The Best of South Africa
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September 8–22, 2009
Robert Schrire
& two nights aboard the luxury train Rovos Rail
CMYK (FROM PMS 357)
Featuring South Africa’s leading political analyst
100% K WHITE
Dear Traveler, Whether you are a first-time or returning visitor, South Africa is an exciting destination. Cape Town and the beautiful Cape Peninsula, the spectacular wine region around Stellenbosch, and the early hominid site of Sterkfontein are a few of the highlights that I invite you to discover on this exclusive journey. The elegant Rovos Rail train is another. For two nights you will experience the pleasures of rail travel at its best: superb accommodations, gourmet cuisine, panoramic vistas, and exceptional service. Our hotels are equally superlative: Cape Town’s Mount Nelson Hotel, an elegant oasis in the heart of the city; Stellenbosch’s Lanzerac Manor, an outstanding example of Cape Dutch architecture; and Johannesburg’s Westcliff Hotel, set on a hillside with cascading gardens and opulent accommodations. South Africa is synonymous with outstanding game reserves. Within Kruger National Park, the deluxe Ngala Safari Lodge is our base for game-viewing drives to see the amazing diversity of wildlife in South Africa’s animal kingdoms. An optional extension to spectacular Victoria Falls is also available. I invite you to experience the best of South Africa and one of the world’s most luxurious trains! Sincerely,
J. William Diebenow Executive Vice President High Country Passage For more information contact your professional travel advisor or call HCP at (800) 395-3288 or visit www.hcptravel.com
Your Study Leader Robert Schrire, an authority on South African internal politics and foreign relations, is chairman of the Political Studies Department at the University of Cape Town and a highly regarded media commentator and analyst.
“Having spent much of the last 30 years traveling between the U.S. and South Africa, I greatly enjoy translating one country to the other, especially because Rovos Rail travelers always interpret what they see and experience in interesting ways. The South African medical system, African markets, regional agricultural practices—these are the kinds of things, among others, that we will naturally and informally discuss as we move about the country, observe its scenic beauty and distinctive architecture, and meet with local people. “More formally, my lectures will examine the role that the U.S. has played, and continues to play, in southern Africa; the impact of sanctions on ending apartheid; the nature of white domination and the legacy it has left on contemporary affairs; the Mandela presidency and my own relationship with him and his family; and the tragedy of Zimbabwe, which will hopefully have a happy ending. I will also indulge my passion for ants and beetles by devoting one of my lectures to the enduring struggle for survival between people and animals. “I will learn a little bit about all of you before we meet. So that you should have the same advantage, here is a little bit about me: I love wine (and South Africa has some superb products, which we will taste together). I love to cook, Asian-style. I live on a mountain property with a Great Dane puppy, a genuine Siberian wolf, and my Indian-born Dutch wife. I look forward to sharing my country with you!”
South Africa
to victoria falls
Cape Dutch architecture
Stellenbosch
Botswana Johannesburg
Namibia
ngala reserve
pretoria
Kimberley
South Africa Atlantic Ocean Matjiesfontein Cape Town
Indian Ocean
Rail Land Air
Itinerary U.S. / Cape Town Tuesday & Wednesday, September 8 & 9 Depart the U.S. on the recommended overnight flight itinerary, or independently, to Cape Town. Upon arrival, transfer to the elegant Mount Nelson Hotel. Mount Nelson Hotel.
Explore Cape Peninsula’s Floral Kingdom, packed with indigenous plant species. Cape Town Thursday, September 10 Stunningly set between the mountains and the sea, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Drive through the compelling landscape of the Cape Peninsula to visit the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, an integral part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Continue to Cape Point to view the spectacular scenery where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Enjoy a special welcome dinner this evening. Mount Nelson Hotel (B,L,D)
Sample excellent South African wines at Stellenbosch in the heart of the Cape wine region.
