The Peace Train Tour to South Africa

27 July  - 11 August 2005

Wednesday, 27 July

- Depart from JFK Airport in New York

THURSDAY, 28 JULY

– Evening arrival in Johannesburg; escorted in luxury air-conditioned coach to Rosebank Hotel

4* Rosebank Hotel

Classical elegance and warmth in a tranquil, relaxed atmosphere; 3 shopping malls and the renowned African Craft Market are within 3 minutes walking distance

FRIDAY,  29 JULY 

Breakfast & Lunch

Today after an early breakfast, visit the poignant Apartheid Museum for an in-depth understanding of the country’s terrible past and it’s vibrant present.  Then visit  Soweto, enjoying a delicious lunch at one of the Township Restaurants and a visit to Nelson Mandela’s house. Evening at leisure to relax, explore the Rosebank Mall, or take in the local music and culture.

SATURDAY, 30 JULY 

Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast, we journey to Mabopane, where we visit projects that are funded by Friends of The Peace Train: the Lotus Children’s Home and Mereteng KwaDolly. Then on to our African safari at Bakubung Bush Lodge, home to the gargantuan shapes of Africa's giants - elephants, rhino and buffalo. If you're fortunate, you may catch a glimpse of the stealthy leopard or lion, stately king of the bush. Wild country indeed, but without the risk of malaria.

Observe the huge variety of African wildlife on foot or from the comfort of an open air vehicle accompanied by an experienced ranger or enjoy the Motswedi Bar, tennis courts, and natural rock-hewn swimming pool.

30 July,      4:30pm

It is time for your first introduction to the African Bushveld and a “Big 5” photo Safari: LION, LEOPARD, RHINO, ELEPHANT & BUFFALO

As you are about to become intrepid explorers, don’t forget a bottle of water, binoculars, camera, a peaked cap and a lightweight sweater, as part of your

“Survival Kit”! The duration of the Safari is around 3 hours, which enables guests to perhaps catch sight of those allusive nocturnal animals. Please note that all the animals in the reserve are free-roaming and are not “Chipped” or “Fed” to encourage them to be more visible. So when there is a sighting, it is an authentic experience and VERY EXCITING! The evening Safari will culminate in a wonderful Bush Braai (Barbeque) under the stars.

SUNDAY, 31 JULY

BREAKFAST & DINNER

5:00 am

 – Today it is a very early start to experience the awakening of another day under an African Sky, on a “Sunrise” Safari.  Don’t forget your complimentary wildlife information booklet, so you can tick off the animals as you spot them.  You will return to the Lodge for a huge breakfast, after which you are at leisure to relax by the pool or take part in one of the other lodge activities.

Why not take an optional trip to The Sun City Leisure resort, where you will have the entire day to enjoy all the facilities and entertainment on offer.  The cost of transport is R40.00 (approx $7) per person and the entrance fee is approximately R80.00 per person. The entrance fee includes R30.00 vouchers, which may be redeemed at the casino, or for any services or meals at the resort

4:00pm   

- This evening, you will enjoy another evening Safari,  Dinner & Overnight

MONDAY,  01 AUGUST

BREAKFAST

After breakfast and checkout, back to Johannesburg for our flight to Durban. You will have a brief City Orientation Tour before being taken to your hotel: 4* Protea Edward Hotel (4*)

Situated on Durban`s famous Golden Mile, within five minutes of the city centre, the Protea Hotel Edward Durban heralds a time of Victorian elegance. This world-famous hotel has played host to Princes and Presidents, Field Marshals, millionaires and movie stars since 1911.  The Protea Hotel Edward Durban is a well-placed base from which to explore the Zululand environment, the famous Indian Market and a variety of night spots and entertainment.  On the beach and with a pool.

Other places of interest nearby include:

• The Hindu Temple - The Alayam, the largest and oldest temple in South Africa
• Victoria Street Market - something for everyone, from jewelry to spices, fruits to curios
• Palmiet Nature Reserve - Approximately 11kms away, a birdwatchers' paradise
• uShaka Marine World - with the largest aquarium in the southern hemisphere, Seaworld, Wet 'n Wild, Beach & Village Walk
• Snake Park - with indigenous and exotic snakes, crocodiles & iguanas
• Suncoast Casino - spin the wheel and roll the dice!
• Sibaya Casino & Cultural Village

The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or explore.

TUESDAY, 2 AUGUST

 BREAKFAST

5:00pm

6:30am

– Today is a very early start to experience one of the most exciting tours on offer: a Dolphin Safari!  After the tour you will be transferred back to the hotel where you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax on the beach, visit with local bead makers, or go exploring.

WEDNESDAY, 3 AUGUST

BREAKFAST & LUNCH

Visit The Peace Train’s projects in Durban and the Umlazi Township; then enjoy The Valley of 1000 Hills and enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the picturesque restaurants in the area.  Evening, your choice of local entertainment.

THURSDAY,  4 AUGUST

BREAKFAST & DINNER

After breakfast and checkout, we fly to Port Elizabeth and start along the Garden Route to the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve and our cosy log cabins at the Lodge.

  Each cabin has it's own deck and barbeque area. Spend the evening relaxing on your private deck, listening to the relaxing sounds of nature. Should you wish to be alone this evening, the Lodge will arrange a Private Barbeque for you on your deck. However, the wonderful cosy ambiance of the dining room, along with the delicious meals should not be missed.

