Diamonds in the Rough
Dazzling South Africa
March 18 – April 1, 2006
IT'S ONLY NATURAL
South Africa came to prominence on the world stage as the producer
of vast quantities of the world’s diamonds. Everyone wanted these
precious gems, even though they came out of the ground looking not nearly
so sparkling as they are in their refined and polished state. These
precious jewels begin as rough and uneven stones that jewelers must
grind away at to uncover the beauty underneath. The arduous process
of refinement required to produce a perfect gem is an apt metaphor for
South Africa itself.
Sadly, the world’s opinion of South
Africa has been shaped by the shameful and unnatural racism of apartheid.
Since the historic first democratic elections of April 1994 brought
to power the African National Congress (under the leadership of Nelson
Mandela), the country has realized that it must acknowledge its dark
past in order to move beyond and grow. There is still a great disparity
between the “haves” and “have-not's” here, so
one must learn to accept the good with the bad.
South Africa may yet have serious difficulties
to surmount, but the country is imbued with a sense of hope and optimism
for its future. It was first country in the entire world to enshrine
equal rights for homosexuals in its Constitution. And this sprawling
country has many natural attributes that offer mighty compensation.
The climate is nearly always kind and there are few better places to
see wildlife. European city life, western culture, a well-maintained
network of roads and a functioning economy all combine with the ancient
beauty of nature and the diversity of traditional African cultures to
make this a dazzling tour destination.
The variety of landscapes is fascinating. Burnt-out
deserts and arid savannahs meet idyllic green rolling hills; deep, fertile
valleys rise to dramatic, snow-covered mountain peaks. Nearly 2,000
miles of coastline hem the country.
South Africa has many private game reserves
where one may catch a glimpse of wildlife’s “Big Five”—lion,
leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhinoceros. That’s not to mention
all the giraffe, cheetah, hyena, zebra, eland, impala, kudu, hippopotamus,
crocodile, and many other species roaming around. Enjoy the magnificence
of African wildlife, spectacular scenery, many cultures, and one of
the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town, the gay capital
of Africa! Toto Tours is proud to celebrate the beauty of these “Diamonds
in the Rough.”
ITINERARY
Participants in our pre-tour extension to Victoria Falls will depart
from the U.S. on Wednesday, March 15, 2006. Click on the link above
to read a detailed description of the optional tour to Victoria Falls.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Departure from the U.S.
If you use our air consolidator to make your flight arrangements on
South African Airways, depart from Atlanta this morning or from New
York (JFK) this afternoon, bound for South Africa. If you cannot make
it from your home city early this morning in time for the 10:30am Atlanta
flight departure, please arrange to spend the night in Atlanta on March
17th. If you are making your own air arrangements, please plan to arrive
in Johannesburg no later than mid-afternoon tomorrow.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Arrival in Johannesburg / Welcome Dinner
Arrive today at the Johannesburg International Airport. You will be
met and transferred to our hotel. This evening meet your fellow adventurers
during a Welcome Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Johannesburg. (Dinner
included)
Monday, March 20, 2006
Johannesburg / Kruger National Park
After breakfast take a morning sightseeing tour of Johannesburg, including
the Apartheid Museum. Transfer to the Airport for a flight to the Djuma
Private Game Lodge at Kruger National Park. Here you will experience
delightful accommodations and the services of some of the area's best
game trackers. This afternoon experience your first game drive in search
of Africa's “Big Five.” Returning to camp, enjoy dinner
and overnight at the lodge. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Safari
Very early this morning take a game drive before the heat of the day
sends the animals scurrying for shade and sleep. Return to the lodge
for a late morning brunch. The afternoon is free to relax or take an
optional bush walk with a guide. This evening take another game drive
as the animals return to their daily activities with the approaching
sunset. (All Meals)
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Safari
Today’s schedule follows much the same as yesterday’s—morning
game drive, brunch, free afternoon, evening game drive. You will have
plenty of time to enjoy the lodge’s pool and many other amenities. (All
Meals)
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Swaziland / Pongola Game Reserve
After an early breakfast, depart the Djuma Lodge and travel south through
the citrus and sub-tropical fruit and sugar plantations to Swaziland,
continuing on through the mountainous Pigg’s Peak area, the capital
Mbabane, and the Ezulwini Valley. After passing through the humid lowveld
and the area’s vast sugar estates, enter northern KwaZulu Natal.
