|
|
5/28/2000
AFRICA
APRIL, 2000
Click on brown links to learn more about a particular topic; use the browser back button to return to this page
This web site contains about 375 photographs from the Africa trip. If you prefer to see the best photographs from the trip in a much shorter summary, click on Top Shots.
Tuesday, 4/11 - WASHINGTON / NEW YORK / LONDON
Washington National /JFK Delta Air 6216 (Jetstream
Prop)
8:50AM-10:16PM
Depart on British Airways 004 (Supersonic Concorde) 1:45 PM; arrive London 10:25 PM (22:25). Transfer to hotel.
Wednesday, 4/12 - LONDON
The Lion King, Lyceum Theater (evening)
The
Holborn Hotel
Commentary
Thursday, 4/13 - LONDON / CAPE TOWN
Depart on British Airways 059 (First Class, 747) to Cape Town at 7:45 PM
(19:45);
arrive Cape Town 8:15 AM (4/14)
Friday, 4/14 - CAPE TOWN
After clearing customs and immigration formalities, transfer to hotel located on the
famous Victoria & Alfred waterfront
area of Table Bay Harbor. This charming port, still used by tugboats and
fishermen, is set in the midst of a huge entertainment venue with restaurants,
pubs, specialty shops, craft markets and theaters. It is one of the most
successful examples of the world wide trend to revitalize big city harbors.
The Commodore Hotel
Saturday, 4/15 - CAPE TOWN
After breakfast, a half day city tour commences. Highlights include the top of Table Mountain
via cable car (weather permitting), Malay Quarters (Bo-Kaap),
Castle of Good Hope,
Company's Gardens and Government Avenue, House of
Parliament, South
African Museum Afternoon at leisure.
The Commodore Hotel, B.
Sunday, 4/16 - CAPE TOWN
A full
day guided Cape Peninsula
tour. Drive to Milnerton for a full view of Table Mountain with the city in
its lap. Then, on this round trip of the Peninsula, visit
Cape Point where
the two oceans meet, Cape of Good Hope Nature
Reserve, Simon's Town
where the South Africa Navy is based, Groot Constantia,
the oldest wine making center in South Africa and finally
Kirstenbosch National Gardens with some four thousand species of indigenous
plants of which some two thousand, six hundred are endemic to the region.
The Commodore Hotel, B.
Monday, 4/17 - CAPE TOWN
Full day guided Cape Winelands Tour. The winelands provide wonderful
opportunities for the wine lovers to sample several vintages and explore
exquisitely furnished Cape Dutch Manor
Houses. Highlights of this tour include Paarl
with its rich history of wine making and the role it played in the development
of the Afrikaans language, Nederburg
Estate, KWV, Franschoek Valley where French
settlers settled after fleeing persecution in France in the late 17th century,
Boschendal Wine Estate and Pniel, a village where the local people sometimes
have great stories to tell.
The Commodore Hotel, B.
Tuesday, 4/18 - GARDEN ROUTE
This morning, after breakfast, the drive begins along the garden route
to the historic town of Swellendam.
Continue past Riverdale to Mossel Bay and visit the
Old Post Office tree before
arriving at Fancourt, one of Southern Africa's premier leisure and golf resorts
set in a classic mountain setting in George in the heart of the famous Garden
Route. Facilities include a championship 36 hole golf course, a luxurious health
and beauty pavilion, tennis, walking and bird watching.
Fancourt, B, D
Wednesday, 4/19- GARDEN ROUTE
After breakfast, travel inland to the world famous Cango
Caves and Highgate
Ostrich
Farm. Afterwards, head back over the breathtaking
Outeniqua Pass towards the town of George and join the N2 Highway traveling via
the beautiful lakes district Knysna
to Plettenberg Bay, known to the
early Portuguese mariners as "Bahia Formosa" and to many today as the
most beautiful in the world. Accommodations for this night are at Hunters
Country House. This gracious, original thatched homestead, now housing
beautifully appointed candle lit dining rooms, cozy lounges and sun drenched
breakfast room is surrounded by twenty one individually decorated and antique
furnished suites. Each has an open fireplace and private patio.
Hunters Country
House, B, D.
