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Sixteen day tours are available daily throughout the congress:
FRIENDLY CITY TOUR
ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARk
SHAMWARI GAME RESERVE
TOWNSHIP TOUR
TSITSIKAMMA
SHEBEEN TOUR
ECO TOUR
SETTLER TOUR
KARIEGA GAME RESERVE
GOSPEL/CHURCH TOUR
MORNING WALKING TRAIL
DAWN BIRDING
TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES
GAMTOOS VALLEY
PENGUIN ISLAND CRUISE
INTSIMBI "BEADS" FACTORY SHOP
Amakhala Morning Safari
Amakhala Morning Safari
Depart Port Elizabeth at 08h00. On arrival at Amakhala Game Reserve (75kms from Port Elizabeth), you visit the crocodile farm, where you are able to view the many crocodiles. You are then taken on an exciting game drive, through the scattered bushveld and savannah plains of the Amakhala Game Reserve, which hosts giraffe, zebra, wildebees and numerous herds of antelope species, to the Bushmans River, where you board a River Cruiser. On board you will be served cheese and wine, whilst you relax and enjoy your surroundings. Arrival back into Port Elizabeth at 13h30.
Cost: R840.00 per person (Min 2); R576.00 per person (Min 4)
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FRIENDLY CITY TOUR
This two and a half hour orientation tour of the "Friendly City" provides fascinating insights into the past and present of this historical coastal city of Port Elizabeth.
Cost: ZAR 205.00 per person (Min 2) (Min 4)
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ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK
Home to a herd of over 200 elephant, this is the most concentrated reserve in Africa. Addo offers the visitor a thrilling encounter with these giant creatures. You may also spot black rhino, buffalo and eland. We depart for Addo at 09h00. Arrive in Port Elizabeth at 16h00. Lunch included
Cost: ZAR 875.00 per person (Min 2); ZAR 450.00 per person (Min 4)
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SHAMWARI GAME RESERVE
Your day begins at the 'Born Free' day centre where the lions that were saved from exploitation in Europe, are kept. Lunch from the African hot pots sets the scene for your afternoon safari. You are personally allocated a guide who takes a small group on a long afternoon game drive in an open land rover around the game reserve.
You start off at Kaya Lendaba, an African Arts and Culture Village - where you get the chance to meet a real "Sangoma" or witch doctor. Thereafter, you set off on your game drive. This is a unique and unforgettable chance to see and photograph many of Africa's magnificent animals: giraffe, rhinos, wildebeest, antelope, zebras and elephants.
Cost: ZAR 1,200.00 per person (Min 2); ZAR 860.00 per person (Min 4)
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TOWNSHIP TOUR
Experience everyday life in a black South African township accompanied by a community guide. Visit a pre-school and places of historical and political importance, gaining insight into the realities of life during the apartheid period.
Includes drinking refreshments
Cost: ZAR 270.00 per person (Min 2) (Min 4)
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TSITSIKAMMA
One of the most enchanting stretches of coastlines lies between the Tsitsikamma Mountains, the Storms River mouth and Jeffrey's Bay. The Tsitsikamma National Park is one of the best known hiking areas in South Africa with a 100km stretch of wild, rocky, isolated beaches, dense indigenous yellowwood and stinkwood forests, and marine reserves.
Tsitsikamma is traditionally the first part of the renowned "Garden Route". Your itinerary includes a visit to the Woodcutter's Journey down the Storms River pass, through the indigenous forest, of towering trees and dense undergrowth, clear streams and magnificent river gorges. A forest picnic for lunch is well enjoyed before you embark on the second part of your journey to Tsitsikamma National Park. The bird life is abundant and the sea it overlooks, is marvellous.
Your day includes an optional kilometre long walk (only for those interested and 'up to it') cut into the mountain and which overlooks the exquisite coastline and suspension bridge between the gorges.
At the end of the walk (time permitting) you can take the opportunity to go for a boat ride in the canal between the mountains. The garden route is a botanist's dream - and Tsitsikamma lives up to that description!
Cost: ZAR 1,190.00 per person (Min 2); ZAR 680.00 per person (Min 4)
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SHEBEEN TOUR
Experience the vibrancy, warmth and good humour of South African township life while visiting a shebeen (a traditional tavern). Relax with a cold beer and African music or mingle with the locals and share experiences.
