drive in Open Safari Vehicle with breakfast served upon your return. A sheer escarpment of more than six hundred metres divides the 12 000 ha reserve into two different eco-systems, each with its own distinctive charm. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy an optional guided walk or horseback safaris. Lunch is served at your lodge. In the afternoon depart on your 4x4 open vehicle game safari where you may be lucky to catch sight of the ever -elusive leopard. Your dinner will be served on your return. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: MABULA PRIVATE GAME LODGE BREAKFAST/ LUNCH / DINNER DAY 3, MABULA-JOHANNESBURG Depart on your final early morning game drive where rangers will supply you with a wealth of information regarding our fauna and flora, as well as cultural heritage, history and geology. Return to the lodge for breakfast before departing for your comfortable drive back to Johannesburg arriving at approximately 14.00pm . Drop off is at Johannesburg International Airport or your Johannesburg hotel. MEALS: BREAKFAST 5-NIGHTS JOHANNESBURG TO DURBAN Departures: Daily (subject to availability)/ Basis: Private [RADJ5P] DAY 1, JOHANNESBURG-HAZYVIEW Suggested time of departure: 08.30am Meet your English-speaking driver-guide at Johannesburg International Airport or at your Johannesburg hotel. Travel via the panorama route. Blyderivierspoort Nature Reserve stretches from the pinnacle near to Graskop to Swadini in the north. The magnificent Blyde River Canyon, a gigantic gorge, is one of the natural wonders of Africa. On both sides of the canyon, sand stone cliffs rise between 600 and 800 m above the river bed. These cliffs are dominated by three circular projections called the Three Sisters or Three Rondawels. God‟s Window provides a view that is one of life‟s great experiences. Check into your hotel close to the Kruger National Park. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: 17 PROTEA HOTEL HAZYVIEW www.proteahotels.com DINNER FIT Manual - WORLD DAY 2, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Enter the Kruger National Park and in the company of your tour guide enjoy a full day safari experience. This major international tourist draw card offers a wilderness experience, which ranks with the best in Africa. The sight of elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo is always a thrill, especially at close range. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: PROTEA HOTEL HAZYVIEW BREAKFAST & DINNER DAY 3, HAZYVIEW-SWAZILAND Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Depart Hazyview and head south to Swaziland. After the border formalities, enter the Kingdom of Swaziland. The landlocked Kingdom is surrounded on the north and south by provinces of South Africa, and on the east is bordered by Mozambique. The Kingdom provides travellers the ideal gateway between Kwazulu-Natal and the Kruger National Park - no better route is available with added advantage of discovering a whole new country filled with bygone African traditions and culture. Arrive at the Ezulwini Valley and check into your hotel. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: LUGOGO SUN www.suninternational.com BREAKFAST DAY 4, SWAZILAND-MKUZE Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Depart from Swaziland and head south towards Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. Check into your hotel located at the foot of the legendary Ghost Mountain. Freshen up and depart on an evening game drive, experience the African night with its magnificent skies and the possibility of nocturnal species such as ant-bear (aardvark), leopard, genets, night jars and a host of smaller creatures. The night also allows one the opportunity to use other senses and to relax to the sounds and aroma of Africa. Upon return from the game drive, enjoy dinner at the hotel. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: 18 GHOST MOUNTAIN INN www.ghostmountaininn.co.za BREAKFAST & DINNER FIT Manual - WORLD DAY 5, MKUZE Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Depart on a boat cruise. Lake Jozini lies in a dramatic setting at the foot of the Lebombo Mountains and is one of South Africa's largest dams. There are several exquisite gorges which abound with cycads and a wide variety of birds. On the western side of the dam one might see elephant, rhino, hippo and crocodile. The 13 varieties of fish found in the dam include tilapia, catfish, mud fish, carp and the sought after tiger fish. A catch and release policy for the tigers is promoted and anglers are encouraged to retain only one trophy fish each per day, releasing the live smaller ones. Enjoy another afternoon game drive into the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. The oldest game park in Africa (along with nearby St Lucia), this reserve was proclaimed to prevent the white rhino from becoming extinct. Eighty species of mammal (including the big five) and in excess of 300 species of birds are supported in this 96 000 ha reserve. Enjoy dinner at the hotel upon your return. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: GHOST MOUNTAIN INN BREAKFAST & DINNER DAY 6, MKUZE-DURBAN Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Depart Ghost Mountain and drive towards Durban. Reach the city in the afternoon. Drop off is at Durban International Airport or your Durban hotel. MEALS: 19 BREAKFAST FIT Manual - WORLD South Africa - Sun City, Madikwe and Waterberg Area Background: Sun City Resort is located in the North West Region of South Africa, and is surrounded by mountains and the untamed majesty of the African bushveld. It is adjacent to the 97hectare, malaria free Pilanesberg National Park, where elephants, rhinos, lions and antelope roam freely. Sun City is a world unto itself and has earned its reputation as Africa's Kingdom of Pleasure. Whatever you want, you'll find it at Sun City. From sizzling entertainment, world-class casinos and restaurants which cater for all tastes, to the more relaxed poolside venues, quiet places, and lush gardens and extensive sporting facilities including two world-class golf courses. They also cater for people with special needs. These are just some of the elements that make Sun City unique to the world's entertainment resorts. The wide choice of conference venues and hotel accommodation from The Palace of The Lost City to the informal Sun City Cabanas as well as uncompromising standards and professionalism, ensure a level of convention and banqueting facilities that few can beat. Finally re-discovered and now part of Sun City, The Lost City and the Valley of Waves, fabled to be the ruins of a glorious ancient civilisation, celebrate and bring to life the legends of this mystical city. The Lost City is internationally applauded for its wonderfully imaginative theme and exquisite landscaping whilst the fantastic Valley of Waves is one of the world's most exciting water parks. The Madikwe Game Reserve, situated against the Botswana border, 90 km north of Zeerust, just three hours' drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria, is now one of South Africa's prime safari destinations. Madikwe is a Big Five game reserve covering some 75,000 hectare. It is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa. The rich diversity of vegetation ensures a wide range of game and the back to topography offers ideal game viewing opportunities. Apart from its undeniable come-hither beauty, Madikwe is an amazing success story of translocation where 8,000 animals (including herds of elephants) were re-located - flown or driven - to the reserve, over a period of seven years from various parks around Southern Africa. Today this 760 sq km of bushveld, savanna and riverine forest is an Eden regained where the Big Five plus the endangered wild dog and the rare black rhino roam wild and free. And the early morning bird song is the chorus of some of the 350 species of birds that flit here. The Waterberg is also malaria-free and one of the country's premier wildlife areas, featuring many private game reserves. One of the last truly wild places in the country, the Waterberg was created as a sanctuary for rare and endangered animals and includes the Big Five. The Waterberg is aptly named for its strong streams that flow even in dry seasons, making for excellent game viewing. The Waterberg is an extremely vast area and covers an area of about 15 000 square kilometres in the most northern parts of South Africa. Characteristic of this area is the Waterberg Mountain Range which is one of the longest mountain ranges, not only in South Africa, but in the Southern Hemisphere. These mountain formations were created when sediments were deposited in a huge trough known as the Waterberg basin, bounded on the north and south by two fault zones. The landmasses on either side of the zones have moved to form the Waterberg plateau, which looks like an enormous inverted saucer. 20 FIT Manual - WORLD ACCOMMODATION: Please find below the hotels available for your stay at the Sun City Resort. Property & Description Rate Code Sun City Cabanas (3*) The refreshing, laid back ambience of the Cabanas at Sun City is the immediate impression one receives upon welcome. The most relaxed and casual of all the hotels at Sun City, the Cabanas offer informal yet comfortable accommodation. [SCA1] [SCA2] Sun City Main Hotel (4*) The Sun City Hotel is the hedonistic heart of the Sun City Resort. The ambience of the Hotel is one of glamour and sophistication. From the moment you enter the foyer your senses are assaulted by the bold design aspects and dramatic setting. [SCA3] Sun City Cascades (5*) This is a sophisticated, elegant hotel. Lush gardens, tropical birds and water features give The Cascades its unique and relaxing atmosphere. Striking, beautifully coloured birds and fish are at home in the Cascades gardens and lakes which cover the gently sloping hillside. [SCA4] Palace of the Lost City (5*+) The centre piece of the extraordinary Palace of the Lost City complex is a fairytale palace residence, built with unbelievable attention to detail. The interior features exquisite mosaics, frescoes and hand-painted ceilings depicting South Africa's wildlife and culture. AIRPORT / HOTEL TRANSFERS: Service Rate Code Private transfers 21 [SCT1] FIT Manual - WORLD South Africa - Kruger National Park and Surrounds Background: The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. With a range of accommodation and game drive safaris to suit all preferences and budgets, the Greater Kruger National Park offers, you, the visitor, an exceptional experience in Africa at its best. Each year South African game reserves win many international tourism awards for their hospitality excellence. The friendliness and enthusiasm of the staff, the unique bush activities on offer and the luxurious and private camps and lodges are a combination that sets South African wildlife tourism apart as truly remarkable. Imagine a river side villa with private splash pool and elephants browsing just a stone's throw away. South Africa's private game reserves make dreams like this come true. Most of South Africa's private game reserves boast the Big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo. These animals were the most feared by hunters in the past and now serve as major tourism draw card because they instil respect and awe in anyone who encounters them. Other animals typically spotted in the country's wildlife areas are giraffe, zebra, blue wildebeest, greater kudu, hippopotamus and thousands upon thousands of impala - the most common antelope of southern Africa. There is, however, more to the African bush than abundant wild animals, luxury accommodation and terrific food. Be prepared to be amazed by ancient trees and awed by the expansive landscapes, admire colourful butterflies and listen to the sounds of bush. Your trip to this area will not be complete without sback to topping over on the panorama route. The small town of Graskop is the gateway to Panorama, South Africa. It's a good place to set up base. Scenic landmarks with evocative names like God's Window, Wonder View, the Pinnacle, Bourke's Luck Potholes and Three Sisters as well as the awe-inspiring. Lisbon, Berlyn and MacMac waterfalls are a short drive away. Adding some historical romance into the mix, half an hour's drive from Graskop, the gold rush town of Pilgrim's Rest - a national monument in its entirety - gives you the chance to relive the 1873 gold rush in surroundings of unparalleled beauty. You can even try your hand at panning for gold. ACCOMMODATION: Please find below a selection of private game lodges that we would recommend for your safari trip in the Greater Kruger Natio nal Park area. These are the most popular lodges offering the most convenient location and value for money in each acc ommodation category. Please refer to our accommodation wholesale rate sheet for alternative hotel options. 