KEIDEL Itinerary
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GILDEA, KEIDEL AND SCHULTZ ITINERARY SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 2014 DAY BY DAY DAY 1 (SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER) Pick up your rental car and head towards Lesedi Cultural Village. Your accommodation on the 6th had not been confirmed yet, but more than likely the fire and ice hotel in Melrose Arch, in which case the following directions are suitable. From Johannesburg take the M1 north towards Pretoria, (the highway right next to Melrose Arch) and then turn west onto the N1 at the Woodmead interchange, following signs to Bloemfontein (Roughly 10km after you get onto the highway). At the Malabongwe drive off-ramp (roughly another 10 km), turn off and then turn right onto Malabongwe drive (R512), proceed for 40 kms along the R512, Lesedi is clearly marked on the left-hand side of the rd. The Lesedi Staff will meet you on arrival. Start your journey at the Ndebele village with an introduction to the cultural experience preceded by a multi-media presentation on the history and origins of South Africa’s rainbow nation. Then, enjoy a guided tour of the other four ethnic homesteads – Zulu, Basotho, Xhosa and Pedi. As the sun sets over the African bush, visit the Boma for a very interactive affair of traditional singing and dancing, which depict stories dating back to the days of their ancestors. Dine in the Nyama Choma Restaurant, featuring ethnic dishes, a fusion of Pan African cuisine all complemented by warm, traditional service. Lesedi African Lodge and Cultural Village Kalkheuwel, Broederstroom R512, Lanseria, 1748 [t] 087 940 9933 [m] 071 507 1447 DAY 2 – 4 (MONDAY 8 DECEMBER – WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER) After a good night’s sleep awaken to the sounds of traditional maskande guitar or squash-box, and enjoy a full English breakfast, which is served in the restaurant. Today you will travel from Lesedi to Madikwe Game Reserve for your stay at Madikwe Safari Lodge. I would suggest leaving at about 9am. As you leave Lesedi, turn left back on the R512, again heading north. You will stay on the R512 for the next 30km, with a few turns on the way. At all times, follow any signs to Hartebeespoort Dam (Johannesburgs closest dam for weekend getaways and watersports) or Sun City. After leaving lesedi, travel north on the R512 and at the T Junction turn left (after 5.1km). After 9.5km turn left again (at pecanwood golf estate), then turn right after 5km. You will then travel across the dam on a big bridge. After the bridge turn right at the T junction. Travel for another 4km turn left on the the R104. You will now pass through a few curio and farm stalls on either side of the road. Turn right, back onto the R512 after 5.3km and then 650m later turn left onto the road that takes you to the main highway (N4). Turn onto the N4 and travel for 8.6km. There should be signs to Sun City at each of these intersections. Take the R566 offramp off the N4, you will travel for about 80km and should pass Sun City on your right and then a small gas station and spar supermarket. This is a good place to stop for some supplies or for restroom breaks and I recommend filling up here too. Please also give the lodge a call from here +27 18 350 9902 to advise that you have passed Sun City. Just past the gas station, you will come to another main intersection/t-junction. Turn right onto the R565 (follow signs to Derdepoort). 8.8km from when you turn onto the R565 you will need to turn left. There should be signs to Madikwe Game Reserve, but last time I drove the signs had been taken down due to roadworks. There was still a sign to a small village called Mabeskraal though. Please ignore all signs for Madikwe Hospital or Village etc. After passing through MABESKRAAL (approximately 45 km/28 miles), you will come to a four-way stop where you must turn right to DERDEPOORT. This newly-tarred/ sealed road continues for about 25 km and has very few signs. It then becomes gravel/dirt, with the Dwarsberg Liquor Store on your left, after which you continue for 58 km/36 miles. Please travel carefully on the gravel road. Continue straight along the gravel road towards MOLATEDI village (do not take the next Derdepoort road to the right, continue straight). Pass through the Molatedi village, over the Marico River and straight to the MOLATEDI GATE entrance into the reserve, which will be approximately R85 per car per gate. Here you will be welcomed by the friendly gate staff, who will confirm your reservation and direct you to the correct Lodge at Madikwe Safari Lodge. Proceed into the reserve on the main road following the signs to the DERDEPOORT gate/MADIKWE SAFARI