Cost: ZAR 270.00 per person (Min 2) (Min 4)
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ECO TOUR - A Fun day out in nature around Port Elizabeth
We depart at 09h00 and drive along the beachfront to the Cape Receife Nature Reserve, a 366 ha area on the south-western side of Algoa Bay. After a short walk we come to the very interesting bird hide overlooking the ponds. Here there is always the possibility of seeing the Cape clawless otter and the fish eagles and marsh harriers have become regulars. There is also beach combing to be done and at low tide the rocky pools are full of surprises.
There is also beach combing to be done and at low tide the rocky pools are full of surprises. We drive to the lighthouse, the ruins of 2nd World War observation posts and Pati Point from the treacherous Thunderbolt Reef, which has claimed many ships, is clearly visible.
The route thereafter follows the scenic Marine Drive with stops to point out some interesting features such as wreck sites and interesting vegetation and the famous Sacremento cannon (from a Portuguese galleon wrecked there in 1647). We have lunch at the beautiful home of Dr and Mrs Allsop. From their terrace there are wonderful views of the coastal plains below.
After lunch we continue our scenic drive via the coastal villages of Seaview and Beachview. This is a good dolphin and whale-spotting route. We thereafter leave for the coast and drive to the Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve where we explore the wonders of the Cape Coastal Fynbos - a unique vegetation type only found along the coast between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. This includes our wonderful Proteas and Ericas! Sundbirds and the famous Cape Sugarbird usually delight with their song.
Cost: ZAR 910.00 per person (Min 2); ZAR 490.00 per person (Min 4)
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SETTLER TOUR
Follow the footsteps of the British settlers of the 1820's. Travel from Port Elizabeth to the charming hamlet of Bathurst, the Eastern Cape's own "English Village" and on to the heart of Settler Country in Grahamstown, a city rich in historic associations and home to the famous Arts Festival. Departure is at 08h00 from Port Elizabeth and arrives back at 17h00.
Lunch is included.
Cost: ZAR 980.00 per person (Min 2); ZAR 490.00 per person (Min 4)
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KARIEGA GAME RESERVE
An opportunity to share the activities of the Wild on a game drive in an open vehicle with experienced game rangers offering guests an insight into Africa's bush lore. A unique game reserve, in that you first venture onto a boat trip throughout the upper reaches of the Kariega River where salt and fresh water meet, reaffirming that at Kariega, nature reigns supreme - unlike any other game drive.
Unique to Kariega is the opportunity to walk safely amongst the more than 20 species of game and abundant birdlife, unlike the other game drives. A haven for bird-lovers, sightings of Narina Trojan, Marshall Crowned and Booted Eagles amongst some 200 identified species, is frequent. Kariega indeed offers visitors a delightful experience in perfect surroundings of deep green valleys and magnificent views.
Cost: ZAR 1,230.00 per person (Min 2); ZAR 730.00 per person (Min 4)
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GOSPEL/CHURCH TOUR
Proceed to the township of Zwide, where they visit the Isisonke Presbyterian Church. Here they meet the minister and have the opportunity to enjoy the service. They then continue to New Brighton, to visit a second church. Here they are entertained by the youth choir, whilst enjoying a cup of tea.
Churches are an integral part of the township; any township community has a place of worship. It was also the only voice of the oppressed after 1960 when the white regime banned the organisation of the people. Today the churches still play a vital social role in South Africa's townships.
As a result of this role, the services are very interesting. Less formal, extremely jubilant, and with community issues being discussed in the service. Singing and celebrating is the order of the day.
This tour is not just for the Christians, but also for anyone who has a desire to really understand the African communities. It is for anybody who wants to feel the warmth of African people, to hear the gospel choirs, the clapping of hands and the vocal responses. This tour will give visitors a close encounter with the very ordinary people that make our city the Friendly City.
Cost: ZAR 270.00 per person (Min 2) (Min 4)
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MORNING WALKING TRAIL
There are two trails that may be chosen according to the guides discretion, which is dependent on the type of weather:
1. The Sacremento Trail (Sardinia Bay Nature Reserve)
Here you encounter stunning seascapes, bronze cannon & shipwreck history; sand dunes; rocky shore; dune scrub and fynbos ecology; old shell mill and Strandloper middens.
2. The Flamingo Trail (Zwartkops Nature Reserve)
Saltpan habitat with many bird, including the flamingos; valley bushveld & estuarine ecology; pleasant walks with splendid views of the Swartkops Valley.
