discover africa with wbez chicago 2015 final itinerary

Earthbound Expeditions Inc. POB 11305, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 T. 206 842 9775 / F. 206 842 8280 www.EarthboundExpeditions.com

BEST OF SOUTH AFRICA W B E Z C h ic a g o

P L U S B O T SW A N A & V IC T O R IA F A LL S Enjoy vibrant Cape Town, Community Projects,

Historic Robben Island, and a Safari into the African Bush May 11-21, 2015

Prepare for an experience of a lifetime to a destination unlike any other. On this small group WBEZ Chicago Travel Club expedition to South Africa, youll enjoy the stunning beauty of Cape Town, a breathtaking cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain and the biodiversity and landscape of the Cape of Good Hope. In addition, a trip to Nelson Mandelas prison on Robben Island has been planned, along with a tour of the moving District 6 Museum. Youll also have the opportunity to learn about and experience various community outreach

programs that are making a remarkable difference in improving the lives of South African youth and their families in countless ways. Your journey culminates at a safari lodge where youll ride in an open 4X4 jeep into the African bush to view lions, giraffes, rhinos, elephants and more! A post-tour adventure to Botswana and Victoria Falls is also available. Join friends of WBEZ Chicago for a culturally rich and meaningful journey to South Africa. J O U R N E Y O V E R V I E W 1 Overnight flight to Cape Town, South Africa 5 Nights historic Cape Town 3 Nights Safari Lodge 1 Overnight flight to the USA 5 Nights post tour optional extension to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Chobe National Park, Botswana


EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS

Cape of Good Hope Nature Preserve, one of the worlds biodiversity hot spots District 6 Museum, Cape Town Visits to Community Outreach programs/non-profit organizations: the SANBI

Outreach Greening Program, Grassroot Soccer and the Kliptown Youth Project A musical event featuring the music of South Africa Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Stunning views from the top of Table Mountain A tour of Nelson Mandelas prison at Robben Island with a former prisoner A special Cape Malay dinner Three game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicle with expert trackers Intimate viewings of lions, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, elephants and more! A Tour of SOWETOS Apartheid museum & township

IT'S INCLUDED

Travel with WBEZ Chicagos Jerome McDonnell, host of Worldview Guided by Earthbound Expeditions program director Accompanied by expert local guides Roundtrip international airfare from Chicago Roundtrip domestic flights while in South Africa All services as specified in your WBEZ Chicago Travel Club itinerary All breakfasts & ten additional multi-course meals (not including in-flight meals) Accommodation in superior four and five star hotels and lodges Transportation in luxury air-conditioned vehicles including qualified drivers Sight-seeing as per itinerary led by an expert South African guide Entrance fees for sightseeing as indicated Gratuities for your drivers and guides for base trip (excluding all park rangers and

hotel staff) Country, city maps and a video and reading list An informational pre-trip gathering Travel carbon neutral through Earthbounds partnership with the Carbonfund

TRIP FACTS 11 Days/10 Nights (with air travel) $5,995 (with roundtrip air from Chicago) per person double occupancy $795 Single Supplement (waived if you willing to share & roommate is found) Trip departs Chicago May 11, 2015 Trip returns to the USA May 21, 2015

WBEZ Chicago World Travelers save $300 when the signup by Sept 2, 2014 and pay the final balance by check!


I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine. Caskie Stinnett (American writer)

YOUR WBEZ CHICAGO AFRICAN ADVENTURE BEGINS!

Day 1 (May 11): Group Departs the USA for Sunny South Africa via Washington DC: For those wishing to breakup the long flight, you can layover in Washington DC and spend a bit of time exploring our nations capital. This means you may depart a day or two early and spend time touring the National Mall and/or Smithsonian before meeting your fellow WBEZ Chicago travelers at Washington Dulles at 3:00pm for the flight to Cape Town. Day 2: Arrive in Cape Town