LODGE, approximately 33 km/20 miles and it should take you approximately 45 minutes. Please note the reserve speed limit is 40 km/h. You are now on safari, so keep a look out for animals and feel free to stop and enjoy whatever you see from the road. The staff at the lodge will welcome you and settle you in before you game drive. You will partake in daily activities either game drives or walks. If the opportunity does present itself, go for a bush walk, it is an incredible experience. DAY 5 – 6 (THURSDAY 11 DECEMBER – FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER) You will need to allow 5 hours to get from Madikwe back to OR Tambo airport. Follow the above directions in reverse. When you get back to the Malibongwe and N1 junction. Turn left onto the N1 and then follow signs to OR Tambo. When you land in Cape Town and you have collected your car: Follow signs for the N2 from the airport. Merge onto Settlers Way/N2 via the ramp to Somerset. Keep right to continue on N2 after 10km. Shortly after this, take Exit 33 for Baden Powell Drive toward R310/Stellenbosch/Macassar. Turn left onto Baden Powell Dr. Stay on this road for 12.8km’s. Turn right onto Polkdraai Rd/R310. Follow R310 and continue onto Adam Tas Rd. Take a slight left turn onto Adam Tas Rd/R44. Turn right into Merriman Ave. At the 1st and 2nd roundabout, take the second exit. Turn left onto Provinsie Rd 0.7 km from second roundabout. Take the 3rd right onto Rozendal Rd then take your first left to reach your destination. While staying at Rozendal, breakfast is included. Speak to the guest house about good places to eat or shop for groceries. I would recommend Indo-Chine for one dinner, it is at Delaire Graff Wine Estate, 10 minutes outside of Stellenbosch and has fantastic food and an incredible setting. The wine-tasting here is also great. On Friday I suggest heading into Franschoek. ROZENDAL AUBERGE T. +27 (0)21 809 2600 E. [email protected] W. www.rozendal.co.za A. Rozendal Farm, Omega Str, Stellenbosch DAY 7 – 9 (SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER – MONDAY 15 DECEMBER) Leave Rozendal and make your way to Cape Town and the Clarendon, Bantry Bay. The drive is just under an hour, so no rush. Get back onto the N1 and follow signs back to Cape Town. As you are approaching Cape Town follow signs to the Waterfront. The highway stops at a traffic light intersection, continue straight and turn right onto Strand Street. Strand Street eventually turns in High Level Road. Follow this road until you come to Ave Normandie, turn right here and then left onto Kloof Road. Follow Kloof Road until you see The Clarendon on your right. We have booked you for a full day Peninsular Trip with African-Born Safaris on Monday 15th December, Monday should be less busy than the weekend. Callum will make arrangements with the Claredon as to what time to pick you up etc. But plan for 8:30am. You will be back at around 4pm, after the day’s festivities. While in Cape Town, try and get up the mountain as early as possible, often the wind picks up later and the cable car is often closed. You can book tickets online or through The Clarendon. The Clarendon Villa - Bantry Bay 158 Kloof Road, Bantry Bay, Cape Town 8005 Tel: +27 (0) 21 434 6853 or +27 (0) 21 439 3224 DAY 10 (TUESDAY 16 DECEMBER) Head back to Cape Town international Airport in time for your flight back to the States. Head towards the CBD and follow signs to the airport. ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA South Africa is the ideal country for first timers. If you are looking for an ‘easy’ wildlife adventure, South Africa is first choice. It is truly a world in one country. It has world-class hotels, fantastic restaurants, some of the best golf courses, activity options such as kayaking, mountain climbing in remote mountains, shark-diving and all of this a stones throw away from where you can see lions and elephants in their natural environment. South Africa is a unique mixture of third world and first world and this is the reason it is one of the worlds “must see” destinations. Cape Town was voted #1 City in the World to see in 2014. Air connections from Europe, the UK and America are excellent and getting around the country is painless. CONTACT INFORMATION The following contact numbers you made need during your travels. African-Born Safaris: Main Office - Phone: +21 21 813 5950 Callum Sargent: - Phone: +27 72 426 9545 - Email: [email protected] Sean Carter: - Phone: +27 76 023 0518 - Email: [email protected] IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY Should you experience problems just prior to your departure, or if your flight is delayed or changed whilst en route, please contact Africa-Born Safaris directly on numbers given above.