University of Vermont Alumni Association THE PRIDE OF SOUTH AFRICA BOTSWANA NAMIBIA ZIMBABWE CHOBE R IVER SA FA R I aboard the Five-Star Z AMBEZI Q UEEN February 6 to 20, 2020 Dear Alumni and Friends: Travel with us on this incredible journey to experience the wonders of four nations in southern Africa, where nature’s spectacle is at its most dramatic, history is rich, culture is diverse and “Big Five” game viewing is extraordinary. Namibia and Botswana are young nations, unique in their way of life and home to one of the densest game populations on the planet; walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela in South Africa and behold the majestic natural beauty of Zimbabwe’s incomparable Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Few experiences can match this exclusive, in‑depth itinerary and exciting, once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity to explore the breadth of southern Africa. Enjoy a three‑night river safari on Namibia’s legendary Chobe River, guided by expert naturalists on excursions by small watercraft, a unique perspective from which to observe the incredible bevy of wildlife gathering along the Chobe’s banks. Accommodations are aboard the exclusively chartered, Five‑Star Zambezi Queen, awarded the World’s Leading Boutique Cruise for the sixth time in 2018, and featuring only 14 beautifully appointed Staterooms, each with a private balcony. During your classic land safari in four‑wheel drive vehicles, enjoy superb game viewing in Botswana’s Chobe National Park, a sanctuary for many of the southern African mammal species. Follow Mandela’s “Long Walk to Freedom” from Soweto to Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and on to Johannesburg and his presidency of South Africa, ushering in “the rainbow nation.” Hear unique insights from our special guest speaker, founder of the Liliesleaf Farm Trust. Revel in glorious Cape Town, poised dramatically between Table Mountain and the sparkling waters of Table Bay. Become captivated by spectacular seaside views and South Africa’s sublime Cape Winelands, featuring visits to world‑class wineries for specially arranged wine tastings and to admire their distinct Cape Dutch architecture. Enjoy an exclusive C’EST BON! CULINARY TRADITIONS™ Cape Malay cooking demonstration and traditional dinner of fresh, regional favorites. Join us on this unforgettable journey to these must‑see destinations, a tremendous value featuring three UNESCO World Heritage sites. Stay in carefully selected Five‑Star hotels, including Johannesburg’s exclusive Grand Chateau Suites at the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel, Cape Town’s historic Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel and Zimbabwe’s legendary colonial Victoria Falls Hotel. Reserve your place now while Early Booking Savings are still available; space is limited to a maximum of 28 guests and this program sells out quickly year after year! With warm regards, Alan Ryea ’90 Vice President for Alumni Relations “Ubuntu—the essence of being human… It speaks about our interconnectedness.” Itinerary — Archbishop Desmond Tutu Day 1 Depart the U.S. RESILIENT 2 Johannesburg, South Africa A t 3 Johannesburg for Pretoria l a n t 4 Johannesburg for Soweto i Diversity c O 5 Johannesburg /Fly to Cape Town c Discover the incredible ea diversity of southern Africa, 6 Cape Town for Robben Island n from the abundant flora and 7 Cape Town for Cape of Good Hope fauna along Namibia’s 8 Cape Town for Cape Winelands Chobe River in one of 9 Cape Town/Fly to Kasane, Botswana’s vast game parks, Botswana/Chobe River, to Zimbabwe’s awe‑inspiring Namibia/Embark Zambezi Queen Victoria Falls—“the smoke that 10 Chobe River Safari thunders”—and South Africa’s world‑class 11 Chobe River Safari cities of Johannesburg, Pretoria and 12 Chobe River/Disembark ship/ Cape Town. Traverse landscapes of Chobe National Park, Botswana/ low‑lying grassland, expansive highveld, Victoria Falls , Zimbabwe sweeping winelands, lush swampland, 13 Victoria Falls mountainous escarpments and breathtaking coastline. 14 Victoria Falls/Fly to Johannesburg, South Africa/ Observe remarkable wildlife in their Depart for the U.S. natural habitats, including the “Big Five”—African elephant, 15 Arrive in the U.S. Cape buffalo, leopard, lion and MalaMala Private Game Reserve black rhinoceros—and hundreds of Post-Program Option bird species. Experience the welcoming mix of people, descendants of the Johannesburg, South Africa/ indigenous San, Xhosa, Tswana and Pretoria/Soweto Zulu nations, Portuguese explorers and South Africa is one of the most diverse countries Dutch, British and German settlers. on Earth. Cosmopolitan Johannesburg, This multicultural mélange known colloquially as “Joburg,” is home to one of the of ethnicities, creeds and languages world’s largest urban forests, where amid some of the holds a rich history spanning the dawn tallest buildings on the continent, more than of humankind to recent victorious six million trees flourish in the subtropical climate. The 1886 gold reef discovery ushered in a flux of feats of