The Best of South Africa With four nights aboard the luxurious Rovos Rail
4 May 5–21, 2010
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Featuring
evolutionary biologist Ian Tattersall
and political scientist
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David Welsh
CMYK (FROM PMS 357) 100% K WHITE
Cape Town & Table Mountain
African lion
Dear Traveler, South Africa is a complex tapestry of diverse threads—a wild animal wilderness; the birthplace and burial ground of mankind’s early ancestors; the smallest and richest of the world’s six floral kingdoms; the meeting place of two great oceans; and a history of transplanted European values abutting simpler tribal norms. Aboard the renowned and elegant Rovos Rail train, experience the unsurpassed beauty of South Africa’s sweeping landscapes, from Cape Town at the tip of the African continent, across the Great Karoo to Pretoria, and on to Durban. Along the way, enjoy the living dioramas of elephant herds, lion prides, and countless other animals at two private game reserves. Off the train, stay at deluxe hotels and the comfortable Kapama River Lodge at Kapama Private Game Reserve. Ian Tattersall, an evolutionary biologist, will discuss the significance of the important fossil finds in South Africa. David Welsh, a retired professor of political science at the University of Cape Town, will share his longtime interest in human rights and democracy building in his native South Africa. Travelers from the American Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation participate in this adventure. See the best of South Africa aboard Rovos Rail, one of the world’s most luxurious trains! Sincerely,
J. William Diebenow President, High Country Passage For more information, contact your professional travel advisor or call (800) 395-3288. Or visit www.hcptravel.com.
Botswana
Kapama Game Reserve pretoria
Johannesburg
Namibia
Indian Ocean Kimberley
South Africa Atlantic Ocean Cape Town
Nambiti Reserve Spionkop Reserve
Durban
Rail Air
Itinerary U.S. | Cape Town Wednesday & Thursday, May 5 & 6 Depart the U.S. on the recommended overnight flight itinerary, or independently, to Cape Town. Arrive Thursday and transfer to the elegant Mount Nelson Hotel, our home for four nights. Mount Nelson Hotel (B,L,D)
Cape Town Friday, May 7 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)
Cape Town Saturday, May 8 Weather permitting, ride cable cars to the top of Table Mountain for breathtaking views of the city and Cape Peninsula. 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 Sunday, May 9 Board a morning ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and other freedom fighters were once imprisoned.
Zulu girls in Durban
Visit the prison where former inmates serve as guides, and hear riveting personal stories of their experiences. After lunch on the Cape Town waterfront, enjoy an afternoon of independent exploration. Mount Nelson Hotel (B,L)
Cape Town (Embark Rovos Rail ) Monday, May 10 Depart Cape Town this morning aboard the luxurious 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. Rovos Rail (B,L,D)
Kimberley Tuesday, May 11 Disembark in Kimberley, famous for its 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 were discovered and excavated. Rovos Rail (B,L,D)
Johannesburg Wednesday, May 12 Continue across 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. This evening check in to the luxurious Westcliff Hotel in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. Westcliff Hotel (B,L,D)
Johannesburg (Cradle of Humankind) Thursday, May 13 Explore one of the richest sites of hominid fossils in Africa, the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO 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; and the Drimolen maze cave, the third richest hominid site in southern Africa. Westcliff Hotel (B,L)
African elephants
Rovos Rail Friday, May 14 Board Rovos Rail in Pretoria and depart for a full day of riding the rails, passing through Heidelberg, where in 1895 the Transvaal and Natal railway systems were joined, and Elandslaagte, a historic battle site of the second Anglo-Boer War. Rovos Rail (B,L,D)
Nambiti Private Game Reserve Spionkop Game Reserve Saturday, May 15 Enjoy two game drives, in Nambiti Private Game Reserve, a Big Five bush reserve, and Spionkop Game Reserve, with herds of rhinos, giraffes, zebras, elands, and other antelopes and more than 270 bird species.
