19 - 21 September 2011

Post Conference Technical Tours

A three day, two night field excursion with the Groundwater Guide to the province of Mpumalanga, with visits to coalfields, a water treatment plant, gold mine, historic mine, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Mac Mac Falls and Blyde River Canyon. End off the trip with a game drive into the world famous Kruger National Park.

After the post technical tour we are also offering 2 optional add-on tours to either Kruger National Park or Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

Please note that this tour falls within a Malaria area. Anti malarial prophylactics are recommended. Visitors are advised to consult their physician prior to travel for the most appropriate prophylactics.

Please note that all tours are subject to availability.

3 Day/2 night Post Conference Technical Tour

Thursday, 22 September 2011 – Pretoria to Barberton

This morning you will be collected at your hotel and from here we depart Pretoria by 08h30. We travel to the town of Witbank, where we visit the coalfields and the water treatment plant treating acidic mine water operated by AngloCoal. Here we will meet with an AngloCoal representative, who will give us a tour of the plant. Lunch is at Milly’s Country Trout Stall, near Machadodorp, where we can enjoy a country lunch overlooking a trout dam. This afternoon we make our way down the escarpment via the R541 where we can see good exposures of Pretoria Group quartzite’s on Nelshoogte Pass to Barberton. This evening we overnight at the Old Coach Road Guest House, which is tucked away in the Barberton Mountainlands Nature Reserve 9km outside Barberton. The name is derived from the coach road between Barberton and Delgoa Bay, used by transport riders delivering supplies to the many gold prospectors during the gold rush days of 1874-1898. The route was also made famous by Percy Fitzpatrick and his dog Jock. The remains of a portion of this road runs through the property. This evening we can enjoy sundowners on the sundeck, followed by dinner in the restaurant.

Overnight: Old Coach Road Guest House or similar
Basis: lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast

Friday, 23 September 2011 – Barberton to Hazyview

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning before departing for a visit to the Sheba Gold Mine in Barberton, one of South Africa's oldest gold mines, and view water management facilities. (note: no opportunity to go underground - we will just visit surface).There is an opportunity to view outcrops of the Barberton Greenstones, some of the world's oldest rocks, and views of Barberton Mountain Land topography. This afternoon we make our way to Graskop, stopping to view karst dolomite rocks en route, and traces of historic mining in the hills. If time allows, we will stop at Bourke's Luck potholes, Mac Mac falls and view Blyde River Canyon. This evening is spent at Chestnut Country Lodge, which is situated in the beautiful Kiepersol District near Hazyview and boasts magnificent mountain and valley views.

Overnight: Chestnut Country Lodge or similar
Basis: dinner, bed & breakfast

Saturday, 24 September 2011 – Hazyview to Pretoria or Johannesburg

For the early risers, there is an optional early morning game drive from Chestnut Country Lodge into the world famous Kruger National Park. You are collected at 05h00 at the hotel in an open safari vehicle, where you can enjoy a 3 hour game drive in the Park. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park's natural assets.

After a late breakfast we depart and travel back to Gauteng via Long Tom Pass, where there is a great microbrewery at the top. We stop in the little hamlet of Dullstroom for lunch, where there is another microbrewery.

Some of the delegates can take the option to stay on in Kruger National Park if desired, while the rest of the party will travel back to Pretoria and arrive late afternoon. Those wishing to catch a flight on Saturday night will have time and you will be dropped off at OR Tambo to connect with your flight.

Price per person based on 10 delegates: R 4 500-00

3 hour Kruger Park Game Drive – per person: R 650-00

Rate includes:

  • - 3 Days Vehicle Charter with an English speaking driver and includes all drivers meals and accommodation
  • - Light lunch at Milly’s Country Trout Stall
  • - 1 night at Old Coach Road Guest House on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis
  • - 1 light lunch at a local restaurant
  • - 1 night at Chestnut Country Lodge on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis
  • - 1 light lunch at a local restaurant
  • - Optional extra: 3 hour game drive in Kruger National Park

Rate excludes:

  • - All meals where not specified
  • - All beverages
  • - All extra activities and entrance fees
  • - Tipping, items of a personal nature

Two-day Kruger National Park add-on Tour

Saturday, 24 September 2011 – Hazyview to Kruger National Park

This morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to the Kruger National Park, where you spend 2 nights at Skukuza Rest Camp. This camp graces the banks of the Sabie River, one of the few perennial rivers to flow through the Kruger National Park. Visitors cannot but feel soothed by the view towards the river and the sounds of the bush. The camp is well foliaged and there are some lofty trees along the river’s edge. Activities and facilities are diverse, as are the animals and plants found both within the camp and in the surrounding areas. Skukuza is the Kruger National Park's largest rest camp and administrative headquarters. In this rest camp, the bounty and plenitude of nature are very evident, eloquently symbolised by the most conspicuous of its numerous trees, the mighty sycamore fig, which provides generously for the livelihood of many birds and insects. Not only do these giants produce fruit at least twice a year, but different trees produce fruit at different times, extending the gifts of life over many months. Watching the endless procession of animals coming to drink at the Sabie River establishes a sense of one's own place in the eternal cycle. This afternoon you depart on a sunset drive with your ranger in an open safari vehicle for a 3 hour game drive, before returning to the camp for dinner.

Overnight: Skukuza Rest Camp or Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp
Basis: Room only (self catering) – restaurant available on site

Sunday, 25 September 2011 – Kruger National Park

This morning your guide will collect you from the camp for a full day game drive in the park. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park's natural assets.