Upon arrival at Johannesburgs Oliver Tambo International Airport, collect your luggage and clear Customs & Immigration. You will be met and assisted to the Domestic Terminal for your flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival in Cape Town this evening you will be met by an Earthbound Expeditions representative who will assist and transfer you by private coach to your hotel. Your home away from home: The Commodore Hotel is a 5-star hotel situated in the heart of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Towns center of activity, with a variety of stores, restaurants and bars. The hotel offers superb service and excellent cuisine in a secure, friendly environment and most rooms have wonderful views of Table Mountain, Table Bay, Signal Hill and Robben Island. The Clipper Restaurant offers superb dining in a tranquil setting, from a mouthwatering buffet breakfast to a diverse la Carte menu and exquisite desserts. Alternatively, relax to the nostalgic melodies played by the piano man over a light meal or high tea at The Admiralty Lounge. For comfort, convenience and 5-star luxury, there is no better base in this beautiful city. Sleep in Cape Town at the Commodore Hotel. Day 3: Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope Today youll discover the inspiring beauty of both Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope. The excursion starts early with a trip up Table Mountain in a cable car (weather permitting), which is famous for its spectacular views and unique flora and fauna. After making your descent, enjoy a scenic drive along the coast to the Cape Peninsula. See for yourself how this spectacular southern tip of Africa became known as the 'Fairest Cape'.


I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

Nelson Mandela

Drive past the pristine beaches of Camps Bay, Clifton and Llandudno - currently the hottest real estate in the world - to Hout Bay, a functioning harbor and heart of the local crayfish industry. From the harbor of Hout Bay to the rocky coastline and Chapmans Peak, there are magnificent views of the sandy bays below. The combination of steep, almost thrilling rocky inclines, shimmering blue waters and expansive skies simply take the breath away.

After a stop for lunch, it's on to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where we have a funicular ride to the scenic viewing point of where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans currents meet. The spectacular sea and mountain views are reason enough to make the 41 mile trip from Cape Town. Amid the rocky landscape - home to mountain zebra, eland and ostriches - blooms magnificent Cape flora. Continuing along the coastline we arrive at beautiful Boulders Beach where you can sit among a colony of penguins. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy an evening dinner together. Sleep in Cape Town at the Commodore Hotel (B, L, D) Day 4: Infamous Robben Island and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens From your hotel its a short walk to the jetty at the V&A Waterfront where you will board the ferry for notorious Robben Island. For nearly 400 years, Robben Island, 12 kilometers from Cape Town, was a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment. It was here that rulers sent those they regarded as political troublemakers, social outcasts and the unwanted of society. During the apartheid years, Robben Island became internationally known for its institutional brutality. The duty of those who ran the Island and its prison was to isolate opponents of apartheid and to crush their morale. Some freedom fighters spent more than a quarter of a century in prison for their beliefs. Those imprisoned on the Island succeeded on a psychological and political level in turning a prison 'hell-hole' into a symbol of freedom and personal liberation. Robben Island came to symbolize, not only for South Africa and the African continent, but also for the entire world, the triumph of the human spirit over enormous hardship and adversity. Today, you will be escorted around the island by an ex-political prisoner. Return to the Cape waterfront and enjoy an independent lunch on the wharf. Garden lovers wont want to miss this afternoons excursion to Africas finest botanical garden, Kirstenbosch. Dinner included tonight on the wharf. Sleep in Cape Town at the Commodore Hotel (B, D)


Day 5: Visit to the Cape Flats: from Grey to Green The Outreach Greening Program was initiated on the Cape Flats (the same district to which people were forcibly moved, see Day 6 description below) in partnership with the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens (NBG) in 1997. The program targets self-motivated community organizations and schools wanting to establish indigenous gardens and green community spaces in their areas. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) created a program supporting schools and community organizations with horticultural training and the development of their indigenous starter garden. It also includes training school teachers to use the garden as an educational resource tool in formal learning as part of the outlined national curriculum. Green Teams (learners, workers and teachers) from the schools eco-club are utilized to get involved in the cultivation of the gardens. Well tour such a project and have time to rub elbows with those involved and hear their inspiring stories about how these gardens are helping to transform their neighborhood. Sleep in Cape Town at the Commodore Hotel (B, D) Day 6: The District 6 Museum & Grassroot Soccer District Six was a Municipal District of Cape Town and was originally established as a mixed community of freed slaves, merchants, artisans, laborers and immigrants. It was a vibrant centre with close links to the city and the port of Cape Town, but by the beginning of the twentieth century, the process of removals and marginalization had begun. In 1966 it was declared a white area under the Group Areas Act of 1950, and by 1982, the life of the community was over. More than 60 000 people were forcibly removed to barren outlying areas aptly known as the Cape Flats, and their houses in District Six were flattened by bulldozers. The Museum works with the memories of that experience, as well as forced removals more generally.

