Familiarization Trip:

South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe

November 2011

Laurelee Graham

Regional Sales & Relationship Manager

Southern Africa FAM Trip November 2011

In November 2011,

I hosted top agents

from up & down the

western US to a

special

Familiarization Trip

to Southern Africa;

which included trip

to Zambia, Botswana

and Zimbabwe.

The Republic of South Africa covers the southernmost tip

of the African continent. It is bordered by Namibia, Botswana,

Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The land is about 1/5 the size of

the US but 5x larger than Britain. Since 1868, South Africa has

been the world’s leading producer of Gold & Diamonds using

the most sophisticated mining techniques in the world.

Platinum, chromium, manganese & flourine are also mined

here.SA builds SALT helmets for missiles & is the #1 exporter of Merlino wool and Mohair in the world. It is 1 of 2 places in

the world that produce Isotopes for Cancer treatments. It is believed from fossil remains the early man evolved in South

Africa separately from other prehistoric populations in the North; separated by the Sahara Desert. The Negroids(later named

Bantus) & the Capoids (later the Hottentots & the Bushmen) were the primary groups. By the Middle Ages, the Bantu had

spread across Southern Africa & the peaceful Native Bushmen were either killed or absorbed by the Bantu. By the time

Europeans arrived, the Bushmen were on the brink of extinction. Portuguese Bartholomew Dias discovered the Cape of Good

Hope in 1488, but the Dutch did not settle in South Africa until 1652. The French followed in 1688 and the British in 1820.

The discovery of Diamonds & Gold in the late 1800’s brought settlers & fortune seekers by the boatload. The 3 year Anglo

Boer War, won by the British, established the Union of South Africa in 1910.

The country was a part of the British Commonwealth until 1961. Apartheid

policies started in 1948 when the Nationalist Party came into power. Anti-

Apartheid movements reached their peak in the late 1980’s and early 1990s;

resulting in Nelson Mandela, a political prisoner and the face of Apartheid in

South Africa, being released from the prison on Robben Island where he had been

held for 27 years; followed by national elections in 1994.

Nelson Mandela became the first democratic president of South Africa and is

regarded as a National Treasure and the Father of

Modern South Africa. Nelson Mandela’s real first

name is “Rolihlahla”, but, upon entering school was

given the “Christian” name of Nelson. Today in South

Africa, he is known as Nelson Rolihlahla

Mandela. www.CapeRoyal.co.za ; www.tmnp.co.zawww.africa.com/cape-

town/city; www.TajHotels.com

www.Robben-Island.org.za;

Day One: “Sawubona Emukela” is the Zulu greeting.

Cape Town is called the “Mother City”and is the oldest city in S

Africa as well as the legislative capital. Table Mountain sits high

atop the city and is visible, barring weather, from almost anywhere in

the city. Despite numerous plans to take the air tram up to the top,

we were unable to as the winds come & go, adding suspense as to

whether you will get up to the top; as well as a reason to return. It

was the third trip for one of our agents and she happily put it back on

her busket list for a return trip. Founded in 1652 by the Dutch East

India

company,

Cape Town

lies on the

northern end

of the Cape

Peninsula and

includes the

busy harbor

of Table Bay.

Most

recently, Cape

Town hosted the World at 2011’s World Cup Soccer Finals. The new

stadium that now competes with Table Mountain for the city skyline was

built in 2012 specifically for the World Cup, as was the Airport Gautrain

high speed train that avoids the traffic of a metropolitan city. Cape Town

was founded specifically for growing food, and its culture and heritage it

clearly reflected in the many restaurants and wine estates in the area.

Check in at the Cape Royal Luxury Hotel brought the lovely surprise of a

very European Parisian feel. We had two suites, a full dining room and

living area as well as a fully equipped kitchen. Those arriving early in the day were treated to an evening at the Gold of Africa

Museum’s Gold Restaurant complete with jembe drumming, songs, Mali puppets dancing & singing. The 15 course “Taste Safari”

immersed everyone into the feel of Africa and readied them for the adventure to come….