Thursday, 4/20 - GARDEN ROUTE
/ PORT ELIZABETH
Explore Knysna and travel further to
Plettenberg Bay for a short visit.
Next stop is Tzitzikamma National
Park, stretching over wild and rocky coastline characterized by massive
cliffs, narrow beaches and indigenous forests along the river valleys.
Next stop is Storms River and then finally to Port Elizabeth for
a short tour. Overnight in Port
Elizabeth.
La Provence, B.
Friday, 4/21 - MALAMALA
GAME RESERVE
Flights:
Port Elizabeth / Johannesburg South African Airways 402 (737) 6:30AM-8:00AM, Breakfast
Johannesburg / Skukuza South African Airways 1201 (De Havilland 8 turboprop) 9:35AM-10:45AM
This morning transfer to the
Port Elizabeth Airport for flights via Johannesburg to Skukuza in the world
famous Kruger National Park. Met upon arrival and transferred to the
MalaMala Game Reserve. Late afternoon, proceed on a game drive in an
open jeep accompanied by a game ranger and tracker in search of the "Big
Five," namely lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard. Stop at
sunset for "sundowner" drinks in the bush followed by night viewing
with a powerful spotlight. Return to the lodge for dinner in the boma (reeded
enclosure) around a log fire (typical
two-day schedule at Reserve).
Harry's Camp, B, L, D.
Saturday, 4/22 - MALAMALA GAME RESERVE
Early morning game drive starting at sunrise to continue searching for the large variety of mammal and bird species common to this area. Mid morning return to the lodge for breakfast followed by an optional walk into the bush with the tracker and ranger. Relax before and after lunch prior to heading out on another game drive in the late afternoon.
Harry's Camp, B, L, D.
Sunday, 4/23 - SUN CITY (Easter Sunday)
Flight:
Skukuza / Sun
City
South African Airways 1201 (De Havilland 8)
11:10AM-12:25PM
After a final morning game drive and breakfast, bid the
ranger and tracker farewell before transferring to the airport for a flight to
Sun City Airport. Upon arrival, transfer to the magnificent Palace
Hotel. Overlooking the entire Lost City and Sun City complex, this is
certainly one of the most luxurious and lavishly decorated hotels in the
world. Enjoy the afternoon at pool-side.
The
Palace, B.
Monday, 4/24 - SUN CITY
After breakfast, spend the day at leisure or enjoy several of the many activities the resort has to offer. Leisure facilities include a full range of water sports, golf, world class casinos and top class restaurants.
The Palace, B.
Tuesday, 4/25 - VICTORIA FALLS
Flight:
Johannesburg /Victoria Falls South African Airways 40 (737) 10:30AM-12:15PM, Snack
After breakfast, transfer by private vehicle to the Johannesburg Airport for a flight to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Met upon arrival and driven to the elegant colonial-style Victoria Falls Hotel. Afternoon at leisure before attending the "African Spectacular" tribal dancing display. Complimentary transportation provided.
Wednesday, 4/26 - VICTORIA FALLS
This morning a guided walking tour of the falls will be
taken followed by an afternoon "Sundowner Cruise" on the Zambezi
River above the falls. The remainder of the day may be spent in
browsing the magnificent wood and stone carvings in the local market.
Victoria Falls
Hotel, B.
Thursday, 4/27 - VICTORIA FALLS / JOHANNESBURG
Flight:
Victoria Falls / Johannesburg South African Airways 41 (737) 1:15PM-2:55PM, Lunch
After breakfast, transfer to the Victoria Falls Airport for the flight to
Johannesburg. Transfer to hotel.
The Grace in Rosebank,
B
Friday, 4/28 - JOHANNESBURG
The Grace in Rosebank,
B
Saturday, 4/29 - JOHANNESBURG / LONDON-Depart on British Airways 054 (First Class, 747) 10:00 PM (22:00); arrive London 8:10 AM (4/30)
Sunday, 4/30 -LONDON / NEW YORK / WASHINGTON-Depart on British Airways 001 (Supersonic Concorde) 10:30 AM; arrive New York 9:25 AM.
JFK / Washington National Delta Air 6217 (Jetstream Prop) 12:29PM-1:55PM
E-mail comments concerning this web site may be sent to: schoenberger@erols.com