FRIDAY, 5 AUGUST

BREAKFAST

This morning you have the option of taking one of the many optional tours on offer in the region, or enjoying one of the varied hikes on offer at the Lodge.

Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour

                         Knysna Loerie

The Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour is a unique Eco-Wilderness adventure, taking place in the magnificent Tsitsikamma Indigenous Rainforest.  The first of it’s kind in Africa and with only one other like it in the world, the Canopy  Tour involves traversing from one platform to another along a steel cable suspended up to 30 meters above the forest floor. Most   platforms are located in giant Outeniqua Yellowwood trees. The scenery and bird life is spectacular and professional guides provide interesting facts about the forest ecology during the three-hour tour. Enjoy the unequaled beauty of the Indigenous Forest high up on eight treetop platforms. Gently glide along in harness along steel cables 30 metres above the forest floor. From the start on the launch platform a new world unfolds as one gently glides to the first tree platform high up in a giant Yellowwood tree. The platforms provide an unbelievable view of this enchanting new world. Spend a couple of minutes relaxing while your guides enthusiastically explain the ecology of the lush primeval forest – pointing out different trees and magnificent giant ferns, way below. The Birdlife is magnificent and abundant (including Knysna Loeries and the elusive Narina Trogon).

By taking this tour you have contributed to the creation of new jobs and  the forest regeneration project.

An informal light lunch will be enjoyed in the company of your canopy guides, upon your return.

****

Other tours on offer are…..

Bloukrans Bungy Jump, Blackwater Tubing, Abseiling the Stormsriver Gorge

Mountain Bike Trails, Eco Adventure Cruise, Woodcutters or Woodcutters + Marine Tour, Back-Routes & View point Tour, Scuba Diving

1:00pm

– It is time to bid farewell to this wonderful piece of paradise as we make our way towards Plettenberg Bay. Here we will experience a tour which is likely to be the highlight of your trip….WALKING WITH THE KNYSNA ELEPHANTS!

This is an interactive “hands on” experience with these majestic beasts.

After this amazingly moving experience we make our through the Knysna Village

to the vibrant waterfront and our hotel.4* Protea Hotel Knysna Quays

Located on the banks of the famous Knysna Lagoon and facing the sea through the Knysna Heads, this exciting hotel development is also an integral part of the vibrant Knysna Quays Waterfront, with its vast selection of restaurants, bars and speciality boutiques. Facilities at the hotel include a swimming pool & wooden sun deck.
 

SATURDAY, 6 AUGUST

BREAKFAST & DINNER

Today after an early breakfast, we drive through the mountainous Klein Karoo, for a full days touring in Outshoorn, the Ostrich Capital of the world.  Our first tour today is of the Cango Caves, which is a series of awesome 'Living Caves'.

After this amazing experience it's off for an encounter with rare Bengal Tigers, Cheetahs, Wild Dogs & Crocodiles at the Cango Wildlife Ranch. Highgate Ostrich Farm is our next stop for the day, where we will have a tour of the Ostrich Farm, and the opportunity to sit on one of these huge dessert birds, if we wish.

An optional lunch may be enjoyed at the farm, where, if you wish, you may opt for an Ostrich Steak! Really delicious and it has NO CHOLESTEROL!

After an amazing day we end off with a visit to Gruenheim, a Mampoer and Witblitz distillery.

Mampoer / Witblitz - In America it is known as Moonshine. In the Transvaal it is Mampoer and in the Cape Province it is Witblitz (white lightning!). Mampoer is believed to be named after a chief of the Pedi tribe, one Mampuru. The Voortrekkers (pioneers) on their travels from the Cape to the interior were given this drink, which was distilled from the maroela fruit, which grew abundantly.

Feeling rather ‘jolly’ after sampling many of these deliciously flavoured yet intoxicating liqueurs, we leave this stunning region and continue our journey down the Outeniqua Pass to Eight Bells Mountain Inn, situated at the foot of the Robinson Pass, for dinner and overnight.

Eight Bells Mountain Inn

Situated in South Africa’s picturesque Garden Route, Eight Bells Mountain Inn nestles in the Ruiterbos Valley Region at the foot of the Robinson Pass.  Outdoor facilities consists of a bell shaped swimming pool, tennis courts, squash court, bowling green, The Rooster walking trails, and horse trails. Hour long horse outrides are conducted by a guide twice a day, as well as paddock rides for beginners - weather permitting. Protea and fynbos are a feature and the abundant bird life is a treat for birdwatchers. Books on birds and flowers are available.

SUNDAY, 7 AUGUST

BREAKFAST

Today we make our way to Cape Town. Some sightseeing will be done en route.
 

Our Cape Town hotel, The Portswood, is conveniently situated at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with spectacular views from Table Mountain, across the Atlantic to Robben Island, over the pristine beaches in the distance and around to where Signal Hill meets the mountain again.. 

At the Quarterdeck Restaurant you can get a taste of some of Cape Town's most applauded Cape Malay traditional cuisine, as well as a taste of history. The restaurant is situated in the Old Convict Station Building - a restored National Monument. In the morning, choose your own selection of delights from the sumptuous Breakfast Buffet.

MONDAY, 8 AUGUST

BREAKFAST & LUNCH

7:30am

 – Today it is an early start for a full days touring of the sites, politics, and developments in the Cape.

Table Mountain Tour

It can be chilly up the mountain, so don’t forget your jackets!
 

Today you are at leisure to relax or do some last minute shopping before being transferred to Cape Town International Airport for you return flight to the US.