This afternoon, visit a Grassroot Soccer center and experience how this successful organization uses the power of soccer to educate, inspire, and mobilize communities to stop the spread of HIV. Using an innovative life-skills curriculum, Grassroot Soccer works with young people through the international language of soccer to increase their impact and achieve the goal of an HIV-free generation. Sleep in Cape Town at the Commodore Hotel (B, L)

Day 7: An Outing to Soweto and North to Your Safari Lodge

This morning we say goodbye to our Cape guide and board a flight north for Johannesburg. On arrival at Johannesburg Airport you will be met by a different Earthbound Expeditions guide and taken on a private tour of Soweto (SOuth WEstern TOwnship), the largest black residential area in South Africa. In many ways, the story of Soweto is the story of South Africa; this is where the seeds of South African freedom took root. Our tour includes all the major points of interest, such as the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Baragwanath taxi

rank, Freedom Square, Hector Pietersen Memorial and Nelson Mandelas former home. This sprawling township was the scene of the tragic riots of 1976. Despite crowded, chaotic conditions, there is a tangible sense of community in these neighborhoods which the ordered, walled suburbs lack.


Our Soweto visit will include time at the Kliptown Youth Project (KYP) center. KYPs mission is to eradicate the poverty of mind, body, and soul and to fight against the disadvantages imposed on the children of Kliptown, by providing educational support and after school activities. It seeks to develop young and dynamic individuals who are willing to contribute effectively for the betterment of their community. After your visit you will travel by coach for 3 hours to your lodge in the Pilanesberg National Park. A traditional lunch will be served in SOWETO and dinner will be upon arrival at the lodge. Sleep in Pilanesberg National Park at Bakubung Bush Lodge. (B, L, D) ABOUT BAKUBUNG BUSH LODGE Tucked in the expanses of the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park, Bakubung Lodge offers the best of both worlds when combining the peaceful bush environment with luxury and comfort. The lodge offers plush rooms, each with air-conditioning, DStv, and en-suite bathrooms. The rooms are decorated to reflect the mood and ambience of the bush and are equipped with the necessary amenities to ensure supreme comfort. Enjoy a fine dinner in the restaurant terrace overlooking the vastness of the game reserve. Days 8 & 9: Africas Big 5 Not even two shots of espresso will wake you up like a 6:00am game drive into the African Bush. Accompanied by a park ranger youll travel in an open 4X4 jeep in pursuit of lions, giraffes, hippos, rhinos and more. Upon your return to the lodge enjoy a delicious breakfast. Grab a good book this afternoon and lay by the pool or enjoy a siesta. Around 4:00pm set off on another three-hour game drive in search of more wildlife. Following the evening safari, you will have dinner in the African Bush at an outdoor boma. Sleep in Pilanesberg National Park at Bakubung Bush Lodge (B, D) About Pilanesberg National Park The Pilanesberg National Park is malaria-free and borders on the entertainment complex of Sun City. It is almost perfectly circular because it comprises the area of a 1200 million year old volcano crater with a small lake in the centre. The park exists within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation, commonly referred to as "Bushveld". Unlike any other large park, unique overlaps of mammals, birds and vegetation occur because of this transition zone. Virtually all the animal species of southern Africa exist here, including healthy populations of lion, black and white rhino, elephant, buffalo and leopard - Africa's "Big Five." Bird watching is excellent with over 300 species recorded. The park offers a number of wonderful picnic spots, numerous hiding spots for game watching, huge walk-in aviaries, safe hiking trails, safari drives at night and flights over the park in a hot-air balloon.


Day 10: Depart South Africa for the USA or Continue Your Journey to Botswana and/or Victoria Falls: For those travelers returning to the US today, there is time this morning to enjoy a third game drive. In the early afternoon you will be transferred by coach from the Lodge back to Johannesburg Airport. On arrival at Johannesburgs Oliver Tambo International Airport, connect with your scheduled international South African Airways flight back to the USA. (B, L) Note: For those travelers participating in the post-tour extensions, your flight to Victoria Falls will depart this morning.

