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INTRODUCTION
This unforgettable holiday takes in a small but potent fraction of the incredible wealth of South Africa's
breathtaking sights, including the spectacular mountain scenery of the Drakensberg, the fascinating history of Isandlwana
and Rorke's Drift at Fugitives Drift,the contrasting experience of the picturesque wine valleys of Franschhoek
in the Western Cape, and Cape Town, the country's premier tourist attraction.
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An excellent walking programme suitable for anyone who is reasonably fit, combined with exceptional hotel
accommodation should appeal to discerning travellers looking for something a little bit different.
Being in the southern hemisphere, seasons are in reverse and our visit coincides with early summer - one of the
most beautiful times of year for the flora and fauna particularly as the beautiful blue Jacaranda should be in
full bloom. The Cape Peninsula has a Mediterranean climate and should provide ideal weather conditions for our
visit.
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| Dates: |
19 Nov - 4 Dec 2011 |
| Price excl. flights: |
£tbc |
| Price incl. flights: |
£tbc |
| Grade: |
Moderate [M] More info |
| Availability: |
Places available |
| Book this holiday now |
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View in a larger window
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DRAKENSBERG
After a scenic drive from Johannesburg by car to the Drakensberg we check in to the delightful and welcoming
Little Switzerland Resort - a firm favourite with previous clients. Situated close to the Royal Natal National Park
with magnificent views overlooking the Amphitheatre and soaring peaks of the Drakensberg range (the Zulus call them
the "Barrier of Spears" because of the awesome pinnacles of rock that give the range its foreboding character), this
is a dramatic and exciting location to start our amazing holiday experience. Walks include the Royal Natal National
Park, The Gorge, Mahai Falls and Baboon Rock.
FUGITIVES' DRIFT
Fugitives' Drift is renowned for its battlefield tours of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift. Led by registered local
tour guides who are superb storytellers, we learn the gripping detail of the bravery and mobility of the Zulu army
that defeated the British at Isandlwana, and the famous story of Rorke's Drift, where 100 British soldiers were
attacked by 4,000 Zulu warriors, winning more Victoria Crosses than in any other battle in history.
For further information, please refer to the website www.fugitives-drift-lodge.com
FRANSCHHOEK
Founded by the French Huguenots in1688, Franschoek has one of the loveliest wine valleys in the Western Cape Province.
The village of Franschhoek is very friendly with superb cuisine, galleries and arts & crafts shops. Again
we stay in luxury accommodation set in a stunning location at the exclusive boutique Franschhoek Country House Hotel,
surrounded by mountains and vineyards. Walks include Paarl Mountain, Montrochelle Nature Reserve, the village of
Franschhoek along with visits to vineyards and the impressive Boschendal Wine Estate and Stellenbosch.
For further information about the Franschhoek Country House Hotel, please refer to their website www.shumbalala.co.za
CAPE TOWN
Cape Town is the perfect destination to visit in December and one of the world's most beautiful cities.
We stay at the 4-star Victoria & Alfred Hotel, ideally located right on the harbour at the Victoria &
Albert Waterfront, close to good restaurants, cafes and shops. The hotel overlooks the incredibly dramatic sight
of Table Mountain. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is widely acknowledged as Cape Town's premier tourist
destination. The combination of modern living, history, culture and the colourful harbour life adds up to this
being a great place to wind up our visit to South Africa.
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PROGRAMME
Day 1 - Saturday 19th November 2011
Depart UK by British Airways for an overnight flight to Johannesburg.
Day 2 - Sunday 20th November 2011 - Little Switzerland Resort, Drakensberg
Arrive Johannesburg and transfer by private coach to the Little Switzerland Resort in The Drakensberg
(4 hour drive). Free time in the afternoon with an early evening walk in local hills. Welcome Reception.
Dinner in the hotel. D
Day 3 - Monday 21st November 2011 - The Gorge
We drive (40 minute) to the Visitor Centre at the main entrance to the Royal Natal National Park and stop
for an introduction to the amenities of the park. We set off with our guides for an unforgettable day of fairly
level walking on the trail that follows the Tugela River upstream in the direction of the spectacular Amphitheatre,
scrambling over boulders until we reach the Gorge. After our picnic lunch, there is an option to climb the fixed chain
ladder to get a good view of Tugela Falls. Grade Easy/Moderate. 22km. Dinner in the hotel.