Day Two: Early off after breakfast for Robben Island via hydrofoil. Robben Island is an island in Table Bay off the west

coast of Cape Town. The name is Dutch for "seal island". The island served as a place of banishment from the 17th-20

th centuries,

but is now a UNESCO World Heritage site & Museum. The Dutch settlers were the first to use Robben Island as a prison. Its first

prisoner was probably in the mid-17th century.

The island was also used as a Leper Colony

Starting in 1845, lepers were moved to Robben

Island. During the Second World War the island

was fortified and guns were installed as part of the

defenses for Cape Town. It was also still used as a

prison. It serves as a reminder of the recently won

freedom from Apartheid in South Africa. It was

here that past President Mandela and also past

President Kgalema Motlanthe & other political

prisoners spent decades imprisoned during the

Apartheid era. Current South Africa President

Jacob Zuma was imprisoned there for 10

years.You can actually visit Nelson Mandela’s

cell of 27 years, guided by gentlemen who were

interned with Mr. Mandela. It is a sobering yet

inspiring visit. Mr. Mandela was finally released

in February 1990, but it took four more years until

South Africa held their first elections and elected

him their first President.

Table Mountain

Lunch at The Mint & a site

inspection at the fabulous

Taj Hotel was truly a treat.

The Taj Cape Town was

originally the site of the South

African Reserve Bank. It truly

sumptuous décor and views of

the town square, St. George’s

Mall and street market make

it a great location for visitors.

The restaurant overlooks the

mall & many rooms face the

Cathedral or wide sweeping

views of Table Mountain. See

the local “Tiffin Box lunch”, a

stacked Bento box type lunch.

Hot, spicy, delicious >>>

After the fabulous lunch and tour,

we headed South to see the

penguins. The

drive down the

Peninsula to Cape

Point was scenic &

Sunny to…

The Cape

of Good

Hope

Nature

Reserve.

Evening found us back in

the city for a sunset dinner

on the marina walk at the

Victoria & Alfred

Hotel. Set along the

Marina, it affords

spectacular views of the

Boardwalk, the still active

and working Harbor as

well as Table Mountain.

www.vahotel.co.za

Fabulous!

Day 3,4&5 Our next attempt to ride up to Table Mountain via

the City’s famous cable cars was cancelled at the last minute due to

high winds. I think this is a tourism tactic to get us all to just come back. Instead, we toured up around Signal Hill & Lion Head

Mountain to enjoy the views from other angles. Also remember that is was here the world’s first heart transplant was performed by

Dr. Christiaan Barnard in 1967 at the Groot Schuur Hospital, the local hospital here. The patient survived the operation and

lived for 18 days. Barnard became an international superstar overnight and. for many, the Face of South Africa. Barnard continued

to perform heart transplants. In a transplant operation was conducted in 1968, the patient, survived for 19 months. A patient, who

received a new heart in 1971, was the longest-lived

recipient; surviving over 23 years.

Lunch at the One and Only was exceptional. Set along

the base of Table Mountain, this is one of the loveliest

settings anywhere & the ONLY 6****** hotel in S

Africa. www.oneandonlyresorts/CapeTown

Late

afternoon, we

left Cape

Town and

headed down

the coast for

our stay at

Grootbos

Nature

Reserve.

The drive is beautiful along the coast and took us through

Walker Bay and the town of Gansbaal. Grootbos Reserve is

a 5***** Luxury along the Garden Route. The word

breathtaking is over used, but the only accurate one to use for the

views at Grootbos. The main lodges overlook some of the best whale

watching anywhere. Over 2300 hectares (over 5000 acres, yes, I looked it up), it is

one of the largest private forests in the world. The Cape Floral Kingdom that

flourishes here is difficult to believe without seeing it and is home to more than 750

species of Fynbos, 100+

bird species. The word

fynbos is the Afrikaans

for "fine bush", referring to

the thin leaves. Fynbos

forms part of the Cape

floral kingdom, where it

accounts for half of the

surface area and 80% of the

plant varieties. The

fynbos in the western

regions is richer and

more varied than in the eastern regions of South Africa. Of the

world's six floral kingdoms, this is the smallest and richest per

area unit. This was a Fave…. The views from Grootbos

Yes, some of our brave agents went Great White SHARK

diving in cages, while others went whale watching or

horseback riding along the beautiful hills down to the beach.

