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Beekeeping Safari
February 1 - 14, 2009
 Robin
Mountain |
 Mike Allsopp |
Itinerary
Sunday,
1 February, 2009 - Depart from the U.S.A. for South Africa
DAY 1 - Monday,
2 February, 2009
Arrival in
Johannesburg at Oliver Tambo International Airport. Overnight at Irene Country
Lodge. Welcome Dinner.
DAY 2 – Tuesday, 3 February, 2009
After breakfast, everybody departs for Lesedi Cultural Village.
Companions will continue from Lesedi to the Cradle of Humankind to visit the
Sterkfontein Caves. Tour given by professional guide, and afternoon refreshments
will be served. On way back to Irene visit Cambanos for curio shopping.
Beekeepers - Afternoon in Johannesburg - Anton Schehle. This is the home
of the Apis mellifera scutellata bee.
Return to the Irene Country Lodge for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3 – Wednesday, 4 February, 2009
Beekeepers - A full day in the Pretoria area with Anton Schehle
Companions
will visit a local community project in the area of Irene, children’s day care
centre and orphanage. Picnic lunch at Pretoria National Botanical Garden.
Pretoria Tour and continue to Voortrekker Monument.
Overnight back at Irene Country Lodge on dinner bed and breakfast basis.
Beekeepers Evening with local beekeepers joining.
DAY 4 – Thursday, 5 February, 2009
Everybody
departs after breakfast via the Highveld towns of Witbank and Middleburg to
Mpumalanga province. This north eastern region of South Africa is world famous
for being home to the Greater Kruger National Park, beautiful scenery, mountains
and waterfalls and is one of the most popular areas in South Africa for both
international and local visitors. Stop at Nelspruit Lowveld Botanical Gardens
for Lunch. Guided tour through gardens. Overnight at the Kruger Gate Protea
Hotel, located at the entrance gate to the Kruger on the Sabie River.
DAY 5 – Friday, 6 February, 2009
After breakfast depart for Swaziland, just south of the Kruger Park.
Beekeepers - Travel to Bulembu for a hosted function and visits - Andrew Le Roux
Companions
will spend the day exploring this tiny mountain kingdom, including a tea stop in
Bulembu, a visit to the Ngwenya Glass factory, one of the most successful
projects run in Swaziland where local people have learnt the art of glass
blowing from recycled glass bottles. Continue to Malkerns, to the Swazi Candle
factory, also one of the famous handcrafts which Swaziland is well known for.
There will be a light lunch served at the candle factory, and slowly make our
way up through the mountains and passes to return to Jeppe’s Reef border post.
Rural Africa still continues a traditional life in Swaziland with subsistence
farming, barter systems and informal education, all under the absolute rule of
King Mswati and his tribal council. Return to the hotel for overnight on dinner
bed and breakfast basis.
DAY 6 – Saturday, 7 February, 2009
Everybody
- Our safari guides will meet us at the lodge very early this morning; we will
go out into Kruger National Park in open Landover vehicles with our packed
breakfast from the hotel. Spend the day looking for animals, birds, learning
about the topography and ecology of the vast wilderness area, which is home to
Africa’s Big 5 – lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant, as well as many
other species. Stop at waterholes and lookout points throughout the day. A stop
will be made for lunch at one of the picnic sites. Return to the lodge at sunset
for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7 – Sunday, 8 February, 2009
Everybody
- Depart very early for another full day in the Kruger National Park, taking
packed breakfasts along. It is possible to do a half day, return to the lodge
for a few hours, and then go out again later afternoon. Lunch in the park at one
of the picnic sites. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8 – Monday, 9 February, 2009
Everybody
- After breakfast depart the lodge for Mpumalanga Airport and flight to Cape
Town. If time permits, visit Table Mountain on arrival in Cape Town, otherwise
it will be done as soon as weather permits. Overnight at the President Hotel on
a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
DAY 9 – Tuesday, 10 February, 2009
Beekeepers and Companions together this day. Mike
Allsopp to show us the beekeeping project at Cape Point. This area is home of
the Apis mellifera capensis bee.
After breakfast, depart for a full day Peninsula Tour, which includes visiting
Hout Bay and the Seal Colony by boat, Chapman’s Peak scenic Drive, The Cape
Point Nature Reserve with the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point lighthouse, the
Boulders Penguin Colony to see one of the world’s only land based African
Penguin Colonies, and the historic naval town of Simonstown, still the
Headquarters of the South African Navy, and a strategic naval point for Britain
and her allies during the World Wars. This is a beautiful day all along the
coastline and the Cape Peninsula where we find the meeting of the cold and warm
currents of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Lunch in Simonstown. Return to the
hotel for overnight on a dinner bed and breakfast basis.
DAY 10 – Wednesday, 11 February, 2009
Everybody will do a Cape Town city tour including Kirstenbosch Botanical
Gardens, the historic city centre of Cape Town, Parliament, the Company Gardens,
the Malay Quarter, Signal Hill and some free time in the Waterfront area. Light
lunch at Kirstenbosch. Return to hotel to freshen up before departing for dinner
at Nyoni Restaurant. Overnight at the President Hotel on bed and breakfast
basis.
DAY 11 – Thursday, 12 February, 2009
After breakfast the beekeepers will depart for Stellenbosch for beekeeping
program with Mike Allsopp and then join companions for picnic lunch and wine
tasting. Afternoon some more beekeeping in the area.
Companions to do a full day tour to Paarl to the Afrikaans Language Memorial,
then to Franschoek to the French Hugenot Memorial, and to one of the local
estates for wine tasting and a picnic lunch at Boschendal. Continue into
Stellenbosch for the afternoon to spend some time on foot exploring this
historic university town. Stellenbosch is famous for its oak lined avenues, Cape
Dutch architecture, and unique atmosphere. Return to Cape Town for overnight at
the President Hotel on a dinner bed and breakfast basis.
DAY 12 – Friday, 13 February, 2009
Free morning. Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your return flights to
the USA.
Saturday
– 14 February, 2009 – Arrive back in the USA from South Africa
End of
Safari 
Tour Price:
$5495.00 per person sharing *
*This price is subject to change if the airfare costs increase significantly
between time of quoting price and actual booking of air tickets
Single Supplement:
An
additional
$750.00.

Price includes:
-
Air transportation (international flight from Washington, DC, return, and
domestic flights within South Africa)
- Airport taxes for
above-mentioned flights
- All ground
transportation in luxury air-conditioned coaches
-
English speaking local
professional guides
- Accommodation in
good tourist class hotels (4 star graded) as per itinerary
- All meals
-
Activities and entrance fees as per
the itinerary
-
Porterage at airports
and hotels
Price excludes:
-
Travel Insurance (highly recommended and available through Ntaba Tours)
- Domestic flights
within the U.S.A. and airport taxes for these flights
- Additional/optional
activities
- Drinks not provided
-
Tips and gratuities for local guides
and drivers
-
Any personal expenses and items such
as laundry, telephone calls, mini bars
-
Any items not specifically mentioned in itinerary
Thank you for
traveling with

"Ntaba"
is the Zulu word for "Mountain"
Siyabonga - Thank you
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