Tailor-made safaris and travel to Southern Africa

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SAMPLE ITINERARY 6

Safari and Seychelles

Day 1

Arrive Johannesburg International Airport. You will be met and transferred by private vehicle to the Saxon Hotel.

Days 1-3

Spend two nights at the Saxon Hotel in an Egoli Suite, with breakfast included.

Day 2

Today you will be collected from the Saxon Hotel for a full day private tour of Johannesburg and surrounds, conducted by one of the top specialist guides in South Africa (lunch and entrance fees included).

This is a unique tour of Johannesburg and Pretoria that covers much of the history and culture of an area that is the political and economic powerhouse of sub-Saharan Africa.

The tour includes a visit to Alexandra Township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, where guests will have the opportunity to meet local residents and learn about their challenges and triumphs since the change to majority rule in 1994. "Alex" is one of the largest and most densely populated townships in South Africa, and is the source of a unique and vibrant urban African culture. Nelson Mandela lived in Alexandra in the 1940's as a young attorney, and township life was an important backdrop to his struggle against Apartheid.

Guests are also taken to Lilliesleaf Farm in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, where Nelson Mandela and other senior ANC activists used to meet to plan strategy in their struggle against the Aprtheid regime of the 1960s. This is also where Mandela and the whole ANC High Command was arrested during a police raid, and is a significant landmark in 20th Century South African history.

The tour then moves to Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. Pretoria has a colorful history as the initial capital of an early Boer republic, then the capital of British run South Africa, Apartheid South Africa, and finally the new democratic South Africa. Some of the most brutal repression of black political activists in the 1980s took place at the secret Vlakplaas 'death camp' just outside the city, and a visit to this chilling site gives a glimpse into South Africa's very turbulent past.

Guests also have the opportunity to visit museums and monuments in Pretoria, including the Voortrekker Monument. On the steps of this imposing monument, Robin summarizes the highly explosive history of South Africa, from the original San inhabitants, through the early black migrants from Central Africa and the first European settlers, to the various wars of the Nineteenth Century, the formation of the Republic of South Africa, and finally the transition to majority rule in 1994. It is impossible to fully understand or appreciate a South African experience without the historical backdrop to the country's current situation, and Robin Brinckes is a master historian who brings it all to life.

Very few countries in the world can match South Africa for its diversity (South Africa has 11 official languages) or the turbulence and strife that mark the country's history. And there is no better base from which to explore the culture and history of this fascinating country than its largest, most diverse, and most important 'mega-city'. The objective of the tour is to show how all of South Africa's history is inter-related, and how certain events led to the moulding of attitudes resulting in actions which, in today's society, are hard to believe took place - how history is often repeated and how, despite the injustices, South Africa achieved a peaceful transition to democracy. The tour highlights the country's cultural diversity & illustrates how the different sectors of its population are rapidly being welded together through a common goal.

Day 3

Today you will be collected from the Saxon Hotel and transferred by private vehicle to Johannesburg International Airport. You will be met and transferred by light charter aircraft to Singita Boulders Lodge.

Days 3-7

Spend four nights at Singita Boulders Lodge in a Suite, on a fully inclusive basis (including accommodation, all meals and teas; all game activities; services of a professional guide and tracker; laundry; all local spirits, beers and soft drinks, as well as selected wines; and the mini bar).

Day 7

Today you will be collected from Singita Boulders Lodge and transferred by light charter aircraft to Johannesburg International Airport. Check in for your scheduled flight to Mahe. You will be met and assisted onto your helicopter transfer to the exclusive North Island.

Days 7-11

Spend four nights on North Island on a fully inclusive basis (Including Local Government tax; Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, teas, coffees, mineral waters and soft drinks; All Scuba Diving and Snorkelling in and around the North Island & Silhouette dive sites (not courses); Sea kayaking around North Island; Use of Gymnasium at North Island ; Fly Fishing around North Island; (Deep sea fishing is extra); Hobie sailing around North Island; The use of one "Island Buggy" per villa during the duration of your stay; The use of mountain bicycles; All alcoholic drinks at North Island, except premier drinks on the reserve list).

Day 11

Today you will be collected from North Island and transferred by helicopter to Mahe. Check in for your scheduled flight to Johannesburg. From this point you will depart under your own arrangements.

Rough Cost - 2010

Around $22,440 per person sharing.

Rate Includes

Accommodation as specified, Meals as specified, Ground transportation and excursions as noted, Park and entrance fees for lodges/camps inside national parks, Intra-Africa flights as specified, All government and airline taxes.

Rate Excludes

International flights to and from southern Africa; Drinks (unless otherwise specified), Items of a personal nature, Gratuities, Laundry (unless otherwise specified), Meals other than specified, Excursions other than specified, Flights other than specified, Medical, cancellation and baggage insurance, Visa fees and departure taxes (where applicable).

** PLEASE NOTE: These rates are given as guidelines, and will differ depending on factors such as the time of the year that guests travel, the number of guests travelling, and the class of airline seats available. All rates are subject to change at the discretion of the properties/operators, and due to currency fluctuations, unforeseen increases in fuel prices, increased airline prices, or any future government imposed taxes.

To find out more about this sample itinerary, or to start creating your own itinerary, call toll-free on 1-888-227-8311 or email us at info@classicafrica.com