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Exclusive Private Reserves & the Cape
September 26-October 10, 2006
Join the Harvard Alumni Association on tour of an exhilarating, spectacular, and complex nation. South Africa nullifies any stereotype one might hold about the African continent. The trip offers the opportunity to experience the new South Africa, its difficult past, dynamic present and hopeful future. From the streets of Johannesburg to glorious Cape Town, from the grand plains of the exclusive Timbavati and Madikwe Game Reserves, "Safari South Africa" sheds light on the flourishing life of a new democracy.
We have a unique opportunity to examine the contemporary socio-political issues with Caroline Elkins, an associate professor of African studies at Harvard University. Professor Elkins accompanies us to renowned historical sites including Soweto, where the struggle for freedom began, the internationally acclaimed Apartheid Museum, and Robben Island where Nelson Mandela spent most of his 27 years of imprisonment. A visit to South Africa would not be complete without exploring its unparalleled natural beauty. South Africa is ranked as the third-most biologically diverse country in the world and this is vividly reflected in its landscape and wildlife. We see where the oceans meet at the Cape Peninsula, explore history and viticulture at the famed winelands of Stellenbosch, and the search for the "big five" on the vast savannahs of exclusive, private game reserves.
Throughout the trip, visiting local VIP guests, lectures and naturalist guides highlight the points of interest through in-depth discussions and interpretive game drives. Learn from the experts about the unique culture, evolving socio-political climate, and immense natural history of the continent's jewel, South Africa.
Tuesday, September 26
Depart U.S.
Wednesday, September 27
JOHANNESBURG
Arrive Johannesburg and transfer to the Park Hyatt Hotel, situated in the leafy, cosmopolitan suburb of Rosebank, one of Johannesburg's most elite suburbs. Characterized by a unique blend of elegance, modernity and inspiring, regional works of art, the Park Hyatt Hotel provides us with a luxurious haven from which to start our journey.
PARK HYATT
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Thursday, September 28
JOHANNESBURG
This morning we visit the award winning and internationally acclaimed Apartheid Museum which gives a balanced account of 20th century South Africa. It recounts the political upheavals beginning in the last century and moves on to the transition from a racist state into the new era of hope and freedom as a democracy.
Later today we transfer to Soweto (SOuth WEstern TOwnship), we are treated to a lunch of local foods. The largest black residential area in South Africa, Soweto is a fascinating contrast to the suburbs of the north east. This "city within a city" consists of 50 suburbs, or sections, and essentially acts as a labor reservoir for the greater metropolitan area of the Witwatersrand. In many ways, the story of Soweto is the story of South Africa. The tour route takes us to all the major points of interest, such as Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Baragwanath taxi rank, Freedom Square, Hector Peterson Memorial and Nelson Mandela's former home. Tonight we enjoy a private dinner with special VIP guests who will help us understand the new South Africa.
PARK HYATT (B,L,D)
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Friday, September 29 - Sunday, October 1
TIMBAVATI GAME RESERVE
On the morning of September 29, transfer to the airport for our morning charter flight to Kings Camp, situated in the Timbavati Game Reserve, bordering the Kruger National Park. At this small, unique camp we stay in beautiful, thatched suites with colonial décor. Kings Camp provides gracious hospitality, highly trained guides and fantastic game viewing, including the "Big Five." During our stay here we take morning and afternoon game drives in open Land Cruisers while our guide discusses behavior and the social structure of predators, elephants, and other animals and their place in the eco-system.
The Timbavati Nature Reserve, 230 square miles of pristine African bush, is part of the world famous greater Kruger National Park. Kruger itself is a further five million acres in size. In the early 1990's the boundary fence between the Kruger and the adjacent private reserves, including Timbavati, was removed thereby recreating ancient migration movements of wildlife from the foothills of the Libombo Mountains in the east to the Drakensberg Mountains in the west. This is the largest protected wildlife area in all of Africa and provides a safe haven for immense numbers of animals.
KINGS CAMP (B,L,D)
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Monday, October 2 - Wednesday, October 4
MADIKWE GAME RESERVE
On the morning of October 2, we board a charter flight to Madikwe Game Reserve. Madikwe Game Reserve, situated near the border of Botswana is where the plains still team with game and the acacia savannah symbolizes a paragon of beauty. All of the Big 5 reside in the reserve, which also is home to large numbers of the endangered wild dog, so we have the opportunity to see a great variety of animal species including lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, black rhino, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, hippo, kudu, wildebeest and over 300 variety of bird species in a very different environment to what we found in Timbavati.
Set on a hill amongst huge boulders and age old Tamboti trees and overlooking the endless bushveld of the Madikwe Game Reserve, Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge offers excellent game viewing on South Africa's northern border. The luxurious suites are ingeniously built into the huge boulders that define the landscape. Exquisite décor integrating natural elements with the colors of Africa has made this one of South Africa's top three exclusive luxury lodges. The award winning suites have been designed for complete relaxation and comfort, each boasting soft sofas, mosquito netting and cotton Picot linen. Overhead fans and air-conditioning are a welcome respite from the harshness of the African heat… and each room has its own outdoor plunge pool.
