YOUR O.A.T. ADVENTURE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE®

New! South & : Kruger National Park, the Garden Route & Cape Town

2022

Small Groups: 8-16 travelers—guaranteed! (average of 13) Overseas Adventure Travel ® The Leader in Personalized Small Group Adventures on the Road Less Traveled 1 Dear Traveler,

At last, the world is opening up again for curious travel lovers like you and me. And the O.A.T. New! & Eswatini: Kruger National Park, the Garden Route & Cape Town itinerary you’ve expressed interest in will be a wonderful way to resume the discoveries that bring us so much joy. You might soon be enjoying standout moments like these:

There’s something magical that continues to draw me back to South Africa. With a rich and complex cultural heritage and vast terrain rife with wildlife, it is truly a wonder to behold. But when I reflect on my time there—from images of expansive plains and sounds of animals wandering through the night air—the most vivid memories are those of the people I’ve met along the way, like the small Swazi community in the Ezulwini Valley where you’ll experience A Day in the Life of a local village. You’ll see firsthand what it’s like to live in the village when you meet the the InDuna, village’s leader, and visit the two homesteads, where you’ll help to prepare a traditional Swazi at a local homestead with the elderly women who live and care for their families here.

One of the most moving stories I heard was from a relative of Hector Pietersen, the young boy who was shot and killed by police during a protest in 1976 and became an iconic image of the struggle for equality. You’ll meet this member of Pietersen’s family, too, and hear their personal and poignant perspctive on apartheid when you visit the Hector Pietersen memorial in Soweto, a former shantytown on the outskirts of .

The way we see it, you’ve come a long way to experience the true culture—not some fairytale version of it. So we keep our groups small, with only 8-16 travelers (average 13) to ensure that your encounters with local people are as intimate and authentic as possible. It’s also why your O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader will be a resident “insider” who can show you the culture as only a local can.

To ensure that your adventure is truly unique, put your own personal stamp on it. You can arrive early and stay later, add a pre- or post-trip extension, spend time in a Stopover city, or combine two or more trips. Plus, your itinerary offers ample free time so you can pursue your own interests.

So until the day comes when you are off to enjoy your New! South Africa & Eswatini: Kruger National Park, the Garden Route & Cape Town adventure, I hope you will relish the fun and anticipation that this O.A.T. Adventure Travel Planning Guide® will inspire. Should you have further questions, feel free to call our Regional Adventure Counselors at 1-800-955-1925.

Love and peace,

Harriet R. Lewis Vice Chairman, Overseas Adventure Travel

P.S. For further peace of mind, please know that we are EXTENDING our Risk-Free Booking Policy through 12/31/21. Learn more at www.oattravel.com/risk-free-booking.

USA Today “Best Tours” 10Best Readers’ Presented by Choice Awards Solo Traveler

2 CONTENTS

A Letter from Harriet Lewis ...... 2 The O.A.T. Difference...... 4 The Freedom to Personalize Your Experience ...... 6 Grand Circle Foundation...... 8 The Leader in Solo Travel ...... 9

SOUTH AFRICA & ESWATINI: KRUGER ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS: NATIONAL PARK, THE GARDEN ROUTE CULTURE, ETIQUETTE & MORE & CAPE TOWN South African Culture ...... 81 Your Adventure at a Glance: Shopping: What to Buy, Customs, Where You’re Going, What it Costs, Shipping & More ...... 85 and What’s Included ...... 10 Your Detailed Day-To-Day Itinerary ...... 12 DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORY Optional Tours ...... 30 South Africa...... 88 Pre-Trip Extensions ...... 31 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ...... 88 41 Post-Trip Extensions ...... South Africa: A Brief History ...... 89 Dates & Prices ...... 52 Eswatini ...... 90 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ...... 90 ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION Eswatini: A Brief History ...... 91 Travel Documents & Entry Requirements. . . 53 ...... 92 Visas Required ...... 54 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ...... 92 Rigors, Vaccines & General Health ...... 56 Zimbabwe: A Brief History ...... 92 Vaccines Required ...... 57 ...... 94 Money Matters: Local Currency & Tipping Facts, Figures & National Holidays ...... 94 Guidelines ...... 60 Madagascar: A Brief History ...... 95 Tipping Guidelines...... 63 Zanzibar ...... 97 Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch ..... 65 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ...... 97 Optional Tours ...... 65 Zanzibar: A Brief History ...... 98 Optional Tours: Reserve Before You Go .... 66 Communicating with Home from Abroad . . 67 RESOURCES Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . . . 70 Suggested Reading ...... 100 Suggested Packing Lists ...... 72 Suggested Film & Video ...... 103 Electricity Abroad ...... 75 Climate & Average Temperatures ...... 77

O.A.T. Health & Safety Measures...... 106 Notes...... 107 Map ...... 111

3 EXPERIENCE THE O.A.T. DIFFERENCE in South Africa

This adventure not only showcases iconic sights, but takes you beyond them to experience the culture through unique activities, engagement with the natural world, and authentic encounters with local people. Since our founding in 1978, O.A.T. has become America’s leader in personalized small group journeys on the road less traveled. SMALL GROUPS: 8-16 TRAVELERS LOCAL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION (AVERAGE OF 13)—GUARANTEED To see the world like the locals, you should The world feels more intimate and engaging travel like one. Our small group size allows when your experience of it is also personal us to take the roads and waterways that are and genuine. That’s why our groups never less traveled, and we often follow them using exceed 16 travelers. This gives you access to the same unique modes of transportation people and places larger groups simply can’t that the locals use—be it a canoe, a camel or a reach. More authentic interactions. Deeper vintage cab. bonds with your travel mates. Personal service from your Trip Experience Leader. Smoother UNIQUE LODGINGS transitions. And a far more satisfying Our lodgings reflect the local character, experience than any traditional tour offers. from smaller family-run hotels and historic manors to comfy inns. Occasionally, larger THE BEST TRIP EXPERIENCE LEADERS hotels closer to city centers are used. Wherever Your English-speaking, O.A.T. Trip Experience you stay, you’re assured fine comfort and Leader is a resident of the region you are hospitality. visiting, so you will get a true insider’s perspective that brings each place alive—the OUR WORLDWIDE OFFICES stories, , customs, hidden treasures With 36 regional offices around the world, and more. we are perfectly poised to leverage our local relationships to deliver an excellent experience AUTHENTIC CULTURAL CONNECTIONS and value. During this trip, you’ll be supported Engage with local people through visits to by our team in Cape Town. farms, factories, markets, and artisans’ studios; school visits; Home-Hosted ; and more.

Witness wildlife during a game drive in Kruger National Park Connect with local people in a Swazi market

4 THE PILLARS OF DISCOVERY En riching. Inspiring. Unforgettable. These features form the foundation of your South Africa & Eswatini adventure.

GRAND CIRCLE FOUNDATION (GCF) VISIT exclusive, immersive experience that places GCF was established in 1992 to help change you in the heart of a community where you’ll people’s lives in the world where we live, meet various people where they live, work, work, and travel. To date, we have pledged or and play; visit the neighborhood school; lend a donated $200 million worldwide. hand with daily chores; and break with our hosts. You’ll see GCF’s work in action when we visit A Day in the Life the George Mhaule Primary School. Here, our This adventure includes of small group will enjoy a special opportunity a small, rural settlement nestled in the to meet and connect with some of the school’s Ezulwini Valley. We’ll visit the home of the InDuna students, who range in age from five to six, as , the village’s leader, and have the well as their teachers. opportunity to share a conversation with him or his wife about their integral role in the CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS community and life as a subsistence farmer. Every culture has its joys and achievements, Then, we’ll be welcomed into two homesteads and we celebrate them all. But every place where we’ll learn how to prepare a traditional also has its challenges, and to gloss over them Swazi meal, while chatting about daily life in would not do justice to those whose stories the village and their rich heritage. need to be told—nor to you, as a traveler who HOME-HOSTED EXPERIENCES deserves more than a sugar-coated version of things. So our Trip Experience Leaders will Stories shared. Differences solved. Taste buds lead frank discussions on controversial issues, engaged. Good will extended. It’s amazing the and introduce you to people whose stories will things that can happen across a table, expand your understanding. so we’ll break into groups of 4-5 to join a local family in their home for a snack or a meal. For example, see the memorial dedicated to This is a rare opportunity to witness family Hector Pieterson, the young boy who was life, learn local customs, and taste some shot and killed by police during a protest in home-cooked fare. Soweto in 1976 and became an iconic image of the struggle for equality. We’ll engage in On this adventure, we’ll learn more about the a candid conversation with this member of rich culture of South Afirca when we share a Pieterson’s family—adding a personal (and meal with a local family in their home in Cape especially poignant) angle to the complex and Town. We’ll have a chance to connect with our controversial history of apartheid. hosts, and learn about their daily life, such as what they eat, how they live, and what their A DAY IN THE LIFE thoughts are on Cape Town and South Africa. Do you ever wonder, “What would it be like We’ll even help prepare a home-cooked meal to live here?” when you visit new lands? Let’s and enjoy the finished product together. find out during your O.A.T. A Day in the Life, an

5 You're in control with THE FREEDOM TO PERSONALIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE Exclusively with O.A.T. Your Choice. Your Adventure. Your Way.

It’s your adventure, so why not make it exactly what you want it to be? We offer an exclusive variety of options that let you tailor your adventure so it’s completely your own. In fact, O.A.T. is the only travel company to offer this level of flexibility and choice for a truly personalized experience.

PRE- OR POST-TRIP EXTENSIONS 2. Great value: All extensions include Every O.A.T. adventure offers at least one accommodations, daily , and optional pre-trip and one post-trip extension. airport transfers. Here’s why more than 55% of O.A.T. travelers 3. Continuity and camaraderie: You’ll usually choose to take a pre- or post-trip extension: travel with the same Trip Experience Leader who leads your main trip, enjoying 1. You’ll maximize your discoveries—often more of his or her insider expertise—and in an even smaller group than your main more time to bond with the group. adventure (on average, 6 travelers with a dedicated Trip Experience Leader)—and take advantage of your included airfare.

Optional Extensions offered with your Africa adventure

South Africa's Entabeni Private NEW! Madagascar: , Biodiversity & Game Reserve Colonial History 4 nights pre-trip from $1195 7 nights pre-trip from $3895

Entabeni Game Reserve, South Africa Lemurs, Madagascar

Victoria Falls: Zimbabwe's Natural Wonder NEW! The Island of Zanzibar 3 nights post-trip from $1495 5 nights post-trip from $1995

Victoria Falls, located on the border of Stone Town, Zanzibar, Zimbabwe &

6 ARRIVE EARLY, STAY LATER including the tours you take, activities you Extending your time abroad—with us or plan, and restaurants you visit. If you’d like on your own—is the best way to broaden ideas about how to spend this time and your experience. It’s also a practical way what to see and do, our Regional Adventure to maximize the value of the international Counselors can provide recommendations airfare covered in your main itinerary. when helping you plan this option.

Expand Your Discoveries Before COMBINE ADVENTURES or After Your Adventure You’re already overseas. Why not see more and maximize your value by avoiding the Arrive early in the first destination on your cost and length of another international pre-trip extension or main adventure, or stay flight? Here’s why 2,250 O.A.T. travelers later in the last city on your main adventure or combined two or more adventures in 2019: post-trip extension. By coming early, you can rest after your flight and adjust—with time to • Save a total of $600-$3000 per person when explore. By staying later, you have extra time you combine two adventures compared to to relax, pack, or continue exploring. the cost of taking each trip separately.

This option lets you take advantage of our • Apply the 5% or 6% Frequent Traveler lower group rates, with prices from $50 per Credit you earn on your first trip to your person per night—including accommodations, second trip. private airport transfer, and daily breakfast. • Sir Edmund Hillary Club members save an extra $250-$350 per person when booking • Arrive early in Johannesburg before multiple trips in a calendar year. your main trip, before your Entabeni or Madagascar pre-trip extension, or after • Our Regional Adventure Counselors make all your Victoria Falls post-trip for $50 per the arrangements for a seamless experience. person, per night Combine this trip with our Ultimate • Conclude your main trip with more time Africa: , Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari in Cape Town for $75 per person, per night adventure—for a total cost of $8690-13,490 per person—and save $1500-$2100 per person • Remain in Stone Town after your Zanzibar versus taking each trip separately. post-trip extension for $100 per person, per night AIR PREFERENCES Accommodations are at the same hotels where 54% of our travelers customize their air you begin or end the main trip and optional itineraries: extensions, so transitions will be seamless. • Choose your departure city and airline NEW! Stopover in any major international city • Depart from one city and return to another Travelers with O.A.T. airfare have the • Upgrade to Premium Economy or opportunity to stopover in popular cities en Business Class route to your main adventure. Speak with one PERSONALIZED PRIVATE ADVENTURES of our Regional Adventure Counselors to learn more about your options and to arrange your Travel on a private departure with as few as international airfare. five travelers and your own Trip Experience Leader. An additional cost will apply depending You are free to choose however you’d like on the number of travelers in your group. to spend this additional time exploring,

7 GRAND CIRCLE FOUNDATION Changing people’s lives, one village, one school, one person at a time

ON THIS ADVENTURE … Dear Traveler, Since our inception in 1992, the Grand Circle In 1992 we established Grand Circle Foundation has pledged or donated more Foundation, an entity of the Lewis Family than $200 million to projects around the Foundation, as a means to give back to world. Here are just a few of the ways we have the world that had already given us so partnered with the communities on this trip. much. We’ve pledged or donated more than $200 million worldwide to support G e o rge Mhaule Primary School the education of young people and the Total Donations: $32,343 preservation of international treasures George Mhaule Primary School is located in Ha- and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and zyview, South Africa and serves over 650 students. the conservation of natural resources for With GCF funding, the school installed new toilets, future generations. drilled a borehole to access water, purchased chairs and computers, and constructed a covered Of , none of this would be possible assembly area between buildings, allowing the without your help. A portion of the children to be outside while staying protected proceeds of every adventure is donated to from the sun. Grand Circle Foundation—so just as your life will be enriched by the discoveries D o c t o rs Without Borders you’ll make on your journey, you’ll also Total Donations: $23,600 help to enrich the lives of the people HIV/AIDS is the most serious health concern in you’ll meet along the way. Thank you South Africa. In partnership with Doctors Without Borders, GCF funded the construction of a medical for traveling with us, and for helping to clinic dedicated to treating HIV positive children, change people’s lives. and adolescents failing their anti-retroviral (ARV) Love and peace, treatment. By having a dedicated clinic with the sole purpose to address this problem, many chil- dren can begin to do better on their medication Harriet R. Lewis Chair, and thrive. Grand Circle Foundation

SCAN ME See how Grand Circle Foundation is giving back in this video Open the camera feature on your mobile device, and hover the lens over this code to scan it. A pop-up notification will take you directly to the video.

www.grandcirclefoundation.org

8 THE LEADER IN SOLO TRAVEL in South Africa—and Around the World

ON THIS ADVENTURE … FREE Single Supplements: We don’t charge The leader in solo-friendly a single supplement on this adventure and travel for Americans—by optional trip extensions—a savings of up to the numbers $3795 per person compared to other travel companies. But single spaces fill quickly, so early reservations are advised. More than 50% of all O.A.T. travelers are women who travel solo One of our most popular trips for solo travelers. More than 670 solo travelers joined In 2022, we’re offering 30,000 us on this adventure in 2018 and 2019—either singles spaces across all O.A.T. independently or sharing a room with a adventures. That’s 86% more than mother, daughter, sister, or friend. offered in 2019

High ratings: More than 86% of these solo travelers rated their adventure excellent. 92% of our 30,000 single spaces have FREE Single Supplements. The On average, half of your group will also be remaining 8% have the lowest single traveling independently, so it’s easy to forge supplements in the industry. special bonds as you experience unforgettable moments together. In 2022, we’re offering 25 exclusive You’ll be in good hands, thanks to your women’s departures on some of our dedicated local Trip Experience Leader (a most popular itineraries resident of South Africa), and the expertise of our regional office team in Cape Town. NEW! 101+ SCAN ME Increased Single Space: In 2022, we have 36% Tips for Solo more single spaces than in 2019, with up to 7 Women Travelers single spaces per departure. See available FREE This complimentary, 96-page single space at www.oattravel.com/sak2022. booklet is a comprehensive collection of savvy tips specifically for seasoned women travelers going solo. Learn about safety for solos, packing like a pro, the best travel apps, self-care on the road, and more. Scan this code to view an online copy or to request one by mail.

9 Lower prices than last year—a value of up to $1100 per couple New! South Africa & Eswatini: Kruger National Park, the Garden Route & Cape Town Small Group Adventure South Africa:`ŋĞÖłłāŭðŽũė̇bũŽėāũpÖŶĢŋłÖķ”ÖũĴ̵̇NķŽĞķŽƒā̇”ŋũŶ1ķĢơÖðāŶĞ̇błƘŭłÖ̇!Öťā¦ŋƒł̳Ά̳ Eswatini (Swaziland): Mbabane

Countries: 2 Ά!ĢŶĢāŭ̆5Ά3 Nights in a Camp in Kruger National Park

Small groups: 8-16 travelers—guaranteed! It’s Included (average of 13)

Explore in a small group of 8-16 23 small group activities, including FROM PER DAY DAYS • • travelers (average group size of 13) game-viewing drives, hikes, museum $ $ visits, plus park fees 4795 240 20 • International airfare, airport transfers, government taxes, fees, and airline fuel • Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Including international airfare surcharges unless you choose to make Experience Leader and driver-guides your own air arrangements FREE Single Supplement • Gratuities for local guides, drivers, • Accommodations for 18 nights lodge and camp staff, driver-guides, and luggage porters • 40 meals—18 , 11 , mÖƗĢĿĢơāÈŋŽũ and 11 dinners, including 1 Home- • 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward Discoveries & Value Hosted Dinner your next adventure

Optional extension s : SCAN ME South Africa’s Entabeni Watch our #1 most popular video Private Game Reserve for this adventure 4 nights pre-trip from $1195 Travel from only $299 per night Open the camera feature on your mobile device, and hover the lens over this code to scan it. A pop-up notification will New! Madagascar: Lemurs, take you directly to the video. ĢŋùĢƑāũŭĢŶƘͽ!ŋķŋłĢÖķNĢŭŶŋũƘ 7 nights pre-trip from $3895 Travel from only $557 per night Victoria Falls: Zimbabwe’s Natural Wonder 3 nights post-trip from $1495 Travel from only $499 per night New! ¦ĞāœťĢóāRŭķÖłùŋĕÑÖłơĢðÖũ 5 nights post-trip from $1995 Travel from only $399 per night

Elephants, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, South Africa

South Africa & Eswatini: Kruger National Park, the Garden Route & Cape Town

10 E Itinerary Summary ZIMBABWE To/From U.S. PRE-TRIP EXTENSIONS U Internal flight A A Q N Entabeni N I Land route A B Pre-trip extensions: 4 nights in South Game A Cruise route W M S Reserve W 0200Miles A T S KRUGER Africa’s Entabeni Private Game Reserve Z O T B NATIONAL SOUTH AFRICA O OR New! 7 nights in Madagascar: O PARK M B Nkambeni POST-TRIP EXTENSIONS Lemurs, Biodiversity & Colonial History Johannesburg Nelspruit ZAMBIA Johannesburg NAMIBIA Z A’Zambezi anga Mbabane am ohim Andasibe- Soweto be bezi River Lodge mb ho DAYS DESTINATION A Mantadia N.P. C ESWATINI Chobe N.P. Victoria Falls n (SWAZILAND) A a A (Optional Tour) nt Andasibe e an c anariv C Hluhluwe o O Hluhluwe-Umfolozi BOTSWANA ZIMBABWE 1 Fly to Johannesburg, South Africa MADAGASCAR n I Game Reserve a i To/From d R To/From Johannesburg n Johannesburg I F A 2-4 Johannesburg Durban I

A Zanzibar Zanzibar n

A I H Channel Island d t

i

l Zanzibar T N Jozani a a (Stone Town)

U n 5-7 Fly to Kruger National Park A Chwaka n O Bay N.P. t Stellenbosch Z O i (Optional Tour) S Indian

c Cape N c

Ocean e O George Unguja

Town A Menai Lodge a 8-9 Mbabane, Eswatini c K Je Port Elizabeth n n ff T Bay e y re sna y’s a Cape Bay To/From Johannesburg n Peninsula 10-11 Hluhluwe, South Africa

12-13 Fly to Port Elizabeth What to Expect 14-15 Knysna

16-19 Fly to Cape Town Pacing: 7 locations in 19 days Physical Requirements: Uneven walking surfaces, including unpaved paths, hills, 20 Return to U.S. stairs, and cobblestones Post-trip extensions: 3 nights in Victoria Flight time: Travel time will be 16-24 hours and will most likely have two Falls: Zimbabwe’s Natural Wonder connections OR New! 5 nights in The Spice Island View all physical requirements at www.oattravel.com/sak2022 of Zanzibar

A rrive Early, Stay Later South Africa: The O.A.T. Difference Prices below include accommodations, daily breakfast, and private airport Unbeatable Value: Save up to $550 per person, and travel at the lowest price and transfer. per diems in the industry. • Arrive early in Johannesburg before People-to-People Experiences: Experience A Day in the Life of a Swazi village, your main trip, before your Entabeni or Madagascar pre-trip extension, or after enjoy dinner in the home of a local Cape Town family, and spend time getting to your Victoria Falls post-trip for $50 per know members of an artists’ workshop in Port Elizabeth. person, per night O.A.T. Exclusives: Meet the students and teachers of a village school sponsored • Conclude your main trip with more time by Grand Circle Foundation near Kruger National Park, and participate in a in Cape Town for $75 per person, per conversation in Johannesburg with a relative of Hector Pieterson, a young boy night who was killed during a 1976 uprising. • Remain in Stone Town after your Zanzibar post-trip extension for $100 per person, per night

Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www.oatt ravel.com/sak2022

11 South Africa & Eswatini: Kruger National Park, the Garden Route & Cape Town

YOUR DETAILED ITINERARY

BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURE WITH AN OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP EXTENSION 4 nights in South Africa’s Entabeni Private Game Reserve

Day 1 Depart for South Africa Day 4 Morning & afternoon game viewing Day 2 Arrive in Johannesburg, Day 5 Morning & afternoon game viewing South Africa • Boma dinner Day 3 Overland to Entabeni Day 6 Morning game-viewing • Overland Game Reserve • Afternoon to Johannesburg game-viewing activity

OR 7 nights in Madagascar: Lemurs, Biodiversity & Colonial History

Day 1 Fly to Johannesburg, South Africa Day 7 Explore Mantadia National Park • Picnic at Rianasoa Waterfall • Day 2 Arrive Johannesburg, South Africa Optional night walk Day 3 Fly to , Madagascar Day 8 Visit the Amphibian Survival Day 4 Explore Antananarivo • Discover Assurance Center • Island • Ambohimanga • Visit Analakely Market Optional night walk Day 5 Overland to Andasibe • Visit Day 9 Fly to Johannesburg • Mutsonjo Reforestation Project Begin main trip Day 6 Perinet Reserve nature walk • Night walk through the

Day 1 Depart for South Africa

You depart the U.S. today on an overnight flight.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

12 Day 2 Arrive in Johannesburg, • Immerse yourself in the Maboneng Arts South Africa & Craft Walking Experience: This 5-hour walking tour will introduce you to the thriv- • Destination: Johannesburg ing community of galleries and studios within • Accommodations: Garden Court Hotel eastern Johannesburg’s Maboneng precinct. Sandton City or similar • How to get there: A 35- to 45-minute car Afternoon: You’ll touch down in South ride one way (included in the cost). Africa’s largest city around 5:30pm. An O.A.T. • Hours: 9am-2pm, daily. representative will meet you at the airport and • Cost: About $110 USD per person. escort you to your hotel via minibus—a transfer • Embark on a graffiti walking tour: See of about 45 minutes, depending on traffic. how street artists are turning several of Here we’ll be joined by travelers who took our Johannesburg’s neighborhoods—Newtown, optional South Africa’s Entabeni Private Game Braamfontein, and more—into a thrilling, Reserve or New! Madagascar: Lemurs, Biodiversity ever-evolving art canvas. & Colonial History pre-trip extensions. • How to get there: A 35- to 45-minute car Upon arrival around 7pm, you will check in and ride one way (included in the cost). receive your room assignment. Depending on • Hours: 9am-2pm, daily. where we stay, our hotel may include amenities • Cost: About $110 USD per person. such as an outdoor pool, spa, and on-site • Learn the timeless art of traditional beading: restaurant. Typical rooms feature a TV, wireless Learn from a master beader as she introduces Internet, coffee- and -making facilities, and you to techniques that have been passed a private bath. down, generation to generation. Dinner: On your own. You’re free to settle into • How to get there: A 25- to 30-minute taxi the hotel and dine at the on-site restaurant, ride one way, about $25 USD. or ask your Trip Experience Leader for • Hours: Flexible and can be arranged by recommendations on where to go for your appointment. A minimum of three hours is first culinary experience in South Africa. You required. may want to try some nearby favorites, which • Cost: About $75 USD per person, with a include Italian and Thai restaurants. four-person minimum.

Evening: You’re free to retire early tonight to Day 3 Explore Soweto • Apartheid rest after your journey. Or, you may choose conversation • Local interaction to chat with your fellow travelers about the adventure that awaits us. • Destination: Johannesburg • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Freedom To Explore: During your three days • Accommodations: Garden Court Hotel in Johannesburg, you have the freedom to Sandton City or similar explore “Jozi” on your own during your free time. Below are a few recommended options for Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel independent exploration: beginning at 7am, with local and American options available.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

13 Morning: Around 9am we’ll meet with our questions you may have about Hector Pietersen Trip Experience Leader for a Welcome Briefing. and apartheid, or venture out into the city on During this briefing, we will review our your own. itinerary in more detail (including any changes Dinner: On your own—you’re free to seek that may need to occur). Our Trip Experience out local or your favorite American Leader will also discuss logistics, safety and standards. Whatever you’re craving, your emergency procedures, and answer any Trip Experience Leader will be ready with questions we may have. recommendations. You may choose to seek We’ll then board our bus around 10am to out bunny chow, a popular local dish that venture to Soweto, a former shantytown on consists of and served in a the outskirts of the city. Today, Soweto is hollowed-out loaf of bread. While influenced both a bustling center of black South African by , the dish itself is distinctly life and a poignant symbol of the struggle to South African. end apartheid. Stepping off our bus around Evening: On your own. Your Trip Experience 11am, we’ll be able to immerse ourselves in Leader is happy to provide recommendations local culture as we connect closely with the on how you can spend this free time. Perhaps township’s residents—meeting them where you’ll seek out a performance of traditional they work, possibly taking local transportation African drumming. with them, and even stepping into their homes.