22 FIT Manual - WORLD Please note! Rates are based on a per night stay and include 3 meals per day as well as teas/coffees and 2 scheduled daily ga me viewing safari drives. Please note that all of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve lodges do not include return airport transfers unless otherwise indicated. We would suggest that clients fly directly from Johannesburg International Airport directly to the Lodge airstrip on scheduled chartered flights. KINGFISHER RESORTS Kingfisher resorts bring you the following properties in the Kruger National Park; all on their own private concession. Imbali Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park can accommodate 24 guests and guests can look forward to luxury suites, each with their own private Jacuzzi and magnificent wooden decks. With an air of opulence befitting royalty, Imbali Safari Lodge is the perfect African utopia where guests will find serenity. Hoyo-Hoyo Tsonga Lodge is one of Africa‟s hidden treasures and this unique camp is steeped in modern day opulence and luxury. This camp can accommodate 12 guests in six luxury air conditioned „bee-hive‟ suites with earth coloured walls, king size beds, en-suite bathrooms, outdoor showers and private game viewing deck. Hamiltons Tented Camp offers a unique private safari experience with six magnificent canvas tents complete with teak floorboards, mosquito nets, slipper baths, and outdoor showers. With a fine tradition of luxury in true 'Out of Africa' style, guests are assigned personal butlers, rangers and trackers in this 1930‟s themed tented camp. Imbali Safari Lodge (5*) Hoyo Hoyo Tsonga (5*) Hamiltons Tented Safari Lodge (5*) [KA1] [KA2] [KA3] THORNYBUSH PRIVATE GAME RESERVE Nestled in the heart of Big 5 country adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park, with a huge diversity of mammal and bird species, lies 11 500 hectares of pristine African Bushveld, this is the Thornybush Game Reserve. Unrivalled big game viewing is complemented by 4 exquisite accommodation options and sublime cuisine at each of these properties. Chapungu Tented Camp is a place where you can relax and reflect on the tranquillity and intimacy afforded by this small camp. Eight comfortable tents, each with private facilities and a feature bushveld bath, connects by pathways with the main Camp. N’Kaya Lodge offers the discerning guest the very best in privacy and is the ideal destination for a quiet, peaceful safari with a capacity of only four exclusive suites. Set on the crest of a hill that overlooks the Drakensberg mountain range and shaded by tall trees, nKaya Lodge boasts spacious double suites each with private lounges and twin en-suite amenities. Serondella is a comfortable and intimate Lodge on the banks of the seasonal Monwana River and accommodates eight guests in varied accommodation choices. There are three luxury suites, each with excellent views. Guests can choose which accommodation choice best suits their requirements, but to a maximum of eight guests. Main Lodge provides accommodation consisting of stylish air-conditioned suites, with extensive living areas overlooking the seasonal Monwana River. There are 18 suites, 2 family suites and accommodation caters for a maximum of 40 people collectively. Whether you are a couple looking for an exclusive, romantic, private safari; a family looking to occupy your little ones or a Group with a diverse range of requirements, Thornybush Game Lodge caters for all your needs. 23 FIT Manual - WORLD Chapungu Tented Camp (4*) N‟Kaya Lodge (4*) Serondella (4*) Main Lodge (5*) [KA4] [KA5] [KA6] [KA7] LION SANDS PRIVATE GAME RESERVE The Lion Sands Private Game Reserve is situated in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Pak. River Lodge has been built on the banks of the Sabie River, positioned on a site with trees dating back 800 years. Here you are invited to relax and experience African hospitality at its finest. The interior of the rooms is a tranquil cream and beige haven, cool in the summer, cosy in the winter. There are 18 luxurious thatched bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, outdoor & inside shower & wooden viewing deck. Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is ultra luxurious, yet simple and uncluttered. The lodge is about overriding exclusivity with complete privacy, where each suite is operated as a private villa. The Lodge comprises six generously sized privately situated villas, each with a separate living room, heated swimming pool and an open plan en-suite bathroom with an enclosure for the outdoor shower. River Lodge (5*) Ivory Lodge (5*+) Please note: Lion Sands Private Game Reserve includes return airport transfers to/from Mala Mala Airport. KAPAMA GAME RESERVE Kapama Private Game Reserve occupies a vast area between the northern Drakensberg mountains and the Greater Kruger National Park. It is the largest single-owner game reserve in the region, and is perfectly situated to receive guests flying into Eastgate Airport (Hoedspruit). This airport is just minutes from the reserve and Kapama include free airport transfers in open safari vehicle direct to any of the four lodges in Kapama; Kapama Lodge, Kapama River Lodge, Kapama Buffalo Camp and Kapama Karula. These camps and lodges can accommodate a total of 208 people between them. [KA8] [KA9] Kapama River Lodge is situated within Kapama Game Reserve, and presents the perfect blend between luxurious safari accommodation and a generous bed capacity of 64 bedrooms. The northern Drakensberg mountain range provides a majestic backdrop to this lodge. Each spacious room at Kapama River Lodge features a full en-suite bathroom and terrace with uninterrupted views into the leafy-green Big 5 game reserve. Kapama Main Lodge offers sweeping views across a tranquil lake and create a sentiment of feel-good as soon as you arrive. Thatched viewing decks overlooking the water ensure instant relaxation here at Kapama Lodge. Set along stone pathways among leopard orchids, aloes, and fever trees are Kapama Lodge's twenty thatched chalets. The rooms are spacious, air-conditioned and decorated to reflect the rich textures and colours of Africa. Kapama Karula is set on the banks of the Klaserie river which flows throughout the year. The seven luxury tents and five exclusive suites that make up Kapama Karula – "the place of peace" – are in every way true to their name. The river glides smoothly forming sparkling pools that attract smaller riverine animals and a myriad of birds in every season. 24 FIT Manual - WORLD Kapama River Lodge (4*) Kapama Karula Lodge (5*+) [KA10] [KA11] SABI SABI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, situated in the world-renowned 65000 hectare Sabi Sand Wildtuin in the South-Western section of the Kruger National Park, is a wildlife oasis, where you can observe at close quarters the age-old natural relationship between predator and prey. Bush Lodge has been Sabi Sabi's flagship lodge for decades and is famed for its warmth, vibrancy and legendary hospitality. Bush Lodge is a luxurious safari escape set in the heart of the Sabi Sabi bushveld overlooking a waterhole and an African plain. Each of the 25 spacious, air-conditioned thatched suites is beautifully appointed, featuring exquisite ethnic décor in keeping with the bushveld environment. The en-suite bathrooms feature al-fresco as well as glass-fronted indoor showers, affording wonderful views of the bushveld. Earth Lodge is a sanctuary symbolising a new era in luxury South African safari lodges. Sculpted into a slope of the earth, almost invisible in the landscape, the lodge uses texture, light and space to present a lodge like no other. Taking its cue from the surrounding environment, it has been described as the most environmentally sensitive lodge in Africa. Home to 13 ultra-luxurious suites including the Amber Presidential Suite, the lodge breaks with traditional bush lodge style to create a masterpiece of artistry and innovation. Bush Lodge (5*) Earth Lodge (5*) Return Scheduled Chartered flight from Johannesburg [KA12] [KA13] [KA14] SINGITA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE Singita Sabi Sand offers rare solitude and the ultimate in safari luxury on prime game viewing land recognised globally for its diversity and formidable concentration of big game and frequent leopard sightings. The following lodges are suggested in this reserve Ebony Lodge has a commanding presence and an essence that evokes an intense feeling of familiarity - as if visiting a congenial family home. Singita Ebony Lodge offers twelve suites, all with their own en suite bathroom and shower, outside shower, heated private swimming pool, double-sided fireplace, mini bar and fridge, room mini safe, air-conditioning, overhead fans, private lounge, direct dial telephones and game-viewing deck. Boulders Lodge has a contemporary air of tranquillity that honours Africa in an authentic way. Inspiring the name Boulders was an enormous boulder that sat right in the middle of the place where the wine cellar was to be built. Singita Boulders Lodge offers twelve suites, all with their own en suite bathroom and shower, outside shower, private heated swimming pool, double-sided fireplace, mini bar and fridge, room mini safe, air-conditioning, overhead fans, private lounge, direct dial telephones and game-viewing deck. 25 FIT Manual - WORLD Ebony Lodge (5*) Boulders Lodge (5*) Return Scheduled Chartered flight from Johannesburg [KA15] [KA16] [KA17] SIMBAMBILI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE Simbambili Lodge, situated within the Thornybsuh Game Reserve is situated among dense stands of knobthorn and jackalberry trees along the meandering Manyeleti River in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. The morroccan-styled suites have been sensitively designed to blend with the environment and carefully positioned to enhance privacy. Each of the eight suites offers guests their own plunge pool and Sala overlooking the watering hole. Simbambili Lodge (5*) Return Scheduled Chartered flight from Johannesburg [KA18] [KA19] & BEYOND Adjacent to the world renowned Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve is famed for its intimate wildlife encounters, particularly leopard viewing. Home to a host of wildlife, including the Big Five, Sabi Sand is part of a conservation area that covers over two million hectares (almost five million acres). Kirkman’s Camp allows you to step back in time into the gracious atmosphere of this original homestead and marvel at the spectacular views of the unspoiled wilderness from each of the 18 guest cottages. Spacious sitting, dining and bar areas contain mementos of a time long past, while the untamed wilderness outside whispers a promise of adventures not to be forgotten. Exeter River Lodge is set in a grove of ebony trees which lends its shade to this gracious lodge, where dramatic views of the nearby river are enjoyed from every corner of each of the eight suites. Warm afternoons are spent cooling off in private plunge pools or simply soaking up the beautiful scenery. Kirkman‟s Camp Exeter River Lodge Return Scheduled Chartered flight from Johannesburg 26 [KA20] [KA21] [KA22] FIT Manual - WORLD South Africa – Kwa-Zulu Natal Province Background: KwaZulu-Natal is a mosaic of sights and experiences, of thrusting vital cities like Durban, a golden coastline which is the darling of surfers and swimmers, and mountains that ripple across the horizon like the waves of a brown ocean. Here you will find soft and extreme adventure and game safaris where you eye the Big Five while lolling in luxurious comfort. This province is also the proverbial melting pot where African, Indian and European elements are stirred to create a rich stew of experiences. Sophisticated and cosmopolitan; Durban Metro after dark is abuzz with elegant lounges, funky taverns and cosy inns, distinctive local theatre and live music, trendy clubs, pubs and discos. Rave 'till dawn and catch sunrise over the vast Indian Ocean horizon - this is nightlife in a modern, authentic African metropolis! The Northern and Central Drakensberg area has some of the most beautiful scenery that can be imagined. The area falls into four valleys, beginning with the Champagne Valley in the Central Berg, through the Cathedral Peak and Didima Valley, then the Royal Natal National Park and Amphitheatre Valley, and finally the Middledale Pass Valley in the Northern Berg. Each of the four valleys has its own kind of beauty and character; all have magnificent mountain views. ACCOMMODATION: Please find below a selection of hotels that we would recommend for your stay in Durban. These are the most popular hotels of fering the best location and value for money in each accommodation category. Please refer to our accommodation wholesale rate sheet for alternative hotel options. 