Entwicklungsprojekt Südafrika

[die Tourbeschreibung ist momentan nur auf Englisch verfügbar]

Day 1 Arrive Johannesburg (D)
Arrive in Johannesburg at any time and make your way to the start hotel. Today is time to explore the city on your own.

Johannesburg, also known as eGoli, is the most populous city in South Africa. The city is affectionately known as "Jo'burg", "Jozi" and "JHB" by South Africans.

Johannesburg is the site of a large-scale gold and diamond trade due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills. Johannesburg is also served by Johannesburg International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Africa and a gateway for international air travel to and from the rest of Southern Africa.

Nelson Mandela's greatest pleasure, his most private moment, is watching the sun set with the music of Handel or Tchaikovsky playing.
Locked up in his cell during daylight hours, deprived of music, both these simple pleasures were denied him for decades. With his fellow prisoners, concerts were organized when possible, particularly at Christmas time, where they would sing. Nelson Mandela finds music very uplifting, and takes a keen interest not only in European classical music but also in African choral music and the many talents in South African music. But one voice stands out above all - that of Paul Robeson, whom he describes as our hero.

The years in jail reinforced habits that were already entrenched: the disciplined eating regime of an athlete began in the 1940s, as did the early morning exercise. Still today Nelson Mandela is up by 4:30am, irrespective of how late he has worked the previous evening. By 5am he has begun his exercise routine that lasts at least an hour. Breakfast is by 6:30, when the day’s newspapers are read. The day s work has begun.
With a standard working day of at least 12 hours, time management is critical and Nelson Mandela is extremely impatient with unpunctuality, regarding it as insulting to those you are dealing with.

When speaking of the extensive travelling he has undertaken since his release from prison, Nelson Mandela says: I was helped when preparing for my release by the biography of Pandit Nehru, who wrote of what happens when you leave jail. My daughter Zinzi says that she grew up without a father, who, when he returned, became a father of the nation. This has placed a great responsibility of my shoulders. And wherever I travel, I immediately begin to miss the familiar - the mine dumps, the colour and smell that is uniquely South African, and, above all, the people. I do not like to be away for any length of time. For me, there is no place like home.

Mandela accepted the Nobel Peace Prize as an accolade to all people who have worked for peace and stood against racism. It was as much an award to his person as it was to the ANC and all South Africa s people.

Day 2 Soweto (B,D)
We spend a day experiencing Soweto, a township of Johannesburg known around the world for its role in South Africa's struggle for liberation, its diverse cultures and its famous residents. We will explore the busting neighborhood life of the township and visit two Nobel Prize winners' previous homes. Explore the historical Hector Petersen Memorial and the Baragwaneth Hospital and enjoy a tour through Nelson Mandela's Home after which we return back to your family guest house.

Day 3 Hazyview (B,L,D)
Early departure from Soweto, with amazing views of the African Lowveld, along the Panorama Route, to the Blyde River Canyon, the world’s largest green canyon. The Panorama Route is one of the most beautiful and popular travel destinations in South Africa. The Panorama Route, stretching from Sabie, through Graskop on to the Blyde River Canyon holds some of the most scenic attractions, and hidden beauties of South Africa. Attractions such as Gods Window, Bourkes Luck Potholes, 3 Rondavels and a host of waterfalls will keep us busy all day.

We will arrive in Camp Timbavi and experience the typical vibrance of the Shangaan people in a modern world and a true African experience. The camp is situated on the banks of the Sabie River overlooking the Kruger National Park. We will enjoy an evening of singing and dancing by various local artists and dinner under the stars. Overnight in Camp Timbavi.

Day 4-8 Community Volunteer Project (5B,5L,5D)
We enjoy breakfast at Camp Timbavi, before we drive to Shalati Bush Lodge where we will meet the staff who will show us our lodgings that will be home for the next five days.

We will participate in a variety of activities that will assist the local community with their pre-school Project, an exciting initiative. We aim to assist the local community with their goal of developing a pre-school so that children are provided with a secure and nurturing environment to learn and grow. Travellers may help with the building and maintenance of this new Project, and will also have free time to interact with the children.

In the small South African community where we will be volunteering there are many single parent families and a vast number of orphaned children, often cared for by their grandparents. This is due in part to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Many children do not begin school until the age of eight, and receive no formal education and limited support during their early formative years. Based on the needs of these families and children, we aim to assist the local community with their goal of developing a pre-school.

Activities will depend on the stage of the Project when we arrive. Volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with the maintenance of the building. Each group will have free time to play with and interact with the local children as they learn new skills and can assist with helping them to learn to read and write. You may even assist with the general health care of the these children, teaching them basic hygiene skills that would help them to avoid transmittable diseases that simple hand washing can alleviate and even the need for basic dental care.

Spending one week in this community will provide us with an insight into the daily lives of the local people and provide us with an opportunity to assist teachers and members of community while having a true cultural experience.

Afternoons are free to rest, relax and take part in optional activities and game drives in the Manyeleti Game Reserve. Animals in the Manyeleti Reserve are able to roam as they please as there are no fences to restrict them. This hot area experiences summer rainfall but the rainy season is never guaranteed to bring as much rain as they would like and droughts are sometimes experienced. It is drier here than further south and animals can often be seen at the waterholes. The winter days are normally bright and clear with cold evenings around the bonfire.

Day 9-10 Kruger National Park (2B)
Spend two days exploring Kruger National Park, the world-renowned park that offers a wildlife experience ranking as one of the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares. We will have the opportunity to spot lions, elephants, rhinos and other animals in one of the last African wildernesses.

Day 11 Masgobe Game Reserve (B)
Today we travel to the Masgobe Game Reserve. Situated on a game farm, our lodge is just 9km from the world famous Kruger National Park where we enjoy all that this private reserve has to offer.
Day 12-13 Swaziland: Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary (2B,2D)
Today we drive towards Swaziland where we will experience two days of Swazi culture while staying in the Mlilwane Nature Reserve, Swaziland’s pioneer conservation area, a beautiful, secluded sanctuary situated in Swaziland’s “Valley of Heaven”, the Ezulwini Valley. Here we will stay in traditional beehive huts situated in the Reserve. Our days will be spent getting acquainted with the Swazi culture and exploring all the reserve has to offer.

Day 14 Pretoria (B)
After breakfast we drive to Pretoria for one last night on the town.

Day 15 Depart Pretoria/Johannesburg
Tour ends at approximately 08:00 am. Please note: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. On Day 1 of your tour you will be advised of any amendments.

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit travel with G.A.P Adventures can be unpredictable. The dossier is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard Explorer and M/S Andrea, visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Itinerary Notes: 1. A valid passport and visas are required for entry into Mozambique and South Africa.

2. A complimentary arrival transfer is available for those passengers who have booked pre-accommodation at our joining point hotel in Johannesburg. Please provide us with your complete flight arrival details at the time of booking.

3. This tour departs the hotel early in the morning on Day 2 and it is strongly recommended that you arrive at least one day prior. Pre or post accommodation arrangements can be made at time of booking if desired.

This is not a physically demanding journey; however, travelling can be difficult, with long drives and poor road conditions at times. Despite this, most clients feel that the diversity of the African landscape, countries, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience. We use a comfortable and safe customized safari truck for the long drives.