Photo Explorer Tours 2002 

Participants in our first two South Africa tours were completely enamored by the country's wealth of photo opportunities and activities -- not to mention the charming accommodations, fine food and excellent wine. South Africa truly is a magnificent country offering the best of Africa, a touch of European sophistication, and the exuberance of a nation boldly embarking upon a new future. Included in our comprehensive itinerary will be the opportunity to photograph landscapes and seascapes, flora and fauna, architecture and people, towns and cities. From the breathtaking vistas of the Cape through the nearby wine country, to Durban and coastal lighthouses, to the mountainous independent Kingdom of Lesotho, to overnight in a Zulu village, to game viewing of the "big five" just outside Kruger Park in open top vehicles (plus an optional balloon flight), to a colorful traditional Ndebele village and the modern capital city of Pretoria, to fascinating Soweto and the gold mines of Johannesburg, this tour will provide a plethora of diverse and memorable photo opportunities -- not to mention, again, great food & wine.

The South Africa itinerary is priced at $4195 per person. Single supplement is $535. It is limited to 11 participants (amateur and professional photographers, friends and spouses). The price includes all ground (air conditioned mini-buses) and air transportation (one domestic flight) in South Africa, accommodations in a variety of charming and comfortable hotels, guest houses, and country lodges, all meals, admission fees and tips, and the services of highly knowledgable and personable English-speaking guides and photo guides who will facilitate all the special requirements of our photographic group.

International air for this tour can be arranged through an agent recommended by Photo Explorer Tours or you may arrange your own flights through your travel agent or airline. Airfare for this tour is estimated at $1200 based on regular fares currently available on South African Airlines from New York and Atlanta and subject to change by the airline.

Sun. Oct. 27 Arrivals at Cape Town International Airport will be met by the local tour guide who will transport individuals to the Cape Milner Hotel. In the afternoon there will be a tour of the Kirstenbosch Gardens followed by a trip by cable car up Table Mountain for sunset drinks and a spectacular photographic opportunity.

Mon. Oct. 28 Today's programme needs an early start as we are touring the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve all the way to Cape Point with its light houses and dramatic views as well as visiting the famous St. James Victorian Bathing Boxes and Penguin Colony at Boulder Beach along the way. On the way back to Cape Town the Imizame Yethu township will be visited before sunset over Camps Bay. A welcome dinner of the traditional foods of Africa tonight at Africa Cafe.

Tue. Oct. 29 Winelands tour including a visit to a cellar and wine tasting is the programme for the day. Scenic mountain settings for the photographers do splendid landscape photography. Visits to various historical manor houses will conclude the activities of the day. We overnight at the River Manor guest house in Stellenbosch with dinner in one of the nearby restaurants.

Wed. Oct. 30 We drive via the coastal road to Hermanus one of the world renowned whale watching sites. After lunch our drive continues to Cape Agulhas and on to Arniston. The old mission station and the colorful fishing village together with a great sunset offers everything the landscape photographer needs. Overnight at the Arniston hotel.

Thu. Nov. 1 Early morning photo opp of fishermen going out, followed by breakfast, and then our tour continues in the direction of Bredasdorp to Swellendam and Oudtshoorn. Many stops are made enroute as the whole area is full of photo opps. After lunch in Oudtshoorn we make our way through a dramatic mountain pass back to the coast. Overnight at Victoria Bay in an old & charming small beach hotel.

Fri. Nov. 2 Along the Garden Route to Knysna on the Choo Tjoe Train, a classic vintage steam locomotive. Outstanding and dramatic scenic landscape, inland lakes, rain forest, beaches, dolphins and seals will be our photo assignments for today. In Knysna we shall overnight in the splendid St. James Lodge.

Sat. Nov. 3 Mid-morning the group will be transferred to Port Elizabeth airport for their connecting flight to Durban. On arrival at Durban International guests are welcomed by our new tour guide, Michael von der Heyde, who will stay with the group for the remainder of the safari. He will assist with airport matters and then drive the group to their overnight accommodation, The Quarters. After check in, there will follow a short tour along the Durban beachfront and a visit to the harbor. This will be followed by a welcome dinner either at one of the trendy restaurants in Florida Road or a fish restaurant in the Durban Yacht Harbor.

Sun. Nov. 4 An early morning, to catch the sunrise over Durban and the Indian Ocean. Return to the Hotel for well earned breakfast. Afterwards a comprehensive tour of Durban with plenty photographic opportunities at the Indian Market, Zulu muti sellers in the Warwick Triangle, Botanical Gardens, Umhlanga Rocks to name but a few. Lunch and tea en-route. In the late afternoon, return to the hotel for drink and dinner.

Mon. Nov. 5 Not too early a start as guests check out of the hotel. Drive toward Hillcrest and the Valley of a Thousand Hills, then down to Inanda Dam to visit one of the famous Sangoma Training Centres. Excellent photo opportunities of people, children and landscapes. Lunch break will be at the Heritage Market in Hillcrest and then onward along the Old Main Road to Pietermaritzburg, from there to Howick Falls (the falls should be pumping this time of year) and further on to the Drakensburg Mountains. We will arrive in the late afternoon at Penwarn Country Lodge, in time for a short stroll in the beautiful gardens of this estate before drinks and a country style dinner.