Male African
elephant
Cape Town Friday, September 11 Weather permitting, board cable cars this morning and ride to the top of Table Mountain for breathtaking views of the city and the Cape Peninsula. Then visit the Company Gardens, established in 1652 to provide fresh vegetables for ships en route to the Dutch East Indies. Today, the gardens are home to Parliament and the excellent South Africa Museum, which showcases the art and culture of the area’s indigenous populations. This afternoon, stroll through the immense Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, where only native plants, including the characteristic heathland vegetation known as fynbos, are cultivated. Mount Nelson Hotel (B,L)
Cape Town / Stellenbosch Saturday, September 12 Board a morning ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and other freedom fighters were imprisoned during the apartheid era. Then depart Cape Town for the beautifully restored town of Stellenbosch in the heart of the Cape’s wine region. This afternoon check in to the deluxe Lanzerac Manor on the outskirts of Stellenbosch. This 300-year-old country estate is a superior example of Cape Dutch architecture. Lanzerac Manor (B,L,D) Stellenbosch Sunday, September 13 This morning, tour historic Stellenbosch, founded in 1679 and renowned for its Cape Dutch architecture and stately oaks. Sample a selection of South Africa’s excellent wines at a local winery, then enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure to explore Stellenbosch on your own and enjoy the hotel’s amenities, which include an extensive collection of contemporary South African and African art, superior wines, and beautiful grounds landscaped with indigenous plants. Lanzerac Manor (B,L)
Stellenbosch / Cape Town/ Rovos Rail Monday, September 14 Depart Cape Town this morning aboard Rovos Rail. From the comfort of the observation car or a private compartment, watch the South African landscape transform from the lush valleys, vineyards, and sculpted mountains of the Western Cape to the stark desolation of the Great Karoo Desert, once an enormous inland sea. Arrive in Matjiesfontein, a charming oasis in the Little Karoo, and stroll through the historic town before dinner. Rovos Rail (B,L,D) Kimberley Tuesday, September 15 Disembark in Kimberley, famous for diamond mines, at one of the finest Victorian railway stations in Africa. Visit the Diamond Museum and the “Big Hole,” the largest manmade excavation in the world, where millions of tons of diamondiferous kimberlite ore was discovered and excavated. Rovos Rail (B,L,D)
Visit Soweto township, so critical in the struggle against apartheid. Johannesburg & Pretoria Wednesday, September 16 Continuing on the train, cross the Vaal River into the Transvaal and on to Johannesburg, the largest city in sub-Saharan Africa. Tour the Apartheid Museum, a sobering examination of South Africa’s turbulent racial history. Visit Soweto, the township that played such a crucial role in the struggle against apartheid. Drive to Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, where a local historian accompanies us on a tour of Church Square and the impressive Union Buildings, headquarters for the South African government since 1913. This evening check in to the luxurious Westcliff Hotel in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. Westcliff Hotel (B,L)
Sterkfontein (Cradle of Humankind) Thursday, September 17 Explore one of the richest sites of hominid fossils in Africa, the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Highlights include the Sterkfontein caves, where the world’s first complete Australopithecus africanus skull and parts of a skeleton, between 3.2 and 3.6 million years old, were found. Westcliff Hotel (B,L,D)