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Rovos Rail (B,L,D)
Rovos Rail | Durban Sunday, May 16 En route to Durban, stop at the famous Ardmore ceramics gallery and traverse the spectacular Valley of a Thousand Hills. Arriving in Durban, bid farewell to Rovos Rail and check in to the Beverly Hills Hotel. Beverly Hills Hotel (B,L,D)
Durban | Kapama Private Game Reserve Monday–Wednesday, May 17–19 This morning fly from Durban to the Kapama Private Game Reserve, situated near Kruger National Park, and check into the comfortable Kapama River Lodge. Enjoy three days of morning and afternoon game drives, where you may spot lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalos, black rhinos, giraffes, zebras, elephants, and other animals that frequent the reserve. Enjoy a farewell reception and dinner at the lodge on May 19. Kapama River Lodge (3B,3L,1R,3D)
Johannesburg | U.S. Thursday & Friday, May 20 & 21 Enjoy a final game drive before flying to Johannesburg and connecting with flights back to the U.S. Extension participants fly to Botswana. (B)
Photography: Cover: African zebra © iStockphoto. com / Dirk Freder • Beadwork © iStockphoto.com / Cliff Parnell • Inside: African lion © iStockphoto.com / Alan Merrigan • Cape Town © iStockphoto.com / Anton Ferreira • Zulu girls © iStockphoto.com / Cliff Parnell • Train photos © Rovos Rail • Back: Pincushion Protea © iStockphoto.com / Ömer Camci • Bee eater © iStockphoto. com / Peter Malsbury
Rovos Rail observation car
Rovos Rail engine
Optional Post-Tour Extension to Okavango Delta & Victoria Falls May 20–28, 2010 The Okavango Delta, one of the world’s greatest unspoiled wildernesses, offers a spectacular range of flora and fauna that has evolved over thousands of years. Experience this vast wilderness and the incomparable wildlife it shelters—including elephants, hippos, lions, hyenas, and vast numbers of birds—while enjoying the ultimate in comfort, cuisine, and services at two exceptional tented safari camps, Savute Elephant Camp and Khwai River Lodge. Then fly to Livingstone for two days at the elegant Royal Livingstone Hotel at spectacular Victoria Falls, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Extension rates: $5,990 per person, double occupancy; $1,990 single supplement.
Included Four nights at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, two nights at the Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg, one night at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Durban, and three nights at the Kapama River Lodge in Kapama Private Game Reserve Four 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
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Airfare Round-trip airfare between Washington, D.C., and Cape Town (with return from Johannesburg) is not included in the program rates. As of July 2009, economy-class airfare is estimated at $1,576 per person (subject to change). Cost savings may be available; High Country Passage is happy to assist you with making your air travel arrangements.
Rovos Rail Deluxe Suite
Rovos Rail Enjoy the many pleasures inherent to train travel aboard the distinguished Rovos Rail. 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: $11,490 Single: $16,090 Bed configuration: Queen, adjoining Twins, or L-shaped Twins
Pullman Suite Single: $14,940
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Bed configuration: Double fold-away or two fold-away Twins
Royal Suite Double: $13,490
Bed configuration: Queen or adjoining Twins
Terms & Conditions Reservation Form The Best of South Africa May 5–21, 2010 Please send your completed reservation form and deposit to High Country Passage, 500 Third Street, Suite 455, San Francisco, CA 94107. Call us 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)
(cell)
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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: _______________ ______________
1st choice
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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 cannot be found by the final payment deadline, 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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Not Included U.S. domestic and international airfare 4 Passport and visa fees 4 Immunization costs 4 Airport security fees imposed by the government or airlines 4 Meals and beverages, including alcohol and wine, not specified as included 4 Transfers and baggage handling for those not participating in group flights 4 Excess baggage charges 4 Baggage and cancellation insurance 4 Personal items such as laundry, telephone, fax, and email charges, gratuities for non-group services, and other items not specified 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 January 5, 2010, 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. For cancellations received after the final payment deadline of January 5, 2010, all payments are 100% nonrefundable, regardless of date of deposit. 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 pre-existing 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. 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 assume 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 their 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 their 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 their 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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CST# 2070901-40 • 100505 ROD HCP
CMYK (FROM PMS 357) 100% K 500 Third Street, Suite 455 San Francisco, CA 94107 www.hcptravel.com
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Explore human evolution and human rights with the experts Ian Tattersall, an expert on physical anthropology and human evolution, is curator in the Division of Anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History and adjunct professor of anthropology at Columbia University. Trained in geology, archaeology, and anthropology, he has carried out field research on living primates and has collected fossils in countries all over the world, including Africa and the Middle East. Dr. Tattersall is the author of The Fossil Trail: How We Know What We Think We Know About Human Evolution, which examines how both significant fossil finds and new theories have been used by scientists to trace the path of human evolution, and The Monkey in the Mirror, which explores the nature and emergence of modern human cognition. David Welsh, a Capetonian by birth, has lived his entire life in South Africa. He was a professor of Southern African studies at the University of Cape Town from 1963 until 1997, when he became a full-time writer. His major interest, both as a scholar and a human rights activist, is the system of apartheid, how it began, endured, and ended. His publications include The Roots of Segregation (1971) and South Africa’s Options (with F. van Zyl Slabbert, 1979), and he is currently completing a book on South Africa’s transition to democracy.