Game drives, guided interpretive walking safaris and bush breakfasts are just some of ways we will spend our days here.
MADIKWE HILLS PRIVATE GAME LODGE (B,L,D)
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Thursday, October 5
CAPE TOWN
Charter this morning to Johannesburg where we board our commercial flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival we are met and transferred to the Victoria & Alfred Hotel, situated in the heart of Cape Town's bustling, recently renovated waterfront. Combining true Victorian elegance with innovative, modern luxury, the hotel offers superior accommodation and a spectacular restaurant. It is easy walking distance to a number of attractions as well as dozens of lively restaurants and Africa craft galleries.
Cape Town is a city where old and new harmoniously converge in history, architecture, cultural pursuits and the essence of its people. It is dominated by a towering, table-shaped mountain, set on a peninsula of soaring, rocky heights and lush valleys, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Immense natural beauty and the fast pace and bright lights of a great urban center meld effortlessly in this most beautiful of cities.
This afternoon is spent exploring the Cape Peninsula. One of the world's most beautiful places, its stretch of rocky mountain juts southward into the sea. We find a myriad of pristine beaches, sheltered bays and coves, quaint fishing harbors and a rich array of rare indigenous flora. On our drive we pass through Camps Bay (South Africa's world famous beach resort), the Twelve Apostle Range, Hout Bay and travel along Chapmans Peak Drive, one of the most spectacular coastal roads to be found in the world. Fairy penguins are often seen on the rocky beaches and Southern Right Whales are frequently sighted from the shore. Upon arrival at Cape Point, the meeting place of the Indian and Atlantic oceans, we walk through the fynbos-rich Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve (fynbos is a unique vegetation type of this region which is known as the Cape Floral Kingdom). Our guide discusses the biodiversity of the Cape.
VICTORIA & ALFRED HOTEL (B)
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Friday, October 6
CAPE TOWN
This morning we set off on a visit to one of Cape Town's informal settlements, the Langa Township where we learn about the Realities of South African Township Life. We are joined by a specialist Xhosa guide who introduces us to the township culture and accompanies us to a project center as well as a pre-primary school. As we walk through the township we also have the opportunity of visiting some of the homes in the area and then on to one of the many informal breweries for a beer tasting.
We have lunch on our own at the wharf and then spend the afternoon on Robben Island, just seven miles off the Cape Town coast. For nearly 400 years this was a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment. It was here that rulers sent those they regarded as political troublemakers, social outcasts and the unwanted of society. During the apartheid years Robben Island became internationally known for its institutional brutality. The duty of those who ran the Island and its prison was to isolate opponents of apartheid and to crush their morale. This is where Nelson Mandela spent most of his 27 years in prison. From the island enjoy spectacular views of the Cape.
VICTORIA & ALFRED HOTEL (B)
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Saturday, October 7
CAPE TOWN
The morning is spent at leisure. Depart before lunch for Stellenbosch to spend the day touring the Cape winelands. The wine-producing region around Stellenbosch is not only the most important wine growing regions in South Africa, but it is the one of the oldest, most beautiful and well-preserved towns in South Africa. This university town is one of the prime centers of learning in South Africa and is home to the Center of Viticulture. The vineyards form a patchwork in the fertile valleys and seem to be overshadowed by dramatic mountains. There is an almost European atmosphere with beautiful Cape Dutch architecture seen everywhere. Lunch at a local winery with a special guest from Stellenbosch University who talks with us about current socio-political issues. Take a stroll through this charming town and visit the Stellenbosch Village Museum to get an impression of what life was like in the Cape in the 19th century. Visit Van Rijn Brandy Cellar for a discussion on brandy production and tasting.
Enjoy a private winery dinner and tasting at Waterford Winery with special guest and owner of the winery.
VICTORIA & ALFRED HOTEL (B,L,D)
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Monday, October 9
DEPART FOR U.S.
Tuesday, October 10
ARRIVE INTO U.S.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
LAND ONLY TOUR COST, PER PERSON, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: $6,489.00
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1,050.00
CAPACITY: Minimum 16, maximum 20 passengers (limited singles)
Tour Includes
All ground and air charter transportation upon landing in Africa; accommodation, all meals and most beverages; guides and vehicle throughout; park fees; activities in itinerary; gratuities to guides and staff; and Harvard Study Leader and Explore coordinator throughout.
Tour Exclude:
U.S. domestic and international airfare; all commercial internal Africa air
(Johannesburg to Cape Town); medical immunizations; passport fees; accident/baggage/medevac & cancellation insurance; individual transfers; excursions deviating from the scheduled tour; excess baggage charges; medical expenses; telephone or fax charges; room service; all marketing expenses and other items of a purely personal nature
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