Enjoy superb animal watching in a private game reserve within Kruger National Park. Johannesburg / Ngala Private Game Reserve Friday–Sunday, September 18–20 Transfer by air to the Ngala Private Game Reserve within Kruger National Park, home to hundreds of species of birds, plants, and animals. Check in to the luxurious Ngala Safari Lodge. Each of Ngala’s twenty air-conditioned thatched cottages has a private veranda; the dining, bar, and sitting areas are open to the African bushveld and the swimming pool overlooks a busy waterhole frequented by elephants. During a three-night stay, participate in morning and afternoon game drives, looking for lion, leopards, cheetahs, buffalos, black rhinos, giraffes, zebras, elephants, and other large mammals that frequent the reserve. On Sunday evening, enjoy a festive farewell reception and dinner. Ngala Safari Lodge (3B,3L,3D) Ngala / Johannesburg / U.S. Monday & Tuesday, September 21 & 22 Enjoy a final game drive before flying to Johannesburg for connecting flights back to the U.S. Those participating in the optional Victoria Falls extension check in to Johannesburg’s Intercontinental Airport Sun Hotel on September 21 and fly to Livingstone on September 22. (B)
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Optional Post-Trip Extension to Victoria Falls September 21–25, 2009 Arrive at Victoria Falls, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Spend two days at the elegant Royal Livingstone Hotel, which overlooks the waters of the Zambezi River within sight of the eastern cataract of the falls. Renowned for its colonial-style architecture featuring spacious shaded verandas and luxurious bedrooms, as well as exceptional service, fine dining, and warm hospitality, the Royal Livingstone offers a wide range of activities, including guided walking tours of the falls, elephant safaris, helicopter flights over the falls, and a sunset cruise down the Zambezi. Rates: $2,390 per person, double occupancy; $3,350 single occupancy. Photography: Cover: © South African Tourism (Pincushion proteus); Double page spread: © South
African Tourism (King Cheetah); © Anne Giliam / Dreamstime.com (Bell tower); © iStockphoto. com / Don Bayley (Penguin & African aloes); © iStockphoto.com / Cliff Parnell (Woman); Interior: © iStockphoto.com / Volschenkh (Architecture); © Chris Fourie / Dreamstime.com (Male African elephant); © iStockphoto.com / Jessica Morelli (Common coral tree, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden)); © iStockphoto.com / Kemie (Wine barrels); © iStockphoto.com / Steven Allan (Soweto children); © Anke Van Wyk / Dreamstime.com (Giraffe); © rovos rail (train)
Rovos Rail Enjoy the many pleasures inherent to train travel aboard the distinguished Rovos Rail. An extensive search was conducted to find the unique, pre-1970 South African Railway coaches and locomotives that convey passengers under the Rovos Rail flag. Each coach has been meticulously restored to provide world-class standards of sleeping accommodations, dining, and sightseeing. Each sleeping carriage has two Royal Suites (172 square feet with bathtub and shower), three Deluxe Suites (118 square feet with shower), or five Pullman Suites (75 square feet with shower). All accommodations offer en suite facilities, individual temperature controls, mini-bar, sitting area, and wardrobe. Complimentary bar service is included throughout your stay on board, and meals feature the finest in continental and local cuisine, including internationally recognized wines.
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Deluxe Suite Double: $9,990 Single: $13,990*
Pullman Suite Single: $13,290*
Royal Suite Double: $10,990 * Limited availability
Airfare: Round-trip airfare between Washington, D.C., and Cape Town (with return from Johannesburg) is not included in the program rates. As of October 2008, economy-class airfare is estimated at $1,911 (subject to change). Cost savings may be available through our tour operator, who is happy to assist you with making your air travel arrangements.