27 FIT Manual - WORLD Property & Description Rate Code Garden Court South Beach (3*) Scenic ocean views form part of your experience at The Garden Court South Beach. Set on the Durban beach front and within walking distance to the beach, this hotel is in close proximity to endless entertainment for the whole family. A preferred holiday destination, the Garden Court South Beach is truly rejuvenating. Southern Sun Elangeni (4*) Southern Sun Elangeni is situated on Durban's North Beach with breathtaking views of Durban's Golden Mile and the warm Indian Ocean. Business and leisure travellers will enjoy fine service and hospitality at one of Durban's premier hotels. [DA1] The Beverley Hills Hotel (5*) Languishing between a sun-burned blond beach and the warm waters of the south western Indian Ocean is Umhlanga Rocks, one of South Africa's premier coastal locations and the setting for the Beverly Hills Hotel. [DA3] [DA2] AIRPORT / HOTEL TRANSFERS: Service Rate Code Private transfers [DT1] SCHEDULED DAY TOURS: HALF DAY DURBAN CITY TOUR: Departures: Daily @ 09.00am / Duration: 3 hours [DS1] This three-hour tour begins with a drive along Durban's Golden Mile continuing to the harbour entrance for a short stop. Travelling along the Victoria Embankment the tour passes the Vasco Da Gama clock, the Dick King statue and the Yacht Club. After passing the sugar terminal and the University of Natal, the tour proceeds through the residential areas of Berea and Morningside to the Botanical Gardens with its splendid orchid house. The last stop on the tour is at the famous Indian Market full of spices and souv enirs. Passing the Post Office and City Hall in the city centre, we return to the hotel. 28 FIT Manual - WORLD FULL DAY SHAKALAND CULTURAL EXPERIENCE: Departures: Daily @ 08.30 am / Duration: +/- 8 hours [DS2] After being picked up at your hotel you travel through sugar cane fields to Eshowe. Here you will visit the authentic Zulu Kraal of Shakaland - feel the pulsating rhythm of Africa as you re-live the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulu tribe. The highlights include the sight of assegaai-wielding warriors; fascinating secrets of Sangomas; spear making, tribal dancing and beer making ceremony and a traditional Zulu lunch (included). OVERLAND TOURS: 2-NIGHTS HLUHLUWE NATIONAL PARK Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Private [RADD1P] DAY 1, DURBAN-HLUHLUWE Suggested time of departure: 10.30am. Meet your English-speaking driver-guide at Durban International Airport or at your Durban hotel. Travel north to Hluhluwe and continue to the Hluhluwe Hotel & Safari situated between the World renowned Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, where you will arrive in the afternoon. Hluhluwe Hotel & Safaris is renowned for its African ambiance, excellent cuisine and personal touch provided by friendly staff and owners Patrick and Jill Eliot who live by their motto "Hospitality is our Game". Enjoy dinner at the hotel that could be either a hot and cold buffet or a traditional braai (barbeque) depending on the weather. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: PROTEA HLUHLUWE HOTEL & SAFARI or similar www.proteahotels.com DINNER DAY 2, HLUHLUWE Depart on your early morning game viewing drive on open 4x4 vehicles. The Hluhluwe / Umfolozi Game Reserve offer some of South Africa‟s most exceptional wild areas. It supports over 2000 rhino (white and black) - the largest concentration in the world. Return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy an afternoon game drive on 4x4 open vehicles. The game reserve is the second oldest wildlife reserve established in the world after Yellow Stone Park in the U.S.A. Return to your hotel for dinner. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: 29 PROTEA HLUHLUWE HOTEL & SAFARI or similar BREAKFAST / DINNER FIT Manual - WORLD DAY 3, HLUHLUWE-DURBAN Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before departing on your transfer back to Durban. Arrival back in Durban is at approximately 15.00pm and drop off can be at the Durban International Airport or your Durban hotel. ** It is recommended that clients not book any connecting flights for the same day as Royal African Discoveries or their agents cannot be held responsible for any delays as a result of circumstances beyond our control that could directly or indirectly have any influence. ** MEALS: BREAKFAST 3-NIGHTS DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Private [RADD2P] DAY 1, DURBAN-DRAKENSBERG Suggested time of departure: 11.00am. Meet your English-speaking driver at Durban International Airport or at your Durban hotel. Travel to you hotel set deep in the Drakensberg Mountains of KwaZulu Natal. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner is at your hotel and offers a n extensive buffet of superb culinary creations, personally overseen by the hotel's team of top -class chefs. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: CATHEDRAL PEAK HOTEL or similar www.cathedralpeak.co.za DINNER DAY 2, DRAKENSBERG After enjoying a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, you have the full day at leisure for activities t o suit both young and old such as hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, golf, helicopter flips etc. A guided mountain walk, with panoramic views from lookout points along the way is sure to leave visitors feeling revitalised and alive. The day ends with dinner at your hotel. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: CATHEDRAL PEAK HOTEL or similar BREAKFAST / DINNER DAY 3, DRAKENSBERG Plan your day at leisure during breakfast at your hotel. Surrounded by some of the world's most stunning scenery, the hotel a lso enjoys the privilege of an abundance of game, birds, plants and rock art. These natural treasures, together with Cathedral Peak Hotel's many sport and recreational facilities, lure holidaymakers to this award-winning hotel time and time again. After dinner at your hotel, enjoy pool, darts or sport on the big screen in the well-known Harry's Bar or relax in the comfort of Albert's Cocktail Bar with the ambience of a roaring log fire. OVERNIGHT: CATHEDRAL PEAK HOTEL or similar MEALS: BREAKFAST / DINNER 30 FIT Manual - WORLD DAY 4, DRAKENSBERG-DURBAN Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before departing on your transfer back to Durban. Arrival back in Durban is at appr oximately 15.00pm and drop off can be at the Durban International Airport or your Durban hotel. ** It is recommended that clients not book any connecting flights for the same day as Royal African Discoveries or their agents cannot be held responsible for any delays as a result of circumstances beyond our control that could directly or indirectly have any influence. ** MEALS: 31 BREAKFAST FIT Manual - WORLD South Africa – Eastern Cape Province and Port Elizabeth Background: For the total South African experience, Port Elizabeth, gateway to the Eastern Cape, is the perfect extension to the Garden Route, Settler Hinterland, Sunshine Coast and Cape. Located on the south-eastern coast of Africa, this major seaport and tourist destination is set along the dazzling shores of Algoa Bay and is fondly referred to as 'The Friendly City'. As a family and adventure holiday destination, the city offers an unbeatable and diverse mix of eco-attractions: scenic nature trails and magnificent wildlife experiences, long golden beaches, a rich historic heritage and a unique coastal climate. Tourists who take the time to discover Algoa Bay's 40km of magnificent coastline boasts a perfect combination of warm water, protected beaches and invigorating sea breezes. The beaches are wide expanses of golden sand and include Bluewater Bay, Brighton Beach, Hobie Beach, King's Beach, Pollok Beach, St George's Strand and Wells Estate. Algoa Bay is regarded as one of the best sailing venues in the world, while scuba-diving is of world-class quality with beautiful reefs, shipwrecks, fish and colourful coral species. Bayworld is one of Port Elizabeth's major tourist attractions and is situated on the beachfront at Humewood and comprises the Museum, Oceanarium, Snake Park and Tropical House. In addition to the popular daily dolphin and seal presentations hosted at the Oceanarium, the Snake Park houses a wide variety of exotic and indigenous snakes, as well as an impressive variety of Eastern Cape Reptiles, while a profusion of exotic plants may be viewed at the Tropical House. It has a full mix of family fun, entertainment, shopping, dining and gaming. ACCOMMODATION: Please find below a selection of hotels that we would recommend for your stay in Port Elizabeth. These are the most popular h otels offering the best location and value for money in each accommodation category. Please refer to our accommodation whole sale rate sheet for alternative hotel options. 32 FIT Manual - WORLD Property & Description Rate Code City Lodge Port Elizabeth (3*) The city lodge port Elizabeth is situated across the road from Humewood Beach, within walking distance of many restaurants, 500m from the Oceanarium and Boardwalk casino and entertainment area. [PA1] The Kelway Hotel – Luxury Sea Facing Rooms (4*) The Kelway Hotel is perfectly positioned just a few minutes from the airport, and within walking distance to popular tourist attractions and swimming beaches of Port Elizabeth. [PA2] [PA3] Protea Hotel Marine (4*) Among the superior beachfront hotels in Port Elizabeth, the 4-Star Protea Hotel Marine is unparalleled. Overlooking the sun-drenched sands of Pollock Beach, with sweeping views of Algoa Bay, this hotel, in the heart of the Friendly City, is renowned for its quality facilities, personal service and luxurious atmosphere. [PA4] Radisson Blu Port Elizabeth (5*) Stunning contemporary architecture, chic urban interiors and breath-taking views over the expansive, sparkling Indian Ocean are what make the Radisson Blu the first choice of stay when visiting Port Elizabeth. AIRPORT / HOTEL TRANSFERS: Service Rate Code Private transfers [PT1] 33 FIT Manual - WORLD OVERLAND TOURS: 2-NIGHTS MAGICAL GARDEN ROUTE Departures: Daily / Basis: Scheduled seat-in-coach [RADP1P] DAY 1, PORT ELIZABETH-WILDERNESS Time of departure: 08.00 am Departing Port Elizabeth, enter the Garden Route via the high forests of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. Attractions to be visited through the Tsitsikamma Forest area include the Big Tree. Remember to keep an eye out for the rare Knysna Loerie. Gaze in awe at the scenery whilst crossing the suspension bridge over the Storms River where photographic opportunities abound. After lunch (not included) at the scenic Storms River mouth, continue via the 'millionaires playground' of Plettenberg Bay to South Africa's 'Oyster Capital', Knysna. After a short refreshment stop at Knysna's East Head we continue via Sedgefield to the quaint seaside village of Wilderness. Enjoy a superb dinner (not included) at the hotel or at one of the nearby restaurants, located within walking distance. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: WILDERNESS RESORT HOTEL AND SPA or similar www.wildernessresort.co.za NONE DAY 2, WILDERNESS From our hotel in Wilderness, we travel to Knysna to embark on the Featherbed Nature Reserve ferry from the Knysna Waterfront. On arrival we take a 'Unimog' (tractor driven wagon) ride to the top of the Western Head. An optional hike can be taken through the indigenous Knysna forest to the restaurant area where lunch (included) is served. On our return to Knysna we depart for an elephant experience, where we are able to enjoy a very close encounter with these gigantic mammals. Finally we take the scenic drive back to Wilderness for drop off at your hotel. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: 34 WILDERNESS RESORT HOTEL AND SPA or similar BREAKFAST / LUNCH FIT Manual - WORLD DAY 3, WILDERNESS-CAPE TOWN After a sumptuous breakfast, our journey to Cape Town begins. After a visit to Mossel Bay, we travel over the scenic Tradouw's Pass toward Barrydale. Enjoy a wine tasting before you sit down to a real South African lunch in a typical country restaurant in Barrydale. Continuing thr ough the Little Karoo we drive through Montagu, a quaint country village. We then traverse Kogmanskloof Pass through to the town of Robertson and Worcester. We continue over the Du Toit's Kloof Pass with stunning views over the Paarl Valley to Cape Town. The adventure ends by being dropped off at your hotel or at the airport. ** It is recommended that clients not book any connecting flights for the same day as Royal African Discoveries or their agents cannot be held responsible for any delays as a result of circumstances beyond our control that could directly or indirectly have any influence. ** MEALS: BREAKFAST / LUNCH 2-NIGHTS EASTERN CAPE PRIVATE GAME LODGE Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Private [RADP2P-K/S] DAY 1, PORT ELIZABETH-GAME RESERVE Suggested time of departure: 11.00am Meet your English-speaking driver at Port Elizabeth Airport or at your Port Elizabeth hotel. Travel along the N2 towards Grahamstown to your malaria free private game reserve. Arrive in time for lunch. Enjoy an afternoon game viewing drive on open 4x4 vehicles that continues into the evening to search out the nocturnal animals. Dinner is served at your lodge upon your return. OVERNIGHT: KWANDWE GAME LODGE or SHAMWARI LONG LEE MANOR WEBSITE: www.andbeyond.com / www.mantiscollection.com MEALS: LUNCH / DINNER DAY 2, GAME RESERVE Enjoy an early morning game drive in Open Safari Vehicle with breakfast served upon your return. When you've spent all morning 'roughing it' in an open vehicle, you want to know you're coming back to a lodge that offers you all the luxury and comfort you've come to expect, and gourmet food that will inspire and delight. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy some of the optional activities on offer. 35 FIT Manual - WORLD Lunch is served at your lodge. In the afternoon enjoy high tea before departing on your 4x4 open vehicle game safari where you may be lucky to catch sight of the ever-elusive leopard. Your dinner will be served on your return. OVERNIGHT: KWANDWE GAME LODGE or SHAMWARI LONG LEE MANOR MEALS: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER DAY 3, GAME RESERVE-PORT ELIZABETH Depart on your final early morning game drive in Open Safari Vehicles. R eturn to the lodge for breakfast before departing for your comfortable drive back to Port Elizabeth arriving at approximately 13.00pm. Drop off is at Port Elizabeth Airport or your Port Elizabeth hotel. ** It is recommended that clients not book any connecting flights for t he same day as Royal African Discoveries or their agents cannot be held responsible for any delays as a result of circumstances beyond our control that could directly or indirectly have any influen ce. ** MEALS: 36 BREAKFAST FIT Manual - WORLD 2-NIGHTS ADDO EXPERIENCE Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Private [RADP3P] DAY 1, PORT ELIZABETH-ELEPHANT HOUSE Suggested time of departure: 11.00am Meet your English-speaking driver-guide at Port Elizabeth Airport or at your Port Elizabeth hotel. Travel north to the Addo Elephant National Park situated in a malaria free area just one hour's drive from Port Elizabeth. Dinner at the lodge is for your own account. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: ELEPHANT HOUSE or similar www.elephanthouse.co.za NONE DAY 2, ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK After breakfast at your camp, depart on your game drive into the Addo National Park (for your own account). Today more than 350 elephants roam through an area that is so diverse that no matter how many times you experience it, its magic will never fail to captivate you. On a good day, Addo Elephant National Park offers the greatest elephant spectacle on earth. Return to the lodge late afternoon after a full day of game viewing. Dinner at the lodge is for your own account. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: ELEPHANT HOUSE or similar BREAKFAST DAY 3, ELEPHANT HOUSE-PORT ELIZABETH Breakfast is served at the lodge. Depart from the Elephant House and travel back to Port Elizabeth arriving at approximately 13.00pm . Drop off is at Port Elizabeth Airport or your Port Elizabeth hotel. ** It is recommended that clients not book any connecting flights for the same day as Royal African Discoveries or their agents cannot be held responsible for any delays as a result of circumstances beyond our control that could directly or indirectly have any influence. ** MEALS: 37 BREAKFAST FIT Manual - WORLD South Africa – Western Cape Province, Cape Town and Garden Route Background: By any standard, the Cape Town region of South Africa is one of the most beautiful and compelling places to visit on the planet. Here, in addition to a city with fascinating historical sites, excellent museums, vibrant markets and a handsomely restored waterfront you'll encounter mountain wilderness, rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, lush gardens, beautiful wine estates, superior hotels and some of the warmest, most welcoming people. Experience wine tasting at the numerous wine estates, the thrills of Ratanga Junction Theme Park and the splendour of the V&A Waterfront. Then there's the grandeur of Table Mountain and the awe-inspiring views from Cape Point. For business or pleasure, a quick break or a long relaxing holiday, the Cape Metropolitan Area has it all! Whether you're a discerning businessman, pleasure-loving bohemian, thrill seeking adventurer, sports fanatic or inquisitive historian, the Cape Metropolitan Area offers you a rich variety of activities to excite the senses. Enjoy classical music with the Philharmonic Orchestra and sunset concerts at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Buskers entertain you as you explore the city malls, and down at the V&A Waterfront there's live music at the open-air amphitheatre. The Garden Route includes one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline, whose starting point is constantly contested as towns such as Witsand, Stilbaai and Albertinia join the route that winds its way for some 200 km via George, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Knysna on to Plettenberg Bay and culminating in the Tstisikamma Forest is a fairyland of giant trees, ferns and exquisite bird life. Mountains crowd close to a shoreline dotted with beaches and bays, and vividly coloured wild flowers delight the eye. Between Heidelberg and Storms River, the Garden Route runs parallel to a coastline featuring lakes, mountains, tall indigenous forests, amber -coloured rivers and golden beaches. Meandering trails are followed by hikers, the forests invite long, leisurely drives, and the lakes and rivers lend themselves to swimming, boating and fishing. A wide range of leisure options, spectacular scenery and a mild climate guarantee an unforgettable holiday experience when visiting the Garden Route in South Africa. The region provides a stirring study in contrasts. The delightful town of George, known as "The Gateway to the Garden Route", graces a coastal plateau in a fertile area of lush greenery at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. Oudtshoorn, "Capital of the Klein Karoo", is set in a semi-arid valley, providing the ideal habitat for ostriches which are farmed here on a grand scale. 38 FIT Manual - WORLD ACCOMMODATION: Please find below a selection of hotels that we would recommend for your stay in Cape Town. These are the most popular hotels offering the best location and value for money in each accommodation category. Please refer to our accommodation wholesale rate sheet for al ternative hotel options. Property & Description Rate Code Garden Court De Waal (3*) Garden Court de Waal is situated amidst the spectacular vista surrounding Gardens, one of the mother city‟s oldest and quaintest suburbs. For traditional warm and friendly Cape hospitality, this is the place to be. [CA1] Inn on the Square (previously known as the Park Inn Greenmarket Square) (3*) Conveniently located on the historic Greenmarket Square in the vibrant business and government district, the Inn on the Square Hotel in Cape Town is the ideal base for exploring Cape Town. [CA2] Southern Sun Cape Sun (4*) Situated at the southern tip of Africa, this is where traditional Cape hospitality is at the heart of your experience. The luxury and elegance of Southern Sun Cape Sun lies in the centre of the Cape Town CBD, and is complimented by spectacular views over Table Mountain, Robben Island, Table Bay and the spectacular Green Point Stadium. [CA3] [CA4] Southern Sun Waterfront (4*) Nestled between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, the Southern Sun Waterfront hotel is situated close to Cape Town's premier leisure complex, The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, and about 15 minutes from Cape Town International Airport. Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront (5*) Spectacularly situated on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, the Radisson BLU Hotel Waterfront has sweeping views overlooking the famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Robben Island and Table Mountain. All 177 rooms and suites are designed in a contemporary nautical style. 39 [CA5] FIT Manual - WORLD Table Bay Hotel (5*) The Table Bay Hotel aims to exceed your expectations. Between Robben Island and Table Mountain you‟ll discover the famed Table Bay Hotel. Cosmopolitan, gracious and relaxed. [CA6] AIRPORT / HOTEL TRANSFERS: Service Rate Code Private transfers [CT1] SCHEDULED DAY TOURS: FULL DAY CLASSIC CAPE PENINSULA TOUR: Departures: Daily @ 08.15am / Duration: 9 hours [CS1] Enjoy a visit Hout Bay, a colourful and entertaining fishing harbour, a picturesque village filled with arts and cra fts. Enough time is allowed to join an optional cruise to Seal Island to view the several thousand Cape Fur Seal‟s who inhabit this island, during the summer months, along with the rare Black Cormorant birds that lollop among the kelp forests. Continue to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve for the highlight of your tour. Indigenous fauna and flora are conserved in this priceless wilderness area. The scenery en route to Cape Point, at the South Western tip of the reserve, is particularly lovely in spring when wildflowers carpet the landscape. Thereafter you have the option to visit the Penguin Colony at Boulder‟s Beach that is home to a thriving colony of some 700 -jackass penguins. Your last stop is at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, a world famous garden of indigenous plants and regarded as one of the top 7 botanical gardens in the world. FULL DAY TABLE MOUNTAIN & CLASSIC CAPE PENINSULA TOUR Departures: Daily @ 07.45am / Duration: 10 hours [CS2] Travel to Table Mountain - the sandstone plateau that is approximately 3km wide, and at its highest point, Maclears Beacon, rises to 1085m where (weather permitting) you‟ll be transported to the top by cable car for unforgettable sweeping views of “the fairest Cape in the whole circumference of the world”. Enjoy visibility over a radius of approximately 70km and a view of Cape Town city below. Continue on the Classic Cape Peninsula Day Tour (as detailed above). Please note: Ticket for cableway is NOT included as the mountain visit is weather permitting . 