Lunch: Around 1pm at a local restaurant along Day 4 Explore Johannesburg • Apartheid our walk, featuring a buffet of traditional South Museum visit African dishes. While here, we’ll get to meet a • Destination: Johannesburg group of local taxi drivers to talk more about life in Soweto. • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner • Accommodations: Garden Court Hotel Afternoon: Our bus will come to meet us and Sandton City or similar we depart around 2pm, driving about 10-15 Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel minutes to see the Hector Pietersen memorial. beginning at 7am, with local and American Around 2:30pm, we’ll benefit richly from options available. our small group size: We’ll enjoy an intimate meeting with a relative of Hector Pietersen. Morning: Around 9am, we’ll begin our full-day In 1976, the young boy was shot and killed by exploration of Johannesburg. Established in police during a protest, becoming an iconic 1886 on the site of gold-rich farmland, the city image of the struggle for equality. We’ll engage today is a thriving metropolis of skyscrapers, in a candid conversation with this member of including the Carlton Centre (the tallest office Pietersen’s family—adding a personal (and block in Africa), and the Nelson Mandela Bridge. especially poignant) angle to the complex and controversial history of apartheid. We’ll After about a 30-minute bus ride, we’ll arrive depart Soweto by bus around 3pm, arriving at at the Apartheid Museum for what will likely our hotel about an hour later. The rest of the be a powerful experience. Here, we’ll be afternoon is yours, with the freedom to relax immersed in nearly a half-century’s worth of with a book in the hotel’s common areas, ask unequal rights, a history that affected more your Trip Experience Leader any lingering than 20 million black South Africans. With 22 exhibits spanning print, photo, and film, the

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

14 museum provides a moving examination of the Evening: You’re free to relax at the hotel before era before equality. It’ll provide rich insight tomorrow’s travel day, or soak up some more into how far South Africa has come to reach of the local scene here in “Jozi.” Perhaps you’ll its current state, governed by a constitutional tap into the city’s vibrant beer scene—your Trip democracy that celebrates diversity. We’ll Experience Leader will be ready to recommend explore the museum until around 11:30am, a local watering hole. at which point we’ll embark on a 15-minute ride to our next stop: Constitution Hill, site Day 5 Fly to Kruger • Overland to of the historic Old Fort Prison. Originally Kruger National Park • Rhino poaching constructed by the Boers during colonial times conversation in the 19th century, the white-walled fort has held prisoners of war, common criminals, • Destination: Kruger National Park and political figures—especially during the • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner apartheid era. Nelson and Winnie Mandela were • Accommodations: Nkambeni Safari Camp incarcerated here, as was Mahatma Gandhi. or similar We’ll explore the site and learn how it came to Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel be called “the Robben Island of Johannesburg” beginning at 6:45am, with local and American during our hour-long visit accompanied by a options available. local guide. At about 1pm, we’ll walk about 10 minutes to our bus and drive for about a half Morning: We’ll depart our hotel around 9am hour back to our hotel. this morning, and begin the day’s journey east. We’ll ride about an hour by bus to the airport Lunch: On your own around 1:45pm—you’re before checking in for our 11am flight to Kruger free to seek out your preferred dining options. International Airport. The flight is about 45 Your Trip Experience Leader will be ready with minutes, and afterward we’ll continue toward recommendations. Kruger National Park, South Africa’s first Afternoon: Upon our return to the hotel, the national park. rest of the afternoon is yours, with the freedom Lunch: On your own around 1pm in the town of to relax in the hotel or venture back out into the White River. Your Trip Experience Leader will city for additional exploration. Perhaps you’ll be ready to recommend local dining spots. ask your Trip Experience Leader where you can find some of the city’s tributes to Nelson Afternoon: We’ll commence the final leg of the Mandela, including the “shadow boxer” statue day’s journey around 1:30pm, with a 1.5-hour in front of the Johannesburg Magistrate’s ride from White River to our tented camp. Court, and the 20-foot-tall bronze statue on Upon arrival around 4pm, we’ll check in and display within Nelson Mandela Square. We’ll receive our tent assignments. We’ll spend the regroup around 5:30pm and take about a next three nights here—and since our camp is 15-minute drive to dinner. located within Kruger’s park grounds we’ll have unparalleled access to its wonders. On-site Dinner: Around 5:45pm, we’ll enjoy a Welcome camp amenities may include a swimming pool, Dinner at a local restaurant, featuring local bar, and restaurant; your timber and canvas cuisine. Dinner will include an appetizer, main tented suite will likely feature air-conditioning, course, dessert, and your choice of bottled coffee- and tea-making facilities, and a private water, soft drinks, or a glass of beer or wine. bath with shower.

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15 You’re free to settle in and get acquainted with Day 6 Full-day game-viewing drive in the campgrounds until 5pm, at which point Kruger National Park our group will reconvene in the camp common • Destination: Kruger National Park spaces. An expert ranger will meet with us to discuss rhino poaching, which has wreaked • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner havoc on the animal population in recent • Accommodations: Nkambeni Safari Camp decades. We’ll learn why poachers have sought or similar the horns of rhinos in this area, as well as the Activity Note: Today’s full day of myriad efforts that have been undertaken to game-viewing involves about eight hours of curb the poaching—from raising awareness to travel in a safari vehicle. It also includes an proactively dehorning rhinos in the wild. early wakeup call at about 5:30am.

Dinner: Around 6pm, we’ll enjoy a traditional Breakfast: Served buffet-style in the camp’s outdoor boma dinner, which consists of main restaurant beginning at 6am, with local traditional . and American options available.

Evening: All evenings at our tented camp are Morning: Around 6:30am, our group will free for you to relax in your room, linger in the board safari vehicles for our introduction to main dining area for a night cap, or sit by the Kruger National Park. At just over 7,500 square fire with your fellow travelers. miles, the park is among Africa’s largest game reserves: Within its four main ecosystems, Freedom To Explore: During your three days one could witness more than 517 species of in Kruger National Park, you have the freedom birds, more than 100 reptile species, and an to explore the area on your own during your assortment of larger animals. The park is home free time. Below is a recommended option for to all of Africa’s legendary “Big Five” safari independent exploration: animals—lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and • Connect with a “tusker” during an Elephant Cape buffalo—and if we’re lucky, we’ll be Whispers Interaction: Get up close with an able to witness them in person today. Our Trip African Elephant during a 5-hour immersive Experience Leader and driver-guides are highly experience. You’ll have the opportunity to trained in the behavior of wildlife here, so we’ll connect with, touch, and even feed one of be well-positioned to maximize our discoveries these incredible creatures. and insights.

• How to get there: A 30- to 40-minute car Lunch: On your own around 1pm, at a ride one way (included in the cost). restaurant located in one of the park’s rest • Hours: 9am, 12pm, 4pm, and 2pm, daily. camps, featuring sandwiches and burgers. • Cost: About $65 USD. Afternoon: We’ll continue our explorations this afternoon. Perhaps we’ll see a pack of highly endangered African wild dogs—experts estimate that about 400 remain in South Africa today. We’ll return to our camp by 4pm, with time to relax on your own.

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16 Dinner: Served buffet-style at our camp’s the World Classroom initiative. Here, our small main restaurant around 6pm. Dinner at camp group will enjoy a special opportunity to meet usually features a choice of entrees (fish, meat, and connect with some of the school’s students, and vegetarian options), along with regionally who range in age from five to six, as well as inspired side dishes that utilize fresh local their teachers. If you’d like, you’re welcome to ingredients. bring school supplies to help assist in school operations: Especially helpful are deflated Evening: You’re free to relax with a beverage in soccer balls, pencils, construction paper, the bar, or retire to your tent. and crayons. You may also choose to bring a small token from your hometown—such Day 7 Kruger National Park bush as a postcard or map—to show the school walk • School visit • Afternoon community just how far you’ve traveled to meet game-viewing drive them. We’ll spend about an hour here before we • Destination: Kruger National Park start the ride back to our lodge around 11:30am. • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lunch: Around noon, in the camp’s main • Accommodations: Nkambeni Safari Camp restaurant, featuring an assortment of or similar finger-food dishes.

Activity Note: This morning will start early, Afternoon: You’ll have a couple hours of free with a wakeup call at 5:30am. Our morning time this afternoon, whether you’d prefer to excursion will include a 2-hour walk through retire to your tent or chat with your fellow the bush, which may involve uneven surfaces. travelers in the camp’s common spaces. And while temperatures vary greatly depending on the time of year, the air is usually cool on Around 3pm, we’ll board safari vehicles for a early-morning excursions, so you may wish to game-viewing drive. Kruger is one of the most dress in layers to stay warm. notable among African game parks, and its origin dates to Transvaal President Paul Kruger, Early Morning: Around 6am, we’ll embark and who saw the need to protect the wilderness begin today’s Kruger exploration, as we join our and its animals. It was known as the Sabi Game Trip Experience Leader and a park ranger for a Reserve before it became a national park. As we morning bush walk. Both experts will help us drive, our expert driver-guides will point out learn as much as possible about the local flora the array of distinct wildlife on display here: and fauna within this park, which is tucked We may spot zebra, hyenas, impala, and more into South Africa’s northeastern corner, along during our 3-hour excursion. We’ll return to the country’s border with . We’ll the lodge around 6pm. return to our camp by 8am, just in time for breakfast. Dinner: Around 6:30pm at the camp restaurant, featuring local cuisine. Breakfast: Served buffet-style in the camp’s man restaurant beginning at 8am, with local Evening: On your own. You’re free to join and American options available. your fellow travelers and compare favorite photographs from the day’s events, or quietly Morning: We’ll depart our camp by safari contemplate the view of the African night vehicle around 10am for a short ride to the sky up above. George Mhaule Primary School, which is supported by Grand Circle Foundation as part of

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17 Day 8 Overland to Mbabane, Eswatini chocolate break, and if the factory is operating, (Swaziland) • Glass factory visit we may even have a chance to see its artisans in action. • Destination: Mbabane, Eswatini • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner We’ll reach our hotel around 4pm, at which • Accommodations: Mountain Inn or similar point we’ll check in and get our room assignments. Depending on which hotel we Activity Note: King Mswati III of Swaziland stay in for the next two nights, we may be just a officially changed the name of the country to few minutes from Mbabane Center. In addition “the Kingdom of Eswatini.” The change was to scenic views of the Ezulwini Valley, our the result of confusion between the names on-site amenities are likely to include a hot tub, Swaziland and Switzerland. The king also outdoor pool, restaurant, wireless Internet in believes that Eswatini is a more appropriate common areas, and laundry service. Your room name for the country as it translates to “land of may feature a TV, refrigerator, coffee- and the Swazis.” tea-making facilities, and a private bath. Breakfast: Served buffet-style in the camp’s Dinner: Around 7pm at the hotel’s on-site main restaurant beginning at 6:30am, with restaurant, featuring regionally inspired dishes. local and American options available. Evening: You’re free to ask your Trip Morning: Around 8:30am, we’ll begin our Experience Leader for more insight into journey south into the Kingdom of Eswatini. the relationship between South Africa and We’ll make a 30-minute stop around 10am to Eswatini, or chat with fellow travelers about stretch our legs before continuing on to a local favorite moments from our adventure thus far. lodge for lunch. Freedom To Explore: During your two days Lunch: Around noon, we’ll stop and enjoy lunch in Mbabane, you have the freedom to explore at a local lodge before we cross the border. the area on your own during your free time. Afternoon: When we enter Eswatini at the Below are a few recommended options for Oshoek Border Post around 2:15pm, we’ll independent exploration: travel across its mountainous northwest • Discover traditional Swazi culture in border. As we travel, we’ll take in a landscape Mantenga Village: Immerse yourself in of sloping hills and . village life as you meet a local family, Fully independent since 1968, this African help to weave a traditional hut, grind kingdom originated in the early 19th century maize, and more. and maintained its cultural identity as a British protectorate—never absorbed into South • How to get there: A 15- to 20-minute taxi Africa—throughout much of the 20th century. ride one way, about $15 USD. Today, Eswatini has a population of more than • Hours: 11am and 3pm, daily. 1 million and is a peaceful, agricultural country • Cost: About $20 USD. in which ancient and modern ways mingle. Around 2pm, we’ll stop by Ngweyna Glass, a factory that has been producing handblown glass since 1979. Here we’ll enjoy a tea and

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18 • Connect with community support efforts at to the village and will be welcomed into two the Fontein Social Care Centre: Witness how homesteads owned by elderly women who this center supports 40 preschool children, care for their families. Here, we’ll learn how most HIV-positive and orphaned by AIDS. to prepare a traditional Swazi meal from these • How to get there: A 15- to 20-minute taxi wise women, while chatting about their daily ride one way, about $15 USD. lives in the village and rich heritage. • Hours: By appointment only. Lunch: Around noon, we’ll enjoy the fruits • Cost: Free. of our labor—the homemade lunch we • Partake in a visit to the Swazi Candle Factory: helped prepare. Behold as artists create wax candles by hand, Afternoon: Departing the village around 2pm, and browse their wares—in addition to other we’ll return to our hotel about two hours later, locally made handcrafts and food options. stopping at a Ezulwini handicrafts market • How to get there: A 35- to 40-minute taxi along the way to admire the artistry of the ride one way, about $20 USD. village women. After arriving back at the hotel • Hours: 8am-5pm, daily. around 4pm, you’ll have a couple of hours of • Cost: Free. free time—a perfect opportunity to experience the grounds’ hiking trails and birding Day 9 A Day in the Life of a Swazi village routes, should you wish—before we regroup • Destination: Mbabane, Eswatini around 7pm. • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Dinner: Around 7pm at the hotel restaurant, • Accommodations: Mountain Inn or similar featuring local fare. Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel Evening: On your own. You’re free to reflect beginning at 7am, with local and American upon the day, or settle in with a book in one of options available. the hotel’s common areas. Morning: Around 8:30am, in the company of a member of the local Swazi community, Day 10 Overland to Hluhluwe, we’ll board our bus and begin our A Day in South Africa the Life experience, traveling to a small, rural settlement nestled in the Ezulwini Valley. • Destination: Hluhluwe, South Africa After a 1.5-mile walk, we will reach the home • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner of the InDuna, the village’s leader, and have • Accommodations: Emdoneni Lodge the opportunity to share a conversation with or similar him or his wife about their integral role in the Activity Note: Today’s transfer will take about community and life as a subsistence farmer. seven hours, with a border crossing and a stop Contrary to commercial farmers, these for lunch. farmers work primarily toward the goal of self-sufficiency, rather than profit. They live Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel off the land and crops they cultivate for their beginning at 6:30am, with American options family’s well-being. Afterwards, we’ll board available. our bus once more to travel to a local fruit and market to pick up fresh produce for our upcoming lunch. We’ll walk or drive back

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19 Morning: At 8am, we’ll depart our hotel and • Experience traditional Zulu life at DumaZulu start to make our way back into South Africa, Traditional Village: Get a multisensory taking in views of local farms and villages introduction to the Zulu, as you witness along the way. We’ll reach the border around traditional drumming, taste locally made 10:30am, and then continue toward Hluhluwe, a beer, and connect with village residents. small town within the Kwazulu-Natal province. • How to get there: A 5- to 10-minute taxi Lunch: Around 11:30am at a local game lodge, ride one way, about $7 USD. featuring a buffet of traditional dishes. • Hours: 8:15am, 11am, and 3pm, daily. • Cost: About $16 USD. Afternoon: Our surroundings transform from • Witness the lifecycle of turtles (and more) flat land to more mountainous terrain, and we during a St. Lucia Turtle Tour: Observe reach Hluhluwe around 2:15pm. It was here endangered leatherback and loggerhead that the great warrior-king Shaka unified turtles as they lay their eggs during a special many clans in the early 19th century under the late-day tour. Also included is an evening name Zulu (the name of his own clan). Though game-viewing drive. mostly ceremonial today, the Zulu monarchy continues as a proud symbol of a living culture. • How to get there: A 1-hour car ride one Upon arriving at our lodge, we’ll check in and way, included in the cost of the tour. get our room assignments. We’ll spend the next • Hours: Late afternoon or early evening, two nights here, within a coastal game reserve, November to February only. where our on-site amenities may include a • Cost: About $152 USD. swimming pool, roof deck, and restaurant. Your • Explore the wildlife with a water view on a room will likely feature air-conditioning and iSimangaliso Boat Cruise: Explore St. Lucia coffee- and tea-making facilities. You’ll have by double-decker boat, and look for hippo, some time to freshen up before dinner. crocodiles, and other species of animals.

Dinner: Around 6:30pm at the lodge, featuring • How to get there: A 1-hour car ride one local fare. way, included in the cost of the tour. • Hours: 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm Evening: On your own, with the freedom to September-April; 10am, 1pm, and 3pm explore the on-site amenities or reflect on the May-August. day’s experiences. • Cost: About $90 USD per person.

Freedom To Explore: During your two days Day 11 Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game in Hluhluwe, you have the freedom to explore Reserve • Game-viewing drives in the area on your own during your free time. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi • Zulu dance Below are a few recommended options for independent exploration: performance & conversation • Destination: Hluhluwe • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner • Accommodations: Emdoneni Lodge or similar

Activity Note: Today includes an early wakeup call at 5:30am, and about five and a half hours of travel via safari vehicle this morning.

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20 Breakfast: Served buffet-style in the lodge Day 12 Overland to Durban • Fly to beginning at 6am, with local and American Port Elizabeth options available. • Destination: Port Elizabeth Morning: At about 6:30am, we’ll set off • Included Meals: Breakfast for a game-viewing drive through the • Accommodations: Boardwalk Hotel Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve—the oldest or similar park in all of Africa. Thanks to the efforts of Breakfast: Served buffet-style in the lodge conservationists, the once-threatened rhino beginning at 6:30am, with local and American population has soared here; the park is now options available. home to the largest concentration of white rhinos in the world. Keep your eyes peeled for Morning: We’ll depart our hotel around their signature horns. We’ll return to the lodge 8:30am, boarding our bus for the 2.5-hour ride around noon. south to the airport in Durban. Our journey will take us along South Africa’s Indian Ocean coast, Lunch: Around noon at the lodge, featuring a with views of the sea along the way. We’ll arrive buffet of traditional dishes. around 11am for our 1:30pm flight of about Afternoon: The early afternoon is free for 1.5 hours. you to spend as you’d like. Or if you’d like, Lunch: On your own in the airport. Your Trip you’re welcome to venture back out into the Experience Leader will be happy to point out reserve at 3:30pm, on an optional afternoon spots where you can get a bite to eat as we wait game-viewing drive. You’ll have another to board our flight. chance to climb aboard a 4x4 safari vehicle to seek out residents of the reserve, seeing the Afternoon: Around 3:30pm, we’ll reach our animals in a new light at a different time of destination: Port Elizabeth, the largest town on day. Or, if you’d prefer to remain at the lodge South Africa’s famed Garden Route. We’ll travel this afternoon, the rest of the afternoon is free from the airport to our hotel via bus—about for your own activities. We’ll then regroup a 30-minute ride, depending on traffic. Upon around 6pm to enjoy a traditional Zulu dance arrival at our hotel around 4pm, we’ll check in performance put on by the lodge staff, and a and get our room assignments. Depending on conversation about modern Zulu culture with which hotel we stay in for the next two nights, local tribe members. we may find ourselves with the beach just a short walk away. On-site amenities may include Dinner: Around 7pm in the lodge, featuring a fitness center, as well as a swimming pool. local dishes. Your room is likely to feature air conditioning, Evening: You’re free to enjoy your final night a TV, safe, coffee- and tea-making facilities, here in Hluhluwe as you’d like. wireless Internet, and a private bath with hair dryer.

You’ll have some free time to settle in and explore the hotel grounds before dinner. Or, if you’d like to join your Trip Experience Leader around 4:30pm, a local university professor will be hosting a conversation at our hotel on the current state of affairs in local education.

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21 Dinner: You’re free to find your preferred Day 13 Port Elizabeth • Penguin dinner options tonight. Perhaps you’ll try Rehabilitation Center • Local interaction one of the city’s many indulgent burger • Destination: Port Elizabeth options, which include truffle or even ostrich patties. • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner • Accommodations: Boardwalk Hotel Evening: You’re free to relax on the hotel or similar grounds, or venture out to start your Breakfast: Served buffet-style in the hotel explorations of Port Elizabeth on your beginning at 7am, with local and American own. If you choose the latter, your Trip options available. Experience Leader will be ready with recommendations for you. Morning: Around 9am, we’ll board our coach and depart for our explorations of Port Freedom To Explore: During your two days Elizabeth, arriving at Donkin Reserve around in Port Elizabeth, you have the freedom to 9:15am. Named after Port Elizabeth’s governor explore the area on your own during your free in the 1820s, this hilltop park offers scenic time. Below are some recommended options for views, and pathways strewn with monuments independent exploration: and artwork. During our walking tour, we’ll • Discover hand-crafted ceramic art in New also pass sites like the Opera House and St. Brighton: Visit the studio of two sisters whose Augustine Cathedral, and will likely find ceramics are inspired by African landscapes, opportunities to interact with locals along the animals, and more. way. Around 10:15am, we’ll board our coach to • How to get there: A 30- to 40-minute taxi visit a local artists’ studio just about 10 minutes ride one way, about $20 USD. away, where leather and silver crafts are made. • Hours: By appointment. Here, we’ll get to interact with local artists to • Cost: Free. learn about their lives and crafts. We may even get a chance to help create our own items to • Behold Port Elizabeth’s aquatic wildlife take home as souvenirs. on a dolphin cruise: Venture onto Algoa Bay in search of dolphins, whales, and Lunch: Around 12:30pm at a local restaurant Port Elizabeth’s large breeding colony of within the artists’ workshop. African penguins. Afternoon: Around 1:30pm, we’ll head out • How to get there: A 10- to 15-minute taxi for our next destination: Cape Recife Nature ride one way, about $5 USD. Reserve, about an hour away. The reserve is • Hours: 8am-noon, daily. Prior arrange- home to a variety of unspoiled beaches and rock ment required. pools, and we’ll get to spend some time at the • Cost: About $107 USD. park’s penguin rehabilitation center. During our visit, we’ll get to watch the penguins get fed, and take part in a discussion about the conservation of this endangered species. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a scenic walk along one of the reserve’s scenic beaches. We’ll depart around 4:30pm, driving roughly a half hour back to our hotel. The remainder of the day is

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22 yours, with the freedom to spend the time as Lunch: Around 1:30pm at a local restaurant, you wish. We’ll gather shortly before 6pm for featuring regionally inspired dishes. about a 5-minute drive to dinner. Afternoon: We leave the restaurant around Dinner: At a local restaurant around 6pm, 2:30pm for a drive of about 15 minutes, arriving featuring a selection of local . at our hotel around 2:45pm. Upon arrival, we’ll check in and get our room assignments. Evening: Tonight is free for you to explore and Depending on which hotel we stay at, we’re enjoy as you see fit. You may choose to explore likely to spend the next two nights at an Richmond Hill: One of Port Elizabeth’s oldest accommodation with waterfront views, a neighborhoods, the streets are lined with heated on-site pool, wireless Internet, and Victorian homes and, on Stanley Street, a wide on-site restaurant. Your room may feature variety of restaurants and cocktail bars. air conditioning, a TV, phone, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and a private bath with Day 14 Jeffrey’s Bay • Overland to Knysna hair dryer. • Destination: Knysna The rest of the afternoon is yours for • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch independent discovery. You’re free to settle into • Accommodations: Knysna Quays Hotel the hotel, or perhaps explore one of the nearby or similar hiking trails. Your Trip Experience Leader can Activity Note: Today’s transfer to Knysna provide tips on what flora and fauna you may involves about three and a half hours of encounter along the way. non-continuous bus travel. You’ll also have an Dinner: On your own. You’re welcome to seek opportunity to swim during our morning stop out a meal with fellow travelers at one of the at Jeffrey’s Bay, so plan accordingly. hotel’s restaurants, or venture out into Knysna Breakfast: Served buffet-style in the hotel for your meal. Perhaps you’ll take advantage of beginning at 6:30am, with local and American our coastal location and enjoy fresh, flavorful options available. oysters tonight.

Morning: We’ll gather at about 8:30am this Evening: You’re free to settle in for the night at morning. Boarding our bus, we’ll embark on the hotel, or venture out for a nightcap in town. a ride along South Africa’s Garden Route, Freedom To Explore: During your two days surrounded by forests, rivers, and scenic in Knysna, you have the freedom to explore hiking trails. Since the Garden Route is nestled the town on your own during your free time. between the Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Below are some recommended options for Indian Ocean, the climate here is among the independent exploration: mildest in the world, which contributes to the lush scenery that we pass by. Around 9:45am, we’ll stop in Jeffrey’s Bay, a beach town with a thriving surfing community. While here, you’ll have about an hour of free time: You may choose to explore the town, do a little shopping, or even dip into the water for a swim. We’ll resume our travels to Knysna around 10:45am.