democratic infrastructures. European opportunity and ultimately stirred the Share in the ubuntu spirit of humanity rich political history of this “City of Gold.” as you travel this great, interconnected North of Johannesburg lies vibrant Pretoria, “rainbow nation.” known for its architecture, thousands of beautiful, Cover photo: Visit Victoria Falls, where water levels vary throughout the year; during the dry season it is possible to walk across parts of the falls, but at peak levels the water flows at over 132,000 gallons per minute. Photo this page: Admire Table Mountain, the spectacular backdrop to Cape Town and its stunning harbor, reaching 3563 feet above sea level and supporting over 2200 species of plants. “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” –Nelson Mandela Z C R a h m o i ZAMBIA b v b e er e R zi iver Victoria Falls Kasane ZIMBABWE NAMIBIA Chobe National Park Kruger n a National Park e A BOTSWANA c O t l a Pretoria MalaMala n n ia t Skukuza d i c Johannesburg In O Soweto ce an UNESCO World Cape Winelands SOUTH Heritage Site Robben AFRICA Land Routing Island Cape Town Air Routing Cap On the Post-Program Option, look for a dazzle of zebra e of Goo pe d Ho grazing the plains of MalaMala Private Game Reserve. purple‑blossomed jacaranda trees and distinctly Cape Town/Robben Island/ Afrikaans culture. Trace South Africa’s journey to democracy in the historic Liliesleaf Farm, once the Cape Winelands epicenter of the liberation movement and Enjoy three full days in Cape Town, one of the now an important heritage site. Visit the world’s most beautiful cities and adjacent to the Voortrekker Monument, honoring the UNESCO World Heritage Cape Floral Kingdom, mid‑19th‑century Dutch Voortrekkers (pioneers) which encompasses Table Mountain National who emigrated from the Cape Colony to the Park and is home to thousands of flower and inland highveld; see the Union Buildings and the plant species. Cape Town is a vibrant city formal garden where Mandela gave his historic of well preserved Edwardian, Victorian and presidential inauguration speech in 1994. Cape Dutch architecture. See the historic Few places reflect South Africa’s history like City Hall, where Mandela made his first public Johannesburg’s South Western Townships, speech mere hours after his release from prison. better known as Soweto. A broad cross section of Ascend Table Mountain by cable car (weather South African daily life—including shack settlements, permitting) for sweeping views; ride a funicular a rising middle class and millionaires—this thriving up to lofty Cape Point for incredible views of community is a cultural beacon and reminder of the the Cape of Good Hope. In a private home in long‑lasting effects of segregationist politics. Cape Town’s Bo‑Kaap neighborhood, savor the Soweto endures as an example of the South African aromatic spices of traditional Cape Malay cuisine— strength of spirit; Vilakazi Street fostered a unique fusion of South African, Dutch and two Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Nelson Mandela Malaysian flavors—during a specially arranged and Desmond Tutu. Follow in the footsteps of C’EST BON! CULINARY TRADITIONS™ dinner. Mandela—visit his house and the Hector Pieterson Tour Robben Island, a UNESCO World Memorial, an iconic symbol of the 1976 apartheid Heritage site, where Mandela and other political protests; see the FNB Stadium, where he delivered prisoners made strides in attaining equal rights his first speech in Johannesburg following his during apartheid despite inhumane conditions. 1990 release from prison; and tour Johannesburg’s The prison’s storied interior and its guides— evocative Apartheid Museum. former prisoners, many who served with Enjoy a specially arranged dinner featuring guest Mandela—provide an invaluable perspective on speaker Nicholas Wolpe, founder and CEO of the South Africa’s social and political transformation. Liliesleaf Farm Trust. Wolpe will share an insider’s Visit Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town for a rare, perspective on the historic events surrounding up‑close look at a protected colony of endangered Liliesleaf and the African National Congress (ANC). African penguins. Watch for Africa’s “Big Five” wildlife species, including Ride up to Cape Point, within a UNESCO Protected Area, leopard, during your game drive. and enjoy views of the Cape of Good Hope. The Victoria Falls Hotel is renowned for impeccable service and luxurious accommodations. Five-Star Hotels These exclusive Five‑Star hotels have been specially selected to enhance your On the Post-Program Option, look for a dazzle of zebra Observe the unique symbiosis between experience in each fascinating destination grazing the plains of MalaMala Private Game Reserve. species in this unspoiled ecosystem. we visit. Travel inland along the Stellenbosch Wine Route to experience the world‑class Cape Winelands. Fairlawns Boutique Hotel provides Stroll beneath 300‑year‑old camphor laurel trees, extraordinary luxury, tranquility and stately a protected provincial heritage site in the formal ambiance in Johannesburg.