While the last Whale hunting stations here closed in 1975,

Gansbaal & Grootbos are said to be the capitol for Great White

Whale watching anywhere. The height of whale watching season is from June to November and the best is the first two weeks in

September. There is also a famous Garden Tour that departs from Capetown to this area in June. The famous scholar Cecil

Rhodes, of the Rhodes Scholarship, lived in this area for 40+ years and started the Diamond mining industry in South Africa.

Our guide, Kevin, could NOT have been better. His knowledge of the flora and fauna made for a fun time riding along the hillsides

in the sunshine learning about them FUN. They run a foundation, the Grootbos Foundation, that promotes livlihoods for locals

by educatin them about the flora. Many work on the Reserve and have even become guides. The exceptional service at Grootbos

coupled with Sundowners on the coast listening to

whales and spectacular sunsets made this one of the

memorable stays of the trip.

www.Grootbosfoundation.com/en/the-grootbos-

foundation ; www.Grootbos.com ;

www.saveourseas.com ; www.sharkwatchsa.co

www.whalewatchsa.com

Day 5:We sadly left our wonderful home at Grootbos, but were excited for our next South African adventure……..

Wine Country… As we rounded the hillside looking over the valley of the Dutch settlements of Franschoek &

Stellenbosch. We had an unscheduled stop to watch monkys groom, yes, in the middle of the highway. They were

everywhere on the road, alongside the highway and seemed to not be bothered by the big tour bus sitting alongside them. We

were then treated along the trail to the very shy hill climbing antelope that literally ran up sheer rock walls with ease.

Stellenbosch is one of the most well known and highly regarded wine areas in the world. Napoleon Bonaparte spent his last

years on Santsalina Island and requested his favorite wine, Constansia Muscatel, from this area on his deathbed. The area is so

incredibly picturesque, it has more more monuments than any place in South Africa. Originally settled by the Dutch as a

“banishment” in 1679 by the Governor of the Cape Colony Simon van der Stel (who named it after himself), Stellenbosch

means "(van der) Stel's forest". In 1690 Huguenot refugees settled in Stellenbosch, & planted grapes in the fertile valleys

around Stellenbosch & it soon became the center of the South African wine industry. The early houses in

Stellenbosch were built in the Cape Dutch style & are unique to the Cape. The style has roots in medeval Holland, Germany,

France and Indonesia. From the whitewashed Anglican church & museums surrounding the Braak (Stellenbosch’s “Central

Park”), to the Cape Dutch farmhouses & 19th century university buildings, the town exudes the history and good taste of the

architectural styles of the last three centuries. The town is located 55 km (34 mi) east of

Cape Town in a hilly region of The Cape Winelands. The Stellenbosch, Paarl &

Franschhoek valleys form the Cape Winelands; the larger of the two main wine

growing regions in South Africa. The soils combined with the well-drained, hilly

terrain and Mediterranean climate of

hot summers & cool wet winters are

ideal for winemaking. (Viticulture) The

South African wine industry produces

about 1,000,000,000 liters of wine

annually. The world renowned

Stellenbosch wine route was

established in 1971 by Frans Malan.

Stellenbosch University is one of

South Africa's leading universities &

dates back to 1863. Stellenbosch is the

primary location for viticulture &

Stellenbosch University even has a

Winemaking program(Viticulture).