BLD
Day 4 - Tuesday 22nd November 2011 - Mahai Falls and Rockside
Return to the Royal Natal National Park for a walk that is quite different to yesterday being shorter in distance,
slightly more challenging and with more elevation. Follow a circular route that bypasses several waterfalls
including Kudu and Tiger Falls. We can change the route depending on the ability of the group with opportunities
to explore in the area of Look Out Rock viewpoint, one of the highlights of the walk. Grade Moderate. 7km.
Dinner in the hotel. BLD
Day 5 - Wednesday 23rd November 2011 - Baboon Rock and Braai Lunch
Setting off from the hotel, we walk up into the spectacular hills that form the backdrop to the Little Switzerland
Resort and head for Baboon Rock. This trail that includes forest and fields of proteas and, if we are lucky,
vultures that inhabit the area. After a break at Baboon Rock to enjoy the splendid views we make our way down
to Ingwe along the spine of Baboon Rock. When we arrive at the Cabin on Ingwe we can look forward to a typical
South African Braai lunch. Grade Moderate. 12km - depending on the route. Dinner in the hotel. BLD
Day 6 - Thursday 24th November 2011 - Fugitives' Drift
Drive to Fugitives' Drift and check in at Fugitives' Drift Lodge. Before dinner in the Lodge, we learn, in gripping
detail, of the bravery and mobility of the Zulu army that defeated the British at Isandlwana. We listen, too, to the famous
story of Rorke's Drift, where 100 British soldiers were attacked by 4,000 Zulu warriers, winning more Victoria
Crosses than in any other battle in history. We enjoy sundowners around the fire under a canopy of stars, with
magical Isandlwana looming on the skyline. Dinner in the hotel. BLD
Day 7 - Friday 25th November 2011 - Guided tour of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift
Full day guided tour, setting out from Fugitives' Drift with our registered guides. An unforgettable day where
our guides will make the history of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift come alive. Later, we again enjoy sundowners
under the stars at the Lodge. Dinner in the hotel. BLD
Day 8 - Saturday 26th November 2011 - Travel to Cape Town and Franschhoek
Drive to Johannesburg International Airport (4 hours) and fly to Cape Town with Comair departing at 1500.
Met on arrival at 1710 by our agents and transfer by private coach to Franschhoek. Check in for the next four nights
at the Franschhoek Country House Hotel. Free time. Dinner in a local restaurant. BD
Day 9 - Sunday 27th November 2011 - Franschhoek - Local Guided Walk
After breakfast in the hotel, we meet up with our guide, Izak Rust, at 0830. Izak will be accompanying us for
our two walks in Franschhoek. He is a Registered Tourist Field Guide and lives locally.Izak is a retired Professor
of Geology and taught at Stellenbosch University and the University of Port Elizabeth, now the Nelson Mandela
Metropolitan University. For the past 12 years or so he has been operating a small eco-hiking company out of
Franschhoek with emphasis on earth heritage tourism. The theme of this morning's guided walk is to meander through
the valley and experience the rural ambience of the region. We are introduced to the 350-year European-style
history of the valley plus the many-millennia pre-history of Stone Age peoples who lived here before. Izak will
talk about the landscape and environment as well as modern community dynamics and trends in the light of the
complex local sociopolitical setting. The route goes through vineyards, orchards and along rural back roads,
with the last section of the hike passing through part of Franschhoek Village. We return to the hotel around 1230.
Grade Easy. 4 hours.
After an optional lunch in Franschhoek or the hotel, there is free time in the afternoon to browse around Franschhoek
Village, or there is an optional wine tasting and cellar tour at Grand Provance Winery (10 minute walk)
followed by a wine tasting at nearby Glenwood Winery. Return to the hotel (20 minute walk). Dinner in a local
restaurant. BD
Day 10 - Monday 28th November 2011 - Franschhoek - Montrochelle Nature Reserve
Meet up with Izak and leave the hotel by shuttle bus for a guided walk to Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. Drive
to Franschhoek Pass to the main entrance of Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve which is the start point for our walk.
Follow the Du Toitskop Trail with excellent vistas along the way to the top (elevation 1419 metres). The summit
will be the perfect place for our picnic lunch. On a clear day Table Mountain can be seen. Return by the same trail
The theme of today's walk is Cape fynbos flora, landscape evolution and cultural history of the Franschhoek Region.
Return by the hotel's shuttle bus. Grade Moderate. 6 hours. Dinner in local restaurant.