Day 11 (May 21): Arrive home with a lifetime of memories!

P O S T T O U R A D V E N T U R E B E G I N S VICTORIA FALLS ONLY 2 NIGHTS/ 3 DAYS Dates: Starting May 20, 2015 Arriving home May 23, 2015 2 Nights Victoria Falls Lodge $1,795 PP Double Occupancy $495 Single Supplement CHOBE AND VICTORIA FALLS 5 NIGHTS/ 6 DAYS Dates: Starting May 20, 2015 Arriving home May 26, 2015 3 Nights Chobe National Park, Botswana 2 Nights Victoria Falls Lodge $2,795 PP Double Occupancy $595 Single Supplement INCLUDED IN POST TOUR EXTENSION

Regional round trip airfare Johannesburg-Victoria Falls All services as specified: breakfasts, lunch and dinner while in Chobe and

breakfast and dinners in Victoria Falls Accommodation in four and five star hotels and lodges Three evening river cruises and three morning drives Transportation in air-conditioned vehicles, including qualified drivers Sight-seeing as per itinerary led by qualified English speaking guide Entrance fees for sightseeing as indicated above Earthbound Expeditions guide Porterage for 1 reasonable size bag per person


POST-TOUR EXTENSION HIGHLIGHTS BOTSWANA & VICTORIA FALLS *Zambezi River cruise * Victoria Falls and surrounding rainforest * Early morning safaris and sunset evening cruises in Chobe National Park in Botswana, home to 450 species of birds and the largest concentration of elephants in Africa. PACKAGE EXCLUDES Gratuities for your post-tour guides and trackers and hotel staff * Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, etc. * Cost of obtaining passports or visa * Some meals not mentioned * Alcoholic beverages * Travel insurance * Airline baggage fees

ABOUT THE MIGHTY VICTORIA FALLS Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Statistically speaking, it is the largest waterfall in the world. This recognition comes from combining the height and width together to create the largest single sheet of flowing water. Victoria Falls is located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and our guests will access the falls

through Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The falls are also close to the border of Botswana. The Zambezi River, which originates in northern Zambia, serves as the falls water source. The name Victoria Falls was given to the falls by the Scottish explorer Dr. David Livingstone. He named the falls after the reining queen at the time. The locals called the falls Mosi-oa-Tunya meaning smoke that thunders. Many people still refer to this nickname, which accurately defines the falls.

ABOUT CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA Chobe is your gateway to a truly unique African wildlife experience. The park is ideally situated for exploration of the surrounding areas. It is only 50 miles from the Victoria Falls and is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square kilometers. The park has one of the greatest concentrations of game found on the African continent. Its uniqueness in the abundance of wildlife and the true African nature of the region, offers a safari

experience of a lifetime. A major feature of Chobe National Park is its elephant population. The Chobe elephant comprises part of what is probably the largest surviving continuous elephant population. This population covers most of northern Botswana plus northwestern Zimbabwe. The Botswanas elephant population is currently estimated at around 120,000.


Day 10 (May 20): Transfer to Victoria Falls and Chobe Safari Lodge, Botswana: Today you will be transferred to Johannesburg airport for your flight to Victoria Falls which departs at 9:45am and arrives 11:25am. Upon arrival in Victoria Falls you will be met by an outstanding Earthbound local guide and those on the Victoira Falls Only option are transferred directly to the hotel for their 2 nights at the falls. Your stay at the falls includes a stunning fully guided

morning walking tour of Victoria Falls, park entrances and an afternoon cruise Zambezi River (See descriptions below). On the final day of your stay you will be met by an Earthbound representative for your transfer and return flight home. For guests who have signed up for both the Chobe and Victoria Falls extension, you will first wave good-bye to those being dropped off at the Victoria Falls hotel, then continue on by private coach across the Botswana border to the town of Kasane. Sleep at Chobe Safari Lodge. (B, D)

