Monday 08 July
09h00 – 12h30 : Cape Town City Tour (incl. In Accompanying Reg fees. US$30 delegate charge)
Our drive to the city centre takes us past famous landmarks such as Castle of Good Hope built in 1666
by the Dutch East India Company and City Hall, a baroque building the Grand Parade. As we follow
the city’s main thoroughfare, Adderley Street, we will see St. George’s Cathedral, the Anglican
Diocese of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and visit the South African Museum,
noted for it’s natural history and anthropology collection. We visit the Company Gardens and the
Malay Quarter [also known as the Bo-Kaap] which means "Above Cape" because of its location up
against the slopes of Table Mountain. In the early 18 th century, thousands of slaves from Java, Ceylon
and other Far Eastern regions were brought to Cape Town. After slavery was abolished, their
descendants, known as the Cape Malay’s, settled here. Our route then leads us to Kloof Nek and Signal
Hill, which offers dramatic views of the harbour, city and the magnificent Table Mountain.
Tuesday 09 July
09h00 – 12h30 : V&A Waterfront Tour (US$35.00)
Depart hotel and proceed to the V&A Waterfront for a short tour of South Africa’s most visited
attraction. Visit the Two Oceans Aquarium which boasts more than 3000 living specimens representing
approximately 300 species of fish, invertebrates, mammals, birds and plants supported by the waters in
and around the Cape coast. Exhibits include the Predator Exhibit, the Kelp Forest Exhibit and the
Living Dead Exhibit. After the Aquarium we stroll to the Nelson Mandela Gateway, for a short tour of
the museum which highlights South Africa’s struggle for Democracy. Feel free to book a ferry trip to
the notorious Robben Island Prison, for many years home to some of the leaders of the struggle against
Apartheid.
[Ferry ticket not included]
Tuesday 09 July & Thursday 11 July
09h00 – 17h00: Full Day Peninsula Tour (US$98.00)
Bring your camera and plenty of film, we're headed for the Cape Point at the south western tip of the
Cape Peninsula, and the most spectacular views in the world. The drive there is just as inspiring,
passing steep mountains', secluded coves and sweeping beaches, as well as villages and fishing
communities. En route, we'll enjoy a delicious lunch.
Our tour begins with a scenic drive along the Atlantic coast, passing through the cosmopolitan suburb
of Sea Point and Camps Bay with its glorious views of the Twelve Apostles, part of the Table
Mountain range. We'll continue to the fishing village of Hout Bay, one of Cape Town's best-kept
secrets. Here we take a short boat trip to Duiker Island to view the Cape Fur Seals, which inhabit the
island. From here we travel to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, comprising over 17,300 acres
of indigenous fauna and flora. Here we can see a variety of wildlife that includes baboons, rhebok,
Cape Mountain zebra, bontebok and the elusive eland. The reserve is also one of the world's largest
breeding grounds for tortoises. Bird-watchers, too, will find many fine species to observe.
The majestic coastline offers drama worthy of being called "Nature's Greatest Show." We'll be able to
see the union of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and may even feel the brisk wind that is dubbed the
"Cape Doctor" for its presumed curative powers. Following the coastline along False Bay, we'll return
to Cape Town by way of the Simon's Town naval base, Fishoek fishing village and Muizenberg
Mountain. Before our return, we'll stop at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens for a short
walking tour of the se beautiful gardens. We return to Cape Town, passing the University of Cape
Town, Rhodes Memorial and the Groote Schuur Hospital.
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Tuesday 09 July
13h30 – 17h00: ½ Day Winelands Tour (US$36)
This enchanting excursion begins with a short tour of Stellenbosch, an architectural jewel that serves as
the historic heart of the country’s wine region. A gracious blend of 18-century Cape Dutch, Georgian
and Victorian buildings is evident as we stroll down Dorp Street, where massive Oaks still shade
original water furrows, then head for one of the nearby wine estates for a guided cellar tour and a wine
tasting session.
Tuesday 09 July
13h30 – 17h00: Table Mountain Tour (USD36.00) Please note that this tour is weather permitting.
Depart from the hotel and travel to the majestic Table Mountain where we'll ascend to the top [weather
permitting] by the new revolving cable car. Here, we'll see wild flowers and the famous silver tree, and
marvel at a birds-eye view of the city and its beaches. On a clear day it is even possible to see Robben
Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on one side and Cape Point on the other. Descend from
the Upper Cableway station to your awaiting coach and then proceed around Table Bay to the
Milnerton Lighthouse. From here we can see Table Mountain from the same perspective as the early
did when they sailed into Table Bay.