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Included Three nights at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, two nights at the Lanzerac Manor in Stellenbosch, two nights at the Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg, and three nights at the Ngala Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park • Two nights aboard Rovos Rail • Meals as indicated in the itinerary • Alcoholic beverages aboard Rovos Rail • Comprehensive program of lectures and special events • All on-tour transportation • Welcome dinner and farewell reception and dinner including wine • Bottled water on coaches during excursions • State-of-the-art headsets for clear reception of expert commentary during excursions • Transfers and baggage handling between airports and hotels for those traveling on group flights • Gratuities to porters, guides, drivers and waiters for all group activities • Pre-tour information including a reading list • Professional tour management throughout
Terms & Conditions Not Included U.S. domestic and international airfare • Passport fees • Airport security fees imposed by the government or airline • Transfers to and from airports for individuals not using or meeting group flights • Excess baggage charges • Meals and beverages not specified as included • Optional excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour • Accident/baggage/cancellation insurance • Medical expenses • Laundry, room service, telephone, email, and fax calls • Other items of a purely personal nature and not stated as included Reservations & Payments A deposit of $1,000 per person (payable to High Country Passage) is required to confirm all reservations. Please mail the check to High Country Passage, 500 Third Street, Suite 455, San Francisco, CA 94107. Final payment deadline is May 11, 2009, 120 days prior to departure. Cancellations & Refunds Deposits are fully refundable if a written notice of cancellation is received by High Country Passage within 30 days of receipt of deposit; after that, they are 100% non-refundable. Cancellations after final payment deadline: 100% penalty. All cancellations must be made in writing. Itinerary, Program, & Cost Modifications The itinerary, as contained in this brochure, is subject to modifications and change by High Country Passage. Every effort will be made to carry out this program as planned, but alterations may still occur after the final itinerary is sent. Costs, although given in good faith and based on information available upon publication of the brochure, are also subject to change and revision. Insurance Trip cancellation/interruption insurance is highly recommended and should be considered for your financial protection. Another important consideration is medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage. A comprehensive package will be made available to you upon receipt of your initial deposit. Early purchase will provide coverage of preexisting medical conditions. Health All participants should be in good health and capable of walking over rough terrain. By forwarding the deposit for passage, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/ herself or other passengers.
September 8–22, 2009
Please send your completed reservation form and deposit to High Country Passage, 500 Third Street, Suite 455, San Francisco, CA 94107; or call High Country Passage at 800-395-3288; or contact your professional travel advisor. Contact Information please print _________________________________________ ___________ Name 1 (as on passport)
Date of Birth
_________________________________________ ___________ Name 2 (as on passport)
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(work)
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Payment ❑ Enclosed is my check for $ ________ ($1,000 per person, made payable to High Country Passage) for ________ spaces(s) on the Best of South Africa tour. OR ❑ Please charge my deposit of $________($1,000 per person) to the following credit card: ❑ VISA ❑ MasterCard ❑ Am Ex ______________________________ _______ ______________ Card no.
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Accommodations Suite preference aboard train: _______________ ______________
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Bed preference (not guaranteed): ❑ One bed ❑ Two beds Single Applicants Only ❑ I prefer single accommodations. ❑ I plan to share accommodations with: _____________________ . ❑ Please arrange a share for me (not guaranteed). I am a ❑ smoker ❑ non-smoker. I understand that if a roommate is not found by the final payment deadline of May 11, 2009, I will pay the single rate. Acceptance of Terms I/We have read the program information and the Terms and Conditions in this brochure and agree to the terms as stated therein. ______________________________________ ______________ Signature
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100% K
CST# 2070901-40 • Printed on recycled paper • 090908 ROP HCP
The Best of South Africa
CMYK (FROM PMS 357)
Responsibility High Country Passage (HCP) acts only as an agent for the suppliers and contractors providing transportation and/or all other travel-related services and assumes no responsibility howsoever caused for personal injury, or for personal or property loss or damage, in connection with any service. Additionally, responsibility is not accepted for losses or expenses due to sickness, weather, strikes, terrorism, wars, or other such causes. HCP reserves the right to make changes to the published itinerary whenever, in its judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the tour. Occasionally, unforeseen changes in transportation schedules or other pressing matters necessitate a change in the land portion of the tour or cause a tour to be extended beyond its scheduled completion; any extra costs incurred in such cases are the responsibility of the passenger. HCP reserves the right at its discretion to alter, change, omit, and/or feature any part of the itinerary or any reservation, conveyance, or routing at any time and without notice and for any reason whatsoever without allowance of refund. HCP also reserves the right to decline or accept any person as a member of the tour, or to require any person to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by its representative to be in the best interests of the health, safety, and general welfare of the tour group or the individual participant. HCP reserves the right to withdraw without penalty any tour announced. Personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times.
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