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23 • Connect with a local painter during a studio about—and then behold—Knysna’s famous visit: Meet and chat with Peggy, a passionate “heads,” cliffs formed where the Indian Ocean local artist known for her vibrant artwork and and Knysna River meet. colorful personality. Lunch: Around 12:30pm in the reserve, • How to get there: A 15- to 20-minute taxi featuring a buffet of local dishes. ride one way, about $10 USD. • Hours: By appointment. Afternoon: We’ll begin our ferry ride back to • Cost: About $20 USD. the mainland around 1:30pm, and arrive at our hotel around 2:30pm. The remainder of your • Sharpen your culinary skills with a South day is free, whether you choose to remain on African lesson: Learn how to prepare the hotel grounds, or venture out with your flavorful local dishes—and then enjoy the fellow travelers or on your own. meal you’ve created. • How to get there: A 10- to 15-minute taxi Dinner: On your own tonight. Perhaps ride one way, about $7 USD. you’ll travel into town, and choose from an • Hours: 9am-1:30pm, daily. assortment of Indian, French, Italian, and • Cost: About $65 USD. other options. Whatever you crave, your Trip Experience Leader can offer a recommendation. Day 15 Explore Knysna • Featherbed Evening: You’re free to linger over a coffee at a Nature Reserve visit local café, or a drink at the bar in our hotel. Or, • Destination: Knysna perhaps you’ll return to your room to rest up • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch for tomorrow’s early departure, depending on • Accommodations: Knysna Quays Hotel your group’s flight schedule. or similar

Activity Note: Today’s discoveries will include Day 16 Fly to Cape Town two ferry boat rides, each about an hour long. • Destination: Cape Town If you suffer from motion sickness aboard • Included Meals: Breakfast boats, we recommend that you have medication • Accommodations: President Hotel or similar available with you today. Activity Note: Though flight times may Breakfast: Served buffet-style in the hotel vary, today’s itinerary typically includes an beginning at 7am, with local and American early morning departure, with plans to leave options available. the hotel by 5:45am to catch our flight to Cape Town. Morning: At about 9am, we’ll depart our hotel for a trip into the lush forests, trickling rivers, Breakfast: At 5:30am, we will collect boxed and mountainous terrain of Knysna. First, breakfasts from the hotel and bring them with we’ll cross the Knysna Lagoon by ferry to reach us for our journey to the airport. Featherbed Bay. This will take approximately 30 minutes one-way. Upon arrival around noon, Morning: We’ll leave our hotel at 5:45am, we’ll enjoy a scenic walk through the reserve, embarking on a 1.5-hour bus ride to the airport privately owned land designed to preserve its in neighboring George. We’ll arrive and check natural wonders. As we explore, we’ll learn in for our flight that leaves around 8:30am. We’ll land in Cape Town around 10am and

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24 board a coach for our drive to the hotel, which Evening: This evening is on your own, whether should take just about an hour. The drive you’d prefer to explore Cape Town (ask your will also serve as our introduction to South Trip Experience Leader for recommendations) Africa’s “Mother City.” Cape Town is one of or return to the hotel. Mojo Market is a good the nation’s three capital cities: As the seat of option nearby, with seafood, salad, and Parliament, Cape Town serves as legislative grilled entrees. capital; Pretoria is the administrative capital; Freedom To Explore: During your four days in and Bloemfontein serves as the judicial capital. Cape Town, you have the freedom to explore Since its Portuguese and Dutch origins in the city on your own during your free time. the 15th century, Cape Town has become a Below are a few recommended options for multiculturally diverse city popular among independent exploration: expats from around the world. The city was a hotspot in the anti-apartheid movement: • Indulge in Tea by the Sea at the 12 Apostles: Political leaders were held for years at nearby Take in views and a delectable high-tea Robben Island, and it was on the balcony of spread of scones, macaroons, sandwiches and Cape Town City Hall that the newly released more at one of Cape Town’s five-star hotels. Nelson Mandela made his first public speech as • How to get there: A 15- to 20-minute taxi a free man in 1990. ride one way, about $7 USD. Upon arrival, we’ll drop our bags off to be • Hours: 10am-4:30pm, daily. stored in the hotel, and set out to make our own • Cost: About $25 USD. discoveries. • Tap into local culture and wares at The Watershed: This eclectic market of more than Lunch: On your own. Your Trip Experience 150 local artisans, located along the Victoria Leader is happy to provide recommendations. & Albert Waterfront, features one-stop Perhaps you’ll try Gibson’s, a local burger joint. shopping for arts and crafts, along with a Afternoon: You’re free to make your own captivating, funky design aesthetic. discoveries today. We encourage you to head • How to get there: A 15-minute taxi ride out to acquaint yourself with the city. Perhaps one way, about $5 USD. you’ll stroll down the Victoria & Alfred • Hours: 9am-5:30pm, daily. Waterfront, shop crafts at the Watershed • Cost: Free. market, or visit the local aquarium. Around • Experience a mix of cultures during the 2pm, we can check in to our rooms, where Bo-Kaap Cooking Tour: Step into Bo-Kaap, we’ll be staying for the next four nights. or the Malay Quarter, for a hands-on Depending on where we stay, our hotel likely glimpse into the food and culture of the Cape offers an on-site bar, outdoor pool, and more. Malay people, originally from Southeast Your room may feature a TV, safe, minibar, air Asia. Enjoy a cooking lesson, visit a food conditioning, and a private bath with hair dryer. bazaar, and more. Dinner: On your own whenever you like. • How to get there: A 15- to 20-minute taxi You’re free to find your preferred dinner ride one way, about $5 USD. options tonight. • Hours: Starts at 11am, daily. • Cost: About $45 USD per person.

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25 Day 17 Explore Cape Town • 6:30pm, we’ll regroup and drive about a Table Mountain cable-car ride • half-hour for a special experience made Home-Hosted Dinner possible by our small group size: we’ll split into even small groups and local families will • Destination: Cape Town welcome us into their homes. • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner • Accommodations: President Hotel or similar Dinner: Around 7pm in the home of a local family. This Home-Hosted visit gives us the Breakfast: Served buffet-style in the hotel chance to connect with our hosts, and learn beginning at 6:30am, with local and American about their daily life, such as what they eat, options available. how they live, and what their thoughts are on Morning: We’ll continue our Cape Town Cape Town and South Africa. We’ll even help explorations around 8am, as we commence a prepare a home-cooked meal and enjoy the 4-hour bus- and walking- tour. We’ll make finished product together. Should you wish, our way to District Six to learn how apartheid you may bring a token of appreciation with literally changed the Cape Town cityscape. you—Your Trip Experience Leader is happy This former neighborhood of cultural diversity to recommend a local item you may offer our was targeted as part of the 1950 Group Areas hosts as a gift, or you might prefer to bring Act, which expressly forbade different races a piece of home with you. A postcard, map, cohabitating in the same space. Within 20 or photograph from your hometown is an years, District Six was designated “whites easy way to create a special moment with the only.” Thousands of residents were relocated to welcoming family members. settlements elsewhere, and much of the district Evening: We’ll depart our Home-Hosted was destroyed. Today, the district is considered Dinner around 9pm, taking a 20- to 30-minute by many a lasting scar from South Africa’s ugly drive to the hotel, and the rest of the evening is chapter of history. on your own, whether you’d prefer to explore Around 10:30am, we’ll take in the scenery of Cape Town or return to the hotel. Cape Town and its surroundings, as we enjoy a 5- to 10-minute cable car ride (weather Day 18 Explore Cape Town & the permitting) to the top of Table Mountain. This Cape Peninsula 3,563-foot sandstone mountain is known • Destination: Cape Peninsula around the world for its iconic flat top and • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ocean views. We’ll spend about 1.5 hours atop • Accommodations: President Hotel or similar the mountain before we make our return to the city below to continue our tour. Activity Note: Today’s full-day excursion includes about four hours of bus travel, Lunch: At a local restaurant around 12:30pm, occasionally over uneven and bumpy roads, walking distance from one of our stops along with stops along the way. the city tour. Breakfast: Served buffet-style in the hotel Afternoon: We’ll return to our hotel around beginning at 7am, with local and American 2pm, and you’ll have the freedom to remain options available. in your room, explore town and sample some espresso, or seek out some of the caves and hiking trails in the surrounding area. Around

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26 Morning: We’ll depart from our hotel around Dinner: On your own tonight. You’re free to 8am this morning, and drive along a coast road, seek out some of the city’s best fish and chips, from which we can see the Atlantic Ocean’s or try , a dish of spiced meat and egg surf as it endlessly crashes against the rocks custard. Your Trip Experience Leader can offer below. Our first destination is the Cape Point recommendations on where to find these dishes Nature Reserve, where we’ll arrive around and more. 10:30am. Here, we’ll be treated to the sight of Evening: If you’d like, you’re free to round wild fynbos landscapes, flowers, and ocean out the day on a sweet note: Ask your Trip views—in addition to baboons and elusive Experience Leader where to find koeksisters, bontebok. Contrary to popular belief, the Cape fried sweet shaped into a braid. Peninsula is not consistently where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. Because of shifting currents, that distinction is shared with the Day 19 Cape Town • Optional Stellenbosch lesser-known Cape Agulhas, 100 to 200 miles Winelands Tour east of Cape Peninsula. Nevertheless, when • Destination: Cape Town you reach the tip of the Cape Point Nature • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Reserve, you’ll see Cape Point, the technical • Accommodations: President Hotel or similar “Cape of Good Hope.” Rapidly changing climactic conditions and the Indian Ocean Breakfast: Served buffet-style in the hotel currents coming from Cape Agulhas make this beginning at 7am, with local and American a particularly dangerous spot for ships. More options available. “sightings” of the legendary Flying Dutchman Morning: Your morning is free. You may choose ghost ship are reported here than anywhere to relax in the hotel, or seek out some of Cape else in the world. Who knows what you’ll spy Town’s charms on your own. Perhaps you’ll on the distant horizons as you gaze from the explore the Victoria & Albert Waterfront, a hub viewing platform? of activity since it was first built in the late Lunch: Around 1:30pm at a nearby restaurant, 19th century. about a 20-minute drive away, featuring Or, if you’d like, you’re welcome to join us local dishes. this morning on a full-day optional excursion Afternoon: At about 2:15pm, we’ll board our to Stellenbosch and the surrounding Cape coach for a roughly-20-minute drive, followed Winelands region. We’ll depart around 9am by a train ride of about the same length. Upon and travel straight into the heart of South arrival, we’ll drive another 15 minutes or so to Africa’s renowned wine industry. We’ll visit the lush Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, home various wine estates, tasting and sampling their to a variety of evergreen Cape flora. About a offerings. During the tour, we’ll behold rolling third of the flora we observe on our 40-minute hills, farms, and dramatic mountain vistas, in walking tour is native only to this narrow strip addition to traditional Cape Dutch architecture. of South African land. At about 4:30pm, we’ll Lunch: Travelers who choose to spend the day make our way back to Cape Town with about a on their own and travelers who join us on our 1-hour ride, offering more scenic views along Optional Tour will both enjoy lunch on your the way. Upon our return to the hotel at about own today. This could be your chance to seek 5:30pm, the rest of the day is free for you to out a boerewors, a popular sausage roll sold by spend as you’d like.

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27 street vendors. Your Trip Experience Leader Evening: On your own. You may want to soak will be happy to suggest where to find Cape up some final experiences in Cape Town, or Town’s best. prefer to swap stories and impressions of South Africa and Eswatini with fellow travelers at Afternoon: If you’ve chosen to remain in Cape the hotel. Town, you’re free to continue your explorations as you’d like. Perhaps you’ll choose to explore the vibrantly hued Bo-Kaap neighborhood, Day 20 Fly to U.S. including a visit to a local museum. Or, if you’d • Included Meals: Breakfast prefer, you can remain on the hotel grounds to Early Morning: Travelers joining our post-trip prepare for your travels home tomorrow. If you extensions to Victoria Falls: Zimbabwe’s Natural join us on our Optional Tour, you’ll return to Wonder or New! The Spice Island of Zanzibar will the hotel around 5pm. check out of the hotel early this morning for a Dinner: We’ll gather as a group one final time transfer to the airport. around 7pm, as we toast to our discoveries and Breakfast: Served buffet-style in the hotel memories with a Farewell Dinner at a local beginning at 8:30am, with local and American restaurant. Tonight’s meal will feature local options available. cuisine and includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert. Bottled water, soft drinks, beer, or Morning: You’re free to relax on the hotel wine are included. grounds this morning, or explore the surrounding neighborhood before we check out of the hotel and travel to the airport for our flight home.

END YOUR ADVENTURE WITH AN OPTIONAL POST-TRIP EXTENSION 3 nights in Victoria Falls: Zimbabwe’s Natural Wonder

Day 1 Fly to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe via Day 3 Optional Chobe National Johannesburg, South Africa Park excursion Day 2 Victoria Falls village visit • Choice of Day 4 Fly to Johannesburg, South Africa • Optional Tours Fly to U.S.

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28 OR 5 nights in The Spice Island of Zanzibar

Day 1 Depart Cape Town • Fly to Day 4 Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park • Johannesburg Butterfly farm Day 2 Fly to Zanzibar Day 5 Zanzibar • Menai Bay boat cruise Day 3 Zanzibar • Explore Stone Town • Day 6 Zanzibar • Spice visit Optional Cooking Lesson with a local Day 7 Return to U.S. family • Sunset cruise

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29 OPTIONAL TOURS

During your trip you will be able to book optional tours directly with your Trip Experience Leader. He or she will ask you to confirm the payment for these tours by filling out a payment form. Optional tours can only be purchased with a credit or debit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit cards. We also accept Visa and MasterCard debit cards, but it must be a debit card that allows you to sign for purchases.

In order to correctly process these charges, there can be a delay of 2-3 months from the date of your return for the charges to be posted to your account. Therefore we ask that you use a card that will not expire in the 2-3 months following your return.

Please note: Optional tour prices are listed in U.S. dollar estimates determined at the time of publication and are subject to change. Optional tours may vary.

Stellenbosch Winelands Tour (Day 19 $90 per person)

Join us on a full-day optional tour to the heart of South Africa’s beautiful wine country to explore the historic area around the town of Stellenbosch. We’ll visit various wine estates, tasting and sampling their delicious offerings. The scenery includes rolling hills, graceful farms, and dramatic mountain vistas. This area is also the heart of Cape Dutch culture, and you will see fine examples of traditional architecture while learning about the history of early settlement here.

This optional tour must be pre-booked at least 45 days prior to departure to guarantee space. On-site reservations are subject to limited availability.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

30 PRE-TRIP South Africa’s Entabeni Private Game Reserve

INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE

» Accommodations: 1 night in Johannesburg » 6 game-viewing activities at the Southern Sun O.R. Tambo Hotel or » Services of a local O.A.T. Trip similar, and 3 nights in Entabeni Game Experience Leader Reserve at Entabeni Lakeside Lodge » Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and or similar luggage porters » 10 meals—4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, » All transfers and 3 dinners

PRE-TRIP EXTENSION ITINERARY

Begin your South African discoveries with three days in Entabeni Game Reserve, an 85-square-mile private reserve located in South Africa’s UNESCO-protected Waterberg Biosphere—the perfect setting for a unique and enjoyable safari experience. You’ll spend your days searching for the legendary “Big Five”—Cape buffalo, elephant, lion, rhino, and leopard—and your evenings sleeping under the thatched roof of your comfortable tented chalet. It’s the perfect introduction to your South African experience.

Day 1 Depart for South Africa likely to be close to the O.R. Tambo Airport, with on-site amenities that may include a You depart today on your overnight flight from pool, bar, restaurant, and health club. Your the U.S. to Johannesburg, South Africa. air-conditioned room may include a TV, safe, wireless Internet, coffee- and tea-making Day 2 Arrive in Johannesburg, facilities, and a private bath. South Africa Dinner: On your own. You’re free to dine at the • Destination: Johannesburg on-site restaurant this evening, if you’d like, or • Accommodations: Southern Sun O.R. Tambo take advantage of the hotel’s shuttle to a nearby International Hotel or similar metro station. If you’re venturing out this Afternoon: You’ll touch down in South evening, your Trip Experience Leader is happy Africa’s largest city around 5:15pm. An O.A.T. to provide recommendations. representative will meet you at the airport and Evening: You’re free to retire early tonight escort you to your hotel via minibus—a transfer to rest after your travel day—or chat with of about 45 minutes, depending on traffic. your fellow travelers about the adventure that Upon arrival around 7pm, you will check in awaits us. and receive your room assignment. Depending on exactly which hotel we stay in, we’re

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31 Day 3 Overland to Entabeni Game Reserve Afternoon: You’re free for much of the • Afternoon game-viewing activity afternoon. Perhaps you’ll settle into your tented chalet, explore the grounds, or soak up the • Destination: Entabeni Game Reserve surrounding views. Around 4pm, we’ll gather • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner to enjoy the first of our included game-viewing • Accommodations: Entabeni Lakeside Lodge activities. These activities will vary daily, or similar depending on the timing, season, and whims Activity Note: Today’s transfer to Entabeni of the local wildlife. We might drive out in will include about four hours of bus travel, over search of rare game, or stay close to the lodge occasionally bumpy and uneven roads. with a ranger. No matter which option presents itself, you’re guaranteed intriguing encounters: Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel Because we’re staying in a private conservancy, beginning at 7:30am, with local and American game vehicles can venture off-road and options available. approach wildlife at close range. We’ll return to our lodge around 5:45pm. Morning: We’ll check out of our hotel and gather as a group around 9am to board our Dinner: Served buffet-style at our camp’s lodge bus for the 4-hour ride north to Entabeni around 6pm. Dinner usually features a choice Game Reserve. A private reserve located in of entrees (fish, meat, and vegetarian options), South Africa’s Waterberg region, Entabeni along with regionally inspired side dishes that (“Place of the Mountain”) features five distinct utilize fresh local ingredients. ecosystems—from arid, craggy rock structures to the wet lowlands, where streams have Evening: All evenings at our tented camp are carved grooves through the earth. The park’s free for you to relax in your room, linger in the characteristic geology will provide a unique bar for a night cap, or sit by the fire with your backdrop to our experiences here, especially as fellow travelers. we seek out Africa’s legendary “Big Five.” Freedom To Explore: During your three days in We’ll arrive at our camp around 1pm, at Entabeni, you have the freedom to explore the which point we’ll check in and get our tent area on your own during your free time. Below assignments before lunch. We’ll spend the next are two recommended options for independent three nights here in accommodations designed exploration: to offer comfort amid the African bush. Our • Stargaze with an expert: Weather permitting, on-site amenities will likely include an outdoor you can join our ranger to learn about the swimming pool and open-air lounge/bar with a big, bright Southern constellations visible fire pit; your thatched-roof, tented chalet may from our camp, and marvel at the spectacular feature a direct-dial telephone, ceiling fans, Milky Way. coffee- and tea-making facilities, and private bath with hair dryer. • Hours: After dinner, nightly. • Cost: Free. Lunch: Served buffet-style in the camp lodge around 1pm, with hot and cold lunch items available.

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32 • Pick up local culinary tips with a potjiekos Dinner: At the camp lodge around 6:30pm, cooking lesson: Our lodge cook will share the featuring regional dishes. secrets of preparing this hearty and authentic Evening: On your own. You’re free to soak vegetable and meat . up the night sky or ask your Trip Experience • Hours: 5pm, daily. Leader for more information about the game • Cost: About $25 USD. reserve’s history. Day 4 Morning & afternoon game viewing Day 5 Morning & afternoon game viewing • Destination: Entabeni Game Reserve • Boma dinner • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner • Destination: Entabeni Game Reserve • Accommodations: Entabeni Lakeside Lodge • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner or similar • Accommodations: Entabeni Lakeside Lodge Activity Note: This morning will start early, or similar with a wakeup call at 5:30am. When dressing for game-viewing activities, keep in mind that Early Morning: Around 5:30am, we’ll neutral earth tones (browns, tans, greys, or venture out for a game-viewing activity, a greens) are usually best—blue or black clothing special opportunity to glimpse nocturnal should be avoided in certain areas as they predators—including lion, leopard, and attract tsetse flies. And while temperatures vary hyena—before they retire and sleep through greatly depending on the time of year, the air is the heat of the day. By now we’ll have usually cool on early-morning excursions, so acclimated to safari life, as it revolves around you may wish to dress in layers to stay warm. the daily temperature and local landscape.

Early Morning: Around 6am, we’ll embark on Breakfast: Around 7:30am, we’ll enjoy a bush an early-morning bush walk, returning to our breakfast—a spread of items served in a scenic lodge for breakfast. spot within the natural splendors.

Breakfast: Served buffet-style in the camp’s Morning: We’ll return to the lodge around main restaurant beginning at 9am, with local 10am, with several hours of free time. This is a and American options available. great time to beat the heat and seek out shade in your tent. Morning: You’re free to look over the photographs you’ve taken thus far, or chat with Lunch: Served buffet-style in the camp lodge your fellow travelers about the game you most around 1pm, with hot and cold lunch items hope to spot during our time here. available.

Lunch: Served buffet-style in the camp lodge Afternoon: After some free time at the lodge, around 1pm, with hot and cold lunch items we’ll head out on another game-viewing available. drive around 4pm, returning to the lodge around 6pm. Afternoon: The early afternoon is yours, with freedom to enjoy the time as you’d like. Around Dinner: At the camp around 6:30pm, featuring boma 4pm we’ll set off on a second game-viewing an open-air meal in style. We’ll dine activity, returning to the lodge by 6pm. on an assortment of barbecued dishes, accompanied by traditional song and dance.

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33 Evening: You’re free to spend our final night on the reserve as you’d like. Perhaps you’ll spend the time packing for tomorrow’s travels back to Johannesburg.

Day 6 Morning game-viewing • Overland to Johannesburg • Destination: Johannesburg • Included Meals: Breakfast

Activity Note: Today’s itinerary includes a transfer of up to 5 hours.

Early Morning: Around 6:30am, we’ll venture out for our final game-viewing drive here at Entabeni—before we return to the camp around 9am.

Breakfast: Served buffet-style in the camp’s main restaurant beginning at 9am, with local and American options available.

Morning: Around 11am, we’ll depart our camp via minibus, and travel back to Johannesburg. The 5-hour ride will get us to our hotel around 4pm, at which point we’ll meet the rest of our fellow travelers and begin our South Africa & Eswatini adventure.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

34 PRE-TRIP Madagascar: Lemurs, Biodiversity & Colonial History

INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE

» Airfare from Johannesburg to Antananarivo » 8 small group activities » Accommodations for 1 night in » Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Johannesburg at the Garden Court Hotel Experience Leader Sandton City, 2 nights in Antananarivo at » Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and the Hotel Colbert, and 4 nights in Andasibe luggage porters at Mantadia Lodge » All transfers » 19 meals—7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 6 dinners

PRE-TRIP EXTENSION ITINERARY

Day 1 Fly to Johannesburg, South Africa Dinner: On your own. Maybe you’ll sample some of South Africa’s famous cuisine, Evening: Fly overnight from the U.S. to including boerewors (a beef, pork, and lamb Johannesburg, South Africa. sausage) or bobotie (minced meat simmered in , herbs, and dried fruit). Day 2 Arrive Johannesburg, South Africa Evening: Enjoy the evening at your own pace. • Destination: Johannesburg You may wish to retire to your room to get some • Accommodations: Garden Court Hotel sleep before our journey, or enjoy the hotel’s Sandton City or similar amenities. Afternoon: Travelers will arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa, where an O.A.T. Day 3 Fly to Antananarivo, Madagascar representative will meet you at the airport and • Destination: Antananarivo transfer you to your hotel. • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Depending on which hotel we stay in, it may • Accommodations: Hotel Colbert or similar feature a pool, bar, and restaurant. Typical Activity Note: The flight to Antananarivo is rooms include satellite TV, wireless Internet, a approximately three hours. One hour is lost due safe, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and a to the time change. private bath. Breakfast: At the hotel. The rest of the day is yours. Perhaps you’ll take time to rest before your Madagascar adventure Morning: We’ll depart for the airport begins, or explore the sights of Johannesburg this morning, where we’ll board a flight on your own. to Antananarivo, Madagascar—or “Tana,” as

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35 it’s referred to by locals. Boasting a population Day 4 Explore Antananarivo • Discover of about 1.2 million, the capital city of Tana Ambohimanga • Visit Analakely Market has been the epicenter of Malagasy power for • Destination: Antananarivo three centuries. The unique fusion of cultures characteristic to the island stems from both • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner its geographical isolation and patchwork • Accommodations: Hotel Colbert or similar of colonization from residents of Europe, Breakfast: At the hotel. the Sunda Islands and East Africa. Today, Tana is the beating heart of Madagascar, Morning: We’ll begin our discoveries today brimming with colorful markets, noteworthy with a tour of Tana’s historic upper town, restaurants, striking colonial architecture, and which is comprised of the Antaninarenina and a complex history. Isoraka districts. Here, we’ll explore sights such as the 17th-century Queen’s Palace, the Lunch: On your own in transit. 19th-century railway station, and a diversity of colonial-style houses, cathedrals, and palatial Afternoon: Upon landing in Tana, you’ll be met residences. by your Trip Experience Leader and transfer to the hotel. Depending on where we stay, our Lunch: At a local restaurant, featuring regional hotel may be located in the city center and cuisine and views of Lake Anosy to the south. feature an indoor pool, spa, and sauna. Room amenities may include wireless Internet and Afternoon: This afternoon we’ll venture to the tea- and coffee-making facilities. Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, a UNESCO-listed city and burial site. This sacred landmark is Enjoy the freedom to explore on your own this a place of worship that represents centuries afternoon, or rest at the hotel. Shortly before of cultural and spiritual traditions for the dinner, our group will reconvene at the hotel, , as well as the ancestral home where we’ll have a Welcome Briefing. During of the Merina kings and queens who once this briefing, we will review our itinerary in united the island. It is, therefore, viewed as the more detail (including any changes that may cradle of the kingdom and hosts a variety of need to occur). Our Trip Experience Leader will venerated tombs, holy basins, and sacrificial also discuss logistics, safety and emergency stones. During our visit, we’ll navigate the procedures, and answer questions we may have. series of fortifications and sites that make up Ambohimanga in the company of a local guide Dinner: At the hotel, featuring regional who can illustrate their history. dishes. Malagasy cuisine encompasses innumerable culinary traditions originating in Later, we’ll depart for Analakely Market, East Africa, India, Indonesia, and China. one of the world’s largest open-air markets. is, of course, a staple ingredient, which you’ll Locals come here for all of their shopping commonly find in your meals here. needs—from handmade clothing to fresh seafood and coveted spices. As you walk Evening: On your own. Ask your Trip from stall to stall, you might smell the rich, Experience Leader for suggestions. intoxicating aroma of ylang-ylang plants, or notice the numerous vendors selling marijuana (a legal substance commonly enjoyed by

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36 residents). Of course, you’ll also meet many Afternoon: After time to settle in and relax, locals selling , as Madagascar is one of we’ll depart the lodge for Mutsonjo, a local the world’s leading producers of the spice. non-governmental organization focused on reforestation, conservation, and community Following our market visit, we’ll depart for education. Relative to the size of the island, our hotel, where we’ll have a few minutes to Madagascar’s national parks are quite freshen up before dinner. small, with one of the primary reasons Dinner: At the hotel. being unsustainable deforestation. Of the 28 million people who call the island home, Evening: Free to explore on your own. the vast majority live in abject poverty—a Check with your Trip Experience Leader for significant portion of which rely solely on suggestions. income generated from selling wood or slash-and-burn agriculture. To put this level Day 5 Overland to Andasibe • Visit of deforestation into context, approximately Mutsonjo Reforestation Project 44% of Madagascar’s forests were lost just in the last sixty years. We’ll glean insight • Destination: Andasibe into this growing imbalance when we get an • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner introduction to Mustonjo from a local guide. • Accommodations: Mantadia Lodge or similar We’ll also learn what’s being done to combat Activity Note: The road transfer to Andasibe is the issue and educate the public. approximately 4 hours. Following our discussion, our local guide will Breakfast: At the lodge. lead us to an outdoor area where our group can contribute to the cause by planting a Morning: This morning we’ll say goodbye tree. This is a unique opportunity to have a to Tana and depart for a 4-hour drive to personal impact, as well as further learn about Andasibe. Our journey will take us through reforestation methods and ask any questions rural Madagascar—deep into the lush, green we may have. highlands and past traditional villages and sprawling rice paddy fields. Along the way, Later, we’ll head back to the lodge, where we’ll we’ll stop to stretch our legs and buy some have a little bit of free time before dinner. seasonal produce from a roadside vendor. Dinner: At the lodge. Perhaps we’ll come away with some juicy jackfruit or a sweet-smelling pineapple before Evening: Free for your own discoveries. Check continuing on our winding journey. with your Trip Experience Leader for ideas.