They have also successfully built a

communications satellite, Sunsat, which was launched in 2000 & orbited

the earth for three years. Mark, our fearless guide...

The Huegenot Dutch memorial gardens and Statue in the heart of South African Wine country

After a site inspection, we

were first treated to a

spectacular lunch on the

beautiful grounds of

Franschoek Country

House & Villas at their

restaurant, Monneaux. The

property overlooks the

winegrowing valleys and is

simply put: stunning.

Many enjoyed the local

Pinotage wine; developed

by Professor Perold, the

first Professor of

Viticulture at Stellenbosch

University. The grounds

and rooms are truly

spectacular as was the

service. After lunch, a

quick (okay, not so quick) shopping

stop in downtown Stellenbosch

brought Chris Pringle, an agent on the

trip, a Pringle Golf shirt he proudly wore for a

later dinner. We took a beautiful walking tour

through town and the Braak, learning about how

the Dutch were banished here and settled. We

continued to Franschoek to check in to the Le

Franschoek Hotel for a taste of a French Chateau

inside with the distinct traditional thatched

rooftops. A Conde Nast Readers Choice winner

in 2010,& featured on the Conde Naste GOLD

list for 2011. 63 rooms in one of Franschoek’s

original country manors, the panoramic views are

gorgeous.

Evening brought a late afternoon site inspection

on the grounds of Le Quartier Francais. This

property is in the heart of town, but has the most

beautiful french countryside style gardens hidden

behind the walls. Everywhere you look something

is blooming, brimming over, or climbing up the wall. Different rooms categories are

modern and sleek, or country charm. The Common Room, where we dined, was off the

wall. Bright red, sleek and shiney, the award winning spot serves multiple “WOW” bites

such as fish pops, chakalaka ketchup &

sticky bun ice cream for the table to share.

If you prefer more elegant, the award

winning Tasting Room is just across the

hall. www.mydorpie.com/m/?page=stellenbosch;

www.stellenbosch.org.za;

www.tourismstellenbosch.co.za ;

www.lefranschoek.co.za

www.wineroute.co.za/reasons.asp;

www.wineroute.co.za ; www.fch.co.za; www.lqf.co.za

Lunch @ Monneaux

A room @ Le Quartier Francias

View from a room @ Franschoek

County House & Villas

Outside patio @Le Quartier

Francias

Franschoek Hotel w/Historic

thatched roof

The common Room that is

NOT so common

Days 6,7&8:Early morning

took us to the airport for flight via

Johannesberg to Kruger National

Park, the private Sabi Sand Game

Reserve and the stunning Lions

Sands River Lodge. Sabi Sand

Reserve borders Kruger National Park

on an unfenced side, which allows

animals to roam freely between state

and private land. We arrived to Walter

dancing a primal dance with a shield,

although in western clothing. He

greeted us throughout our stay; blowing

his whistle, dancing & chanting each

time we entered or left the

property. The owner said they

never discussed this, he just

started dancing several years

ago. Lion Sands sits on the edge

of the Sabi River surrounded by

trees over 800 years old. Family

owned since 1933, the property

has a private bar/lounge area at

open air sitting areas in settings

that create memories. With 18

luxurious thatched roof

bedrooms overlooking the river,

we were greeted with our names

in flower petals on the beds and

a hardbound book written by

one of the owners: “The Desert

Pool” by Guy Chalkey. Once

settled into our lovely villas, we set out for an evening

game drive and “Sundowners”, a term I came to

like. Sunrisers were great too…..all in the name

of “research”. ;)

She makes

research look

easy….. Sundowners!

Early morning drive to seek game & Amarula coffee on

the river with the Hippos, we made stops for site

inspections at sister properties: Ivory Lodge & the “1933

Villa”; all members of More Hotels of South Africa.