Overnight: Skukuza Rest Camp or Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp
Basis: Room only (self catering) – restaurant available on site

Monday, 26 September 2011 – Kruger National Park to Johannesburg/Pretoria

This morning you are taken on a sunrise game drive. The game drive is about 2 – 3 hours. You arrive back at camp and enjoy a hearty breakfast in the restaurant. From here your driver will collect you and transfer you to your hotel in Pretoria or drop you off at OR Tambo Airport

Price per person based on 6 delegates: R 5 950-00
Price per person based on 10 delegates: R 4 950-00

Rate includes:

  • - Transfer to Kruger National Park from Hazyview
  • - Daily conservation fee for Kruger National Park
  • - Evening Game Drive in open safari vehicle
  • - 2 nights accommodation at Skukuza Rest Camp in a bungalow with en suite bathroom and communal kitchen
  • - Full Day Game Drive in the park (lunch to your own account)
  • - Early Morning Game Drive in an open safari vehicle
  • - Transfer to Pretoria/Johannesburg or OR Tambo Airport
Rate excludes:
  • - All meals where not specified
  • - All beverages
  • - All extra activities
  • - Tipping, items of a personal nature

Two-day Sabi Sand Game Reserve add-on Tour

Saturday, 24 September 2011 – Hazyview to Sabi Sand Game Reserve

This morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to Sabi Sand Game Reserve to spend 2 nights at either Notten’s Bush Camp or Londolozi Game Lodge

Nowhere in South Africa will one find a wildlife experience quite like the one experienced within the Sabi Sand Reserve. Sharing a 50km (31.25 miles) unfenced border with the Kruger National Park, this immense (65 000 hectare/ 153 000 acre) and diverse tract of land is home to The Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant), and much much more. This area is also in the process of being further enlarged within the Peace Park concept with an expected integration and amalgamation with protected areas in Mozambique, and eventually Zimbabwe. Two rivers supply the game reserve with a valuable water source. The Sand River flows through the reserve for 50km (31 miles) from north west to south east whilst the Sabie River flows on the southern boundary. The sustenance of these rivers ensures that this area enjoys one of the highest and most bio-diverse wildlife populations of any area in Africa. Over two hundred different species live in abundance, whilst the ever changing bird life provides even the most experienced ornithologist with rare finds. Such is the environment that the wildlife, save for the migratory birds, remain in their territories all year round.

Option 1 – Notten’s Bush Camp
Notten’s Bush Camp is a jewel within the heart of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in Mpumalanga, which means “the land of the rising sun” in the locally spoken language, Shangaan. Notten’s is an exclusive and private safari lodge personally run by the Notten family. This beautiful, intimate safari lodge is situated within one of South Africa’s finest natural sanctuaries the Sabi Sand Reserve and Greater Kruger National Park. It is a destination that will truly touch your heart and soul. Each private suite is elegantly styled, spacious and cooled by ceiling fans. A magical atmosphere is created with the purposeful absence of electric lighting; the ambient candlelight and lanterns capturing an enchanting spirit of romance. With splendid panoramic views, this private game lodge is the perfect place for peace and relaxation while watching animals meander past.

Overnight: Notten’s Bush Camp
Basis: accommodation, meals, game drives, soft drinks, local beer and wines

Option 2 – Londolozi – Founders Camp
Founders Camp honours past Guests and staff who have contributed to building Londolozi Game Reserve. It is their efforts which have distilled the legacy of the past 30 years into a common mission. Enchanting, intimate and child friendly, Founder’s Camp is ideally situated to provide an insider’s view of the secrets of river life. Seven idyllic chalets, repose in the shade of ancient ebony and matumi trees along the banks of the Sand River.

This is an African safari in the classic style, replete with black and cream ticking fabric and original mahogany beds. Deep leather couches, military chests, compass safari lamps and a riverside lounge sala, create a mood of easy luxury and laid back welcome for discerning families and travellers. Seven idyllic chalets, repose in the shade of ancient ebony and matumi trees along the banks of the Sand River. This is an African safari in the classic style, replete with black and cream ticking fabric and original mahogany beds. Deep leather couches, military chests, compass safari lamps and a riverside lounge sala, create a mood of easy luxury and laid back welcome for discerning families and travellers.

Overnight: Londolozi Founders Camp
Basis: accommodation, meals, game drives, soft drinks, local beer and wines

Sunday, 25 September 2011 – Kruger National Park

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve is a remarkable natural sanctuary known for its exceptionally high concentration of animal and bird life. Safaris are led by experienced rangers in open-top land rovers, offering an adventurous discovery of the region’s prolific wildlife, including Big 5 game viewing. Unique walking safaris are offered daily giving guest the opportunity of discovering the hidden treasures of the region. This can be followed by lazy hours spent in the sparkling pool or having a massage at the Spa.

Overnight: Notten’s Bush Camp or Londolozi Founders Camp
Basis: accommodation, meals, game drives, soft drinks, local beer and wines

Monday, 26 September 2011 – Sabi Sand Game Reserve to Johannesburg/Pretoria

This morning you are taken on a sunrise game drive, followed by a hearty breakfast. Your driver will collect you at about 11h30 and from here you are transferred back to Pretoria or OR Tambo Airport.

Notten’s Bush Camp
Price per person sharing: R 9 300-00
Price per person in a single room: R 12 650-00

Londolozi – Founders Camp
Price per person sharing: R 15 550-00
Price per person in a single room: R 22 050-00

Rate includes:

  • - Transfer to Sabi Sand Game Reserve from Hazyview
  • - Daily conservation fee for Sabi Sand Game Reserve
  • - 2 nights at Notten’s Bush Camp on a fully inclusive basis
  • OR
  • - 2 nights at Londolozi Founders Camp on a fully inclusive basis
  • - Transfer to Pretoria/Johannesburg or OR Tambo Airport

Rate excludes:

  • - All meals where not specified
  • - All beverages
  • - All extra activities
  • - Tipping, items of a personal nature