Upon arrival at the lodge, we’ll receive room Freedom To Explore: During your four days assignments and check in. Depending on where in Andasibe, you have the freedom to explore we stay, our hotel may feature prime access on your own during your free time. Below are a to the surrounding nature, a swimming pool, couple recommended options for independent and on-site bar and restaurant. Each room explorations: may include wireless Internet, cable TV, and a terrace. • Meet the people of Andasibe Village: Surrounded by several protected parks Lunch: At the lodge. and reserves, Andasibe Village is a unique cultural hub offering visitors insight into

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37 rural Malagasy life. The chief industries here Morning: Today we’ll kick off our nature are agriculture, charcoal production, logging, discoveries in Madagascar. Referred to and gold panning—all of which you’ll have an by ecologists as the “eighth continent,” opportunity to learn about during your tour. Madagascar is home to a dizzying array of Your local guide will also take you to village flora and fauna found only on the island—a markets, and help you slip into the rhythm of whopping 90% is believed to be endemic. To daily life with a walk through the community. put this into even greater perspective, 5% of the Plan to spend about 2 hours here. world’s plant and animal species are found here • How to get there: A 5- to 10-minute taxi and here alone. This distinctive biodiversity ride, about $15 USD one way. can be traced back to the prehistoric • Hours: By appointment only. separation of landmasses, ultimately breaking • Cost: Varies by tour. Madagascar and India apart 88 million years ago and leaving plants and animals to evolve • Navigate the largest intact marsh of eastern in relative isolation. Every year, ecologists Madagascar, Torotorofotsy: The private learn more about the island’s natural reserve of Torotorofotsy features a varied offerings—in fact, what is believed to be the landscape of wetlands, forests, and small smallest reptile on earth—the Brookesia nana villages. It is perhaps best known as the (or nano-chameleon)—was only discovered home of the greater bamboo lemur—one of here in 2021. the world’s most critically endangered pri- mates—and it’s also a favorite destination for Following breakfast, we’ll depart for the Perinet birdwatchers. Enjoy a leisurely walk through Reserve, a dense and verdant area home to a the reserve, and be sure to bring binoculars sizeable population of one of Madagascar’s to increase your chance of spotting elusive most celebrated inhabitants: lemurs. In this wildlife. particular part of the island, we’ll find roughly • How to get there: A 1-hour taxi ride, about 13 of the 100 species of lemur, including the $220 USD one way. indri, which are among the largest of their • Hours: Varies—check with your Trip kind. Lemurs are highly endangered Experience Leader. due to both radical deforestation, as well as • Cost: Free. their limited geographical range. But it’s also important to note their symbiotic relationship Day 6 Perinet Reserve nature walk • Night to the forest: Many lemurs, such as the ruffed walk through the rainforest lemur, act as seed dispersers, which means their droppings help to revive and aid forest • Destination: Andasibe growth. Therefore, one cannot exist without • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner the other. • Accommodations: Mantadia Lodge or similar During our approximately 2-mile walk, we’ll Activity Note: Today’s discoveries require have a chance to learn about and observe approximately 2 miles of walking on hilly, the natural behaviors of lemurs, a relatively sometimes moist terrain. unique species in that many of them have a Breakfast: At the lodge. female-dominant troop structure—unlike most mammals which are male dominant. Other notable animals we may encounter are the enormous Parson’s chameleon, paradise

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38 catchers, the Madagascar falcon, and hundreds Breakfast: At the lodge. of species of native frogs. You’ll also have a Morning: After breakfast, we’ll drive chance to witness dazzling flora, such as the to Mantadia National Park, a nearly Ravenala palm, a massive plant outfitted with 60-square-mile protected area. The park paddle-shaped leaves in the form of a fan. For is home to roughly eleven lemur species, those visiting Madagascar between the months including the indri and black-and-white ruffed of September and January, you’ll be pleased to lemur, and the landscape features numerous know that this is orchid flowering season, so waterfalls and a diversity of altitudes. Upon be prepared to admire impressive and vibrant arrival, we’ll embark on an approximately blooms. 2-mile walk through some of the lesser visited Lunch: At the lodge, following our walk. parts of the reserve. Our walk will culminate at the Rianasoa Waterfall, a sacred and striking Afternoon: You’ll have the freedom to explore feature of this area. Here, we’ll stop for a picnic on your own this afternoon. Perhaps you’ll lunch, as well as to learn about the site itself, venture to Andasibe Village to discover the including the on-site burial ground marked by local way of life here, or you might wish to visit wood-carved tombstones. Torotorofotsy Wetland, home to the critically endangered greater bamboo lemur. Lunch: At the Rianasoa Waterfall, featuring local baked goods. Dinner: At the lodge, featuring . Afternoon: We’ll head back to the lodge this Evening: After sunset, our group will depart afternoon, where we’ll have some personal for a night walk through the forest. A local time to explore on our own. Check with your guide will lead us in tracking nocturnal species Trip Experience Leader for activity ideas. of lemurs, as well as other animals that are primarily active in the night. Not all lemurs Dinner: At the lodge. are nocturnal—in fact, small lemurs tend to Evening: This evening you’ll have another be nocturnal, whereas larger ones tend to be opportunity to join an optional night walk diurnal, meaning active during the daytime. through the forest, in order to spot nocturnal Your local guide and Trip Experience Leader animals. Following our return to the lodge, will both be prepared with flashlights; however, you’ll have the freedom to explore on your own. for travelers who prefer to have their own luminous device, you’re free to bring one. Day 8 Visit the Amphibian Survival Day 7 Explore Mantadia National Park Assurance Center • Lemur Island • • Picnic lunch at Rianasoa Waterfall • Optional night walk Optional night walk • Destination: Andasibe • Destination: Andasibe • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner • Accommodations: Mantadia Lodge or similar • Accommodations: Mantadia Lodge or similar Breakfast: At the lodge.

Activity Note: Today’s discoveries require Morning: Madagascar is home to nearly 300 approximately 2 miles of walking on hilly, native species of frogs—a staggering number sometimes moist terrain. of which are endangered. This morning,

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39 we’ll depart for the Amphibian Survival Dinner: At the lodge, featuring regional cuisine. Assurance Center of Andasibe to learn about Evening: Following dinner, you’ll have one the different species, as well as their plight. last opportunity to join an optional night Frogs are actually the only amphibians found walk before your Madagascar pre-trip in Madagascar, which means they play a rather extension comes to a close. The remainder of unique role in the overall ecosystem. From the evening is free for your own discoveries, tree frogs to the tomato and mantella frogs, or perhaps you’ll rest before your journey Malagasy amphibian populations are suffering onward tomorrow. due to rapid deforestation and ongoing threats from the ever-growing international pet trade. Mantella frogs, in particular, are subject to Day 9 Fly to Johannesburg • trafficking due to their attractive coloring. Begin main trip • Destination: Johannesburg During our visit at the center, we’ll encounter a number of native species, see how they’re • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch rehabilitated, and learn what is being done Breakfast: At the lodge. to save them. Afterward, we’ll depart for the lodge. Morning: Transfer overland to Antananarivo.

Lunch: At the lodge, featuring regional cuisine. Lunch: At Lokanga Boutique Hotel, featuring regional cuisine. Afternoon: After lunch, we’ll head to Lemur Island, a small sanctuary situated in the Afternoon: Fly back to Johannesburg, South middle of a river and home to lemurs rescued Africa, where you’ll be met at the airport and from captivity. Upon arrival, a local guide transferred to your hotel. Here, you’ll join other will introduce us to the island and its history travelers with whom you’ll begin your main on a short walk, during which we’ll also adventure. have the opportunity to observe some of the common brown lemurs, bamboo lemurs, and black-and-white ruffed lemurs at close proximity. These habituated animals wouldn’t survive in the wild; however, as we’ll learn, Lemur Island is not without controversy. Visitors commonly pose for photos and physically interact with the lemurs. Conservationists allege that these conditions are unnatural and therefore immoral, but sanctuary advocates argue that the lemurs would otherwise be euthanized. Take the opportunity to learn both sides of this issue, and feel free to ask your local guide any questions you may have.

Later, we’ll head back to the lodge, where we’ll have free time to explore on our own. Ask your Trip Experience Leader for activity suggestions.

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40 POST-TRIP Victoria Falls: Zimbabwe’s Natural Wonder

INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE

» Airfare from Cape Town to Victoria Falls » Services of a local O.A.T. Trip » Accommodations for 3 nights in Victoria Experience Leader Falls at the A’Zambezi River Lodge » Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and or similar luggage porters » 4 meals—3 breakfasts, 1 dinner » All transfers » 2 small group activities

POST-TRIP EXTENSION ITINERARY

Extend your discoveries of Africa’s wonders with this optional extension to thundering Victoria Falls. You’ll have ample time to view the Falls, twice as high as Niagara and one-and-a-half times as wide, perhaps taking an optional helicopter flight to witness its full grandeur. During this extension, you’ll have a variety of optional tours to choose from, including an all-day excursion to Botswana’s celebrated Chobe National Park.

Day 1 Fly to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe via Afternoon: We’ll land in Zimbabwe around Johannesburg, South Africa 1pm, and then transfer by bus to our hotel—a ride of about 45 minutes. We’ll arrive at our • Destination: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe hotel around 2:30pm, at which time we’ll check • Accommodations: A’Zambezi River Lodge in and get our room assignments. Depending or similar on which hotel we stay at, we may spend the Activity Note: Today’s itinerary includes an next three nights on the bank of the Zambezi early morning departure, with plans to leave River, with the chance to enjoy the African the hotel by 5:30am to catch our flights. countryside in quiet contemplation. On-site amenities may include a restaurant, swimming Early Morning: As our main adventure ends pool, and wireless Internet; your room will in Cape Town, we’ll begin our transfer to likely feature air conditioning, coffee- and Zimbabwe early—departing our hotel around tea-making facilities, and a private bath with 5:30am for a drive of about an hour to the hair dryer. airport. We’ll take two flights this morning: The first around 7am to Johannesburg, the second We’ll gather as a group at 3pm for a short around 11:30am to Victoria Falls. Welcome Briefing, during which we’ll outline our post-trip extension’s itinerary and Lunch: On your own around 11am in the airport. important safety details. Then we’ll begin our discoveries with an orientation walk to get familiar with our surroundings.

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41 Dinner: On your own, with the freedom to seek Day 2 Victoria Falls village visit • Choice of out your dinner as you’d like. Optional Tours Evening: You’re free to retire to your room for • Destination: Victoria Falls the night, or ask your Trip Experience Leader • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner for details about David Livingstone’s life and • Accommodations: A’Zambezi River Lodge famous discoveries. or similar

Freedom To Explore: During your three days in Breakfast: Served buffet-style beginning Victoria Falls, you have the freedom to explore at 7:30am, with local and American options the area on your own during your free time. available. Below are a few recommended options for Morning: Around 8:30am, our Trip Experience independent exploration: Leader will introduce us to the village of • Discover local wares at COMESA: Browse Victoria Falls, a compact and easy-to-navigate authentic textiles and handcrafts as you learn area full of shops and spots of interest. Then, about how the Common Market for Eastern we’ll enjoy about a 2-hour walking tour of the and Southern Africa was designed to assist falls and surrounding rain forest, led by our Africa’s less-fortunate residents. Trip Experience Leader. Walk along surfaced • How to get there: A 15- to 20-minute taxi paths within the rain forest that grows down ride one way, about $8 USD. the gorges of the falls, and visit the Livingstone • Hours: 8am-5pm, daily. statue, which commemorates the great British • Cost: Free. explorer who named this natural wonder for his Queen. We’ll also see the Big Tree, a • Feel the beat with dinner and music at Mama centuries-old baobab more than 50 feet in Africa: Savor local cuisine with a three-course diameter. dinner, accompanied by a live performance of African township jazz. By 11:30am or so, you’ll have a good sense • How to get there: A 10- to 15-minute taxi of the lay of the land, the rest of the day is ride one way, about $6 USD. yours to explore as you’d like. Shuttles will be • Hours: 6-9pm, daily. available back and forth from the falls to our • Cost: About $35 USD. hotel should you choose to do more exploring on your own. You’re also free to scoop up • Witness a vulture feeding at a local safari bargains galore in the form of local handcrafts lodge: Get a close look at vultures’ daily such as sandalwood, teak, and ebony carvings; feeding rituals, as an expert shares insights African textiles; malachite; basketry; and about these remarkable birds. more. Here, bartering is an expected part of • How to get there: A 25- to 30-minute taxi the process—and can be great fun. American ride one way, about $10 USD. goods, like T-shirts, sweatshirts, and baseball • Hours: 1-2pm, daily. caps with designer logos can serve as good • Cost: Free. “currency” here. As your Trip Experience Leader for advice about how and where it may be appropriate to barter in this manner.

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42 You also have an assortment of optional Day 3 Optional Chobe National excursions to choose from today, should you Park excursion like. Perhaps you’ll visit the Wild Horizons • Destination: Victoria Falls Elephant Sanctuary and Orphanage and interact with the elephants. Or, if you’d like to take a • Included Meals: Breakfast bird’s-eye-view of the falls, you can take an • Accommodations: A’Zambezi River Lodge optional helicopter flight—popularly referred or similar to as a “Flight of the Angels”—over the falls. Early Morning: You have a free day in Victoria You may also choose to cruise on the Zambezi Falls. If you’d like, you may choose to join us River and enjoy a sunset ride. for an optional, full-day tour of Chobe National Park—adding the country of Botswana to Lunch: On your own, with the freedom to seek your discoveries. At 6:30am, we’ll set off by out your lunch when and where your schedule bus for a 1.5-hour ride west to Botswana’s best allows. Your Trip Experience Leader will first national park, founded in 1967. The most be ready with options that suit your planned ecologically diverse park in the country, Chobe activities. is home to four distinct ecosystems, among Afternoon: You’re free to continue your them marshland and dry, grassy hinterland. discoveries. If you’re interested in taking About 50,000 elephants are estimated to live advantage of several optional excursions today, here, along with rhino, zebra, wildebeest, lion, take note: The helicopter activity is offered both giraffe, and a wide range of birdlife. We’ll arrive in the morning and afternoon, allowing you to back at our lodge around 5pm. design your day as you’d like. Breakfast: Served buffet-style beginning Dinner: Around 6:30pm, we’ll regroup at at 7:30am, with local and American options the hotel for our Farewell Dinner, a perfect available. opportunity to share anecdotes about today’s Morning: If you’ve chosen to remain at Victoria discoveries—and our African adventure overall. Falls today, the morning is yours, with the Tonight’s Farewell Dinner will feature local freedom to pursue your own interests. Perhaps cuisine and includes an appetizer, main course, you’ll return to the market to purchase a special and dessert. Bottled water, soft drinks, beer, or memento of our time here. wine are included. If you are on the Optional Tour, you will spend Evening: You’re free to continue the the morning exploring Chobe via open-air conversation with your fellow travelers tonight, safari vehicle. Our Trip Experience Leader and or return to your room to reflect—or rest up driver guides will be ready to point out the flora for the early start to tomorrow’s optional and fauna around us—while some will be easy excursion. to spot, others will require an expert eye.

Lunch: On your own today—whether you’ve joined the Optional Tour to Chobe or remained in Victoria Falls.

Afternoon: You’re free to spend this time as you’d like—perhaps you’ll choose to gaze at the majestic Falls from a different vantage point

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43 today. Travelers who took the optional tour to Day 4 Fly to Johannesburg, South Africa • Chobe will continuing exploring Chobe on a Fly to U.S. game-viewing drive, and return to the lodge • Destination: U.S. around 5pm. • Included Meals: Breakfast Dinner: On your own—your Trip Experience Breakfast: Served buffet-style beginning Leader will be happy to recommend a village at 7:30am, with local and American options spot for dinner. Or you may prefer to dine in the available. hotel restaurant. Morning: We’ll check out of our hotel around Evening: You’re free to retire to your room 10am this morning, and ride about 25 minutes early to prepare for tomorrow’s flights back to the airport. home, or to spend a little extra time in the company of your fellow travelers. Lunch: On your own, with the option to seek out lunch at the airport.

Afternoon: You’ll fly to Johannesburg around 1:45pm, before transferring for your overnight flight back to the U.S.

OPTIONAL TOURS

Elephant Encounters Please note: Participating in this optional tour (Day 2 $110 per person) requires a $15 per person National Park Fee which Join us as we visit the Wild Horizons Elephant is not included in the price of the optional tour. Sanctuary and Orphanage. Here, we’ll get a chance to observe, and lightly interact with, Zambezi River Sundowner Cruise the beautiful creatures. We’ll also enjoy (Day 2 $50 per person) discussions with the elephant keepers about the organization’s conservation efforts, as well As the sun sets over the Zambezi River, climb as their plans to rehabilitate and release the aboard a small boat for a Zambezi River elephants back into the wild. Sundowner Cruise. You’ll enjoy the relaxing ride, as well as a chance to take in the riverbank scenery—awash in the glow of the warm Helicopter Flight Over Victoria Falls evening sun. (Day 2 $150 per person)

Join us on the legendary 13-minute “Flight of Chobe National Park Angels” for unparalleled views of Victoria Falls (Day 3 $210 per person) from a unique, unrivalled perspective. This is an exhilarating experience and is a must for On this full-day tour, enjoy a game-viewing all visitors to the falls. Price includes courtesy drive (about three hours) in Botswana’a second transfers from all hotels and major locations in largest (and first created) national park before Victoria Falls. Allow 1.5 hours for this activity. stopping for lunch at Marina Lodge. Then

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44 enjoy another game-viewing drive en route to Chobe River. Here, you’ll embark on a wildlife cruise (about three hours). You’ll depart on your return transfer to Victoria Falls in the late afternoon, returning in time for dinner.

Please note: Individuals under the age of 18 must present a birth certificate in addition to a valid passport in order to enter or exit Botswana. This optional tour may be purchased up until 45 days prior to departure, or on-site subject to availability.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

45 POST-TRIP The Spice Island of Zanzibar

INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE

» Accommodations for 1 night in » Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Johannesburg, 2 nights in Stone Town Experience Leader at Maru Maru Hotel or similar and 3 nights » Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and at Unguja Beach Lodge or similar luggage porters » 13 meals—6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, » All transfers and 4 dinners » 6 small group activities

POST-TRIP EXTENSION ITINERARY

Once known as the “Spice Islands,” the Zanzibar archipelago sits 25 miles off the Tanzanian coast. We’ll explore its unique heritage in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and on an excursion to a spice plantation. We’ll also encounter everyday life in this autonomous region of Tanzania, when we take a hands-on lesson from local musicians, and immerse ourselves in the island’s kaleidoscope of cultures and unique wildlife.

Day 1 Depart Cape Town • Fly to Day 2 Fly to Zanzibar Johannesburg • Destination: Stone Town • Destination: Johannesburg • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner • Accommodations: Hotel at Johannesburg • Accommodations: Maru Maru Hotel Airport or similar or similar

Afternoon: We’ll depart Cape Town this Breakfast: At the hotel, featuring a selection of afternoon and fly to Johannesburg to begin our African cuisine. post-trip extension. Upon arrival at the airport, Morning/Afternoon: After breakfast, we’ll we’ll take a private motorcoach to our hotel and check out of our hotel and transfer to the prepare for our flight to Zanzibar tomorrow airport for our flight to Zanzibar Island, known morning. as “Unguja” to the locals. After a short flight, Dinner: On your own—ask your Trip we will arrive in Zanzibar and transfer by Experience Leader for recommendations. private motorcoach to our hotel, where we will receive our room assignments and enjoy Evening: Free to spend how you wish. free time to get settled in for the remainder of the afternoon. Depending on which hotel you stay at, your hotel may feature an outdoor swimming pool, bar, and on-site dining

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46 options. Typical rooms include a minibar, Arab merchants once competed for the most safe, air conditioning, wireless Internet, and a extravagant residence, as we’ll see by the many private en suite bathroom. grand mansions with their brass-studded, elaborately carved doors. We’ll also explore Lunch: On your own—ask your Trip Experience the lively Etstella Market; the very first Leader for recommendations. Anglican cathedral in East Africa which Dinner: At the hotel. houses the moving Slave Memorial; and the Old Arab fort. Throughout our tour, we’ll Evening: You are free to make your own meet and mingle with some of the town’s discoveries in Zanzibar, spend time with lively characters—local musicians—who your fellow travelers at the hotel, or retire to will perform for us and let us try our hands your room to relax before tomorrow’s day of at some traditional Zanzibari and Tanzanian discoveries. instruments. While here, it might be difficult to remember that Stone Town is a thriving Day 3 Zanzibar • Explore Stone Town • community and not a movie set. Optional Cooking Lesson with a local We’ll make a final stop at the Palace Museum, family • Sunset cruise which was originally built in the late 19th • Destination: Stone Town century as a home for the Sultan’s family. • Included Meals: Breakfast After the Zanzibar Revolution, it was renamed • Accommodations: Maru Maru Hotel the People’s Palace in 1964, and it now or similar serves as a time capsule of the Zanzibar royal family’s history. Breakfast: Served at the hotel, featuring local and international cuisine. After our morning walking tour, you will have the option to return to your hotel for a Morning: Today we will set out on an included refreshment or continue to explore Zanzibar. walking tour of historic Stone Town, one of the most charming and ancient towns in East Lunch: Lunch will be on your own today. Africa, led by a local guide. As we wander the Ask your Trip Experience Leader for narrow streets of this UNESCO World Heritage recommendations or explore on your own. Site, admire the fine buildings that reflect the city’s historic mix of African, Arab, Indian, and Afternoon: You will have plenty of European cultures. opportunities to get acquainted with Stone Town’s treasures during your free afternoon. The cultural hub of Zanzibar Island, Stone Delve into the history of Zanzibar at the Peace Town appears to have been frozen in time two Memorial Museum or the Palace Museum. centuries ago, when Zanzibar was at its peak Return to the late 17th-century Arab fort to as an Indian Ocean trading center. Along its marvel at its ramparts and browse the shops warren of narrow streets, we’ll view a blend of here. Explore the House of Wonders and the Old empires, from Persian and Portuguese to an Dispensary in depth. Or, immerse yourself in Omani sultanate and finally British rule—all the fast-paced hubbub of the local market. with a hint of the native Swahili culture. Or, you may choose to join our optional Stone Town Cooking Lesson. Expand your cooking knowledge with an in-depth lesson on

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47 Zanzibar’s creative cuisine. After a short walk to the shores of the scenic island. The boat ride a local home in Stone Town, a Zanzibari family to prison island is about 30 minutes one-way, will teach you how to prepare signature dishes and a typical visit can last around 3 hours. from the region including Briyani, Mseto, and • How to get there: A 30- to 45-minute taxi Wali. You’ll learn how to incorporate different ride, about $50 USD one-way, followed by spices into the dish you prepare and will dine a boat ride. on your creations, savoring the complex flavors • Hours: 9am-4:15pm, daily. found in the local dishes. • Cost: About $5 USD. After some time on your own—or the optional • Visit a group of women who specialize in tour—we’ll depart for a walk to the beach. Upon traditional African hairstyles at Fumba arrival, we’ll embark on a sunset cruise on a Beach: Here, you’ll spend time at a local traditional dhow sailboat where you can relax home where the women will show you their with included drinks and snacks. During this process for plaiting, the basis for a plethora of 2-hour cruise, you’ll have the chance to watch unique hairstyles for African women. They’ll the various fishing boats as they’re leaving for also give you insight into the meticulous the night and perhaps take in the sunset. process of creating henna tattoos, which are popular in Zanzibar for special occasions like Dinner: On your own tonight. Consider asking festivals and weddings. Perhaps you’ll get to your Trip Experience Leader about their pick out a henna tattoo of your own during favorite spots for a bowl of coconut bean soup, your visit. a signature Zanzibar dish. • How to get there: An approximate 15-min- Evening: Enjoy the freedom to explore Zanzibar ute walk from the hotel. this evening. Stroll through the city at night or • Hours: Daily. have a cocktail at the hotel bar with your fellow • Cost: About $15 USD per person. travelers as you take in the spirit of the city. • Watch this staple park locale quite liter- Freedom To Explore: During your five days in ally transform overnight when you stroll Zanzibar, you have the freedom to explore the through the night market at Forodhani “Spice Island” on your own during your free Gardens: Every evening, Forodhani Gardens time. Below are a few recommended options for becomes a sensory wonderland as an open-air independent explorations: market fills the area with the scents of fresh fish and and the sights of colorful • Discover giant tortoises on Prison fruits and vegetables. From traditional Island: Explore this small island in the com- Zanzibar pizzas to sweet juices made with pany of a local guide to discover the endan- , a world of culinary options is at your gered giant tortoises who make their home fingertips. there, take a walk on the beach, and learn • How to get there: An approximate about the history of rebellious slaves in the 10-minute walk from the hotel. 1890s. For those feeling particularly adven- • Hours: Daily, after dusk. turous, there is also the option to snorkel off • Cost: Free.