THIS is the leopard I found even before Sam, our wonderful tracker (above left), or Enoch, our guide (above rt)

After three days of early 5am game drives and late evening drives after dinner, delicious food and exceptional service, site

inspections & game drives at Sabi Sabi Private Reserve, Tinga & Earth Lodge, we said goodbye to Sam, Enoch, & Harvey,

our guides & tracker; & PJ, our gracious host & headed to Johannesburg. **Our most seasoned Africa Travel agent said we

saw more game in 2 days than her group had in a previous 10 day trip to Africa! www.LionSands.com ; www.morehotels.co.za/ ;

www.sabisabi.com www.sabisabi.com/lodges/earth www.sa-venues.com/visit/tingalodge www.tinga.co.za www.lionsands.com/lodges/1933 www.lionsands.com/lodges/ivory

Days 9&10: We took the

new Gautrain into town, the high

speed train built for the World

Cup Games in 2011. The train

runs every 20 minutes from the

airport into the city. While quick,

clients and travelers should be

aware they will have to tote their

luggage onto trains. After an

afternoon city tour & wonderful

evening

at the

world

famous Saxon

Hotel, we had a

private dinner

with the hotel

sales staff and our

ground operator

partners in

Johannesburg,

Thompson’s. This stunning

property is where

Oprah stays &

where Nelson

Mandela edited

his memoir:

“Long Walk to

Freedom” after

his prison release.

It is a member of

Leading Hotels

of the World.

The next morning we headed to

Zambia and Victoria Falls to check into the Royal Livingstone Hotel.

A luxurious 5*plus Hotel on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls, the hotel stretches

along the banks of the Zambezi River, just a short walk to the entrance of The Victoria Falls. The hotel is named in honor of the

explorer Dr. David Livingstone, and its interior design reflects the elegance of a bygone era with an African architectural style.

The Royal Livingstone Hotel consists of 173 colonial-style rooms, all w/private verandas. The resident Zebra herd ran through

the property on our walk to a FANTASTIC outdoor candlelit dinner; & were wandering outside our rooms on our return; really!

Zambia, formerly called Rhodesia, is a landlocked country surrounded by The Republic of Congo , Tanzania , Malawi ,

Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana , Namibia & Angola. The population is concentrated around the capitol of Lusaka, in the

south-central part of the country & the “Copper Belt Province” to the NW. Originally inhabited by Khoisan peoples, modern

Zambia was colonized during the Bantu expansion in the 13th century. After visits by European explorers in the18th century,

Zambia became the British colony of Northern Rhodesia towards the end of the 119th century. For most of the colonial period,

the country was governed by an administration appointed from London with the advice of the British South Africa Company.

The earliest account of a European visiting the area was Francisco de Lacerda in the late 18th century, followed by other

European visitors in the 19th century. The most prominent of these was David

Livingstone, He was the first European to see the magnificent waterfall on the

Zambezi River in 1855, naming them "Victoria Falls" after Queen Victoria - he

described them as "Scenes so lovely they must have been gazed upon by angels in

their flight". Locally the falls are known as "Mosi-o-Tunya" or "(the) thundering

smoke" (in the Lozi or Kololo dialect). The town of Livingstone, near the Falls, is

named after him. Highly publicized accounts of his journeys motivated a wave of

European visitors, missionaries and traders after his death in 1873. In 1888, the

British South Africa Company (BSA Company), led by Cecil Rhodes, obtained

mineral rights from the Chief of the Lozi of the area which later became North-

Western Rhodesia. The official language of Zambia is English, which is used for

official business & education. The main local language, especially in Lusaka, is

Nyanja. However, Bemba and Nyanja are spoken in the urban areas & up to 73 other

local languages. Formally the British colony of Northern Rhodesia, the country was developed for its vast copper resources. It

was grouped with Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and Nyasaland (Malawi) as part of a federation in 1953. On 24 October 1964,

the country declared independence from Independence from Britain. We rose early for a morning river cruise along the Chobi

River. There were HUNDREDS of elephants EVERYWHERE; alligators; Hippos, & Water Buffalo. After a delicious lunch at

Chobi Safari River Lodge & afternoon game drive along the upper hills of the Chobe River, we were ready for our evening site

inspection and dinner at Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma. Named after David Livingstone’s guides, the lodge is tucked away in the

jungle at the river’s edge the elephants roam freely on the grounds. Indeed, one was eating in the drive up to the hotel and

delayed us by 20 minutes. The Hotel Manager just laughed. The elephants LOUDLY joined us for dinner just off the patios as

well. The grounds & rooms were lovely & the food delicious. The falls can be seen from the Zambia side OR Zimbabwe side.