BLD
Day 11 - Tuesday 29th November 2011 - Free Time in Franschhoek
Today has been set aside for relaxing at the hotel and for optional local visits or walks. Dinner in local restaurant or hotel. BD
Day 12 - Wednesday 30th November 2011 - Cape Town - Boschendal - Stellenboch
Check out of the hotel and drive to Boschendal Wine Estate to enjoy a wine tasting followed by free time to
explore this delightful estate. their famous picnic lunch.Continue to Cape Town, stopping briefly at Stellenbosch,
then continue our journey and check in at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel on the Waterfront Pier where we stay for three
nights. Dinner in a local restaurant. BLD
Day 13 - Thursday 1 December 2011 - Cape Town - Table Mountain
We are collected and driven to Camps Bay, the start point for our walk. We hike up to the reservoir and then to the
summit of Table Mountain, returning via Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Time has been allowed to visit the cafe for
refreshments and to explore these world famous and delightful gardens before returning to the Hotel. The hike is
roughly 12kms, with the summit being a bit less than 800m above the starting point. It will take approximately
7 hours, but that is with a plethora of rests, snacks and view-points. There are a variety of equally pleasing
options that can shorten the hike should we decide this to be necessary. Grade Moderate. Dinner in local restaurant. BLD
Day 14 - Friday 2nd December 2011 - Cape Town - Cape of Good Hope
Meljo Tours collect us from the hotel and, along with our guide, we spend the day exploring the magnificent
Cape Peninsula and hiking in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Grade Easy. 2-3 hours walking. On the return
journey we call at Boulders Beach to see the penguin colony and Simon's Town. Optional swim. Dinner in local
restaurant. BLD
Day 15 - Saturday 3rd December 2011 - Cape Town
We have most of the day as free time to explore further in Cape Town, visit Robben Island or do some shopping
for souvenirs. Not to be missed is afternoon tea served in traditional Colonial style at the Mount Nelson Hotel.
We plan to be there around 4.00pm. From there Meljo Tours will collect the group for transfer to the
airport. BT
B = breakfast L = lunch D = dinner T = afternoon tea
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20 - 23 November Little Switzerland Hotel, Drakensberg
24 - 25 November Fugitives' Drift Lodge
26 - 29 November Franschhoek Country House Hotel, Franschhoek
For further information about the Franschhoek Country House Hotel, please refer to their website www.fch.co.za
30 November - 3 December Victoria & Alfred Hotel, Waterfront, Cape Town
For further information about the Victoria & Alfred Hotel please refer to their website www.vahotel.co.za
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Please note that the following flight details are the latest known and are subject to confirmation and change by the airline. All times are local. Airline is British Airways.
Outbound - Saturday 19th November 2011
Depart UK by British Airways for overnight flight to Johannesburg
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Depart Manchester (T3)
Arrive Heathrow (T5)
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BA1399
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1500
1630
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Depart Heathrow (T5)
Arrive Johannesburg
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BA57
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2005 (10hr 45min)
0900 (20 Nov)
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Inbound - Saturday 3rd December 2011
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Depart Cape Town
Arrive Heathrow (T1)
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BA58
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2050 (12hr 05mins)
0645 (4th Dec)
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Depart Heathrow (T4)
Arrive Manchester (T3)
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BA1388
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1040 (4th Dec)
1145
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Inclusive price per person sharing a twin/double room including flights departing from London Heathrow
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£tbc
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Price per person excluding flights
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£tbc
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Supplement per person for an Executive Suite at the Little Switzerland Resort and room with mountain view at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel
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£tbc
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Single person occupying a double room at both hotels
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£tbc
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Supplement per person for an Executive Suite at the Little Switzerland Resort and room with mountain view at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel
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£tbc
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Departure from Manchester
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£tbc
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HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
- Drakensberg Mountains and Royal Natal National Park
- Fugitives' Drift
- Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift
- Zulu culture and history
- Wine growing valleys of Franschhoek
- Cape Town
- Table Mountain
- Cape of Good Hope
- Guided walks
- Wine tours
- Impressive hotels
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
WHAT THE FULL PRICE INCLUDES
- International scheduled air travel, London-Johannesburg, and Cape Town-London
- Internal flight Johannesburg-Cape Town
- Welcome Reception
- Hire of VW Microbuses, fuel and taxes for the Drakensberg
- Private coaches in Cape Town
- Hotel accommodation with full facilities
- All meals as shown in the itinerary
- Full walking programme with local guides
- Visits to places of interest
- South African VAT at 14%
- South African Tourism Promotion Levy
- Airport and Security taxes in UK and South Africa
- Accompanying Tour Leader
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Beverages
- Gratuities, which are optional
- Holiday Insurance
- Any Government taxes or compulsory charges that may be introduced after the publication of this web page
E&OE
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