June2011_TRAVEL TOPIC
SOUTH AFRICA – by Russell Kelly
In July of this year, Russell Kelly will once again take a small group of Australians to South Africa on their ‘African Experience’ tour.
This 18-day group tour will be personally escorted tour from Australia, by Russell who is the person who created the tour more than 8 years ago. In that time, the tour has become a firm favourite with clients. Not only because it is escorted from Australia, but also because it is one of the most comprehensive tours of southern Africa. Another attraction for members of the group is that virtually all of the sightseeing and many of the meals are included in the base cost. Consequently, there is no need to buy expensive ‘optional’ tours along the way.
Russell’s motivation for creating the tour was to show Australians the ‘real’ South Africa by visiting parts of the country that are usually ignored by the larger tour operators. The result is a tour that offers a unique combination of game viewing, history, scenery and cultural experiences.
Some of the more unusual areas visited include, the “Wild Coast”, The Drakensberg Mountains, the Zulu Battlefields of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana, as well as Ladysmith – site of one of the most famous sieges of the Boer War. However, the more well-known areas have not been ignored, as the tour also includes Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Zululand, Hluhluwe N. P., Swaziland, The Blyde River Canyon and Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve.
Whilst the tour is one of the most diverse tours available, Russell realises that most visitors to Africa want to see the animals and this is where they excel – all of the 6 game drives are done in open-top Landrovers, not enclosed mini vans. This allows the participants to get much closer to the wildlife. In fact, 4 of the 6 game drives are done at the legendary Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, bordering Kruger National Park. Here the vehicles are allowed to traverse the vast expanse of land belonging to Sabi Sabi, not being restricted to roads and tracks. Such freedom allows the rangers to actually "track" the wild animals in their natural habitat – a truly unique experience that cannot be replicated in the National Parks.
The 2011 tour departs on 13 July and, as with all of Russell’s group tours, the total number of participants will be restricted to a maximum of 30. The prices including airfare and taxes start @ $10,340. You can also choose to extend and include Victoria Falls, Botswana, Sun City, Namibia, Mozambique + your own independent arrangements.
If you think that you may be interested in joining the tour, you will need to act quickly, as the increased interest in South Africa since the World Cup should mean that the tour will sell very quickly. If you have any questions please speak to Joanne Harding-Smith @ Travelscene Samford on 3289 3700 (don’t forget you can redeem your American Express reward points to pay for the trip) or Russell Kelly directly on 3355 3700 or groups@mavericktravel.com.au
Russell’s motivation for creating the tour was to show Australians the ‘real’ South Africa by visiting parts of the country that are usually ignored by the larger tour operators. The result is a tour that offers a unique combination of game viewing, history, scenery and cultural experiences.
Some of the more unusual areas visited include, the “Wild Coast”, The Drakensberg Mountains, the Zulu Battlefields of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana, as well as Ladysmith – site of one of the most famous sieges of the Boer War. However, the more well-known areas have not been ignored, as the tour also includes Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Zululand, Hluhluwe N. P., Swaziland, The Blyde River Canyon and Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve.
Whilst the tour is one of the most diverse tours available, Russell realises that most visitors to Africa want to see the animals and this is where they excel – all of the 6 game drives are done in open-top Landrovers, not enclosed mini vans. This allows the participants to get much closer to the wildlife. In fact, 4 of the 6 game drives are done at the legendary Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, bordering Kruger National Park. Here the vehicles are allowed to traverse the vast expanse of land belonging to Sabi Sabi, not being restricted to roads and tracks. Such freedom allows the rangers to actually "track" the wild animals in their natural habitat – a truly unique experience that cannot be replicated in the National Parks.
The 2011 tour departs on 13 July and, as with all of Russell’s group tours, the total number of participants will be restricted to a maximum of 30. The prices including airfare and taxes start @ $10,340. You can also choose to extend and include Victoria Falls, Botswana, Sun City, Namibia, Mozambique + your own independent arrangements.
If you think that you may be interested in joining the tour, you will need to act quickly, as the increased interest in South Africa since the World Cup should mean that the tour will sell very quickly. If you have any questions please speak to Joanne Harding-Smith @ Travelscene Samford on 3289 3700 (don’t forget you can redeem your American Express reward points to pay for the trip) or Russell Kelly directly on 3355 3700 or groups@mavericktravel.com.au