Wednesday 10 July
13h30 – 20h00: Townships, Cape Minstrels and Castle Dinner (USD65.00)
Our first call is the haunting District Six Museum, named for the sixth municipal district of Cape
Town. Here we'll learn how a once-bustling community was transformed to a desolate wasteland by
the Group Areas Act, designed to ensure racial segregation. After the apartheid government decreed
District Six a white group area, over 60,000 families were forcibly removed between 1966 and 1982,
and their properties bulldozed. The area never recovered, and the museum speaks eloquently of the
human toll.
Many of those evacuated from District Six were moved to segregated townships, and we will head next
to Langa, the oldest existing black township in the Western Cape. Here, we'll visit the children at the
Chris Hani Literacy School and see first hand the government's efforts to help the community. Later,
try some traditional African sorghum beer at a township tavern.
From Langa we travel to the Castle of Good Hope where we are met by a troop of Cape Minstrels who
will entertain us with local music and dancing, dating back to slave times. A traditional South African
dinner is enjoyed in the Castle of Good Hope.
Wednesday 10 July
13h30 – 20h00: African Village, Drumming and Africa Café’ Dinner (USD55.00)
In the early afternoon we depart for Cape Town’s African Village where you will be introduced to the
indigenous people of Southern Africa and their cultures. After an short tour of the traditional village we
enjoy a cultural show [Ngoma]. The Ngoma commences with "Siyanimukela" an energetic multicultural performance that will welcome you, to the Spirit of the dance. The Xhosa courtship dance
features chest slapping and vibrant body shaking, known as the "Xhensa". This is followed by the
Swazi Warrior dance, performed in honour of the great Swazi King Sobhusa. The young maidens,
dressed in colourful beads will enthral you with their high kicking dance, intended to attract young men
who, lead by their Warrior Chief, dance the “Isigenyana” [Hunting Dance] and the frenetic Bull Dance
of the Tugela Valley. The Basotho's will perform the dance of the "Mountains in the Sky". The
Farewell or "Valelisa" includes the dance of the small shields, introduced by the Great King Shaka
Zulu. Saying goodbye to the Africa Village we return to Cape Town for an interactive drumming
session and dinner at the Africa Café. Dinner will include delicacies from all over Africa.
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Thursday 11 July
09h00 – 17h00: Full Day Winelands Tour (US$70.00)
While South Africa's fertile valleys are world famous for their crisp white and classic French-style red
wines, the area is also a treasury of rustic beauty and sprawling estates shaded by giant oak trees. Our
drive today will include the country's principal wine routes of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschoek, with
a stop en route for lunch.
Our day starts with a visit to Paarl where you will be struck by the beauty of the Valley, the pristine
blue sky, the rolling vineyards and the Pearl of Paarl set high above the valley. Paarl made headlines
when President Mandela was released from the Victor Verster prison, on the outskirts of the town, to
freedom and the start of the new South Africa. We enjoy a wine tasting and cellar tour at one of the
local estates.
From Paarl, we'll continue north-west to the beautiful village of Franschoek, near the Drakenstein
Mountains founded in 1688 by French immigrants fleeing the Huguenot religious persecution in
Europe. A memorial in the town commemorates the arrival of these early settlers who helped develop
the wines sought after by Napoleon, Bismark and royalty such as Edward V11, the Prince of Wales.
Here we will stop for lunch and another tasting on an estate.
We'll then head to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa and the historic heart of the
country's wine region. In 1679, Dutch East India Company governor Simon van der Stel, recognised
the fertility of this long valley on the banks of the Eerste River, as perfect for vineyards. The rest is
history, which has been carefully cultivated in this town. A gracious blend of 18 th-century Cape Dutch,
Georgian and Victorian buildings is evident on Dorp Street, where massive oaks still shade original
water furrows. Next, head to one of the well-known estates of the area for our final wine tasting.
Saturday 13 July
06h30 – 17h00: Full Day Safari (USD122.00)
After an Early morning departure we head up the N1 Highway, through the spectacular Hex River
Valley and arrive at the Aquila Private Game Reserve. The bio-diverse habitat of the reserve ensures
plenty of interest for the avid game viewer and birder. Giraffe, Blesbok, Black and Blue Wildebeest,
Zebra, Springbok, Gemsbok Klipspringers, Duiker, Greybuck, Stennbok, Ostriches, Baboons Caracul,
Foxes, Jackal, Leopard and 172 species of birds, including the Black Eagle are found on the reserve.
An experienced Game Ranger will take you on a Game Drive. Snacks and Champagne will be served
while you stop to see the San Bushmen paintings. Lunch is enjoyed at the Lodge.
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