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48 Day 4 Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park • Afternoon: Enjoy a few hours of free time to Butterfly farm relax or explore the lodge’s amenities. Later, we’ll gather together at the lodge to talk about • Destination: Unguja Beach a controversial topic in this region: the lack • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner of opportunities for women in the tourism • Accommodations: Unguja Beach Lodge industry. Zanzibar is one of East Africa’s most or similar popular destinations, due largely to its unique Breakfast: Served at the hotel, featuring a cultural heritage, fascinating history, and selection of African cuisine. beautiful seaside locales. Despite the small size of the island, Zanzibar receives up to 200,000 Morning: After checking out of our hotel this tourists per year, making tourism a significant morning, we will head out by bus to visit Jozani contributor to its economy. But because Chwaka Bay National Park—Zanzibar’s only around 95% of Zanzibar’s people are Muslim, national park and the only place in the world it is forbidden for women to help the tourism to spot the red colobus monkey. Upon arrival, industry flourish. This is due to the fact that per we’ll walk along raised boardwalks among religious beliefs, women aren’t allowed to be mangrove trees and discover various coastal exposed to or interact with men in many spaces flora, fauna, and wildlife, including the fiddler including hotels, beaches, and clubs—among crab. Throughout our activities today, we’ll be a slew of others. Thus, it’s often the case that in the company of our Trip Experience Leader women who study tourism driven by passion as well as local guides. for their homeland are unable to make a career with their knowledge and qualifications. In We’ll continue our discoveries with a short walk general, women’s unemployment is at around to the nearby butterfly garden, a netted tropical 35% in Zanzibar because of the many obstacles butterfly farm which consists of a tropical they face. garden with hundreds of butterflies. Here, we’ll learn about the life cycle of these beautiful A local presenter will speak to us about this insects, all of which are native to the island of issue during a 20-minute presentation, after Zanzibar. which point you are free to ask any questions about this enlightening topic. Then, we’ll depart by bus for the approximate 1-hour ride to our lodge, where we’ll stay Dinner: Tonight, we will gather for dinner at for three nights on a secluded stretch of the the lodge, which serves fresh seafood and a Menai Beach Conservation area. Depending on selection of African cuisine. which lodge you stay at, your amenities may include multiple restaurants, beach access, Evening: Enjoy the evening on your own and and a variety of waterfront activities. Typical feel free to wander around Zanzibar, mingle at rooms are island-themed, with private en suite the markets, try new spices or relax at the hotel. bathrooms.

Lunch: Your Trip Experience Leader can recommend some of their favorite options for lunch that you can enjoy on your own.

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49 Day 5 Zanzibar • Menai Bay boat cruise Day 6 Zanzibar • Spice plantation visit • Destination: Unguja Beach • Destination: Unguja Beach • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner • Accommodations: Unguja Beach Lodge • Accommodations: Unguja Beach Lodge or similar or similar

Breakfast: Served at the lodge, featuring a Breakfast: At the lodge this morning, featuring selection of African cuisine. a selection of African cuisine.

Morning: Today, we’ll take the short walk Morning: This morning we’ll head to a local from our lodge to the Dhow marina to discover spice plantation where the commodities Menai Bay by traditional Zanzibari motor that gave the Spice Islands their name is still boat. Located off the southwestern coast of cultivated. Cloves were introduced to Zanzibar Zanzibar, Menai Bay is the island’s largest in 1818, and the archipelago quickly became protected marine area and is home to extensive the world’s leading producer where it remains coral reefs, mangrove forests, sea grasses, and a major crop today. As we ride out into the tropical fish. gently rolling hills of the countryside, we’ll view lush tropical plants, such as cinnamon, While discovering small islets such as Komunda vanilla, and fruit trees. Learn more about the and Miwi, we may even witness pods of dolphin art and history of the cultivation of spices with swimming by. We’ll have the opportunity to a local guide—and perhaps see whether you can swim and snorkel in the warm cerulean waters. identify clove, cardamom, nutmeg, peppercorn, Lunch: A special picnic lunch will be set up for and various fruits including jackfruit, us on the island. We will sit in the shade on the pineapple, and coconut. Our tour wraps up beach while enjoying the view overlooking the around noon, at which point we’ll head back to Indian Ocean. the lodge by bus and arrive in time for lunch.

Afternoon: We will return to our lodge via an Lunch: At the lodge, featuring a selection of hour-long motorboat ride later this afternoon, local dishes. where you’ll have time to relax or explore the Afternoon: The afternoon is free for you to surrounding area. explore, spend time with fellow travelers, or Dinner: Enjoy dinner at the lodge tonight where simply relax. Then later this afternoon, you’re we will enjoy a traditional meal together. invited to join our afternoon sunset cocktail party on the beach. Evening: Tonight you are free to explore at your own pace. Browse the local shops or gather at Dinner: If the weather permits, we will have a the lodge with fellow travelers. Farewell Dinner on the beach to say good-bye to Zanzibar tonight. If the beach is less than welcoming, we’ll enjoy our final meal at the lodge.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

50 Evening: The evening is yours to spend as you Day 7 Return to U.S. choose—you are free to join fellow travelers for • Included Meals: Breakfast a last drink, return to your room to rest before your departure, or enjoy one more night on Breakfast: At the hotel, featuring a mix of local the beach. and international cuisine.

Morning: After breakfast, we’ll check out of our lodge and drive to the Zanzibar airport to catch our flight home.

OPTIONAL TOUR

Cooking Lesson (Day 3 $35 per person) Expand your cooking knowledge with an in-depth lesson on Zanzibar’s creative cuisine. We’ll visit a home in Stone Town and learn to prepare signature dishes from the region including; Briyani, Mseto, and Wali (rice). You’ll learn how to incorporate locally-sourced spices into a meal that you prepare with the assistance of our local host. You’ll be able to taste your culinary creations, too, savoring the complex flavors found in the island’s dishes. This optional tour must be pre-booked at least 45 days prior to departure to guarantee space. On-site reservations are subject to limited availability.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

51 South Africa & Eswatini: OUR SMALL GROUP ADVENTURE COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY To ensure the safety of all of our travelers, we are requiring that all travelers Kruger National Park, the joining us on one of our Small Group Adventures must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure of their adventure— Garden Route & Cape Town and provide proof of their vaccination on-site. For more details, please visit www.oattravel.com/covid-update. 2022 Dates & Prices F E B R U A R Y ; AUG 16-27; M A R C H - MAY-JULY; OCTOBER- DEPART FROM J A N U A R Y SEPTEMBER APRIL AUG 1, 4 NOVEMBER DECEMBER

New York $ 5395 $5495 $5695 $5995 $4995 $4795

Baltimore, Boston, Houston, Newark, $ 5595 $5695 $5895 $6195 $5195 $4995 Washington, DC

Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, Philadelphia, $ 5695 $ 5795 $ 5995 $ 6295 $ 5295 $ 5095 Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa

Atlanta $ 5795 $ 5895 $ 6095 $ 6395 $ 5395 $ 5195

Additional departure cities are available. Upgrade to Business Class may be available for the international portion of your flight. Call for details.

J A N U A R Y ; JUNE-AUGUST; F E B R U A R Y ; OCTOBER- SEP 4-12 SEP 16-28 MARCH APRIL MAY NOVEMBER DECEMBER Without international airfare $ 3895 $ 3995 $ 4195 $ 4095 $ 4395 $ 3495 $ 3295

SAK2022

RISK-FREE BOOKING POLICY: RESERVE WITH CONFIDENCE—NOW THROUGH 12/31/21 We will waive any change fees if you transfer to another departure date for any reason—up until 24 hours prior to departure. See details at www.oattravel.com/riskfree-booking.

Prices are per person. Airfare prices include government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges. All prices and availability are effective as of the date of this publication, and are subject to change without notice. Standard Terms & Conditions apply, please visit our website: www.oattravel.com/tc. Every effort has been made to produce this information accurately. We reserve the right to correct errors.

For specific departure dates, current availability, and detailed pricing, visit www.oattravel.com/sak2022 pricing

SAVE UP TO 10% WITH FREE SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS SHARE YOUR LOVE OF TRAVEL OUR GOOD BUY PLAN We offer FREE Single Supplements on all New travelers you refer will instantly save The earlier you reserve your departure of our adventures and pre- and post-trip $100, and you’ll earn increasing rewards— and pay in full, the more you’ll save—up extensions. up to a FREE trip! to 10%—plus, you’ll lock in your price. Each departure has limited solo space For details, visit www.oattravel.com/va For details, visit www.oattravel.com/gbd available—call today to reserve.

Publication Date 6/4/21

Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www.oatt ravel.com/sak2022

52 TRAVEL DOCUMENTS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Your Passport • Must be in good condition

• Must be valid for at least 6 months after your scheduled return to the U.S.

• Must have the required number of blank pages (details below)

• The blank pages must be labeled “Visas” at the top. Pages labeled “Amendments and Endorsements” are not acceptable

Need to Renew Your Passport? Contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778, or visit their website at www.travel.state.gov for information on obtaining a new passport or renewing your existing passport. You may also contact our recommended visa service company, PVS International, at 1-800-556-9990 for help with your passport

Recommended Blank Pages Please confirm that your passport has enough blank pages for this adventure.

• Main trip only: If you are taking the main trip without any extensions, you will need a total of 6 blank passport pages for South Africa (4), Eswatini (formerly Swaziland, 1), and re-entry into the U.S. (1). For South Africa, you need 2 consecutive pages (front and back) for each entry even though these pages may still be blank by the end of the trip.

• Pre-trip extension to Entabeni Conservancy, South Africa: No additional pages needed.

• Pre-trip extension to Madagascar: You will need 3 additional passport pages.

• Post-trip extension to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe: You will need 2 additional pages, for a total of 8 blank pages. If you plan to take the optional tour to Chobe National Park in Botswana that is offered during this extension, you will need 2 more pages, for a total of 10.

• Post-trip extension to Zanzibar: You will need an additional blank passport page.

• Both the Entabeni Conservancy pre- and a post-trip extension: You will need a total of 8 blank pages (10 if you plan to take the optional tour in Chobe National Park), unless you are taking the post-trip to Zanzibar, in which case you will need 7 blank passport pages.

• Both the Madagascar pre- and a post-trip extension: You will need a total of 11 blank pages (10 if you plan to take the optional tour in Chobe National Park), unless you are taking the post-trip to Zanzibar, in which case you will need 10 blank passport pages.

Please note: You might not use all of these pages on your adventure (when you return, some may still be blank) but local officials will want to see that you have them.

53 Visas Required We’ll be sending you a detailed Visa Packet with instructions, application forms, and fees about 100 days prior to your departure. In the meantime, we’re providing the information below as a guideline on what to expect. This info is for U.S. citizens only. All visas and fees are subject to change.

• South Africa: No visa required.

• Eswatini (formerly Swaziland): No visa required.

• Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls post-trip extension only): Visa required. You must obtain this visa upon arrival.

• Botswana (optional tour only): No visa required. On this trip, Botswana is only visited during an optional tour to Chobe National Park from Victoria Falls. Please note, Botswana has implemented a Tourism Development Levy of $30 per person, to be paid by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express) or in cash (must be exact change) upon arrival at the border to Botswana.

• Madagascar (pre-trip extension): Visa required. Although this visa may be obtained upon your arrival, it is faster and easier to obtain it in advance.

• Zanzibar (post-trip extension): Visa required. Both the U.S. Department of State and the Tanzanian embassy highly recommended that you obtain your visa in advance, which will be issued as an e-visa.

Traveling Without a U.S. Passport? If you are not a U.S. citizen, or if your passport is from any country other than the U.S., it is your responsibility to check with your local consulate, embassy, or a visa services company about visa requirements. We recommend the services of PVS International, a national visa service located in Washington D.C.; they can be reached at 1-800-556-9990 or www.pvsinternational.org.

Traveling With a Minor? Some governments may require certain documentation for minors to enter and depart the country or to obtain a visa (if applicable). For further detail on the required documentation, please contact your local embassy or consulate.

Emergency Photocopies of Key Documents We recommend you carry color photocopies of key documents including the photo page of your passport plus any applicable visas, air itinerary, credit cards (front and back), and an alternative form of ID. Add emergency phone numbers like your credit card company and the number for your travel protection plan. Store copies separate from the originals.

54 If you plan to email this information to yourself, please keep in mind that email is not always secure; consider using password protection or encryption. Also email is not always available worldwide. As an alternative, you could load these documents onto a flash drive instead, which can do double-duty as a place to backup photos during your trip.

Overseas Taxes & Fees This tour may have taxes and fees that cannot be included in your airline ticket price because you are required to pay them in person onsite. All taxes are subject to change without notice and can be paid in cash (either U.S. or local currency). If applicable, you will receive a list of these fees with your Final Documents.

55 RIGORS, VACCINES & GENERAL HEALTH

Is This Adventure Right for You? Please review the information below prior to departing on this adventure. We reserve the right for our Trip Experience Leaders to modify participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home, if their condition would adversely affect the health, safety, or enjoyment of themselves or of other travelers.

PACING • 7 locations in 19 days

• Air travel time will be 16-24 hours and will most likely have two connections

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS • Walk 1-2 miles unassisted and participate in 2-3 hours of physical activities daily, including stairs

• Balance and agility are required for boarding 4x4 vehicles

• Not accessible for travelers using wheelchairs or scooters

• Travelers using walkers, crutches, or other mobility aids must travel with a companion who can assist them

• We reserve the right for Trip Experience Leaders to restrict participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home, if their limitations impact the group’s experience

• Travelers in need of a CPAP machine may only bring one that runs on rechargeable batteries

TERRAIN & TRANSPORTATION • Uneven walking surfaces, including unpaved paths, hills, stairs, and cobblestones

• Travel by 45- to 48-seat motorcoach, 4x4 vehicle, ferry, and cable car

CLIMATE • Daytime temperatures range from 62-80°F during touring season

• December-March are the warmest months

Steps to Take Before Your Trip Before you leave on this adventure, we recommend the following:

• Check with the CDC for their recommendations for the countries you’ll be visiting. You can contact them online at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel or by phone at 1-800-232-4636.

• Have a medical checkup with your doctor at least 6 weeks before your trip.

56 • Pick up any necessary medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.

• Have a dental and/or eye checkup. (Recommended, but less urgent)

Vaccines Required

COVID-19 Overseas Adventure Travel requires that all travelers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and are able provide proof of their vaccination upon arrival at their destination. A full vaccination is defined as having been inoculated at least 14 days prior to departure by an approved vaccine. This requirement is not contingent on the countries the tour visits, but a strict company policy due to the nature of the pandemic.

Other Vaccines At the time of writing there were no other required vaccines for this trip. The CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date on their routine vaccinations and on basic travel vaccines like Hepatitis A and Typhoid, but these are suggestions only. However, this could change in future so we encourage you to check with the CDC yourself before meeting with your doctor.

But if your itinerary differs from ours, then you may need a yellow fever vaccination. (For example, if you will be traveling independently in Africa before/after your trip with us. Or if you will be arriving in South Africa from/connecting through a country other than the U.S. or Canada.) In this case, check with the CDC because you may need a yellow fever vaccination.

Medication Suggestions • An antibiotic medication for gastrointestinal illness

• Prescription pain medication in the unlikely event of an injury in a remote location

• Motion sickness medicine, if you are susceptible (the roads are very bumpy).

• Anti-malaria medication. Check with the CDC and your doctor first because these medications can have strong side effects.

Prevention of Malaria At time of writing, the CDC suggested anti-malarial medication for some parts of South Africa, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), and all of Zimbabwe. But since there are a range of anti-malarial medications, and some can have strong side effects, we suggest that you speak with your doctor. He or she might feel that medication isn’t even needed for the main trip since you will only spend a few days in places where malaria in known to be present (Kruger National Park, Eswatini). Travelers on the post-trip extension to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe are more likely to need medication, but even then your doctor might advise you against it, depending on what other medications your are taking and your general health.

57 Other than medication, the most important steps you can take to prevent malaria are to use insect repellent (preferably containing DEET at 30-35% strength) on exposed skin and on your clothing to prevent mosquito bites. If temperatures allow, you can also to wear clothing that keeps your arms and legs covered.

Traveling with Medications • Pack medications in your carry-on bag to avoid loss and to have them handy.

• Keep medicines in their original, labeled containers for a quicker security screen at the airport and a better experience if you get stopped by customs while overseas.

• Bring copies of your prescriptions, written using the generic drug name rather than a brand name to be prepared for any unforeseen loss of your medications.

We recommend checking with the State Department for medication restrictions by country: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel- Country-Information-Pages.html. (Pick the country and then follow the links to “Local Laws & Special Circumstances”; if you don’t see any medications specifically mentioned, then you can presume major U.S. brands should be OK).

Staying Healthy on Your Trip Jet Lag Tips

• Start your trip well-rested.

• Begin a gradual transition to your new time zone before you leave or switch to your destination time zone when you get on the plane.

• Attempt to sleep and eat according to the new schedule.

• Avoid heavy eating and drinking caffeine or alcoholic beverages right before–and during– your flight.

• Drink plenty of water and/or fruit juice while flying

• Stretch your legs, neck, and back periodically while seated on the plane.

• After arrival, avoid the temptation to nap.

• Don’t push yourself to see a lot on your first day.

• Try to stay awake your first day until after dinner.

Allergies

If you have any serious allergies or dietary restrictions, we advise you to notify us at least 30 days prior to your departure. Please call our Traveler Support team at 1-800-221-0814, and we will communicate them to our regional office. Every effort will be made to accommodate you.

58 Water • Tap water is usually safe to drink in South Africa and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), but always use caution.

• In Zimbabwe, the tap water is only safe to drink at your hotel in Victoria Falls. When you are away from your hotel, you should drink bottled water only.

• You can bring a reusable water bottle to fill at the hotel for day excursions or bottled water is readily available for purchase.

• At most hotels it is safe to use ice in your drinks, but check with your Trip Experience Leader first

Food • We’ve carefully chosen the restaurants for your group meals, and food at these establishments is generally as safe as in restaurants in the U.S.

• When dining out on your own, watch what you eat. Stay away from ice, uncooked food, and non-pasteurized milk and milk products.

CPAP Machines In order to be prepared for occasional power outages, travelers who rely on a CPAP machine must bring one that runs on rechargeable batteries.

59 MONEY MATTERS: LOCAL CURRENCY & TIPPING GUIDELINES

Top Three Tips • Carry a mix of different types of payments, such as local currency, an ATM card, and a credit card.

• Traveler’s checks are not recommended. They can be difficult to exchange and the commission fee for cashing them is quite high. It’s more practical to view them as a last resort in the event of a special situation.

• We recommend that you get some South African rand before you leave home. It doesn’t need to be a lot—just enough to cover a couple of days, in case the bank is closed when you arrive or the ATM at the airport is down. This is especially helpful if you are taking the pre-trip extension as you may not be able to exchange money for a few days after arrival.

Local Currency For current exchange rates, please refer to an online converter tool like www.xe.com/ currencyconverter, your bank, or the financial section of your newspaper.

South Africa The official currency of South Africa is the Rand (R), which is divided into cents.

• Bills come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 rand

• Coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1, 2 and 5 rand

U.S. dollars aren’t readily accepted for payment in South Africa; you will need rands instead.

Eswatini The official currency of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is the Lilangeni, which is divided into 100 cents. Lilangeni is sometimes abbreviated as “L” and sometimes as “E”. (Because the plural for lilangeni is emalangeni.)

• Bills come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 E

• Coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1, 2 and 5 E

We recommend using South African rand while in Eswatini as they are accepted everywhere and are much easier to obtain than emalangeni. Plus it is difficult to change emalangeni for other currencies.

60 Zimbabwe Zimbabwe has recently brought back the Zimbabwean dollar (or Zimdollar) and announced plans to restrict foreign currency. However, you will still be able to pay for many purchases in U.S. dollars. At hotels and markets, you can use U.S. cash; at shops and supermarkets you may be able to use a Visa card to do transactions in U.S. dollars. When using U.S. cash, please note two things: 1. Bills in bad condition or older than the year 2000 are not accepted and 2. You may receive change in Zimdollars, which are useless outside of Zimbabwe (paying with exact change is recommended).

Madagascar The currency in Madagascar is the Ariary (Ar). One ariary is divided into 5 iraimbilanja (or 1/5 ariary). Banknotes and coins come in denominations of:

• Banknotes: 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 20,000 ariary

• Coins: 1/5, 2/5, 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20, and 50 ariary

As arairy became the national currency in 2005, many people will still count money in Malagasy francs, with 1 arairy (Ar) equal to 5 francs (FMG). Always double-check if your price is being quoted in arairy or francs.

Zanzibar (Tanzania) Since Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, the basic unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSh), which is divided into 100 senti.

• Banknotes: 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 shillings

• Coins: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 senti and 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 shillings

In Tanzania, U.S. dollars are accepted for payment in most situations. Bills in very good condition are strongly preferred (2006 or newer). Our regional office suggests that a mix of denominations ($1, 5, 10, and 20s) is best/most convenient for paying with dollars. For exchanging, you’ll get a better rate on large bills ($50s and $100s).

How to Exchange Money If you want to exchange money before your trip, you can usually do so through your bank or at an exchange office. Your departure airport in the U.S., a travel agent, or an AAA office are also possible outlets. Or you can wait and change money on the trip instead. However, we recommend that you arrive with some South African rands (just in case)—especially if you are taking the pre-trip extension, as you may not be able to exchange money for a few days after arrival.

61 During the trip, the easiest way to get rands is to use a local ATM (your bank at home will convert and charge you in U.S. dollars). You can also exchange cash at some hotels and money exchange offices. To exchange cash, you’ll usually need your passport and bills in good condition (not worn, torn, or dirty). Never exchange money on the street. All exchange methods involve fees, which may be built into the conversion rate; ask beforehand.

ATMs When using the ATM, keep in mind that it may only accept cards from local banks, and may not allow cash advances on credit cards; you might need to try more than one ATM or more than one card.

Many banks charge a fee of $1-$10 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. We recommend that you check with your bank before you depart.

Lastly, don’t forget to memorize the actual digits of your card’s PIN number (many keypads at foreign ATMs do not include letters on their keys—they only display numbers.)

South Africa: ATMs are common in South Africa, especially in large cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town. The only place you might have difficulty finding one is in a remote game reserve or national park.

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland): ATMs are common in Mbabane, but can be harder to find elsewhere. You may need to try more than one machine because some ATMs will only take local cards.

Zimbabwe: ATMs are not to be relied on. A few are available in Victoria Falls, but they are consistently out of money. If you don’t have enough cash on hand for Zimbabwe, your best bet is to use an ATM at one of the regional airports outside of Zimbabwe, such as Livingston or Jo’burg. Then convert the money you get (which will be in local currency) to U.S. dollars at the exchange desk.

Madagascar: ATMs are widely available in larger cities and towns, but less common everywhere else.

Zanzibar: Stone Town does have a handful of ATMs that accept international cards—your best bet is at arrival points like the airport or ferry terminal. But be forewarned that you may need to try more than one machine. And outside of Stone Town ATMs are hard to find. So it’s a good idea to bring some cash with you to cover basic expenses.

Credit & Debit Cards Even if you don’t plan on using a credit card during your trip, we still suggest that you bring one or two as a backup, especially if you are planning a large purchase (artwork, jewelry). We also suggest that you bring more than one brand of card (i.e. Visa, MasterCard, American Express) if

62 possible, because not every shop will take every card. For example, although the Discover card is accepted in some countries outside the U.S., it is not widely adopted, so other brands will work at a much larger range of stores, restaurants, etc.

South Africa: Credit card use is fairly common in South Africa, so you’ll be able to use one in most hotels and shops, plus some restaurants.

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland): Credit cards are accepted for payment at hotels, upmarket shops, and some (but not all) restaurants.

Zimbabwe:Credit cards are only somewhat accepted. You can usually use them at hotels in Victoria Falls, high-end shops, pharmacies or supermarkets. (In contrast, camps/bush lodges, street vendors, and small souvenir shops tend to be cash only.) Of the major credit cards, Visa is the most useful as it is accepted in more places and may let you process the transaction in U.S. dollars. MasterCard is not as well-known and both American Express and Discover are not accepted at all.

If possible, we recommend using credit/debit cards at supermarkets and pharmacies to avoid issues with making or receiving change.

Madagascar: Credit cards such as Visa and, less commonly, MasterCard are accepted in most large towns, however Discover and American Express are generally not. For more rural areas, make sure to have cash, as it is unlikely you will be able to use a credit card.

Zanzibar: Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are accepted at large establishments. However, there are security concerns (some travelers report higher-than-average credit card fraud on the island), so you may prefer to stick to cash.

Notify Card Providers of Upcoming Travel Many credit card companies and banks have fraud alert departments that will freeze your card if they see suspicious charges—such as charges or withdrawals from another country. To avoid an accidental security block, it is a good idea to notify your credit card company and/or bank you will be using your cards abroad. You can do this by calling their customer service number a week or two before your departure. Some banks or credit card companies will also let you do this online.