Day 11 and 12: Botswana: A day in the African Bush Enjoy daily early morning game drives and return to the lodge for brunch. Spend the afternoons relaxing at the pool, enjoy the gardens and views of the river or explore the local town. This evening bring your camera! You will witness the vast herds of Africa and abundant wildlife as you enjoy a game drive from the lodge into the national park in open safari vehicles. The game drives follow the routes along the Chobe

riverfront, which supports the greatest abundance of wildlife in the game park. On the last evening you will enjoy a relaxing late afternoon cruise for a completely different perspective on the wildlife you have been viewing on land. Sleep at Chobe Safari Lodge. (B, D) Day 13: Depart for Victoria Falls Enjoy a final day in the African bush with another early morning game drive. Then transfer by road to Victoria Falls Lodge. Please note: Have your Multiple Entry Visa ready for the Zimbabwe border. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at your hotel and an included dinner together tonight. Sleep at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (B, D)

Day 14: Depart for Victoria Falls After breakfast this morning you will go on a tour of Victoria Falls which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Falls are 1690m wide and have a maximum drop of 103m (the average drop is 92m). This immense curtain of water is broken up by small islands which stand on the lip of the falls, one of which is called Livingstone Island. This is where the explorer, David Livingstone, first viewed the falls. These islands effectively


break the falls into smaller falls, which are known as (from the Zambian side to Zimbabwe side) the Eastern Cataract, The Rainbow Falls, the Horseshoe Falls and the Main Falls. "Rainforests" on either side of the river are sustained entirely by the spray of the falls. There is a paved path which leads onto the Knife Edge Bridge for a spectacular view up the main gorge and the Eastern Cataract, and numerous other paths which give different views of the falls and the bridge. Late in the afternoon, take a Sundowner Cruise along the mighty Zambezi River above the falls. Enjoy a drink while cruising slowly on the river, viewing the wildlife from a unique vantage point. Youre sure to see hippo and elephants, a variety of other wildlife and birds. Your guides will be on hand to describe the flora and fauna, the bird life and wildlife. Sleep at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (B & D) Day 15: Victoria Falls to the USA via Johannesburg This morning you will be transferred by road back to Victoria Falls Airport where you will take your flight back to Johannesburg. Please Note: Have your Multiple Entry Visa ready for the Zimbabwe border & USD $25 cash per person for the Airport Departure Tax upon leaving Zimbabwe. (Departure taxes are subject to change without notice). Upon arrival in Johannesburg proceed to International terminal for your flight back home. (B) Day 16 (May 26): Arrive home With Lifetime of Memories- * Those who reserve the Victoria Falls Only option would go to Victoria Falls on Day 10, (May 20) and depart on Day 12 (May 22), arriving home May 23.

BEFORE YOU GO... Please Note: U.S. passport holders do not require a visa for South Africa for a visit of less than 90 days. All Non-South African passport holders are required to have at least TWO, entirely blank (unstamped) visa pages (i.e. one side of such a page not front and back thereof) in their passport, each time entry is sought into South Africa. These pages are in addition to the endorsement/amendment pages at the back of the passport. South African government regulations prohibit airlines from boarding passengers without the required blank visa pages. Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after intended date of departure. Note: There is a Multiple Entry Visa charge to enter Zimbabwe of USD$45. CASH per person for USA passport holders. (Visa fees are subject to change without notice.)


Yes! I would like to join the WBEZ CHICAGO Travel Club for a music, food, and wildlife tour to

South Africa in 2015!

Please complete this form and include it with your $500.00 per person deposit in order to reserve space on the tour. Deposits can be made by check or credit card online at www.EarthboundExpeditions.com or by phoning our office at 800-723-8454. Send forms to: Earthbound Expeditions Inc., P.O. Box 11305, Bainbridge Is. WA 98110, USA Destination: South Africa with WBEZ Chicago Extension to (please circle one) Victoria Falls Victoria Falls & Botswana Departure Date: Group Air Yes______ No_____ Name(s): ____________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: _____________________________________________________________________________ Home Phone: ________________________________________________________________________________ Business Phone:_______________________________________________________________________________________ Email: ______________________________________ Fax #: _________________________________________ I am traveling alone &desire a single room throughout the tour YES NO I am traveling alone & desire a roommate throughout the tour YES NO I am traveling with a spouse/friend with whom I plan to room YES NO

discover africa with wbez chicago 2015 final itinerary

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