40 FIT Manual - WORLD FULL DAY CAPE WINELANDS TOUR Departures: Daily @ 07.45am / Duration: 9 hours [CS3] A classic tour through spectacular vineyards and valleys and scenic country roads. Visit Franschhoek, first settled by the French Huguenots in 1688. Stop in Stellenbosch, which has some of the best preserved historical buildings. Enjoy two wine tastings and the opportunity to purchase wines. HALF DAY TABLE MOUNTAIN, CITY AND WATERFRONT TOUR Departures: Daily @ 07.45am / Duration: 4 hours [CS4] The Cape Town tour gives one the opportunity to sense the spirit of Cape Town and traces the history of the port from 1652 when the first Dutch Governor set foot on the beach nearby. Includes scenic coastal drive through Clifton and Sea Point and a visit to the Houses of Parliament. Visit Table Mountain where you can enjoy a return trip to the top by cable car. Please note: Ticket for cableway is NOT included as the mountain visit is weather permitting. The tour also includes a boat trip of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. You may choose to have lunch here and then join one of our other half-day tours or be returned to your hotel. OVERLAND TOURS: 5-NIGHTS GARDEN ROUTE Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Private [RADC1P] DAY 1, CAPE TOWN-OUDTSHOORN Time of departure: 09.00am Meet your English-speaking driver-guide at Cape Town International Airport or at your Cape Town hotel. Travel via Barrydale & Calitzdorp to Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo. Oudtshoorn is known as the ostrich capital of the world. Nowhere else are ostriches found in such great number and nowhere else do they produce feathers of such fine quality - but the world‟s biggest bird is just one attraction in an area of enormous contrasts. Enjoy an afternoon tour of the Garden Route's premier conservation destination where you can meet a host of endangered animals. The Cango Wildlife Ranch is one of the leading breeders of cheetah in Africa, and one of the largest in the world. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure after checking in to your hotel. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: 41 LA PLUME GUEST HOUSE or similar www.laplume.co.za NONE FIT Manual - WORLD DAY 2, OUDTSHOORN-KNYSNA After breakfast at your hotel, travel to the Highgate Ostrich farm for a comprehensive tour that includes a visit to the incubators, a chance to visit their nest and stand on one of the eggs and the opportunity to ride an ostrich. Continue to the Cango Caves for a guided tour. International renowned as one of the world‟s great natural wonders sculpted by nature through the ages, their fascinating limestone formati on occurs in a variety of ways. From there you travel via the Robinson Pass to Mossel Bay on the Cape South co ast. The seaside town of Mossel Bay basks on a sun washed peninsula halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. The Guinness Book of Records lists Mossel Bay as second only to Hawaii in having the world‟s mildest all year round climate. Visi t to the Bartolomeu Diaz Museum and the famous Post Office Tree before continuing through mountains and forests to the quaint town of Knysna. Knysna‟s uniqueness lies in its people - take a stroll through the centre of town and you will immediately become caught up in the vibrant and happy jostle of coffee shops, art galleries, workshops, gift shops and flea markets filled with locals and buskers, café‟ society and visitors. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: PROTEA KNYSNA QUAYS or similar www.proteahotels.com BREAKFAST DAY 3, KNYSNA Enjoy a free day in the town of Knysna to explore the local shops and attractions. Take a stroll through the centre of town and you‟ll immediately become caught up in the vibrant and happy jostle of coffee shops, art galleries, workshops, gift shops and flea markets filled with locals and buskers, café‟ society and visitors. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: PROTEA KNYSNA QUAYS or similar BREAKFAST DAY 4, KNYSNA-ST. FRANCIS After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the picturesque holiday village that lies nestled among the green clad dunes lining the beautiful Bay of St Francis. Dolphins and whales play along the shoreline while the sounds of gulls echo lazily overhead. Her e you spend the next couple of days at leisure. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: 42 SANDALS GUEST HOUSE or similar www.sandalsguesthouse.co.za BREAKFAST FIT Manual - WORLD DAY 5, ST. FRANCIS Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and head to the beach for a day at leisure. The beaches epitomize perfection - the whitest, cleanest stretches of sand on the South African coastline. Those fortunate to enough to stay in St Francis will testify to the extraordinary sunsets and equally invigorating sunrises. It is this harmony with nature that makes St Francis extra special. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: SANDALS GUEST HOUSE or similar BREAKFAST DAY 6, ST. FRANCIS-PORT ELIZABETH After breakfast, checkout and travel to Port Elizabeth arriving at approximately 13.00pm and drop off can be at the Port Eliz abeth Airport or your hotel. ** It is recommended that clients not book any connecting flights for the same day as Royal African Discoveries or their agents cannot be held responsible for any delays as a result of circumstances beyond our control that could directly or indirectly have any influence. ** MEALS: BREAKFAST 2-NIGHTS THE MAGICAL GARDEN ROUTE Departures: Daily / Basis: Scheduled seat-in-coach [RADC2S] DAY 1, CAPE TOWN-WILDERNESS Time of departure: 07.45 am Depart Cape Town driving over Du Toit's Kloof Pass to the town of Robertson. We pass Montagu, a quaint country village and enjoy a wine tasting en-route. This is followed by a traditional South African lunch (included) in a typical country restaurant in Barrydale. After lunch, w e continue through the little Karoo, traversing the Tradouw Pass. Our journey to the beautiful Wilderness continues, visiting the Diaz Museum in Mossel Bay. Arriving at the village of Wilderness we check-in and enjoy a superb dinner (not included) at the hotel or one of the nearby restaurants, located within walking distance. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: 43 PROTEA HOTEL WILDERNESS RESORT or similar www.proteahotels.co.za LUNCH FIT Manual - WORLD DAY 2, WILDERNESS From our hotel in Wilderness, we travel to Knysna to embark on the Featherbed Nature Reserve ferry from the Knysna Waterfront. On arrival we take a 'Unimog' (tractor driven wagon) ride to the top of the Western Head. An optional hike can be taken through the indigenous Knysna forest to the restaurant area where lunch (included) is served. On our return to Knysna we depart for an elephant experience, where we are able to enjoy a very close encounter with these gigantic mammals. Finally we take the scenic drive back to Wilderness for drop off at your hotel. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: PROTEA HOTEL WILDERNESS RESORT or similar www.proteahotels.com BREAKFAST / LUNCH DAY 3, WILDERNESS-PORT ELIZABETH Leaving the quaint seaside village of Wilderness, we continue via Sedgefield to South Africa's 'Oyster Capital', Knysna. After a short refreshment stop at Knysna's East Head, continue via the 'millionaires playground' of Plettenberg Bay to the Tsitsikamma Forest area. Attractions here include the Big Tree. Remember to keep an eye out for the rare Knysna Loerie. After lunch (not included) at the scenic Storms River Mouth, gaze in awe at the scenery whilst crossing the suspension bridge over the Storms River where photographic opportunities abound. Leaving the Garden Route via the high forests of the Tsitsikamma we arrive in Port Elizabeth for drop off at your hotel or at Port Elizabeth Airport. MEALS: BREAKFAST 2-NIGHTS CAPE WINELANDS TOUR Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Private [RADC3S] DAY 1, CAPE TOWN-STELLENBOSCH Time of departure: 09H00 Meet your English-speaking driver-guide at Cape Town International Airport or your Cape Town based hotel. 44 FIT Manual - WORLD Get swept away by the overwhelming beauty of rolling vineyards and perfect blue sky. Start off with a visit to Paarl and the spectacular Paarl Valley. Here we enjoy a wine tasting and cellar tour at one of the local estates. The tour continues to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa and the historic heart of the country's wine region. The final wine-tasting & cheese tasting for the day will take place here at one of the well-known estates. Check into your hotel located on a working wine farm in the Stellenbosch area. OVERNIGHT: SPIER ESTATE HOTEL or similar WEBSITE: www.spier.co.za MEALS: NONE DAY 2, FRANSCHHOEK Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Meet up with your driver and guide and further explore the Cape Winelands. Visit the town of Fr anschhoek. Franschhoek bills itself as South Africa‟s Food and Wine Capital – and it‟s a claim that‟s easily demonstrated. Settled more than three hundred years ago by the French Huguenots, the Franschhoek Valley produces some of the World‟s truly great wines, with spectacular vineyards covering the mountain slopes. Stroll down the main street and visit a variety of shops, art galleries and superb bistros and restaurants. Enjoy a picnic lunch under the shady trees at a local wine estate. OVERNIGHT: SPIER ESTATE HOTEL or similar MEALS: BREAKFAST / LUNCH DAY 3, STELLENBOSCH - CAPE TOWN After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. Check out and transfer back to Cape Town International Airport or to your Cape Town based hotel. MEALS: 45 BREAKFAST FIT Manual - WORLD 2-NIGHTS CAPE WEST COAST TOUR Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Private [RADC4P] DAY 1, CAPE TOWN-SALDANHA Suggested time of departure: 09.30am Meet your English-speaking driver-guide and depart Cape Town via Bloubergstand for fantastic views of Table Mountain across the bay. Continue up the coast and visit the Mamre Mission Station for an optional tea sto p. Continue to the unique West Coast National Park for lunch before visiting the West Coast Fossil Park. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the beautiful Langebaan Lagoon before continuing to your hotel. The West Coast is dotted with quaint fishing villages, abundant bird life. It is also world-famous for its wild flowers that bloom between July and September. OVERNIGHT: PROTEA HOTEL SALDANHA or similar WEBSITE: www.proteahotels.com MEALS: LUNCH DAY 2, SALDANHA-CLANWILLIAM-SALDANHA After enjoying breakfast at your hotel. Travel via Piketberg to the town of Lambert‟s Bay, a typical West Coast fishing villa ge that is full of quaint whitewashed fisherman‟s cottages. Visit Bird Island that is home to thousands of Cape Gannets, Cormorants and the rare Africa n penguin. Lunch is at a local restaurant before travelling to Clanwilliam. Enjoy tours of the Veldskoen (traditional Boer leather shoes) or Rooibos Tea factory or to view the Wildflower Show (dependant on time of the year). Visit Langenhovens Grave and that of the lone soldier with spectacu lar mountain scenery. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner. OVERNIGHT: PROTEA HOTEL SALDANHA or similar MEALS: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER DAY 3, SALDANHA-CAPE TOWN After a leisurely breakfast, checkout of your hotel and travel via Porterville to Tulbagh. Visit Twee Jonggesellen wine estate for a wine tasting and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in the town. Visit historical sections of the town before travelling via Bainskloof Pass to Wellington. Visit the Paarl Rock Brandy Cellar for brandy tasting and then continue on to Cape Town. Arrival back in Cape Town is at approximately 17.00pm and drop off can be at the Cape Town International Airport or your Cape Town hotel. ** It is recommended that clients not book any connecting flights for the same day as Royal African Discoveries or their agents cannot be held responsible for any delays as a result of circumstances beyond our control that could directly or indirectly have any influence. ** MEALS: 46 BREAKFAST / LUNCH FIT Manual - WORLD 5-NIGHTS ROUTE 62 TOUR Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Private [RADC5P] DAY 1, CAPE TOWN-MONTAGU Suggested time of departure: 09.00am Meet your English-speaking driver-guide and depart from Cape Town making your way to Rawsonville. There are thirteen wine cellars in a radius of ten kilometres. This makes Rawsonville ideal for experiencing good hospitality and wines without spending too much time travelling. Continue to Worcester and visit the Karoo National Botanical Gardens with 144ha of natural semi -desert vegetation and 10ha of landscaped gardens and features the unique plants of the drier parts of the country. Worcester is also part of the Brandy Route. Visit The KWV Cellar, the largest of its kind in the world, is one of eight cellars on the Brandy Route. Its uniqueness lies in the 120 Woudberg potstills, huge maturation cellar and demonstrations of the ancient craft of barrel making by the coopers. Travel onwards to the next town on Route 62, Bonnievale and continue to your hotel in Montagu - the gateway to the Little Karoo and also the scenic heart of Rout e 62. This historic link between Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, the Garden Route and the Eastern Cape, offers travellers remarkable beauty and excellent facilities. Dinner is at the Hotel. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: MIMOSA LODGE or similar www.mimosa.co.za BREAKFAST DAY 2, MONTAGU-OUDTSHOORN Check out after breakfast and travel to the town of Barrydale. Situated between two extremes - on the one side is the beautiful and fertile Tradouw Valley and on the other side you are faced with the stark and semi-arid Klein Karoo. Visit the Barrydale Winery, Heritage Garden and Ronnies Sex Shop - Ignore the name because once you visited this lovely pub you will get to know the history behind it all. Next on the map is Ladysmith, situated in the Little Karoo at the foot of the Klein Swartberg mountain range. The majestic Towerkop, with it split peak, looms above the town. In the Klein Karoo, the land of ostriches, wild flowers and birds, the land of majestic sandstone mountains cleft by spectacular ravines, of vineyards and orchards, lays Oudtshoorn where you will overnight. 47 FIT Manual - WORLD OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: LA PLUME GUEST HOUSE or similar www.laplume.co.za BREAKFAST / DINNER DAY 3, OUDTSHOORN-KNYSNA Enjoy breakfast before exploring Oudtshoorn - the ostrich capital of the world. Nowhere else are ostriches found in such great number and nowhere else do they produce feathers of such fine quality - but the world‟s biggest bird is just one attraction in an area of enormous contrasts. Travel to the Highgate Ostrich Ranch for a comprehensive tour that includes a visit to the incubators, a chance to visit their nest and stand on one of the eggs and the opportunity to ride an ostrich. Next is an afternoon tour of the Garden Route's premier conservation destination where you can meet a host of endangered animals. The Cango Wildlife Ranch is one of the leading breeders of cheetah in Africa, and one of the largest in the world. Continue to the Cango Caves for a guided tour. International renowned as one of the world‟s great natural wonders sculpted by nature through the ages, their fascinating limestone formation occurs in a variety of ways. Continue to your hotel situated in the town of Knysna. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: KNYSNA LOG-INN or similar www.kli.co.za BREAKFAST DAY 4, KNYSNA-MOSSEL BAY After breakfast, spend some time exploring this quaint town known for its art & craft shops. “The place of the people, beauty and mystery.” Take a stroll through the centre of town and you‟ll immediately become caught up in the vibrant and happy jostle of coffee shops, art galleries, workshops, gift shops and flea markets filled with locals and buskers, café‟ society and visitors. Enjoy a cruise on the lagoon that is one of the highlights of any visit to South Africa's Garden Route is a ferry ride on the Knysna Lagoon with a visit to the famous Heads. This spectacular entrance, feared and respected by sailors past and present, has become a famous landmark and a popular tourist attraction. Depart from Knysna and travel south to the town of Mossel Bay for your overnight stay. The seaside town of Mossel Bay basks on a sun washed peninsula halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth overlooking the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, with miles of unspoiled, north-facing beaches. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant. OVERNIGHT: PROTEA HOTEL MOSSELBAY or similar WEBSITE: www.proteahotels.co.za MEALS: BREAKFAST / DINNER 48 FIT Manual - WORLD DAY 5, MOSSEL BAY-HERMANUS Checkout of your hotel after breakfast and spend some time in the town before departing for Hermanus. This popular resort town has gained universal recognition, as the world‟s best land -based whale watching destinations. Hermanus owes its success to its scenic beauty, mild climate and range of cultural and outdoor attractions. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: WINDSOR HOTEL or similar www.windsorhotel.co.za BREAKFAST DAY 6, HERMANUS-CAPE TOWN After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, check out and travel on the last of your journey to Cape Town. Arrival back in Cape Town is at approximately 15.00pm and drop off can be at the Cape Town International Airport or your Cape Town hotel. ** It is recommended that clients not book any connecting flights for the same day as Royal African Discoveries or their agents cann ot be held responsible for any delays as a result of circumstances beyond our control that could directly or indirectly have any in fluence. ** MEALS: 49 BREAKFAST FIT Manual - WORLD South Africa - Luxury Rail Background: ROVOS RAIL Since its establishment more than 15 years ago, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class travel experiences. Step aboard the wood-panelled coaches - classics remodelled and refurbished to mint condition - and enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows. Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a by-gone era, when privileged travellers experienced the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant fashion. The trains - which may be hauled by steam, diesel or electric locomotives at various stages of the journey - carry a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites. Pride of place in the Rovos stable goes to the historic and newly rebuilt Capital Park station and locomotive yard, which is the heart and new headquarters of this private railway company. In a series of journeys lasting from 24 hours to a fortnight, the Pride of Africa links some of Africa's greatest destinations from Cape Town at the tip of Africa to Dar-Es-Salaam in Tanzania, from scenic splendours as diverse as the game reserves of Mpumalanga to the Victoria Falls, from the desert landscapes of Namibia and the stark beauty of the Karoo to the lush canefields of KwaZulu-Natal and the magnificent Garden Route along the Cape South Coast. More information can be found at www.rovos.co.za THE BLUE TRAIN The Blue Train has an aura of mystique about it. Kings and presidents have travelled on this magnificent moving five-star hotel. Its very name has become synonymous with the ultimate in luxury and personal service. The routes of The Blue Train - both scheduled and chartered - take guests through some of the most breathtaking countryside to be found anywhere in the world. As the ever-changing scenery flashes past the windows, guests can savour exquisite meals freshly prepared on board by top chefs. Our meals are complimented by the best wines South Africa has to offer. The suites on The Blue Train live up to its reputation for magnificence and splendour. The finest bed linen, marble tiles and gold fittings in the bathrooms and sheer opulence all ensure that guests will never forget the time they spend on The Blue Train. When you choose to travel on The Blue Train, you choose to travel in a world of grace, elegance and romance. More information can be found at www.bluetrain.co.za 50 FIT Manual - WORLD OVERLAND TOURS: ROVOS RAIL – PRETORIA TO CAPE TOWN Departures: Selected Tuesdays and Fridays (subject to availability) / *Please note that the cost is based on a Deluxe Suite [RADR1S] DAY 1, DEPART JOHANNESBURG Suggested time of departure: 14.00am Meet your English-speaking driver and transfer to the Capital Train Station (Home of Rovos Rail) in Pretoria where you can check -in. Depart from Pretoria aboard the „Pride of Africa‟ on your Rovos Rail Experience. For many visitors to South Africa, there's no finer way to see the country than on the popular weekly journeys between Pretoria and Cape Town. Your trip includes 3 meals per day, all alcoholic and other beverages, sightseeing excursions (subject to operation) accompanied by a qualified tour guide, entrance fees to places of interest, 24 -hour full room service and bar facilities and a limited laundry service. MEALS: DINNER DAY 2, ROVOS RAIL Today passengers visit the Big Hole and Diamond Museum in Kimberley as enjoy a tram ride. The train continues from Modder Riv er Station and travels overnight through De Aar and Beaufort West. MEALS: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER DAY 3, ARRIVE CAPE TOWN After arriving in Matjiesfontein, enjoy a visit to this historic village. Departing later that morning, the train travels via Touws River, De Doorns and Worcester arriving in Cape Town at approximately 18.00pm where you will be transferred to Cape Town International Airport or your Cape Town hotel. ** It is recommended that clients not book any connecting flights for the same day as Royal African Discoveries or th eir agents cannot be held responsible for any delays as a result of circumstances beyond our control that could directly or indirectly have any influen ce. ** MEALS: 51 BREAKFAST / LUNCH FIT Manual - WORLD THE BLUE TRAIN – PRETORIA TO CAPE TOWN Departures: Selected Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (subject to availability) *Please note that the cost is based on a Deluxe Suite [RADB1S] DAY 1, DEPART PRETORIA Suggested time of departure: 08:30am Register and check-in at Pretoria Station and enjoy pre-departure snacks and drinks. Boarding starts Butlers usher guests to their suites. Lunch is served on the train. Mid afternoon High tea is served in the Lounge Car. The Blue Train arrives at Kimberley station late afternoon where guests disembark and assemble at the railway museum from where they will be ushered to the bus, which will be taking them to the centre of Kimberley to join an old tram for a ride down to the mine. That evening the Blue Train departs Kimberley station for Cape Town and dinner is served on the train. MEALS: LUNCH / DINNER DAY 2, BLUE TRAIN – CAPE TOWN Breakfast served in the dinning cart or in-suite at the guests' request. The train arrives in Cape Town mid-day where Butlers usher guests to the Station Lounge. Thank you for joining us on this memorable experience! MEALS: 52 BREAKFAST FIT Manual - WORLD ROVOS RAIL – CAPE TOWN TO PRETORIA Departures: Selected Mondays (subject to availability) (subject to availability) *Please note that the cost is based on a Deluxe Suite [RADR2S] DAY 1, DEPART CAPE TOWN Suggested time of departure: 10.00am Meet your English-speaking driver and transfer to the Cape Town Train Station where you can check-in. Depart from Cape Town on your Rovos Rail Experience and travel inland via Worcester. For many visitors to South Africa, there's no finer way to see the country than on the popular weekly journeys between Cape Town and Pretoria. After arriving in Matjiesfontein, enjoy a visit to this historic village. Departing in the early evening, the train continues through the night to Kimberley. Your trip includes 3 meals per day, all alcoholic and other beverages, sightseeing excursions (subject to operation) accompanied by a qualified tour guide, entrance fees to places of interest, 24 -hour full room service and bar facilities and a limited laundry service. MEALS: LUNCH / DINNER DAY 2, ROVOS RAIL The train arrives at Modder River Station near Kimberley where lunch will be enjoyed at the historic Kimberley Club. Passengers then enjoy a trip on the electric tram from the City centre for a tour of the Big Hole and Diamond Museum. The train departs from Kimberley in the late afternoon and travels onwards to Pretoria. MEALS: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER DAY 3, ARRIVE PRETORIA Arrival into Pretoria is at approximately 12.00pm where you will be transferred to Johannesburg International Airport or your hotel. ** It is recommended that clients not book any connecting flights for the same day as Royal African Discoveries or their agen ts cannot be held responsible for any delays as a result of circumstances beyond our control that could directly or indirectly have any influence. ** MEALS: 53 BREAKFAST FIT Manual - WORLD THE BLUE TRAIN – CAPE TOWN TO PRETORIA Departures: Selected Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (subject to availability) *Please note that the cost is based on a Deluxe Suite [RADB2S] DAY 1, DEPART CAPE TOWN 10:00 Register and check-in at Cape Town Station and enjoy pre-departure snacks and drinks. At 10:30 boarding starts Butlers usher guests to their suites. Lunch is served on the train followed later in the afternoon by high tea served in the Lounge Car. The Blue Train arrives at Matjiesfontein in the afternoon for a 45 minute off-the-train excursion. On arrival at Matjiesfontein guests can board the tomato-red London double-decker bus for a short trip through the main street. The bus will stop in front of the bar where they are invited for a glass of sherry. The sherry glass with The Blue Train logo on is a memento for them to keep. The Victoria buildings and original nineteenth century London lampposts impart to the traveller, the uncanny sense of entering a colonial time warp an oasis suspended in a different age. Late afternoon guests make their way to The Blue Train and depart for the journey northward to Pretoria. After an exciting interlude guests are welcome to refresh themselves and enjoy pre-dinner drinks at any one of our lounges. First sitting for dinner starts at 7pm. MEALS: LUNCH/DINNER DAY 2, BLUE TRAIN – PRETORIA Breakfast served in the dinning cart or otherwise breakfast is served in-suite at the guests' request. 