You should also double-check what phone number you could call if you have a problem with a card while you are abroad. Don’t assume you can use the 1-800 number printed on the back of your card—most 1 800 numbers don’t work outside of the U.S.!

Tipping Guidelines Of course, whether you tip, and how much, is always at your own discretion. But for those of you who have asked for tipping suggestions, we offer these guidelines.

• O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader: It is customary to express a personal “thank you” to your Trip Experience Leader at the end of your trip. As a guideline, many travelers give $7-$10 USD (or equivalent in local currency) per person for each day their Trip Experience Leader

63 is with them. Please note that these tips can only be in cash. If you are taking any of the optional extensions, your Trip Experience Leader during the extension(s) may not be the same as the one on your main trip.

• Housekeeping staff at hotels: $1-2 per room, per night

Please Note: Your tour price includes gratuities on the main trip and optional pre- and post-trip extensions for local guides, drivers, lodge and camp staff, driver-guides, and luggage porters that may assist you during the scheduled activities on your adventure. All tips are quoted in U.S. dollars; tips can be converted and paid in local currency or in U.S. dollars. Please do not use personal or traveler’s checks for tips.

64 AIR, OPTIONAL TOURS & STAYING IN TOUCH

Land Only Travelers & Personalized Air Quick Definitions

• Land Only: You will be booking your own international flights. Airport transfers are not included.

• Air-Inclusive: You booked international air with us. Airport transfers are included as long as you didn’t customize your trip’s dates (see next bullet).

• Personalized Air: You booked international air with us, and have customized it in some way. If you have customized your trip’s dates to arrive early, stay longer, or stop on your own in a connecting city, airport transfers will NOT be included. You must also arrange your own accommodations for any additional nights. For your convenience, a preliminary list of your included hotels is available on your My Account at www.oattravel.com/myaccount under “My Reservations”.

Airport Transfers Can Be Purchased For eligible flights, airport transfers may be purchased separately as an optional add-on, subject to availability. To be eligible, your flight(s) must meet the following requirements:

• You must fly into or fly home from the same airport as O.A.T. travelers who purchased included airfare.

• Your flight(s) must arrive/depart on the same day that the group arrives or departs.

Airport transfers can be purchased up to 45 days prior to your departure; they are not available for purchase onsite. To learn more, or purchase airport transfers, please call our Traveler Support team at 1-800-221-0814.

If you don’t meet the requirements above, you’ll need to make your own transfer arrangements. We suggest the Rome to Rio website as a handy resource: www.rome2rio.com.

Optional Tours Optional tours are additional add-on tours that allow you to personalize your adventure by tailoring it to your tastes and needs. And if you decide not to join an optional tour? Then you’ll have free time to relax or explore on your own—it’s about options, not obligations.

What You Need to Know • All optional tours are subject to change and availability.

65 • Optional tours that are reserved with your Trip Experience Leader can be paid for using credit/debit cards only. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and Discover credit cards; we can also take MasterCard or Visa debit cards as long as the card allows you to sign for purchases. (You won’t be able to enter a PIN.)

• To ensure that you are charged in U.S. dollars, your payment will be processed by our U.S. headquarters in Boston. This process can take up to three months, so we ask that you only use a card that will still be valid three months after your trip is over. The charge may appear on your credit card statement as being from Boston, MA or may be labeled as “OPT Boston”.

• Your Trip Experience Leader will give you details on the optional tours while you’re on the trip. But if you’d like to look over descriptions of them earlier, you can do so at any time by referring to your Day-to-Day Itinerary (available online by signing into My Account at www.oattravel.com/myaccount).

Optional Tours: Reserve Before You Go We strongly recommend that you reserve the following optional tours in advance. Unless otherwise noted, the deadline to do so is 45 days prior to your departure. Occasionally, space will be available for booking onsite, but this not guaranteed. Optional tours with O.A.T. can only be purchased with a credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or a debit card with credit card functionality. Because our headquarters are in Boston, charges may appear to be from Boston or might be labeled as “OPT Boston” (depending on your credit card company).

Chobe National Park

On this full-day tour, enjoy a game-viewing drive (about three hours) in Botswana’a second largest (and first created) national park before stopping for lunch at Marina Lodge. Then enjoy another game-viewing drive en route to Chobe River. Here, you’ll embark on a wildlife cruise (about three hours). You’ll depart on your return transfer to Victoria Falls in the late afternoon, returning in time for dinner.

Please note: Individuals under the age of 18 must present a birth certificate in addition to a valid passport in order to enter or exit Botswana. This optional tour may be purchased up until 45 days prior to departure, or on-site subject to availability.

This optional tour is offered during the Victoria Falls: Zimbabwe’s Natural Wonder trip extension. The cost is $210 per person.

66 Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Drive

Take a second look at the wildlife of the oldest game reserve in all of Africa. The park is home to many of Africa’s iconic species, including the “Big Five,” and is one of the finest places in the world to observe the White Rhino in its natural habitat. In fact, the reserve played an instrumental role in bringing the species back from extinction—with fewer than 20 alive in the world in 1900, the game reserve’s conservation efforts have resulted in a tremendous rebound, with more than 1,600 of the proud species alive in Hluhluwe- Umfolozi alone. You’ll tour the grounds in search of new wildlife aboard a 4x4 game- viewing vehicle before returning to your lodge via motorcoach later in the day.

This optional tour is offered during the main trip. The cost is $35 per person.

Please note: It is recommended that you reserve this optional tour at least 30 days prior to departure.

Stellenbosch Winelands Tour

Join us on a full-day optional tour to the heart of South Africa’s beautiful wine country to explore the historic area around the town of Stellenbosch. We’ll visit various wine estates, tasting and sampling their delicious offerings. The scenery includes rolling hills, graceful farms, and dramatic mountain vistas. This area is also the heart of Cape Dutch culture, and you will see fine examples of traditional architecture while learning about the history of early settlement here.

This optional tour is offered during the main trip. The cost is $90 per person.

Please note: This optional tour must be pre-booked at least 45 days prior to departure to guarantee space. On-site reservations are subject to limited availability.

Communicating with Home from Abroad One of the advantages of an African adventure is the chance to “unplug” and unwind—but the trade-off is that you won’t have the same access to the Internet, email, or phone service that you would back at home.

Cell phone or Internet service will be available in some places, but not all. Even basic telephone and email service is not always available in the bush (Kruger National Park, Entabeni Conservancy). You won’t be completely out of touch—even remote lodges have satellite radio service. However, the satellite radio service is usually for emergencies only. Outside of the bush, you’ll be able to send emails and make phone calls as usual.

67 Cell Phones If you want to use your cell phone on the trip, check with your phone provider to see if your phone and service will work outside of the U.S. It may turn out to be cheaper to rent an international phone or buy a SIM card onsite. If you want to use a local SIM, just make certain your phone is “unlocked”, meaning it can accept a local SIM card. If your cell is “unlocked” then you will be able to purchase a local SIM for it and then buy minutes with “Pay as You Go” cards, so that you have a local contact number for your friends and family.

Please understand that throughout Africa, good cell phone service is only available in large towns or cities.

Calling Apps Another option is to use a smartphone app like Skype or FaceTime. These services are usually less expensive than making a traditional call, but you’ll need a Wi-Fi connection and the calls may count towards your phone plan’s data allowance. Many smartphones—and some tablets or laptops—come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download them for free from the appropriate apps store.

Calling Cards & 1-800 Numbers When calling the U.S. from a foreign country, a prepaid calling card can be useful because it circumvents unexpected charges from the hotel. Calling cards purchased locally are typically the best (less expensive, more likely to work with the local phones, etc.). One reminder: Do not call U.S. 1-800 numbers outside the continental United States. This can result in costly long distance fees, since 1-800 numbers do not work outside the country.

Internet Internet access on this adventure will be mostly limited to cities and towns. In many cases, it will not be wireless Internet service, but rather public computers in the hotel lobby or business center. Expect the connection to be slow, especially when multiple people are using it at the same time. The hotels and lodges that do offer wireless Internet service will usually charge for the service.

Receiving Calls from Home To ensure you are available during your trip to friends and relatives at home, you will receive two copies of your hotel list, including phone numbers, with your Final Documents. One copy is for you to bring, and one is to leave behind with friends or relatives in case they need to contact you during the trip.

It is worth noting that most of the time the phone number for a bush or safari lodge is for a central office in a nearby city; they take a message and then relay it to you by the satellite radio service. Please explain to your friends and family that there might be a delay in reaching you in some locations (Kruger National Park, Entabeni Conservancy). But most hotels will operate as normal.

68 How to Call Overseas When calling overseas from the U.S., dial 011 for international exchange, then the country code (indicated by a plus sign: +), and then the number. Note that foreign phone numbers may not have the same number of digits as U.S. numbers; even within a country the number of digits can vary depending on the city and if the phone is a land line or cell phone.

South Africa: +27 Madagascar: +261

Eswatini: +268 Zanzibar (Tanzania): +255

Zimbabwe: +263

69 PACKING: WHAT TO BRING & LUGGAGE LIMITS

Luggage Limits

MAIN TRIP LIMITS

Pieces per person One checked bag and one carry-on per person.

Weight restrictions Up to 44 lbs for checked luggage and 15 lbs for carry-ons.

Size Restrictions Standard airline size: Checked luggage should not exceed 62 linear inches (length+width+depth) and carry-on should not exceed 45 linear inches.

Luggage Type A sturdy, fabric-sided suitcase with built-in wheels and lockable zippers is recommended.

TRIP EXTENSION(S) LIMITS

The extensions have the same luggage restrictions as the main trip.

REMARKS/SUGGESTIONS

Luggage rules: Luggage rules and limits are set by governmental and airline policy. Enforcement of the rules may include spot checks or may be inconsistent. However one thing is the same across the board: If you are found to have oversized or overweight luggage, you will be subject to additional fees, to be assessed by—and paid to—the airline in question.

Don’t Forget: • These luggage limits may change. If the airline(s) notify us of any changes, we will include an update in your Final Documents booklet.

• It’s a good idea to reconfirm baggage restrictions and fees directly with the airline a week or so prior to departure. For your convenience, we maintain a list of the toll-free numbers for the most common airlines on our website in the FAQ section.

• Baggage fees are not included in your trip price; they are payable directly to the airlines.

• The luggage limits above are based on your regional flights, which may be less than your international flights. Even if your international airline offers a larger weight limit, you will need to pack according to the lower restrictions.

70 Your Luggage • Checked Bag: We recommend that you bring a sturdy, soft-sided suitcase with wheels.

• TIP: When traveling with a companion we recommend “cross-packing,” i.e., pack 2 outfits of your clothing in your companion’s luggage and vice-versa, in case one bag is delayed.

• Carry-on Bag: You are allowed one carry-on bag per person. We suggest a tote or small backpack that can be used as both a carry-on bag for your flight and to carry your daily necessities—water bottle, camera, etc—during game drives.

• Luggage Handling on Arrival: Airport porters are not allowed in the customs hall area. When you land, you must take your luggage off the baggage carousel and then clear customs. When you exit the airport building, your driver will load your luggage into the coach.

• Locks: For flights that originate in the U.S., you can either use a TSA-approved lock or leave your luggage unlocked. Outside of the U.S. we strongly recommend locking your luggage as a theft-prevention measure.

Clothing Suggestions: Functional Tips • Travel light: A good rule of thumb is to gather together everything you want to bring; then take half of that. To have a varied travel wardrobe, yet keep your luggage light, we recommend you select a color scheme and pack color-coordinated clothing items that can be mixed to create different outfits.

• Consider clothing designed for travel, sports, or camping: With modern fabrics, lightweight packing for comfort and protection through a wide range of weather is easy.

• Pack casual clothes: The presiding clothing style of this trip is casual. Men do not need jackets or ties and women do not need nice dresses—bring these only if you are planning a special night out on your own.

• Good walking shoes are essential: Supportive sneakers are ideal for daytime touring. If you prefer more ankle support, take light hiking boots. Bring a few pairs of socks, including a warm pair. A pair of cushioned sandals is handy for town visits, and rubber thongs are very useful for poolside use and bathroom floors, which can be slippery.

• Light rain gear: Africa’s rainfall inland is notoriously unreliable and much of it is very sporadic in both time and place. A waterproof jacket and rain hat will prepare you for whatever the day brings. If you are traveling during the rainy season, you may want to include a foldable umbrella.

• Cold-weather layers (for June, July, and August): For the high altitudes, where evenings and early mornings are often very chilly, we recommend you take a fleece top, warm pants and socks, and, if you want to be really warm, gloves and hat. For early morning game drives (April through to September) it is very chilly. We suggest a warm jacket that will also keep

71 out the wind. Windy “in-between” weather occurs, too, which calls for a light windproof, breathable shell. Your rain jacket can double as a windbreaker. Make sure it’s roomy enough to comfortably fit over your fleece jacket.

• Dress etiquette in local communities: Summery attire is appropriate, but please do not offend local customs by wearing skimpy shorts. Knee-length shorts, pants, and casual shirts are in order.

• Victoria Falls (optional extension): For exploring Victoria Falls, bring a bathing suit, shorts, and rubber-soled shoes. At certain times of the year, the mist at Victoria Falls is very heavy and you will get wet!

Fashion Dos and Don’ts • Do wear muted earth tones (beige, khaki, etc.) because they don’t show dirt easily, coordinate well, and don’t distract animals.

• Don’t wear white or very brightly colored clothing. These colors have traditionally been used to keep animals away, and even color-blind animals can spot dark and light shades like black and white, which is why white is a danger signal for some species.

• Do wear clothes that are functional and casual. There’s no need for formal or dressy clothing, although travelers may want one nicer outfit for a dinner out in Cape Town.

• Don’t wear camouflage or military-type clothing in Zimbabwe—it is illegal.

Suggested Packing Lists We have included suggestions from Trip Experience Leaders and former travelers to help you pack. These lists are only jumping-off points—they offer recommendations based on experience, but not requirements. You may also want to consult the “Climate” chapter of this handbook.

And don’t forget a reusable water bottle—you’ll need it to take advantage of any refills we offer as we are working to eliminate single-use plastic bottles on all of our trips.

What not to pack: Do not pack aerosol cans, as they tend to leak during air travel. Leave behind any credit cards that are not essential for your trip, valuable jewelry, and anything that you would hate to lose.

Recommended Items ‰Daily essentials: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, hairbrush or comb, shaving items, deodorant, etc.

‰Spare eyeglasses/contact lenses and your prescription ‰Sunglasses with a neck strap ‰Sunscreen, SPF 15 or stronger

72 ‰Insect repellent ‰Compact binoculars (one pair each — 8 x 21 or 6 x 16 work well) ‰Moisturizer, lip balm ‰Swimsuit ‰Compact umbrella ‰Wide-brim sun hat with chin strap ‰Pocket-size tissues ‰Moist towelettes and/or anti-bacterial “water-free” hand cleanser ‰Photocopies of passport, air ticket, credit cards, prescriptions for your medicines ‰Electrical transformer & plug adapters ‰Big Five Bush Safari extension only: Flashlight and eye drops, for the dust on safari ‰Victoria Falls extension only: U.S. souvenirs or gently used clothing to trade with vendors

Clothing ‰Shirts: A mixture of short and long-sleeved shirts to layer ‰Trousers, jeans, or skirts ‰Comfortable walking shoes and/or water resistant shoes ‰Light rain jacket/windbreaker with hood ‰Sleepwear ‰Socks and undergarments ‰A warm layer, such as a sweater, fleece pullover, or jacket

Medicines ‰Your own prescription medicines ‰Vitamins ‰Cold remedies: Sudafed, Dristan, etc.

73 ‰Pain relief: Ibuprofen/naproxen/aspirin ‰Laxatives: Senokot/Ex-Lax ‰Stomach upset: Pepto-Bismol/Mylanta ‰Allergy medicine for dusty conditions ‰Anti-diarrheal (Imodium) ‰Band-Aids, Moleskin foot pads ‰Antibiotics: Neosporin/Bacitracin ‰Optional: Motion sickness medicine ‰Optional: Anti-malarial medication (ask your doctor) ‰Optional: Prescription anti-diarrheal

Optional Gear ‰Travel alarm ‰Reading materials ‰Travel journal/note pad ‰Phrase book ‰Home address book ‰Hand-wash laundry soap (Woolite) clothespins/travel clothesline/stopper ‰Photos, small gift for home-hosted visit ‰Collapsible walking staff ‰Pocket calculator for exchange rate ‰Travel money bag or money belt, to be worn under your shirt/jacket if possible ‰Washcloth

74 Electricity Abroad When traveling overseas, the voltage is usually different and the plugs might not be the same shape.

Voltage Electricity in South Africa, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), and Zimbabwe is 220-240 volts. In the U.S. it is 110 volts. Most of the things a traveler will want to plug in—battery chargers, MP3 players, tablets or computers—can run off both 110 and 220-240. But you should check the item or the owner’s guide first to confirm this before you plug it in. If you have something that needs 110 volts—like a shaver or a hairdryer—you can bring a transformer to change the current. (But transformers tend to burn out, so it might be better to leave whatever it is at home.)

Plugs The shape of plugs will vary from country to country, and sometimes even within a country depending on when that building was built. To plug something from the U.S. into a local socket you’ll need an adapter that fits between the plug and the socket. Because there are many different types of plugs in this region, it may be easier to purchase an all-in-one, universal adapter/ converter combo. Versatile and lightweight, these can usually be found at your local electronics goods or hardware stores. Sometimes you can buy them at large retailers too, like Target or Walmart. If you forget to bring an adapter, you might also find them for sale at the airport when you arrive at your destination.

Different plug shapes are named by letters of the alphabet. Standard U.S. plugs are Type A and Type B. Here is the list of plugs for the countries on this trip:

South Africa: M. It can be difficult to find a Type M adapter in the U.S.; you can find them at large local airports like the Johannesburg and Cape Town airports.

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland): M

Zimbabwe: M or G

Madagascar: C or E

75 Zanzibar: C or G

Type M Type G Type C Type E

Availability Except for the occasional power outage, electricity will be readily available on the trip. However, in order to be prepared for power outages, travelers who rely on a CPAP machine must bring one that runs on rechargeable batteries.

76 CLIMATE & AVERAGE TEMPERATURES

Kruger National Park, South Africa: The average daily high temperature in January (summer) is 86ºF, but it can get as hot as 117ºF on occasion. Nightly lows in January range from 45-64ºF. In the winter month of July, the average daily high is 73ºF and lows can drop below freezing.

Cape Town, South Africa: Located where mountains slope down to coastal lowlands, Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate of mild, rainy winters and sunny summers.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls is humid and hot most of the year, with temperatures often in the 90s.

Johannesburg, South Africa: Johannesburg lies in the High Veld, an area of plains at elevations from 4,000 to 6,000 feet. Summers are warm, though rarely uncomfortably hot; this is the time of year when the most rain falls. Nights are cool in winter, but daytime temperatures are mild and dry weather predominates. A high percentage of sunshine and low humidity year-round make for a pleasant climate.

Hluhluwe and Eswatini: The climate is more tropical, with humid, warm summers. Some rain falls year-round, though it’s heaviest in the South African summer (December-March).

Madagascar: Sitting between Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, Madagascar experiences extreme weather conditional throughout the year. During the country’s hot and rainy seasons, typically between November and April, trade winds blow in from the southeast and monsoons from the northwest, producing destructive cyclones. May to October, the cooler, dry season, is calmer. The frequent rains support the rainforest on the island’s eastern coast, with the center being drier and the southern tip semi-acrid.

Zanzibar, Tanzania: Although part of Tanzania, Zanzibar’s seasons are a bit different since it is an island. The first wet or rainy season is usually April to June, while the second rainy season is in November. (But even during the rainy seasons, there can be long bursts of sun, and even during the sunny times of the year, there can be occasional rain.) The hottest time of year is from January through March.

Southern Hemisphere: As you will be traveling in the Southern Hemisphere for this adventure, the seasons will be reversed from those north of the Equator. (For example, January is a summer month.)

Climate Averages & Online Forecast The following charts reflect the average climate as opposed to exact weather conditions. This means they serve only as general indicators of what can reasonably be expected. An extreme heat wave or cold snap could fall outside these ranges. As your departure approaches, we encourage you to go online to www.oattravel.com/myaccount for your 10-day forecast.

77 Average Daily High/Low Temperatures (°F), Humidity & Monthly Rainfall

MONTH JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH

Temp. High-Low % Relative Average # of Days Temp. High-Low % Relative Monthly Rainfall Humidity (am-pm) with Rainfall Humidity (am-pm) (inches) JAN 77 to 60 85 to 52 15 82 to 64 -- 5.0 FEB 75 to 59 88 to 54 13 82 to 64 -- 4.7 MAR 74 to 58 85 to 53 12 80 to 62 -- 3.7 APR 69 to 53 80 to 47 8 78 to 57 -- 2.1 MAY 66 to 48 70 to 38 3 77 to 48 -- 0.7 JUN 60 to 42 70 to 38 2 73 to 42 -- 0.4 JUL 61 to 42 68 to 34 2 73 to 42 -- 0.4 AUG 65 to 46 66 to 32 2 75 to 46 -- 0.4 SEP 71 to 51 68 to 34 4 78 to 51 -- 1.2 OCT 73 to 54 77 to 42 12 78 to 57 -- 2.5 NOV 74 to 56 82 to 49 15 80 to 60 -- 4.4 DEC 76 to 59 84 to 51 17 82 to 62 -- 5.4

MONTH MBABANE, ESWATINI HLUHLUWE, SOUTH AFRICA

Temp. High-Low % Relative Monthly Rainfall Temp. High-Low % Relative Average # of Days Humidity (n/a) (inches) Humidity (am-pm) with Rainfall JAN 79 to 62 -- 8.3 81 to 69 -- 11 FEB 80 to 64 -- 9.9 82 to 70 -- 10 MAR 80 to 64 -- 8.2 82 to 69 -- 9 APR 79 to 63 -- 6.7 78 to 65 -- 7 MAY 75 to 59 -- 3.1 75 to 62 -- 6 JUN 73 to 54 -- 1.4 71 to 57 -- 4 JUL 70 to 50 -- 0.7 71 to 57 -- 4 AUG 70 to 50 -- 0.9 72 to 59 -- 5 SEP 72 to 52 -- 1.2 73 to 61 -- 7 OCT 73 to 55 -- 2.5 74 to 63 -- 10 NOV 74 to 57 -- 5.0 76 to 65 -- 11 DEC 76 to 60 -- 7.0 80 to 68 -- 9

78 MONTH PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Temp. High-Low % Relative Monthly Rainfall Temp. High-Low % Relative Average # of Days Humidity (am-pm) (inches) Humidity (avg) with Rainfall JAN 76 to 66 87 to 70 1.3 77 to 63 83 to 60 7 FEB 76 to 67 88 to 73 1.4 78 to 63 86 to 60 6 MAR 75 to 64 88 to 74 2.0 76 to 60 88 to 63 7 APR 73 to 60 87 to 75 1.9 72 to 56 90 to 67 10 MAY 70 to 55 85 to 71 2.4 67 to 52 90 to 69 13 JUN 68 to 51 82 to 69 2.0 64 to 48 88 to 70 16 JUL 66 to 50 82 to 69 2.0 62 to 47 89 to 70 16 AUG 66 to 52 84 to 71 2.2 63 to 48 89 to 67 16 SEP 66 to 55 86 to 72 2.4 65 to 51 88 to 65 14 OCT 68 to 57 87 to 73 2.3 69 to 54 85 to 63 11 NOV 71 to 60 87 to 72 2.2 72 to 58 84 to 61 9 DEC 74 to 64 87 to 71 1.6 75 to 61 85 to 60 8

MONTH ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

Temp. High-Low % Relative Monthly Rainfall Temp. High-Low % Relative Monthly Rainfall Humidity (avg) (inches) Humidity (avg) (inches) JAN 81 to 63 81 6.8 86 to 65 73 6.6 FEB 81 to 63 82 6.0 85 to 64 77 5.0 MAR 81 to 62 81 3.4 86 to 63 69 2.8 APR 79 to 60 79 0.8 85 to 57 60 1.0 MAY 76 to 55 79 0.1 81 to 49 53 0.1 JUN 72 to 51 79 -- 77 to 43 52 -- JUL 70 to 49 78 -- 77 to 42 44 -- AUG 72 to 50 76 -- 82 to 47 37 -- SEP 76 to 52 71 -- 89 to 55 33 0.1 OCT 81 to 56 70 0.6 92 to 63 35 1.1 NOV 82 to 59 73 2.2 90 to 65 57 2.5 DEC 82 to 62 79 5.6 86 to 65 71 6.8

79 MONTH ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA

Temp. High-Low % Relative Monthly Rainfall Humidity (avg) (inches) JAN 90 to 76 74 2.3 FEB 91 to 76 74 2.6 MAR 91 to 77 79 5.8 APR 86 to 77 84 12.6 MAY 84 to 75 84 11.4 JUN 83 to 74 79 2.1 JUL 82 to 72 78 1.1 AUG 83 to 72 77 1.2 SEP 84 to 72 76 1.6 OCT 86 to 73 76 2.6 NOV 89 to 75 78 6.7 DEC 89 to 76 78 5.5

80 ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS: CULTURE, ETIQUETTE & MORE

O.A.T. Trip Experience Leaders: A World of Difference During your adventure you’ll be accompanied by one of our local, expert Trip Experience Leaders. All are fluent in English and possess the skills, certification, and experience necessary to ensure an enriching adventure. As locals of the regions you’ll explore with them, our Trip Experience Leaders provide the kind of firsthand knowledge and insight that make local history, culture, and wildlife come alive. Coupled with their unbridled enthusiasm, caring personalities, and ability to bring diverse groups of travelers together, our Trip Experience Leaders ensure that your experience with O.A.T. is one you’ll remember for a lifetime.

South African Culture South Africa is a veritable tapestry of heritage and historical influences, encompassing a multitude of cultures woven together throughout history, from the first known peoples called the San—sometimes referred to as “Bushmen”—to Bantu, Xhosa, and Zulu tribes and European colonists. But with the arrival of the European colonists came Apartheid, a legal and political system based in segregation and racial discrimination that has continued to color South African history and culture since its inception.