N.B. The trail length for each of the above trails is approximately 6 km. This tour is suitable for people who are moderately fit and able to walk over uneven ground with some gradients. It is essential that you bring walking shoes, sun hat, binoculars/camera.
Cost: ZAR 290.00 per person (Min 2); ZAR 220.00 per person (Min 4)
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DAWN BIRDING (2 HOURS)
You set out early in the morning (06h00) to Settler's Park with opportunities to see Knysna loerries, peregrine falcons, sunbirds and crowned eagles. After a tea stop we continue to Cape Receif, where the bird hide over the ponds offer exciting viewing of aquatic birds including the fish eagle.
Cost: ZAR 295.00 per person (Min 2); ZAR 250.00 per person (Min 4)
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TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES
This tour is really for those individuals interested in getting to know the real African traditions of South Africa. You are taken into the Townships and visit ceremonies at people's homes - that may be occurring on the day eg. A wedding, a christening ceremony, or even a funeral! You certainly get a unique experience of our African culture - but one not for the 'faint-hearted'.
Cost: ZAR 270.00 per person (Min 2) (Min 4)
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GAMTOOS VALLEY
An exploration of the beautiful agricultural valley, which is appropriately named the "fruit and vegetable basket" of Port Elizabeth. Departure will be at 08h30 for a leisurely drive via the scenic "Valley of the Thousand Hills" to the rustic villages of Loerie and Hankey. We stop at the largest sundial in Africa overlooking the fertile Gamtoos Valley. Tea is at Tolbos, a quaint little tea room/home industry venue in Patensie, which lies in the heart of the Gamtoos Valley. After tea, we have the opportunity to explore the agricultural activities of the valley, which will vary from season to season. During the citrus season a visit to the Outspan packing sheds is fascinating. A visit to the orchards and a chance to pick one's own Patensie oranges is great fun. The valley is not only famous for citrus, but also for potatoes and other vegetables. This will be in evidence everywhere. The valley also has some unique tobacco drying sheds and the processing and bailing can be viewed at the co-operative.
At the upper end of the valley lies the impressive Kouga Dam, which supplies the valley with water for irrigation. This dam is also Port Elizabeth's main
water supply. On the way back we can admire Queen Victoria's "profile" in the dramatic conglomerate cliffs along the Gamtoos River. Lunch is usually on a farm, where it is possible to relax afterwards in the beautiful gardens for which the area is famous. The farmers are keen to talk to their guests about life in the Valley. There will be an opportunity to explore a working farm. After a leisurely lunch we will make our way slowly back to Port Elizabeth via a visit to the Philip Tunnel, which is the oldest irrigation tunnel in S.A.
Cost: ZAR 355.00 per person (Min 4)
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PENGUIN ISLAND CRUISE
This tour is weather dependent. You go via a magnificent boat ride to the crystal clear waters surrounding this nature reserve. It is the ground for many species of fish and most importantly the Jackass penguins. The nature reserve is utilized for extensive research on marine life. Along your way to the penguin island you may also just be lucky to see the dolphins or even a whale or two "up, close and personal".
Cost: ZAR 360.00 per person (Min 2) (Min 4)
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INTSIMBI "BEADS" FACTORY SHOP
Visit Intsimbi, meaning 'beads' in the African language of Xhosa, the only ceramic bead factory in South Africa. Intsimbi beads are sold very widely nationally and internationally at top hotels, resorts and tourist attractions. The Intsimbi factory produces unique South African designs using South African raw materials. The beads are made from high quality earthen clay and each one is individually hand rolled, glazed, fired, and then hand threaded into necklaces.
You are welcome to feel free to walk around the factory area, meeting the creators of the beads, whilst they transform raw clay into finished products, or personally select some beads for yourself, and have them strung together while you watch. Alternatively select and purchase the beads from the display stands in the Intsimbi showroom.
Cost: ZAR 75.00 per person (Min 2) (Min 4)
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| FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & BOOKING REQUESTS:
Contact GILTEDGE TRAVEL, the official travel
agent for the 7th World Wilderness Congress:
Contact Person: Nina Assenmacher
Email: travel@gilt-edge.com
Telephone: +27 (0)21 713 0296
Facsimile: +27 (0)21 713 0506 |
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