Pre and Post Congress Tours The Congress Secretariat has arranged an itinerary of pre and post Congress tours to make your trip to the 7th WWC a lifetime memory..go for it!

Baviaanskloof & Shamwari Game Reserve

Pre-Congress -- Saturday 27th To Thursday 1st November 2001
Post Congress -- Friday 9th to Wednesday 14th November 2001

Part 1 -- Baviaanskloof Wilderness Trail

The Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area ("Valley of Baboons") is tucked away in the southwestern corner of the Eastern Cape, about 130kms from the coastal city of Port Elizabeth. The Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area is an extensive pristine mountainous area incorporating the Baviaanskloof and Kouga mountain ranges and represents the largest conservation area in the region (175 000 hectares).

We invite you to "live" in this wild area for four nights (5 days), with no interruptions. Accompanied by an experienced Wilderness Leadership School field guide who loves and knows the bush. Your belongings, food and sleeping equipment are taken with you on your back. There is no hurry, no worries about time. The timeless rhythm of the African bush will become apparent. When the light becomes subdued, preparations for the fire and shelter for the evening are found in natural surroundings. Simple, basic and uncomplicated.

Your trail will always be limited to eight participants, an aspect that offers welcome companionship and private intervals. A wild environment compels you to relax and to relish simple pleasures.

The landscape in this unique wilderness area is diverse and comprises of numerous valleys, most significantly the Kouga, Baviaanskloof and Groot River basins. These low areas of about 150 m above sea level lie in stark contrast to the numerous peaks which tower above 1400 m above sea level, Cockscomb in the east being the highest at 1735 m. Table mountain sandstone, Enon conglomerate and shale bands give rise to a geological treasure trove of spectacular rock formations.

The area boasts a large variety of interesting habitats and vegetation types. It is situated in a transitional zone between fynbos, grassy fynbos, forest, valley bushveld, spekboom and grasslands the area is rich in terms of biodiversity. The area has been included in the CAPE plan, which is a strategy aimed at protecting the vast biodiversity of the Fynbos kingdom.

As you hike through this remote expanse of fynbos, once the hunting grounds of the khoi people, your wilderness experience will be enhanced by glimpses of kudu, rhebok, bushbuck, eland and the rare mountain zebra.

You are not required to have sleeping bags, backpacks or camping equipment. An all-inclusive trail fee covers all camping equipment, food for the five days, permits for the area, transport and a guide. Apart from the tremendous experience it will offer you, the cost of your trail will contribute towards giving the same experience to South Africans who are economically deprived, particularly those in the black urban areas. We hope you will take this opportunity to join our Wilderness Leadership guides on a four-night wilderness experience and a chance to exist for a period in the original, primitive atmosphere of wilderness, to watch from a respectful distance the intimate lives of wild animals and to listen at night to the compelling sounds of the African bushveld.

Part 2 - Shamwari Game Reserve

Shamwari Game Reserve is the southernmost, big game, private reserve in Africa - MALARIA FREE. This ultimate African adventure stretches along the Bushman's River, halfway between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown, and forms a natural extension to the famous Garden Route and Cape Town. The 18,000-hectare game reserve is steeped in Settler history, and dates back to the time when game roamed freely in the Eastern Cape. Shamwari is about conserving a vanishing way of life, and has been awarded a number of International awards for its efforts in conservation coupled with tourism.

Shamwari is an African dream. A game reserve in which a multitude of plant, animal and birdlife unfold the very soul of an untamed continent, along with the most luxurious means of experiencing your safari holiday.

Shamwari's highly trained game rangers, with skilled service staff will ensure a memorable adventure, personalised to your needs. In keeping with it's conservation policy, Shamwari has a complete wildlife research team as well as it's own anti poaching unit, ensuring an ecological balance prevails on this reclaimed piece of wilderness.

This fully inclusive game experience includes accommodation at Longlee Manor, all meals and game activities (2 game drives & walking safaris). It does not include cost of transfers to and from Port Elizabeth (this can be arranged at an additional cost), beverages, laundry, use of telephones or incidental personal expenses.

COSTING FOR THE ABOVE ITINERARY:

US$ 685.00 per person sharing
Single Supplement at Shamwari Game Reserve only US$ 180.00