Day 0 approx 2000 Depart London Heathrow on scheduled overnight flight to Johannesburg

Day 1 Met by representative of Campaign Trails and travel by coach (which will be with the group throughout) South along the N3 toll road passing through the highveld of the Transvaal and then Free State. Descending the Drakensberg into Kwazulu-Natal the party will arrive at their comfortable hotel within easy reach of the Zulu War Battlesites. The afternoon is spent refreshing and orientating and the first introductory presentation (30 mins) will be given with your welcome cocktail before supper. Three nights at this hotel where all rooms have ensuite facilities.

Days 2 - 3 Fully guided excursions to the historic sites of Hlobane, Battle of Blood River, Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift. This is a comprehensive presentation of the dramatic conflict between the Zulus and the Boers, and then the British. The countryside is dramatic even without its history and the days will be spent exploring the sites with a picnic lunch. The programme will normally return guests to the hotel by 5pm so there is time to relax before supper. A second talk is planned on day 3.

Days 4 – 6 Travel west to a convenient hotel near the Boer War historic sites where three nights are spent. The thatched ensuite accommodation has a central restaurant and bar in a country setting with great charm. It is surrounded by tranquil mature gardens with a stream and lake. The tour attempts to follow the timetable of the engagements with visits to Talana, Ladysmith including Wagon Hill and Intombi Camp, Spionkop, Colenso and the place of Churchill’s capture. A specialist game reserve with a white rhino breeding programme is nearby and a visit is part of the programme. A third evening talk will be given in this section. Lunch will be taken out as picnics and return is planned to the hotel by 5pm.

Day 7 – 9 The coach will now travel to the Drakensberg Mountains (only about 1.5 hr) where three nights are spent at a comfortable hotel and time can be taken by the pool, on the tennis court, walking in the stunningly beautiful hills, riding or getting up to date with reading the background to the experiences of the first part of the tour.

Day 10 Travel south to the City of Pietermarizburg for sightseeing and lunch and then on to a private game reserve to arrive in time for a late afternoon drive in a viewing vehicle to see close by the variety of Giraffe, Hippo, Eland, Buffalo, Kudu and many others. Stay the night at the reserve in comfortable ensuite accommodation. A start before dawn will join the morning game drive to find the maximum game activity before the day becomes hot. A brunch is taken on return.

Day 11 – 13 Travel on to the City of Durban – Africa’s busiest port – where two nights are spent in a comfortable modern hotel which is conveniently placed for the presentation of the history of the city and visiting the many aspects of this multi-cultural city with its large Indian population as well as indigenous Africans and Europeans of every extraction. The final talk will be given on the 12th night. Lunches are not included for this section. The party will split and either travel on to individual destinations or fly from the international airport to Jo’burg and then on to London.

Further itineraries by arrangement.

Lectures: The inclusion of the four lectures in the programme will give clients the chance to hear of the overall development of Southern Africa from the arrival of the first settlers in the 17c through to modern times with the influences of European power struggles on Colonial expansion and the internal balances of power, wealth and influence that created the various conflicts that will be presented in detail.

Before departure from the UK we offer an illustrated complimentary talk on the basic geography and topography of the areas to be visited and a recommended reading list for the historical aspects. This briefing should be scheduled about a month before departure.

Costs: Based on the above schedule which includes all accommodation on a supper, bed and brakfast basis and lunches as specified; entry fees to historical sites and guiding as specified; Rates are based on the sharing of hotel rooms. All drinks, incidentals and gratuities, additional excursions and anything not itemised in the schedule are for the individual to settle directly.
Our costs are at current rates and exchange levels and are calculated in three parts; group costs, individual costs and transport. Final numbers and rates can affect the final costs.
Campaign Trails reserves the right to alter the programme to ensure quality and safety, depending on local conditions.

2005 Prices:
TOTAL for minimum 16pax in one vehicle is £ 1,080
Flight cost is in addition @ ca £560 per head LHR-JNB & DUR-JNB-LHR

Tours will depart Heathrow on the first tuesday of each second month, starting April 2005 but excluding December.

Prices may be subject to change.

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