Chobi River Lodge on the Chobi River

Devil's Pond at the edge of Victoria Falls

GESwww.Royal-Livingstone-

hotel.com www.zambiatourism.com www.zambiatourism.com

www.royal-livingstone-hotel.com;

www.sanctuaryretreats.com www.chobesafarilodge.com www.lhw.com/SaxonBoutiqueHotel

A COBB "Salad" at the Saxon

Entrance @ the Saxon in Joberg

Days 11&12:Early morning found us back in Joberg saying

fond farwells to most of the group. Leanne From Hood Canal Travel

& I had one more day of adventure to look forward to, so we

happily checked BACK into the Saxon for our last night. Dinner

at the patio lounge was a nice relaxing last night to a fun & exciting

trip. The “seafood cobb salad” below, was a stack packed with

deliciousness and looked amazing. The Saxon Hotel, in the

gated residential area of Sandhurst, is close to the 2 major shopping

areas in Johannesburg. An all-suite hotel, on 10 acres of land in a

residential area of Johannesburg -this exclusive luxury hotel

epitomizes authentic African elegance combined with discretely

personalized attention to detail. 24 suites in the Saxon main hotel

and three Villas + 29 suites all with a strong element of African Art, state-of-the-art facilities, writing desk, in suite laptop

and wireless Internet access. When you

walk in the door, you just say Ahhhhh……

Our last morning in South Africa, we enjoyed a terrace breakfast in our

room overlooking the pool area (See above), then headed off to see Soweto

& the Nelson Mandela Museum. Driving through Soweto & walking

through the Hector Pieterson Museum in Soweto, we learned about the

student uprisings there that, ultimately, led to the END of Apartheid in South

Africa and to the country they have become today. www.joberg.org.za;

www.sowetouprising.com; www.apartheidmuseum.org The one thing that

specifically sticks in my mind, beyond the magnificent Big Five, the

outstanding service & amazing properties, is the friendliness and constant

SMILES of the South African people.

Never have I

been

anywhere

where the

smiles are so

free,

immediate

and genuine.

I LOVED

that!

If you made it this far reading, THANK YOU!! I appreciate sharing details & tips with you on the sights, properties, tourist areas and unique little known once in a lifetime experiences we (and YOU!) can give your client through El Mundo Safaris.

A perfect extension for any combination of this itinerary could include: Durban, extra days in Cape Town and Johannesburg, a wine adventure in the Cape Winelands area…..

…is ready to help YOU with your clients to anywhere in Africa. In addition to South Africa, Zambia, Botswana & Zimbabwe highlighted in this trip, El Mundo Safaris specializes in other Destinations in Africa and the surrounding region: Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Madagascar, Maldives,

Mauritius, Seychelles, Dubai, Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco, Malawi, & Namibia.

El Mundo Safaris: A world where the cascading waters of Victoria Fall plummet into crystal blue pools and raging rapids give way to the to the serene Zambezi River, where the Namib sands lead to the indigenous Himba Tribe, animals roam in the Serengeti sun, where the bustle of cosmopolitan Cape Town shimmers under Tabletop Mountain and penguins roam the beaches of South Cape….

THIS is Africa…..…….

For quotes & Reservations:

For Africa: 1-206-898-0651 Info@ElMundoSafaris.com www.ElMundoSafaris.com

As always, please call or email me if you have questions. Remember, if you are not in business, I’m not either.