Although Apartheid policies were officially disbanded with the election of anti-Apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, the country’s first black president, in 1994, the social and economic effects of Apartheid continue to have a lasting impact on non-white communities. Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu labeled post-Apartheid South Africa as “the Rainbow Nation” to celebrate its multi-culturalism and diverse ethnicities, and you’ll see myriad customs and cultural traditions during your time here.

But you’ll see some commonalities between them as well, such as a shared love of music and dance, which serve not only as recreation, but as a form of cultural expression and storytelling. Music and dancing have served as an important means of cultural fusion, even under Apartheid, such as when performers like Johnny Clegg, a white South African, formed two mixed-race bands and learned traditional Zulu music.

Another cornerstone of South African culture is a show of respect for others, from giving someone their full attention during a friendly conversation, to maintaining strong eye contact. This respect is also evident from the generosity and hospitality they show visitors. For example, many South African people will offer refreshments upon arrival to their home, and it can be interpreted as rude to decline in some communities. While it is seen as respectful to offer compliments, be careful not to be overly complimentary of any particular objects, lest your hosts feel pressured to offer it to you as a gift.

Laundry Service Laundry services are available for a fee at most of your hotels.

81 Eswatini or Swaziland? As you may have seen online, Swaziland recently got a brand-new name—the Kingdom of Eswatini (sometimes spelled with a lowercase “e” as eSwatini). This was done by order of King Mswati III to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence by re-naming it the local language, although the king has jokingly said the move was to avoid confusion with Switzerland in Europe. Because the change is a recent one, and because many visitors will be more familiar with the old name, you may still see “Swaziland” on various signs, documents (including ours), online, etc. for a few more years until the new name gains prominence.

The Cuisine of Southern Africa Most travelers are surprised and delighted by the variety and quality of the food they enjoy on safari. The chefs at our lodges are skilled and resourceful, and because much of their clientele is international, they can create delicious dishes from many worldwide cuisines, even while using the freshest local ingredients. As for the local specialties, here are a few to try:

South African Cuisine In South Africa, the cuisine bears the culinary influences of the many ethnic groups who have settled here. The , bobotjie, is Indonesian in origin. It’s a casserole made from beef or lamb seasoned with curry; layered with dried fruits and chutney; topped with egg custard and bay leaves; and baked till brown and bubbly.

If you’re invited to a South African braai (barbecue), chances are you’ll be served boerewors, a savory grilled sausage. Try one with a roosterkoek, a bread roll baked over the coals. Chakalaka is a spicy, cold vegetable relish made with tomatoes, onions, peppers, carrots, and beans. It was invented in Johannesburg, but is now a staple at all South African braai. Try also biltong, air-dried strips of beef or other meat that have been cured in salt and marinated in vinegar. The resulting jerky is high in protein and a great portable snack during those long game drives. For dessert, enjoy melktart, a pastry crust filled with creamy custard and dusted with cinnamon.

Zimbabwean Cuisine Zimbabweans like their sadze, a starchy (similar to grits or polenta), with a tasty pumpkin leaf relish cooked with peanut butter. They also love meat and many local menus feature exotic game like warthogs, kudu, ostrich, and crocodile. Feeling more adventurous? Try mopane worms, which are not really worms but the large, edible caterpillar of the emperor moth. Usually served fried, these crispy snacks are high in protein. Perhaps you have just decided (in this very instant) to go vegetarian. Then try dovi, an aromatic stew made with peppers, onions, carrots, and garlic simmered in a peanut butter sauce. If you have a sweet tooth there’s mapopo, a papaya candy.

Malagasy Cuisine As a island nation populated by immigrants, Malagasy cuisine has been influenced by the Southeast Asia, Africa, India, Chinese, and Europe, countries that helped shape Madagascar to the country it is today. The seafarers from Borneo arrived first, followed by the Arab and Indian

82 traders who brought new fruits, vegetables, and seasonings with them. More people migrated over from Africa and Asia, mixing in their unique cuisines until the Europeans arrived. Today, rice and tubers are considered cornerstones of Malagasy diet, with the many meals served with a sauce made of onions, tomatoes, garlic, and ginger. Dishes to try include:

• Romazava: The national dish of Madagascar, romazava is a traditional zebu meat stew with leafy greens, tomatoes, and onions, served with rice.

• Lasary: A vegetable dish of carrots, green beans, cabbage, and onions, seasoned with vinaigrette. Can be used as a dish by itself or eaten as a sandwich.

• Foza sy hena-hisoa: A seafood platter consisting of stir-fried pork, crab, and lobster, seasoned with ginger and lime and served with rice

• Mofo gasy: A popular breakfast bread of a deep-fried dough made of flour, water, yeast, sugar and cream of rice. The small pancake can be topped with maple syrup, juice or fruits.

• Koba: A traditional dessert made of mashed bananas, vanilla beans, ground peanuts, cornflour, and honey. The mixture is wrapped in banana leaves and boiled or steamed

• Mofo-anana: The dish consists of greens mixed into the bread and deep-fried as , served with a chili, garlic and ginger sauce.

• Sambusa: Similar to Indian , sambusa are triangle-shaped fried pouches stuffed with ground beef and potatoes.

• Ranovola: A popular drink in Madagascar, ranovola is made by adding a cup of cooked rice to a pot and cooking it until it’s slightly toasted. Then you add water, steep the mixture, cool it, and strain it.

Zanzibari Cuisine Tanzanian cuisine is unique and widely varied. Along the coast, you’ll find a decided Indian influence with spices and a wide use of coconut milk. Dishes to try are sambusa (samosa; large fried dumplings filled with spiced potatoes or meat), pilau (wild rice), kebabs, or samaki (fish cooked in coconut milk). If you have a sweet tooth be on the lookout for kashata, a sort of peanut brittle in coconut milk with cardamom.

As you move away from the coast, you will find a wider variety of fruits and vegetables, including ndizi (plantains), bamia (okra), mchicha (spinach), njegere (peas), maharage (beans), and kisamvu (cassava leaves). These are often be served as part of a platter with a grilled meat: kuku choma (chicken), nyama choma (beef), or kiti moto (pork). The more adventurous may want to try kisusio soup, made from boiled bones, scraps of meat, and blood.

Aside from meals, Tanzania also has some tasty and varied snacks, great with a hot beverage like chai tea or kahawa (coffee). Look for bread-like rolls called , vitumbua rice cakes, or flatbreads known as chapati. More unusual offerings include firigisi (grilled gizzards), tende (dates), daga (a tiny fried fish), or even grilled grasshoppers (senene)! There also various beers produced in Tanzania—Kilimanjaro, Safari, and Serengeti are the best-known brands.

83 Language Barrier You can have some great “conversations” with local people who do not speak English, even if you don’t speak a word of the local language. Indeed, this non-verbal communication can be a highly rewarding part of travel. To break the ice, bring along some family photographs, or a few postcards of your hometown. If you want to meet kids, bring a puppet or other interactive toy. Your Trip Experience Leader can help get the ball rolling.

Your attire is a key part of your non-verbal presentation. Your clothing should show a respect for local tradition. In small towns or near villages, you should dress in a relatively modest style—avoid revealing or tight-fitting outfits. The application of this guideline varies. You will see people in cities and large towns dressed in a modern style. And, of course, many foreign tourists are not sensitive to this at all. But you should dress modestly if you want to earn the respect of the local people.

Taking Photographs The etiquette of photographing most people in the countries on your itinerary is about the same as it would be on in your hometown. Some tribal members have particular concerns about photography. They know that professional photographers have profited from selling their images, and they will often ask for money in exchange for you taking their picture. Try to set a clear understanding when photographing tribal people, even from a distance.

In general, you need permission to take a close-up, as you would at home, but not for a crowd scene. Be especially polite if you want to photograph an older person. If you want to shoot a great portrait, show interest in your subject and try to have a bit of interaction first. Then use sign language to inquire if a picture is OK. Your Trip Experience Leader can help.

Responsible Safari Travel We do our best to have a minimum negative impact on local cultures and the natural environment in every country we operate trips. Here’s how you can assist in this effort.

Respecting Wildlife • Observe the animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities. Loud talking on a game drive can frighten the animals away.

• Never attempt to attract an animal’s attention. Don’t imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, pound on the vehicle, or throw objects. Failure to obey this rule could result in your removal from a National Park by one of the Park Rangers on patrol.

• Please respect your driver-guides’ judgment about your proximity to wildlife. Don’t insist that he or she take the vehicle closer so you can get a better photograph. A vehicle driven too close can hinder a hunt or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.

• Litter tossed on the ground can choke or poison animals and birds.

84 • Never attempt to feed or approach any wild animal on foot. This is especially important near lodges or in campsites where animals may have become accustomed to human visitors. Failure to adhere to this could cause you to be bitten and need immediate rabies shots, which are unpleasant and costly.

• is not allowed on game drives. The dry African bush ignites very easily, and a flash fire can harm hundreds of animals.

Conserving the Natural Environment • Minimize the disposable items you bring on the trip and dispose of your trash properly.

• Ask whether plastic drinking water bottles can be recycled. Most days, it’s better to keep your empty bottles with you until you reach your hotel.

• Stay on established trails to avoid damaging plants.

• Don’t pick any vegetation, or remove any item of biological interest.

Shopping: What to Buy, Customs, Shipping & More There may be scheduled visits to local shops during your adventure. There is no requirement to make a purchase during these stops, and any purchase made is a direct transaction with the shop in question, subject to the vendor’s terms of purchase. O.A.T. is not responsible for purchases you make on your trip or for the shipment of your purchases.

Returns If you discover an issue with an item, you should contact the vendor directly and expect that any resolution will take longer than it would in the U.S. We recommend that you keep a copy of all your receipts, invoices, or contracts, along with the shop’s contact information. Keep in mind, local practice may vary from U.S. standards, so don’t assume that you have a certain number of days after the purchase to speak up or that you are guaranteed a refund.

Crafts & Souvenirs

South Africa Traditional items for sale include hand-woven rugs, pottery, beadwork, wood carvings, kangas (a colorful woven garment), meerschaum pipes, fine basketry, and quality coffee and tea. In sophisticated Cape Town, there are fashionable boutiques and big-city shopping malls. South Africa is a major source of the world’s diamonds and other precious stones—either as jewelry or as gems you can have set back at home.

Eswatini The former Swaziland is well known for its Ngwenya glass, candles, sisal baskets, jewelry, woven lutinzi grassware, and colorful fabrics.

85 Zimbabwe Common souvenirs in Zimbabwe are geometric fabrics, Raku-fired ceramics, hand-woven baskets, traditional masks, wood-carved figurines, shona sculptures, and jewelry.

Madagascar While visiting Madagascar, keep an eye out for scarves, shawls, and soft furnishings made from the wild silk of endemic silk worms, weaved baskets or mats, spices, local chocolate, woodcarvings, toys made from recycled cans or plastic bottles, and textiles. Any one of them would be an amazing souvenir to return home with or gift to someone who couldn’t visit Madagascar with you.

Zanzibar Given the archipelago’s reputation as spice islands, it is no surprise that spices are a good bargain here, especially warm spices like cloves, cinnamon, pepper, and tumeric. However saffron does not grow on the island, so be wary of anyone trying trying to sell it to you. Woodworking items like small boxes, crates, or chests are popular and evoke the carved doors of Stone Town. Other handicrafts include items made out of ukili (palm tree leaves), woven kikoi fabrics, or brightly- colored folk art paintings called tingatinga.

Bargaining Some shops have fixed prices. In the open-air markets prices are usually flexible and negotiating is normal. The only rule is that if you make an offer, you should be prepared to buy at that price. Bring a mix of small bills so that you can pay in exact change. For bargaining in East Africa, our Trip Experience Leaders suggest that you ask how much the item is, and start your bidding at a quarter of that price, working your way up to half the asking price. This is a good rule of thumb for getting the “right” price.

U.S. Customs Regulations & Shipping Charges For all things related to U.S. Customs, the ultimate authority is the U.S. Bureau of Customs & Border Protection. Their website, www.cbp.gov has the answers to the most frequently asked questions. Or you can call them at 1-877-227-5511.

The top three points to know are:

• At time of writing, your personal duty-free allowance is $800 for items brought with you. Items totaling more than $800 are subject to duty fees.

• Items shipped home are always subject to duty when received in the U.S. Even when the shop has offered to include shipping and duties in the price, this typically means shipping to the nearest customs facility and payment of the export duties—not door-to-door shipping or payment of the import duties. All additional duties or shipping charges would be your

86 responsibility. Unless an item is small enough to send by parcel service (like FedEx), chances are you will need to arrange shipping or pick-up once the item is in the U.S. and will need to pay customs duties.

• It is illegal to import products made from endangered animal species. U.S. Customs & Border Protection will seize these items, as well as most furs, coral, tortoise shell, reptile skins, feathers, plants, and items made from animal skins.

When buying gemstones—such as Tanzanite set in jewelry—make sure to ask if it comes with a certificate before purchasing, as often transactions that have been completed cannot be reversed due to the TRA (Tanzania Revenue Authority) receipting system.

87 DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORY

South Africa

Facts, Figures & National Holidays • Area: 470,693 square miles

• Capital: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)

• Languages: There are eleven official languages; English, Afrikaans, IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, Sepedi, Setswana, Sesotho, and Xitsonga and others are all spoken.

• Ethnicity: Black African 80.2%, white 8.4%, biracial 8.8%, Indian/Asian 2.5%

• Location: South Africa is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, the Indian Ocean, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the west.

• Geography: Africa’s southernmost country, South Africa has three major natural regions: the plateau, the mountains, and the coastal belt.

• Population: 53,675,563

• Religions: Protestant 36.6% (Zionist Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%), Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 1.5%, other Christian 36%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1%

• Time Zone: South Africa is on South Africa Standard Time (SAST), seven hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in Washington D.C., it is 1pm in South Africa.

88 National Holidays: South Africa

In addition to the holidays listed below, 05/01 Workers’ Day South Africa celebrates a number of national 06/16 Youth Day holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such as Easter and Family Day. To find out if you 08/09 National Women’s Day will be traveling during these holidays, please visit www.timeanddate.com/holidays. 09/24 Heritage Day

01/01 New Year’s Day 12/16 Day of Reconciliation

03/21 Human Rights Day 12/25 Christmas Day

04/27 Freedom Day 12/26 Day of Goodwill

South Africa: A Brief History The San, nomadic hunter-gatherers, were the earliest people to inhabit southern Africa. DNA evidence suggests that the San—sometimes referred to as “Bushmen”—lived here as long ago as 100,000 B.C, very likely making them the oldest people in the world. If so, then we can all trace our genes to them. In the fourth or fifth century B.C., the first Bantus arrived, bringing the first tribal structure to the region and taking over most of the arable land.

In the late 15th century, the Europeans arrived, first from Portugal, then from Holland. The latter settled here and took slaves from Madagascar, India, and Indonesia. The Dutch were losing their foothold by the late 18th century, leaving them vulnerable to the British, who set up a base in Cape Town as a pit stop en route to India and Australia. The British continued what the Dutch had started: They fought the native Xhosa people, pushing eastward to expand their reach and erecting fortresses along the Fish River.

The remaining Dutch Boer farmers escaped British control when they set off to establish their own colony in the north and the east of South Africa. But en route, they came across many deserted or decimated villages. Villagers they met were dazed and confused. The Boers would meet the culprits of this ransacking when they came upon the Zulu, who were running their campaign of terror to overtake land from surrounding tribes. With fierce struggle, the Boers faced them down and formed their own settlements, only to be confronted themselves by the British, who were bent on land acquisition. Then, a sea of diamonds appeared in the earth in nearby Kimberley, giving the Boers a bit more incentive to stay—and to fight the British with everything they had.

They resisted the British push with guerilla tactics in the First Boer War. But the British returned with greater force to defeat them in the Second Boer War at the turn of the 20th century. The formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910 by the British and the Dutch-Afrikaaners set the stage for apartheid with its race-based policies, restrictions, and repression. Blacks were segregated to live in squalid backwaters known as “homelands.”

89 The white, ruling Afrikaaners paid plenty of lip service to the supposed self-sufficiency of these regions, but provided no means or opportunities for improvements. In the 1960s, black people began to protest with strikes and marches. It wasn’t long before things turned violent: 69 were killed in Sharpeville and members of the African National Congress (ANC) were jailed, Nelson Mandela among them.

Opposition against apartheid grew worldwide, and with the economic impacts of sanctions and divestments, the National Party’s FW de Klerk lifted the ban on the ANC and, 27 years after his imprisonment, released Nelson Mandela. In 1994, he won the country’s first multi-racial election by a landslide and became president.

Some of the disparities of apartheid remain, but South Africa is far more optimistic than it once was. Four subsequent presidents have been elected into office since Mandela’s retirement in 1999, with Cyril Ramaphosa serving as the current President since 2018.

Eswatini

Facts, Figures & National Holidays • Area: 6,643 square miles

• Capital: Mbabane (administrative capital), Lobamba (royal and legislative capital)

• Languages: There are two official languages: English (used for government business) and siSwati.

• Ethnicity: African 97%, European 3%

• Location: Between South Africa and Mozambique.

• Geography: Mountains rise and savannas stretch in the east along the Mozambique border. Tropical rain forests blanket parts of the northwest. About 60% of the country is owned by the Swazi crown, but locals still live on the land, growing crops, raising livestock, and building their homes. Both a north-south and east-west rail line connect the country’s economy to the rest of the world. Much of its exported goods (sugar cane, lumber, pineapple, citrus fruits) are sent by train through Mozambique to its Indian Ocean port of Maputo.

• Population: 1,451,428

• Religions: Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other 30% (includes Anglican, Baha’i, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish)

• Time Zone: Eswatini is on South Africa Standard Time (SAST), seven hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in Washington D.C., it is 1pm locally.

90 National Holidays: Eswatini

In addition to the holidays listed below, 04/25 National Flag Day Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) celebrates a 05/01 May Day number of national holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such as Easter. To find out if 07/22 Birthday of the late King Sobhuza you will be traveling during these holidays, please visit www.timeanddate.com/holidays. 08/31 Umhlanga Reed Dance

01/01 New Year’s Day 09/06 Smhlolo Day (Independence Day)

04/19 King Mswati III Birthday 12/25 Christmas Day

Eswatini: A Brief History Though human remains date back 110,000 years, the Swazi people only arrived here in the 18th century after pressure from other clans forced the Dlamini people from Mozambique. Zulu influence redirected them to the Ezulwini Valley, which remains the center of Swazi royalty and rituals today.

While the Zulus crossed swords with the British and the Boers, other misfits came into what was then called Swaziland undetected by the preoccupied warrior-tribe. Land-hungry farmers, bounty-hungry hunters, and money-hungry traders all put pressure on the land and its people. Soon, random leases were being granted to random Europeans. So the British stepped in and wrested control. In the ensuing Swaziland Convention of 1881, “independence” was just a word thrown on paper. With contracted borders, the country gave in to an official British takeover after the Second Boer War at the turn of the 20th century.

At that time much of the land remained in foreign hands. To get it back, King Labotsibeni encouraged Swazis to buy it back, so many locals relocated to South Africa to work in diamond mines. By 1968, when Britain granted independence after 66 years, more than two-thirds of the land had either been bought back or handed back by the British. Some of the streets of Mbabane still have their colonial-era names in recognition of the people’s gratitude for a peaceful handover.

But the country’s constitution was still British in spirit, so King Sobhuza II suspended it with plans to draft another that was more suited to Swazi culture. In 1977, a new constitution was presented, giving total power to the king. Sobhuza died in 1982 and was replaced in 1986 by King Mswati after a four-year period of regency.

King Mswati forbad opposition parties. In 1995, this led to student uprisings and strikes. Leaders of Mozambique and South Africa stepped in to try to sway Mswati toward democracy, but to no effect. Since then, the king and Swaziland’s pro-democracy groups have engaged in public debate over policy. For instance, the latter refuse to recognize the Public Order Act, which criminalizes the formation of political parties and requires that public meetings be approved by the police. Critics would say that the king has a lot to lose should party politics become the norm in his country, citing the millions he has supposedly spent on new palaces, extravagant automobiles,

91 and even a personal jet. And of course, he would lose the right to re-name the country, which he did as recently as 2018 (when he announced the switch from Swaziland to Eswatini). But despite political controversies such as this, the Swazi people are remarkably laid-back and welcoming.

Zimbabwe

Facts, Figures & National Holidays • Area: 150,872 square miles

• Capital: Harare

• Languages: English is the offical language; Shona and Nguni are also spoken.

• Ethnicity: African 99.4% (predominantly Shona; Ndebele is the second largest ethnic group), other 0.4%, unspecified 0.2%

• Location: Zimbabwe is bordered by Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa, and Botswana.

• Geography: Zimbabwe is twice as large as Great Britain. Its Victoria Falls, approximately one mile long with a maximum drop of 420 feet, is located on the Zambezi River by the Zambia-Zimbabwe border.

• Population: 14,229,541

• Religions: Protestant 75.9% (includes Apostolic 38%, Pentecostal 21.1%, other 16.8%), Roman Catholic 8.4%, other Christian 8.4%, other 1.2% (includes traditional, Muslim), none 6.1%

• Time Zone: Zimbabwe is on Central Africa Time, seven hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in Washington D.C., it is 1pm in Harare.

National Holidays: Zimbabwe

In addition to the holidays listed below, 04/18 Independence Day Zimbabwe celebrates a number of national 05/01 Workers Day holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such as Easter and Heroes’ Day. To find out if you 05/25 Africa Day will be traveling during these holidays, please visit www.timeanddate.com/holidays. 12/22 Unity Day

01/01 New Year’s Day 12/25 Christmas Day

02/21 National Youth Day 12/26 Boxing Day

Zimbabwe: A Brief History The name “Zimbabwe” comes from the capital city of the Monomotapa Empire, whose heyday occurred between the 5th and 15th centuries in this part of Africa. By the late 19th century, the area was occupied by African tribes including the Ndebele and the Shona, led by the powerful

92 chief Lobengula. In 1890, a British column led by Cecil Rhodes marched from South Africa in search of precious minerals. They established Fort Salisbury (now Harare) and disbanded. Through treaties and persuasion, Rhodes and his British South Africa Company acquired mineral rights in Lobengula’s kingdom.

Rhodes claimed the territory north of the Limpopo River for Great Britain and distributed it among his pioneers and the indigenous Africans. The country was known as Rhodesia for many years in his honor. The northern portion is now Zambia, while the former Southern Rhodesia was renamed Zimbabwe in 1980 in honor of its historical and cultural heritage.

The Ndebele took up arms in 1893 and again in 1896. European settlers spread from the area around Fort Salisbury, and by 1897 the railway had reached from South Africa to Bulawayo, the capital of Lobengula’s former kingdom. A few years later the line was extended to reach the coalfields of Hwange, the copper belt in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), and Salisbury, which was already linked by rail to the port of Beira in Portuguese Mozambique.

Southern Rhodesia was granted independence by the British in 1923 as an autonomous member of the Commonwealth, but the passage of the Land Apportionment Act in 1931 solidified political power in the hands of the white minority. In 1953, Southern Rhodesia merged with Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland (now ). Vigorous opposition by nationalists in Zambia and Malawi led to the dissolution of the federation in 1963. In 1965, Rhodesia’s prime minister, Ian Smith, announced a unilateral declaration of independence.

During the 1960s and 1970s, nationalism was building in Rhodesia under the parties led by Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe. Both groups had to take refuge in neighboring independent countries. From there, they waged a seven-year struggle for liberation from white minority rule. At last, an agreement was reached to hold a popular election in 1980. Mugabe won a landslide victory to become Zimbabwe’s first prime minister under majority rule.

The parliament passed a Land Acquisition Bill in 1992, allowing the government to redistribute about half the land owned by white commercial farmers to black peasants. In his successful 1996 re-election campaign, Mugabe made a pledge to do more to speed up the resettlement of poor black people on land acquired by the government.

After 28 years of what had effectively become a one-party state, some opposition parties began to challenge the status quo as Mugabe became engulfed in scandals, economic problems, and charges of corruption, violence, and election fraud. In Zimbabwe’s 2008 elections, for instance, the leader of the country’s opposition party, Morgan Tsvangirai, won the popular vote, but Mugabe refused to step down from power quietly. He strong-armed opposition supporters and insisted on a run-off election, despite widespread condemnation from world leaders. In the end, South Africa’s president Thabo Mbeki brokered a power-sharing agreement in which Mugabe retained the presidency, with Tsvangirai serving as prime minister.

93 On November 14, 2017, Mugabe was placed under house arrest during in a military coup staged by members of his own party and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF). Leaders of the coup appointed Mugabe’s former Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, as the new President and gave Mugabe a deadline of November 21 to resign or face impeachment. Mnangagwa was sworn into office on November 24, 2017 and remains the current president.

Madagascar

Facts, Figures & National Holidays Area: 226,658 sq mi

Capital: Antananarivo

Government: Unitary semi-presidential constitutional republic

Languages: Malagasy and French

Location: Madagascar is an island country off the coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean. It sits parallel with Mozambique with smaller island, such as Reunion, Mauritius, and Mayotte, around it.

Geography: The fourth largest island in the world, Madagascar can be broken up into five distinct sections. The tropical lowland forest long the eastern coast, the volcanic northern end called the Tsaratanana Massif region, the rice fields and plateaus of the central highlands, the plans and harbors of the western coast, and the desert region in the south. Madagascar hosts six rivers, the Mananara, the Mangoro, the Maningory, the Bemarivo, the Ivondro, and the Manajary, which flow into the Indian river. The highest point of the island is Maromokotro, in the Tasaratanana Massif, at 9,436ft.