Tue. Nov. 6 Early rise! After a light breakfast it is time to drive to a meeting point in the village of Underberg where guests are transferred by 4x4 vehicles for a drive up the mountain road to the" Sani Pass". This road leads into the small mountain kingdom of Lesotho. There are superb landscape photo opportunities en-route as well as local farm villages and people. Depending on the time available, a picnic lunch will be served on top of Sani Pass or in Underberg. The afternoon is free for everyone to explore the beautiful country estate of Penwarn. Guests can opt for a game drive, see bushman paintings, photograph birds, go fishing or simply enjoy the surroundings. Again, after sundowner drinks, a delicious meal will be served.

Wed. Nov. 7 This morning we have to check out of the lodge. The tour continues into the northern part of KwaZulu Natal, the final destination for the day is the northern part of the Drakensberg, which the Zulus call uKhahlamba, "The Barrier of Spears." Here we visit the Amphitheatre, flanked by the distinctive Sentinel on the right and the Eastern Buttress on the left, forming a magnificent backdrop to the greater Royal National Park. Over a sheer 4 kilometer-wide basalt cliff face the waters of several rivers plunge into a landscape exposed by erosion over millions of years. One of the most breathtaking features in the Amphitheatre area is Tugela Falls which drops almost 2 kilometers over a series of falls and cascades and through a dramatic gorge to the valley floor. One sheer fall of 614 meters is the highest in South Africa, while the combined drop of the Tugela Falls of 948 meters makes it the second highest in the world after the Angel Falls in Venezuela. Overnight at the Cathedral Peak hotel, an exclusive family-owned and run luxury mountain resort admist spectacular mountain peaks.

Thu. Nov. 8 Having had plenty of time for photo shoots of the Berg, we drive in a easterly direction into the heart of Zululand to photograph and stay with the friendly Zulus at Shakaland. Shakaland stands below the hills where once stood "Kwabulawayo", the great military kraal of King Shaka. Created for the filming of the highly acclaimed international television series, "Shaka Zulu", it is a Zulu cultural center preserving the traditional customs and lifestyle of the Zulu people. Photographic opportunities abound, especially at the evening dance spectacular. Overnight in Shakaland is at the Hotel Protea.

Fri. Nov. 9 We have to leave Shakaland early as we have a long but interesting drive in front of us. Our final destination for the day is Old Joes Kaia where we'll enjoy a goumet dinner and overnight.

Sat. Nov. 10 A leisurely start in the morning and driving through beautiful country side, our first stop will be the Three Rondovels in the Blyde River Canyon. From there we drive south stopping and shooting a lot of film at three spectacular water falls. Lunch is at Pilgrim's Rest, the old Gold mining town. From Pilgrim's Rest we drive straight to our lodge in the Sabi Sands area outside the world renowned Kruger National Park. We should arrive at our specially selected lodge in time for our first game drive in open game viewing vehicles. The Big 5 is our goal for the next days. Our experienced and well trained rangers and trackers will help us to capture the Big 5 on film. Tonight is our first dinner in a traditional boma around a blazing log fire.

Sun. Nov. 11 The day will start early, as we leave the lodge just before sun rise in our open top vehicles in search of the Big 5 and many other wonderful animals of the African bush. We return to the lodge around mid morning to enjoy a great brunch and a well deserved rest. In the afternoon our ranger is ready again to take us to other interesting parts of the reserve. Return to the Lodge after dark for dinner and overnight.

Mon. Nov. 12 After a final morning game drive (or optional balloon flight at additonal cost), we leave the lodge in Sabi Sands and drive to Hazyview. From there we can have a interesting tour to the Cheetah Project farm, where you can get very close to the animals. In the evening we have a Shangaan Village tour with dinner under the African Sky.

Tue. Nov. 13 No time pressure or early morning rise this morning. After check out we drive toward Pretoria, the capital city of South Africa. In Pretoria, we can visit Melrose House, the Kruger square and perhaps the Voortrekker monument, which is on the way to Johannesburg. Enroute we will visit an Ndebele village, known for the colorful geometric patterns painted on their houses. In the afternoon we continue toward Johannesburg, the Golden City, and our deluxe hotel, The Wanderers, situated on the outskirts of the city.

Wed. Nov. 14 A great tour of Johannesburg is on the cards for today, plus of course a visit to fascinating Soweto. Visits to Gold Reef City and other places of interest will fill our day. Our last dinner together, dinner reservations in one of the fine restaurants in Sandton Square.

Thu. Nov 15 A relaxed and late breakfast before spending some leisurely time shopping in one of the glittering arcades of Johannesburg to buy souvenirs or books for family and friends back home. In the afternoon drive to Jan Smuts International Airport to board flight home.