13:45 The Blue Train arrives at Pretoria station. MEALS: 54 BREAKFAST FIT Manual - WORLD Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana Background: David Livingstone explored this land of potent beauty and discovered one of the seven natural wonders of the world. In his footprints, only moments away from the mighty Zambezi River with the dramatic torrent of the Victoria Falls as its natural milieu, a magnificent Resort has been created as a testament to his discovery and in reverence to the splendour of this World Heritage site. Journey to this magical place and witness the greatest mass of falling water on earth as it plunges down a sheer rock face, spraying its mystical mist hundreds of metres in the air. The awesome Victoria Falls is much closer to you here - literally on the doorstep of The Falls Resort - it feels as if you could reach out and touch it, as it plummets into the chasm far below. The turbulent waters emerge through a narrow gorge leading to a steep-walled, zigzag canyon. At high-flood stage, a roaring, curtain of water makes the ground shake and throws a plume of mist hundreds of meter's into the air. Visible for many kilometres around, this spray earned this natural phenomenon its African name, Mosi-Oa-Tunya, "the smoke that thunders". Today, the Victoria Falls is one of Africa's prime travel destinations. It straddles the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and it has grown into a busy resort and the principal gateway for safaris in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia. Although the waterfalls remain and will always be the main reason for visiting this area, plenty of other attractions have been developed over the years to turn Victoria Falls into the Adventure Capital of Africa! For the thrill-seekers whose adventurous spirit is stirred by this mighty waterfall, there are challenges that lie and wait set to test even the bravest of hearts. Choose between white water rafting, river boarding, jet boating, abseiling, gorge swings, bungi jumping, or the ever popular Flight of Angels - an exhilarating helicopter, or microlight flip, that takes you over The Victoria Falls and The Boiling Pot, an aptly named gorge, where the water foams and churns in its effort to escape. Visas: Please be advised that with immediate effect the Tourist Visa Fee Waiver Manifest will no longer be accepted, as announced by the Zambian Immigration Department on Friday, 25 January 2008. Guests with pre-approved letters will be required to pay US$50 per person. Only guests with visas in their passport will not be charged. It‟s advisable that clients secure a visa before travel if they are not exempt. Those exempt from pre-approval can obtain the visa on arrival (at below cost). If passengers require visas (e.g. Indian or Czech passport holders), these can still be obtained through Sun International for guest staying at Royal Livingstone or Zambezi Sun. A minimum of 21 WORKING days is however required to process this application and the visa entry fee will still need to be paid on arrival at Livingstone airport. Below please find the revised charges for entry into Zambia. This is current fees and the Zambia Government might change charge at any time. 55 FIT Manual - WORLD Please check with your local Zambian Embassy or High Commission on latest requirements as Royal African Discoveries cannot be held responsible for incorrect visa information due to changes by Zambian Immigration Authorities. Single Entry Double Entry Multiple Entry USD 50-00pp USD 80-00pp USD 160-00pp A day visa for Botswana (if required) can be obtained for the Chobe daytrip at the Kazangula border post and the cost is to b e settled directly. OVERLAND TOURS 2-NIGHTS ZAMBIA Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Scheduled seat-in-coach [RADZ1P-Z/R] DAY 1, ARRIVE LIVINGSTONE After arriving at Livingstone Airport and meeting with our representative, transfer to your hotel and relax while enjoying Africa‟s greatest natural wonders in true Zambian style at your hotel located right on the edge of the eastern cataract of the Victoria Falls. Please note that the airport/hotel transfer is based on a seat-in-coach basis. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: ZAMBEZI SUN / ROYAL LIVINGSTONE www.suninternational.co.za NONE DAY 2, LIVINGSTONE After a sumptuous buffet breakfast, depart on your morning Tour of the Falls. The Victoria Falls is the largest, probably the most beautiful and certainly the most majestic waterfall anywhere in the world. In the afternoon, depart on your Sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. Greeted by a Marimba band and a cold cocktail, you will experience the wonders of the river in luxurious surroundings. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: 56 ZAMBEZI SUN / ROYAL LIVINGSTONE BREAKFAST FIT Manual - WORLD DAY 3, DEPART LIVINGSTONE After a sumptuous breakfast, your final morning is at leisure before boarding your transfer back to Livingstone Airport for y our departing flight. Please note that the hotel/airport transfer is based on a seat-in-coach basis. MEALS: BREAKFAST 3-NIGHTS ZAMBIA & BOTSWANA DAY TRIP Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Scheduled seat -in-coach [RADZ2P-Z/R] DAY 1, ARRIVE LIVINGSTONE After arriving at Livingstone Airport and meeting with our representative, transfer to your hotel and relax while enjoying Africa‟s greatest natural wonders in true Zambian style at your hotel located right on the edge of the eastern cataract of the Victoria Falls. Please note that the airport/hotel transfer is based on a seat-in-coach basis. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: ZAMBEZI SUN / ROYAL LIVINGSTONE www.suninternational.co.za NONE DAY 2, LIVINGSTONE After a sumptuous buffet breakfast, depart on your morning Tour of the Falls. The Victoria Falls is the largest, probably the most beautiful and certainly the most majestic waterfall anywhere in the world. In the afternoon, depart on your Sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. Greeted by a Marimba band and a cold cocktail, you will experience the wonders of the river in luxurious surroundings. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: ZAMBEZI SUN / ROYAL LIVINGSTONE BREAKFAST DAY 3, CHOBE NATIONAL PARK Today you depart on the ultimate full day safari to Chobe National Park in Botsw ana. This is one of only two places in the world where four countries, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana, meet in the middle of a river. Cruise along the banks of the Chobe River, which flows between the Chobe National Park and Namibia, past several i slands, enjoying sightings of vast elephant herds, numerous buffalo, antelope and other wildlife, grazing on rain-sweetened grass along the shores. After a tasty „alfresco‟ lunch, embark on your open 4x4 safari to explore the scenic wilderness of Chobe National Park. Discover what makes this one of the world‟s finest game reserves, home to thousands of elephant as well as four of the Big Five, including the majestic lion. 57 FIT Manual - WORLD OVERNIGHT: MEALS: ZAMBEZI SUN / ROYAL LIVINGSTONE BREAKFAST / LUNCH DAY 4, DEPART LIVINGSTONE After a sumptuous breakfast, your final morning is at leisure before boarding your transfer back to Livingstone Airport for y our departing flight. Please note that the hotel/airport transfer is based on a seat-in-coach basis. MEALS: BREAKFAST 4-NIGHTS ZAMBIA & BOTSWANA Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Scheduled seat -in-coach [RADZ3P-Z/R] DAY 1, ARRIVE LIVINGSTONE After arriving at Livingstone Airport and meeting with our representative, transfer to your hotel and relax while enjoying Africa‟s greatest natural wonders in true Zambian style at your hotel. Please note that the airport/hotel transfer is based on a seat-in-coach basis. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: ZAMBEZI SUN / ROYAL LIVINGSTONE www.suninternational.co.za NONE DAY 2, LIVINGSTONE After a sumptuous buffet breakfast, depart on your morning Tour of the Falls. The Victoria Falls is the largest, probably the most beautiful and certainly the most majestic waterfall anywhere in the world. In the afternoon, depart on your Sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. Greeted by a Marimba band and a cold cocktail, you will experience the wonders of the river. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: ZAMBEZI SUN / ROYAL LIVINGSTONE BREAKFAST DAY 3, LIVINGSTONE-CHOBE Today you depart for Botswana for your hotel situated on the border of the Chobe National Park. This is one of only two places in the world where four countries, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana, meet in the middle of a rive r. Cross the border to Botswana at the Kazangula Border post and arrive at your hotel in time for lunch. In the afternoon, choose between a 4x4 open vehicle safari in the Chobe Nati onal Park or a cruise along the banks of the Chobe River, which flows between the Chobe National Park and Namibia. Both options offer sightings of vast elephant herds, numerous buffalo, antelope and other wildlife. Return to your lodge for dinner where good food and comprehensive service are part of the mix. 58 FIT Manual - WORLD OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: CHOBE MARINA LODGE www.chobemarinalodge.com BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER DAY 4, CHOBE After enjoying breakfast overlooking the Chobe River, select two scheduled game viewing activities that are included in your stay. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: CHOBE MARINA LODGE BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER DAY 5, CHOBE-LIVINGSTONE After a leisurely breakfast, checkout of your hotel and travel via Kazangula border post to Zambia where you continue to Livingstone Airport for your departing flight. Please note that the hotel/airport transfer is based on a seat-in-coach basis. MEALS: 59 BREAKFAST FIT Manual - WORLD Namibia Background: Namibia is the least known of the Southern African countries, but her attractions are unparalleled. Namibia is known for its contrasting landscapes. The desolate Namib Desert is said to be the oldest in the world, with its high dunes and awe-inspiring sense of space. The central plateau, with its thorn bush savannah and rugged mountains, rising abruptly from the plains, gives way to the majestic Fishriver Canyon in the south. In the north of the country, landscapes range from dense bush and open plains of the great Etosha Pan, to woodland savannah and lush vegetation. Dinosaur footprints preserved in sandstone, prehistoric rock art, the ancient fossil plant, Welwitschia mirabilis, all bare witness to the timelessness of this country. The central region of Namibia is the hub of the country, with Windhoek, the vibrant capital city at its heart. Windhoek is a bustling, cosmopolitan city with good hotels, sophisticated shops and convivial bistros. Stately buildings range from the home of Namibia's parliament, to the newly founded Hero's Acre. Day tours can be undertaken into Katutura, several museums in Windhoek, the National Library, National Archives, National Art Gallery and the National Botanical Gardens. A safari in Namibia offers a rich cultural and wildlife experience for any visitor to the country. Namibia is definitely an African destination not to be overlooked! Visas: It is your responsibility to arrange your visa for Namibia and it should be secured before your arrival. 