Population: 26,262,313 (estimate)

Religion: 85.3% Christianity (45.8% Protestant, 38.1% Catholic, 1.4% other Christian), 6.9% Unaffiliated, 4.5% Traditional faiths, 3.0% Islam, 0.3& Others

Time zone: Madagascar is on East Africa Time, seven hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in Washington D.C., it is 1pm in Antananarivo

94 National Holidays: Madagascar

In addition to the holidays listed below, 3/29 Martyr’s Day Madagascar celebrates a number of national 5/1 International Workers’ Day holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. To find out if you 6/26 Independence Day will be traveling during these holidays, please visit www. timeanddate.com/holidays. 8/15 Assumption

1/1 New Year’s Day 11/1 All Saints Day

3/8 Women’s Day 12/25 Christmas Day

Madagascar: A Brief History Madagascar is believed to have first been settled 2000 years ago by Indonesians, making it one of the last major landmasses to be settled by humans. These settlers immediately set upon the fauna and flora of the isolated island, making space for agriculture and hunting the native giant lemurs, elephant birds, giant fossa, and Malagasy hippopotamus to extinction.

It wasn’t until around 800 AD that Arab traders discovered the island, leading to other peoples from Africa and Asia to find their way to Madagascar, either as migrants or merchants. They saw the island as an important trading hub on the Indian Ocean for the Maritime Silk Roads.

The first European to see Madagascar was Diogo Dias, a Portuguese captain, on August 10th, 1500. Having been blown off course on his way to India, Dias named the island St. Lawrence and returned home with tales of the untouched land. Hungry for more territory, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, and England all sent ships to establish settlements in Madagascar. They were chased off by both the weather – as the area is known for its cyclones – and the Malagasy people. They lost interest and went back to more profitable endeavors.

The island was brought back to the attention of the Europeans in the 1600s, when pirates started to us Madagascar as a base of operations when they attacked European ships transporting goods from India. Multiple settlements were attempted, including a garrison established by the French at Fort-Dauphin. It lasted for thirty years, before a massacre wiped them out in 1674. With the fall of Fort-Dauphin, pirates, such as Captain Kidd, were the only remaining Europeans on the island.

Three kingdoms are established within Madagascar, the Sakalavas from the western coast, the Merina from the central plains, and the Betsimisaraka from the eastern coast. The three kings shared a goal of unifying Madagascar under one kingdom, competing against each other and paying for their battles by exporting slaves to Africa, Europe, and Arabia.

In the 1700s, the Sakalavas declared themselves the first kingdom of Madagascar, having taken over almost half of the island. By 1810, the Merina family, ruled by , had taken over most of Madagascar from the Sakalavas. At the Merina king’s passing, his son, Radama I, cultivated a positive relationship with the British in exchange for help conquering the rest of the island. Per his agreement with the British, Radama allowed English Christian missionaries

95 onto the island to spread their religion, allowed them to transcribe Malagasy into a written language, abolished the slave trade, and welcomed a British emissary into his court. In exchange, Radama received money, martial training for his army, and weapons.

Following Radama’s death, his wife, took the throne. During her 33-year reign, she forced out the Europeans, persecuted the Christians, executed political rivals, and had babies born on unlucky days culled, leading to multiple rebellions. After her death in 1861, her son Radama II re-opened the island for Europeans and reinstating freedom of religion, only to be murdered two years later by Rainilaiarivony, with the help of Radama II’s wife, Rasoherina I.

Rainilaiairvony becomes the prime minister and rules as the husband of the next three queens, Rasoherina I, Ranavalona II, and Ranavalona III, over the course of the thirty years.

At the start of Ranavalona III’s reign in 1883, the French invaded Madagascar. By 1897, the French had abolished the monarchy, sent Queen Ranavalona III into exile, and established Madagascar as a French colony.

The French use the island for its timer and vanilla, holding Madagascar for sixty-three years, through two major rebellions in 1918 and 1947 that are brutally suppressed.

It’s not until June 26th, 1960 that Madagascar gains independence from France and is elected in as the first president of the . Tsiranana held office for twelve years, encouraging western relationships and looking to the U.S. and other anti- communist country for support. His successor in 1972, following his resignation due to health complications, General instead supported the Soviet Union and ousted the remaining French military from the island nation. Ramanantsoa’s presidency lasted three years and his replacement, Colonel Richard Ratsimandrava was assassinated in a military coup days after the start of his term.

Lieutenant Commander ruled as a dictator, appointed the military following their coup and ruled in Madagascar from 1975 to 1991. At the start, he maintained Ramanantsoa’s communist policies, only to switch to a free-market economy a decade in due to severe economic decline and national debt. Rasiraka was forced to step down due to an economic collapse and fatal protests in 1991 and was succeeded by of the Live Forces party. Zafy is impeached in 1996 due to rumors of criminal activities, abuse of power, and lack of economic improvement.

Ratsiraka is reelected as president of Madagascar and holds his position until 2001, where he loses to Marc Ravalomana following a contested election where Ratsiraka declared martial law and more violent protests erupted.

During his terms from 2001 to 2009, Ravalomana supported democracy and improved the economy to such a degree the World Bank removed $20 billion from the country’s debt.

Andry Rajoelina overthrew Ravalomanana in a military coup in 2009, to the ire of the UN and the EU, who refused to recognize the new government and withheld their previous aid. It wasn’t until 2011 an agreement was struck, and international aid would be returned following the promise of free and fair elections.

96 The new free and fair elections in 2013 ended with Hery Rajaonarimampianina elected into office. He was succeeded by Andry Rojoelina in 2018. During the pandemic, Rojoelina distributed a mandatory un-tested coronavirus cure, called Covid-Organics, made from artemisia and other local herbs. The was also sold to Tanzania, Liberia, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea- Bissau with no proof of its effectiveness.

Zanzibar

Facts, Figures & National Holidays • Area: 950 square miles

• Capital: Zanzibar City

• Languages: Swahili is the official language; English and Arabic are also spoken.

• Ethnicity: , Hadimu, Swahili, and Tumbatu

• Location: The archipelago is of the eastern coast of mainland Tanzania, in the Indian Ocean

• Population: 1,303,569

• Religions: Majority Muslim

• Time Zone: Tanzania is on Eastern Africa Time, seven to eight hours ahead of U.S. ET (depending if the U.S. is on Daylight Savings Time). When it is 6am in Washington D.C., it is 2 or 3pm in Zanzibar City.

97 National Holidays: Zanzibar

In addition to the holidays listed below, both 05/01 Worker’s Day Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania celebrate 06/07 Saba Saba a number of national holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such as Easter and Eid 08/08 Peasants’ Day el Fitri. To find out if you will be traveling during these holidays, please visit www. 10/14 Nyerere Day timeanddate.com/holidays. 12/09 Republic Day 01/01 New Year’s Day 12/25 Christmas Day 01/12 Zanzibar Revolution Day 12/26 Boxing Day 04/26 Union Day

Zanzibar: A Brief History Tanzania is home to the Olduvai Gorge, the site where some of the earliest human remains on earth have been discovered. For hundreds of thousands of years, hunter-gatherer societies inhabited the area, though details about them are lost in the mists of time. More recently, the interior of the country has been occupied by pastoral and agricultural societies like the Maasai, who are believed to have migrated from the southern Nile during the 15th to 17th century.

In contrast, the coastal region has a different migration story. Over one thousand years ago, sea-borne traders established a strong Arab presence on Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coast, which includes the island of Zanzibar. A vast trade network sprang up, with Zanzibar as a key trading port between Africa, the Middle East, and India. (Sadly, this included a thriving slave trade.) The island’s wealth and strategic location drew the attention of the Portuguese, who ruled it for about 200 years starting in 1502. But by the 1700s they were outed by the Sultans of Oman, who reestablished trade with the Arabic world and made Stone Town their capital in 1840.

Rivalry among European colonial powers brought historic change to the area in the late 19th century. The British made Zanzibar their protectorate in 1890 and abolished the slave trade. But on the mainland Britain yielded to Germany when the two countries signed an agreement giving Tanzania (then known as Tanganyika) to the Germans, while Britain got and . This agreement ended in World War I, when Germany and Britain fought intense land and naval battles in Tanganyika. Following Germany’s defeat in Europe, Britain was put in charge of the League of Nations mandate for Tanganyika.

In the 20th century, the movement to end colonialism in Tanganyika took shape among farmers’ unions and cooperatives. Julius Nyerere led the political party that grew out of this movement and became the country’s first president when it made a peaceful transition to independence in 1961. The island of Zanzibar gained independence in 1963, in a transition that involved a bloody revolution during which the bulk of the Arab population was expelled. In 1964, Tanganyika, Zanzibar, and Pemba (another offshore island) joined to become the United Republic of Tanzania.

98 Tanzania’s leaders stood at the forefront of African liberation movements during the 1970s and the early 1980s. They allowed Mozambique nationalists to use Tanzanian territory for training and attack bases as they fought for independence from the Portuguese. In 1979, Tanzanian troops helped overthrow the regime of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. President Nyerere also played a key role in the negotiations for ending white rule in Zimbabwe. Although it maintained good relations with the West, Tanzania followed a strongly socialist path in the decades immediately following independence.

Part of the reason Tanzania was able to take such a leading role was the relative lack of tension between tribal groups and the use of the shared language (Swahili) which was adopted early on in 1961. That is not to say that there isn’t any friction—the past two decades have seen have been some strong political divisions, especially between Zanzibar and the mainland. A key example of this divide occurred shortly after the highly contested 2000 general elections, which were won by a party with strong support on the mainland, the CCM. Not long after the election, the offices of the Zanzibar-based opposition party—the CUF—were raided by the police and the CUF chairman was charged with unlawful assembly. Supporters took to the streets in protest, which sadly disintegrated into a violent clash with the police. Ultimately the heads of both parties joined together to restore calm, but the incident prompted many in Tanzania to call for a greater level of freedom for opposition parties.

In addition to political struggles, the residents of Zanzibar have also struggled with their dependence on the mainland for electricity, which is supplied by an underwater cable. In 2008 the cable’s connection failed, leaving the island without electricity for roughly one month. (Many in Zanzibar have backup generators for this very reason.) But these internal squabbles are relatively mild, especially compared to other African nations. In recent years the relative stability has helped Tanzania emerge as one of the anchors for the East African region, accepting refugees from the conflicts in , hosting peace talks for , and forming an East African trade alliance with neighboring states like Kenya.

99 RESOURCES

Suggested Reading

General Africa Africa, A Biography of the Continent by John Reader (History) A great introduction to Africa from its ancient cultures up to modern times.

Faces of Africa, Thirty Years of Photography OR Passages: Photographs in Africa by Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher (Photography/Anthropology) Traveling throughout Africa from the Sahara to Cape Horn, Beckwith and Fisher have produced decades of striking images.

Safari: A Chronicle of Adventure by Bartle Bull (History) In fascinating and often amusing detail, Bull delineates the evolution of the African safari—from the first European expedition in ox- driven wagons to the modern-day version in comfortable camps.

South Africa Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela by Nelson Mandela (Biography) Although there are more recent books about the charismatic South African leader, this is his remarkable story in his own words.

The Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation by John Laband (History) The Zulu were perhaps Africa’s greatest tribe, yet much of their story has remained untold until now. This careful and in-depth study describes the origins of the Zulu people, their development into the “Black Spartans” under their legendary leader Shaka, and their defeat at the hands of Boers and Britons with superior firepower.

Coconut by Kopano Matlwa (Fiction) Two South African girls from opposite backgrounds both struggle for a sense of identity in modern Johannesburg, and find that for them, the “rainbow nation” is still colored in black and white.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (Memoir) The popular late-night television host and comedian describes growing up in apartheid-era South Africa as a biracial child.

Burger’s Daughter by Nadine Gordimer (Fiction) A young Afrikaner woman struggles to define her own path after her famous revolutionary father dies in prison, having spent his life fighting for the rights of South African blacks. The author won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991.

Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton (Fiction) This classic novel centers on a Zulu priest and his search for a long lost son, a black man who has been accused of killing a prominent white liberal. It poignantly depicts the disintegration of tribal communities in an increasingly urban society at the dawn of the apartheid era.

The Ones with Purpose by Nozizwe Cynthia Jele (Fiction) After a 10-year hiatus, South African novelist Jele came back into the spotlight with this emotional story about a women dealing with her sister’s terminal illness. A sad story, but moving and relatable.

100 A History of South Africa by Leonard Thompson (History) A comprehensive overview of South Africa’s history, updated every few years and now its fourth edition.

Eswatini The Kingdom of Roses and Thorns by Debra Liebenow Daly (2009, Fiction). Follow the lives of five Swazi women, Anna, Sarie, Elizabeth, Busisiwe, and Thembekile as they lives their lives in the beautiful kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), amidst HIV/AIDS, poverty, and gender inequality.

Kings, Commoners and Concessionaires: The Evolution and Dissolution of the Nineteenth-Century Swazi State by Philip Bonner (1983, History). A study of the history, politics, and economy of the kingdom of Eswatini, since its forming in the nineteenth century after the Zulu revolution.

The Delayed Revolution: Swaziland in the Twenty-First Century by Nhlanhla Msibi (2014, History). An in-depth look into Eswatini in the present-day, written by a man born and raised in the country. Msibi breaks down the socio-economic standing of Swaziland under the rule of “Africa’s Last Absolute Monarch” King Mswati III.

Zimbabwe When a Crocodile Eats the Sun by Peter Godwin (2006, Memoir) This is the author’s searing, eyewitness account of more than three decades of upheaval in Zimbabwe under the independence hero-turned-dictator Robert Mugabe. More than a political memoir, it weaves the personal story of Godwin’s own white-liberal family; how they endured constant betrayals, assaults, and losses; and the family secret that ultimately explained their refusal to leave.

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller (2001, Memoir) The author recalls her eccentric family’s meanderings from Zimbabwe to Malawi to Zambia during the upheaval of the Rhodesian Bush War. Written with humor and candor, it is a survival tale you’ll not soon forget.

The Girl Who Married a Lion and Other Tales of Africa by Alexander McCall Smith (2004, Fiction) A collection of often hilarious, often bizarre, folktales that the author heard as a child growing up in Zimbabwe. Also includes seven new tales from Botswana.

The Grass is Singing by Doris Lessing (1950, Fiction) In her first novel, Nobel Laureate Lessing explores the life of a white farmer’s wife in Zimbabwe, and her relationship with her African servant. An explosive topic for the times, the book is a thoughtful portrait of the country, its people and social challenges.

Harvest of Thorns by Shimmer Chinodya (2017, Historical Fiction) A powerful story of the Zimbabwean struggle for independence, seen through the eyes of a young guerilla.

The Last Resort: A Memoir of Mischief and Mayhem on a Family Farm in Africa by Douglas Rogers (2009, Memoir) A critically-acclaimed tale about the author’s family’s last-ditch effort to save their farm from a government ordinance re-claiming land owned by white farmers. Touching, and at times darkly funny.

101 Madagascar Beyond the Rice Fields by Naivo, translated by Allison M. Charette (2017, Historical Fiction). The first novel from Madagascar to be translated into English, Beyond the Rice Fields is a story about a slave boy and his master’s daughter as they live through Christian missionaries, French colonialism, and love in 19th century Madagascar.

Over the Lip of the World: Among the Storytellers of Madagascar by Collen J. McElroy (1999, Cultural Nonfiction). A collection of Malagasy stories through the eyes of an African American travel writer as she explores the island nation.

Red House Island by Andrea Lee (2021, Nonfiction). Shay, an African American woman, buys a vacation home in Madagascar with her wealthy husband Senna. As the couple settle down and raise a family on the island nation, Shay becomes curious about the history, culture, and traditions the land she was beginning to call home.

Return to the Enchanted Island by Johary Ravaloson, translated by Allison M. Charette (2019, Fiction). The second novel from Madagascar to be translated into English, Return to the Enchanted Island is a coming of age story about Ietsy Razak, a wealthy Malagasy young man who winds up in a French boarding school where he feels like he is losing himself. It isn’t until Razak returns home to Madagascar that he finds himself again.

Lords and Lemurs: Mad Scientists, Kings with Spears, and the Survival of Diversity in Madagascar by Alison Jolly (2004, Nonfiction). Alison Jolly, a primatologist with a focus on lemurs, explores the history and culture of Berenty, Madagascar as she studies the area’s local lemurs.

Zanzibar The Gravel Heart by Abdulrazak Gurnah (2017, Fiction) A powerful and poetic novel about the impact of family secrets, this story follows Salim as he grows up in 1970s Zanzibar under the shadow of a distant father, possibly unfaithful mother, and an well-loved uncle who offers him a new life in London. But a new life means new difficulties, and the old secrets haven’t really gone away. The author himself immigrated from Zanzibar to Great Britain, and the story resonates with many personal details and insights.

Zanzibar Uhuru: Revolution, Two Women and the Challenge of Survival by Anne M Chappel (2015, Historical Fiction) A bid for independence, a brutal uprising, and a father’s difficult choice bind two very different young women—an Arab girl name Fatima and Elizabeth, the daughter of a British official—in ways that take decades to play out. While the story is fiction, many readers felt the book gave them a good background on Zanzibar’s history.

The Sultan’s Shadow: One Family’s Rule at the Crossroads of East and West by Christiane Bird (2010, History) Historian Bird focuses on the end of Arabian rule in Zanzibar, especially Oman’s Sultan Said, who ascended to the throne in 1806, and his daughter Princess Salme, whose rebellious life included a love of learning, a secret pregnancy, and marriage with a foreign commoner.

102 Death in Zanzibar by M.M. Kaye (1999, Mystery) There’s a killer loose in Zanzibar, and Dany Ashton is determined to find out who. A fun mystery-romance-adventure in the same vein as Mary Stewart or Agatha Christie.

Suggested Film & Video

South Africa District 9 (2009, Science Fiction) Filmed in mockumentary style, this stylish sci-fi thriller was nominated for four Academy Awards. It concerns extraterrestrial aliens who flee their dying planet, and land in Johannesburg, where they live in a refugee sector very much like the real-life District 6 ghetto where South African blacks were forced to live. At once suspenseful, sardonic, and unflinching in its social commentary.

Searching for Sugar Man (2013, Documentary) Winner of the 2013 Academy Award for Best Documentary. Sixto Rodriguez, a Detroit rock musician, had a disappointing career in the U.S. But unbeknownst to him (thanks to the closed society of apartheid-era South Arica), he had become a sensation in South Africa, where his music influenced many activists. Sixto only learned of his huge following when determined fans set out to confirm whether rumors of Sixto’s death were true. A feel-good comeback story with a great soundtrack.

Tsotsi (2005, Drama) This is the only South African film to have won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Adapted from the 1980 novel by Athol Fugard, it follows the travails of David, a young Johannesburg tsotsi (thug) who finds himself the caregiver of baby after a carjacking.

Invictus (2009, Drama) Director Clint Eastwood tells the story of how Nelson Mandela used the 1995 World Cup rugby matches to unite the people of South Africa.

Zulu (1964, Drama). This classic, rousing adventure recounts the true story of how a small regiment of 150 British troops held off an overwhelming number of 4,000 Zulu in 1879. The film depicts the Zulu army as worthy adversaries admired for their discipline and strategy. Starring Sir Stanley Baker (who also produced) and Michael Caine in his first major screen role.

Breaker Morant (1980, Drama). Brilliant recounting of events that transpired during South Africa’s Boer War revolving around the court martial of three Australian lieutenants—with lots of parallels to modern warfare.

Eswatini Liyan (2017, Documentary). An documentary of five Swazi orphans creating a story about a young animated girl who struggles side-by-side with her pet bull to save her two kidnapped brothers.

Wah-Wah (2005, Drama). Loosely based off the director’s childhood in Swaziland, Ralph Compton struggles with his broken family, while at the same time, British rule ends in Swaziland.

Without the King (2007, Documentary). Mswati III, the King of Swaziland, and his eldest daughter, Princess Sikhanyiso are portrayed amidst the royal family’s lavish lifestyle, and then compared to the poverty and HIV/AIDS epidemic of the majority of Swaziland.

103 Never a Neverland (2014, Documentary). Due to the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Swaziland, one third of the population of the kingdom has been orphaned with hundreds upon thousands of children being left behind as adults die at an alarming rate. With HIV/AIDS to prevalent, Eswatini has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world.

Zimbabwe Cook Off (2017, Romantic Comedy) An all-Zimbabwean cast stars in this delightful romcom about a single mom who finds love and good fortune as a contestant on a television cooking show contest. This is one of only a handful of films produced in Zimbabwe since the turn of the century. Made on a shoestring budget of $8,000, it is the first feature film made here to be offered on a streaming service (Netflix).

King Solomon’s Mines (1985, Comedy/Adventure) Based on the classic H. Rider Haggard novel, this version of the story takes a comedic approach and was meant to parody Spielberg’s Indiana Jones franchise. Hero Allan Quatermaine is hired to find an archaeologist who was lost during an expedition to find a legendary treasure. Filmed outside of the capital, Harare.

White Hunter, Black Heart (1990, Drama) Clint Eastwood produced, directed, and starred in this film about a famous director, John Wilson, shooting on location in Africa. To the dismay of his cast and crew, Wilson neglects his film duties and becomes obsessed with shooting elephants, despite his recognition that killing for sport is “a sin.” This is a thinly veiled account of the filming of John Huston’s classic, The African Queen. It was shot in and around Lake Kariba, Victoria Falls, and Hwange.

Madagascar Fahavalo, Madagascar 1947 (2018, Documentary). The documentary follows the Malagasy Uprising of 1947, against the island’s French colonial rule.

Island of Lemurs: Madagascar (2014, Documentary). Lemurs, cute primates made famous by the DreamWorks Madagascar movie franchise, can only be found on Madagascar, and some nearby neighboring islands. Island of Lemurs: Madagascar display the endangered primates in their natural habitat, in all their adorable glory.

The Malagasy Way (Documentary, 2014). Focused on the lives of the people of Madagascar, The Malagasy Way highlights how the Malagasy reject Western ideals of waster and overconsumption in favor of recycling and self-reliance. Using music and theater, learn about culture and life on Madagascar.

Zanzibar Jonah (2013, Fantasy/Drama). Two young men, Mbwana and his best friend Juma, photograph a gigantic fish living in the sea near their hometown, bringing international attention to the small Zanzibari town. Years pass and when Mbwana encounters the fish again, he sets out to defeat the beast that ruined his life.

104 As Old As My Tongue: The Myth and Life of Bi Kidude (2008, Documentary). A world-famous, Zanzibari-born Taarab singer, Bi Kidude was believed to be the oldest touring singer in the world before her death in 2013. While much of her early life is unknown, filmmaker Andy Jones digs into the culture and traditions Bi Kidude was born in as he outlines her career and awards as a Taarab singer.

Shadow Tree (2014, Short). A Zanzibari boy struggles to keep a fish alive in a muddy puddle, on the water-insecure island.

Curse of an Addict - Zanzibar (2015, Documentary). In Zanzibar, heroin is wide-spread, with between 7,000 and 12,000 people struggling with addiction. Follow Seif, a heroin addict, who believes he was cursed into his addiction. Seif struggles with who he once was and who he should have become, battling against his addiction to be the man he wants to be.

Useful Websites

Overseas Adventure Travel World Weather www.oattravel.com www.intellicast.com www.weather.com Overseas Adventure Travel Store www.wunderground.com www.oatshop.com Basic Travel Phrases (80 languages) Overseas Adventure Travel Frequently www.travlang.com/languages Asked Questions www.oattravel.com/faq Packing Tips www.travelite.org International Health Information/CDC (Centers for Disease Control) U.S. Customs & Border Protection http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel www.cbp.gov/travel

Electricity & Plugs Transportation Security www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/ Administration (TSA) plugs-and-sockets www.tsa.gov

Foreign Exchange Rates National Passport Information Center www.xe.com/currencyconverter www.travel.state.gov www.oanda.com/converter/classic Holidays Worldwide ATM Locators www.timeanddate.com/holidays www.mastercard.com/atm www.visa.com/atmlocator

105 VACCINATIONS NOW REQUIRED FOR ALL TRAVELERS, SHIP CREW, TRIP EXPERIENCE LEADERS, AND COACH DRIVERS Plus, updated Health & Safety Protocols for our Land Tours

The health and safety of our travelers is always our #1 priority, and we understand travelers are concerned about exploring the world in light of the unprecedented crisis we are currently facing. To ensure your safety and give you peace of mind, we have worked with our regional team and listened to government guidance and feedback from our travelers to create these health and safety protocols for our trips. As we continue to make changes, we will keep our website updated with the latest information.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS • All travelers, ship crew, and Trip Experience AND UPDATED HEALTH & SAFETY Leaders will have their temperature checked PROTOCOLS FOR SMALL SHIP every time they return to the ship using a non- ADVENTURES contact infrared temperature scanner. • All travelers must be fully vaccinated against • All meals are served by the dining staff— COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure buffets are no longer available. and provide proof of vaccination upon VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS AND boarding the ship. If you are unable to UPDATED HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS provide proof of vaccination upon arrival at FOR SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES ON LAND your destination, you will have to return • All travelers must be fully vaccinated against home at your own expense. COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure. If To meet this requirement, please bring your you are unable to provide proof of vaccination original COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card upon arrival at your destination, you will with you on your trip. The white card must have to return home at your own expense. display your name, type of vaccine, and the To meet this requirement, please bring your date(s) the vaccine was administered. We also original COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card with suggest taking a picture of this card to keep for you on your trip. The white card must display your records as a backup. your name, type of vaccine, and the date(s) • All local Trip Experience Leaders, the vaccine was administered. We also suggest fully ship staff, and crew will be taking a picture of this card to keep for your vaccinated against COVID-19. records as a backup. fully • All coach drivers will be • All local Trip Experience Leaders will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. vaccinated against COVID-19. • All public areas will be sanitized nightly and • All coach drivers will be fully vaccinated all ships are equipped with High Efficiency against COVID-19. Particulate Air (HEPA) filters.

Help us ensure travelers’ safety and health while on our trips. Please follow best health and hygiene practices to prevent the spread of illness—wash your hands regularly and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Together, we can create a safer travel experience for everyone.

Learn more at www.oattravel.com/covid-update

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110 I n d i a n O c e a n Miles Unguja Lodge To/From U.S. Internal flight Land route Cruise route Victoria Falls Jozani Chwaka N.P. Bay A’Zambezi Lodge River Zanzibar Island ZIMBABWE 0200

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111 YOUR TRIP EXPERIENCE LEADER

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