We stay overnight at the White Elephant Lodge in the Pongola Game Reserve.
In the late afternoon embark on a game drive or lake cruise before dinner
at the lodge. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Friday, March 24, 2006
KwaZulu Natal / Lake St. Lucia / Zululand
Early this morning enjoy a morning game drive in the reserve. Return
to the lodge for breakfast. Continue into traditional Zululand, stopping
to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St. Lucia Lake and Wetlands—one
of the world’s largest estuaries encompassing five different ecosystems.
Accommodations this evening are at a traditional
Zulu "Umuzi" or homestead, which has been divided into the
home of the Zulu`s and hotel rooms. This unique resort, built on the
set of the movie Shaka Zulu, affords an opportunity to experience
the life and customs of the proud Zulu Nation. (Breakfast
/ Dinner and Cultural Show)
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Durban
Continue south down the coast of the Indian Ocean, through sugar estates,
timber plantations and cattle ranches, to the city of Durban, the third-largest
city and the busiest port in Africa. After hotel check-in, take a sightseeing
tour of the harbor, shoreline sights, city center and the Victoria Street
Market, for a taste of KwaZulu Natal Indian culture. (Durban has the
largest Indian population of any city outside the Indian sub-continent.)
The evening is at leisure to enjoy an Indian dinner and check out the
gay nightlife. (Breakfast)
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Durban Free Day
Sleep in late this morning if you wish, and take a leisurely breakfast
at the hotel. Today is entirely free to do exactly as you please, whether
you want to relax, sightsee, souvenir shop, enjoy the beach or people-watch
from the vantage point of a boardwalk cafe. Your guide and vehicle will
be available today for optional excursions. (Breakfast)
Monday, March 27, 2006
Flight to Cape Town
Enjoy breakfast at our hotel. Afterwards transfer to the Durban Airport
for a morning flight to the “mother city”, Cape Town. Upon
arrival enjoy a city sightseeing tour, including a cable car ride up
to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting). In late afternoon,
check-in to our stylish hotel right in the heart of the gay village.
The remainder of the evening is at leisure. (Breakfast)
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Free Day / Optional Cape Winelands Tour
After breakfast, the entire day is free to explore on your own. You
may choose to take an optional excursion to the Cape Winelands, visiting
the vineyards of Stellenbosch and Paarl. Click
here for tour description and pricing. (Breakfast)
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Cape Peninsula
One of the highlights of our stay will be today’s tour along
one of the world’s great marine drives, cut into rocky mountain
slopes high above beautiful ocean vistas. Drive to Boulder’s Beach
to see the African Penguin, also called the Jackass Penguin because
of its donkey-like braying call. Afterwards, enter the Cape of Good
Hope Nature Reserve, with its flowering plants and antelope herds, driving
through the unique scenery toward the Cape. Take a funicular railway
up to Cape Point, the continent’s southernmost point where the
Indian and Atlantic Oceans merge, and enjoy lunch in Simonstown. After
lunch, cruise to Duiker Island to see its population of seals, and visit
the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens before returning to our
hotel. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Free Day / Optional Township & Robben Island Tours
You have a lot of choices to make today. You can certainly decide to
relax and explore on your own, or you can take one or both of the optional
excursions we are offering today. The morning option is a township tour
to experience the typical lifestyle of the locals. In the afternoon
you can take a cruise out to Robben Island to tour the prison where
former president Nelson Mandela was held for 27 years. Click
here for tour descriptions and pricing.
This evening celebrate the conclusion of this
amazing adventure at Toto Tours’ Farewell Dinner hosted at the
Africa Cafe Restaurant, where in one evening you will sample exquisite
dishes from many countries on the African Continent. (Breakfast
/ Farewell Dinner)
Friday, March 31, 2006
Final Day
The day is at leisure until check-out time and our group transfer
to Cape Town International Airport for return flights home. (Breakfast)
Saturday, April 1, 2006
Arrival in U.S.
South African Airways flights arrive in Atlanta and New York early
this morning.
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