60 FIT Manual - WORLD OVERLAND TOURS: 4-NIGHTS NAMIBIA Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Scheduled seat -in-coach [RADN1S] DAY 1, ARRIVE WINDHOEK After arriving at Windhoek Airport (WDH) and meeting with our representative, transfer to your hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure. Your hotel is situated within the confines of the Gustav Voigts Shopping Centre, bringing you added value and hours of shopping pleasure. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: KALAHARI SANDS HOTEL & CASINO www.suninternational.co.za/resorts/kalahari NONE DAY 2, WINDHOEK-NAUKLUFT PARK Departing Windhoek / Swakopmund, we travel into the Namib Desert with its monumental dunes and ever-changing colours. This is the oldest and driest desert on earth; nevertheless it supports a vast diversity of adapted fauna and flora that accentuate this pristine environment even further. Optional activities at our lodge consist of scenic nature drives and marvellous walking trails. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: NAMIB NAUKLUFT LODGE www.namibweb.com/naukluft.htm BREAKFAST / DINNER DAY 3, NAUKLUFT PARK The best time to experience the Sossusvlei area is at sunrise when the new light paints the dunes and desert plains into a variety of deep reds, apricot and purple – a photographers dream come true! We travel into the heart of the Namib Desert with the highest sand dunes on earth at Sossusvlei. Experience the majestic yet tranquil Sossusvlei or the surreal Dead Vlei on foot. We enjoy a picnic lunch under the Camelthorn trees, before traveling back to our lodge via the gaping Sesriem Canyon. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: 61 NAMIB NAUKLUFT LODGE BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER FIT Manual - WORLD DAY 4, NAUKLUFT PARK-WINDHOEK After a leisurely breakfast we transfer back to Windhoek and your hotel where the rest of the day is spent at leisure. The Casino is at the centre of the hotel and offers guests a pleasurable gaming experience. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: KALAHARI SANDS HOTEL & CASINO BREAKFAST DAY 5, DEPART WINDHOEK After a sumptuous breakfast, transfer to Windhoek Airport for your departing flight. MEALS: 62 BREAKFAST FIT Manual - WORLD Mozambique Background: Welcome to the land of smiles! Mozambique has something to offer everyone, from exciting diving and snorkelling to deep-sea fishing and sailing. This tropical paradise in Africa has over 2500 km of clean sandy beaches and rugged coastline - all just waiting for you to enjoy. Due to its excellent location on the East African coast, Mozambique early on became a significant trading post for gold, ivory and later slaves. Civil war followed the end of Portuguese rule, but since 1992, the country has enthusiastically set about rebuilding, with an ever-growing economy. Though its natural resources are extensive, the country's biggest treasure is arguably its marine biodiversity. The country's vibrant capital on the Indian Ocean coastline boasts a fascinating mix of Arab, European and African cultures. Travellers to Vilanculos will be tempted to linger at the self-contained luxury resorts of the Bazaruto Archipelago. Many of these resorts can arrange boat hire for those who enjoy a spot of deep-sea fishing. The whole Bazaruto Archipelago is an ecological gem that has been granted National Park status. It falls into the Eastern African Marine Eco region, which stretches over a 4,600km coastline, from South Africa to Somalia. The Bazaruto Archipelago is a group of small islands situated approximately 40 kilometres off the Mozambique coast. Bazaruto is the largest (approximately 37kms long and up to 7kms wide) and northern most of the five islands. The diverse ecosystems contained in the archipelago cater for a wide range of interests. The squeaky white beaches and protected reefs surrounding the islands support dolphin, dugong, game fish and giant lobster. The shallow, crystal clear waters with dazzling soft corals, starfish, anemones, seahorses and a bewildering range of beautiful fish, extends to dive sites featuring creatures such as green turtles, manta ray, sailfish and a variety of sharks. Big game fishing, including marlin and barracuda, is truly spectacular. Fauna and flora on the island abounds. Flamingos on tidal flats; endemic butterflies, hundreds of bird species in wetland, savannah grassland and thicket. Freshwater lakes, home to many large crocodiles and in total contrast, the eastern strip is composed of huge bare and vegetated sand dunes. So whether you would like an adventure holiday or you just prefer to relax and get away from it all, it's all waiting here for you in Mozambique - the land of smiles. Visas: Visas for Mozambique can be obtained on arrival at Vilanculos Airport. The cost is approximately USD 30.00 per person (subjec t to change) and must be settled directly. Royal African Discoveries accepts no responsibility for the refusal of visas. 63 FIT Manual - WORLD OVERLAND TOURS: 3-NIGHTS BAZARUTO ISLANDS Departures: Daily (subject to availability) / Basis: Private [RADM1P-M/I] DAY 1, ARRIVE BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO After arriving in Vilanculos on your scheduled flight from Johannesburg, clear customs and immigration and meet with a resort representative. Transfer by air / boat to your resort in an Archipelago of off shore islands known as The Bazaruto Archipelago situated in a National Marine Park. There are three main islands known as Margaruque, Benguera and Bazaruto. On the second largest island, Benguera, lies idyllic Marlin Lodge and on the largest, Bazaruto, lies the luxury resort of Indigo Bay. OVERNIGHT: WEBSITE: MEALS: MARLIN LODGE / INDIGO BAY LODGE www.marlinlodge.co.za / www.raniresorts.com LUNCH / DINNER DAY 2, BENGUERA/BAZARUTO The entire day is at leisure to enjoy the activities available - windsurfing, catamaran sailing, kite-flying, ocean ski paddling, water-skiing, para sailing, knee boarding and water snaking. The day ends with dinner at your lodge OVERNIGHT: MEALS: MARLIN LODGE / INDIGO BAY LODGE BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER DAY 3, BENGUERA/BAZARUTO Spend the day at leisure - slip across translucent shallows on a sailboard, fly a haul on one of Marlin' catamarans or seek the deserted islands in the Archipelago on an exquisite motorised yacht. And when the day turns, watch the sunset over the ocean while softly sailing along on a sundowner cruise. Enjoy dinner at one of the varied venues. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: MARLIN LODGE / INDIGO BAY LODGE BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER DAY 4, DEPART BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO After a sumptuous breakfast, board your transfer back to Vilanculos Airport for your departing flight. MEALS: 64 BREAKFAST FIT Manual - WORLD NOTES: Marlin Lodge: A Marine National Parks fee of USD 10.00 per person per stay is applicable and must be settled directly. Resorts offer non-motorised water sports free of charge but any motorised sports or excursions would be at an additional charge. Marlin Lodge: A Mozambican dhow sailboat cruise is included when staying for a minimum of 3 -night‟s. Return flights from Johannesburg-Vilanculos are currently ZAR 2,900.00 per person excluding all taxes and surcharges. This rate is subject to increases by airlines and will be confirmed at time of booking. 65 FIT Manual - WORLD Terms & Conditions Royal African Discoveries undertakes to provide all services offered subject to the terms and conditions set out herein, which terms and conditions are accepted by the passenger. BOOKINGS AND PAYMENT: Upon booking a non-refundable deposit of 10% of the tour cost is immediately payable to Royal African Discoveries. Final payment is due no less than 6 weeks prior to arrival. Full payment is due immediately for all bookings made less than 6 weeks prior to arrival. Payments can be made either by telegraphic transfer or credit card. A service fee of 4% is applicable on all credit card payments. CANCELLATION FEES: The following fees will apply in the event of cancellation: Less than 6 weeks prior to departure - 40% of total cost Less than 4 weeks prior to departure - 60% of total cost Less than 2 weeks prior to departure - 100% of total cost All cancellations must be made in writing to Royal African Discoveries. In certain cases more strict cancellation conditions apply to e.g. game lodges and hotels in Botswana. Travel arrangements in these cases are subject to booking conditions and cancellation provisions of the supplier. RATES: Royal African Discoveries reserve the right to change the rates at any time before your booking is made. Rates are subject to adjustment in the event of changes in Value Added Tax, airfares or hotel charges. Rates are quoted in South African Rand (ZAR) or US Dollars as per our rate list. Please note applicable currency. CHANGES OR ALTERATIONS: Royal African Discoveries reserves the right to make changes and cancel brochure details/routes/itineraries/accommodation and other arrangements at any time and without prior notice for any reason it considers desirable. Royal African Discoveries will inform clients of changes before departures. Royal African Discoveries shall not be held responsible for any damage whatsoever arising from any alteration or cancellation. LIABILITY: Royal African Discoveries only acts as an agent for the principals and accordingly accepts no liability for any loss or damage which any passenger may suffer as a result of the failure of such principals to fulfil their obligations, whether in relation to travel arrangements, accommodation or otherwise. Transport providers have comprehensive passenger liability insurance. Details will be made available upon request. Any information contained in the web site/brochure/itinerary is to the best of Royal African Discoveries knowledge, true and correct and Royal African Discoveries accepts no liability for any innocent inaccuracies contained therein. 66 FIT Manual - WORLD INSURANCE, HEALTH AND VISA REQUIREMENTS: Agents and passengers are required to ensure that all such requirements are attended to and Royal African Discoveries accepts no responsibility in this regard. DELAYS/UNSCHEDULED EXTENSIONS: All expenses in relation to an unscheduled extension or delay caused by bad weather, strikes, flight delays, breakdowns, government interference, terrorism or any other cause which is beyond the control of Royal African Discoveries, will be for the client‟s account. Royal African Discoveries shall not be held responsible for the consequences and costs arising from such delays. DISPUTES/LAW: In the matters where it is or may be necessary to have recourse to the Court, the Courts of the Republic of South Africa shall have the sole jurisdiction to the exclusion of the Courts of any other country and the prevailing law of the Republic of South Africa shall prevail. CHILD POLICY: A child of 12 years and older will be charged the full applicable adult per person rate. If a child shares with only 1 adult, the child will pay the full applicable adult sharing rate. To qualify for a discounted rate a maximum of 2 children under 12 years of age is allowed to share with a minimum of 2 full paying adults. A maximum of 2 children per family group is allowed at discounted rates. As a general rule children will pay 60% of the adult sharing rate but these policies differ at various properties Certain accommodation establishments refuse permission to children under 12 years of age, e.g. certain private game lodges. Supplier child conditions will apply in these cases. Certain accommodation establishments only accept children in family units. These units are often in limited supply and subject to availability. Acceptance of any child on discounted conditions is therefore subject to availability and confirmation of such units. The itineraries in this manual is correct at the time of writing, however Royal African Discoveries (Pty) Ltd. and their agents cannot be held responsible for any alterations that may occur due to changing local conditions or circumstances beyond their control. 67 FIT Manual - WORLD
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