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Itinerary – Nov/Dec 2007
Into the Heart of Africa
11th Nov Fly Australia to Johannesburg, South Africa
The group will fly into Johannesburg arriving at various times during the day. We will spend the afternoon/evening near the airport at a guest house where we will have the chance to relax and refresh after our trip and meet up with the rest of our group. We will get to know the staff at this small and friendly hotel very well as we transit though here quite a bit.
Meals incl. – flight meals
12th Nov Fly Johannesburg – Kimberley - drive to the Kalahari
This morning we will meet with Linda Smith at the airport to catch a short flight to Kimberley. Linda is a close friend and student of Credo Mutwa and has kindly offered to come with our group and drive us out to see Credo to introduce us to him and spend the next 2 days with us. The drive will take us out to the edge of the Kalahari Desert, giving us the chance to begin to soak up the sounds and feel of Africa while we begin to connect with the land before we embark on our journey in search of the diamonds within. We will enjoy group healing meditations as guided to, at various points along the trip. Africa is a continent in particular need of healing and of course South Africa with its turbulent history is one place in need of energy transmutation, so we may be guided to facilitate earth healing as we journey.
Meals incl. – B
13th Nov Credo Mutwa
Today we have the great honour of spending most of the day with Credo Mutwa, who is a Zulu Shaman, Sangoma (traditional healer) and a High Sanusi. Credo is well known and well respected for his work in nature conservation and as an author of ground breaking books on African mythology and spiritual beliefs. David Icke visits Credo regularly and a lot of information in his books was passed onto him from Credo. It is a great way for us to start our journey by connecting with “the” wisdom lineage holder for this land, who will 'throw the bones' for us to send us on our way.
(http://credomutwa.com/about/, http://literature.kzn.org.za/lit/18.xml)
Meals incl. – B / L
14th Nov Fly back to Johannesburg
This morning we drive back to Kimberley to get our connection back to Johannesburg, where we will spend the evening near the airport again at the guest house. We will most likely stay close to home and share a family meal with much to discuss following our journey to the Kalahari and meeting with Credo Mutwa.
Meals incl. – B
15th Nov Fly to Victoria Falls, Zambia
This morning we catch a flight to Livingstone, Zambia’s gateway to Victoria Falls, and transfer to our hotel where we should be able to hear the thundering of the Falls as they are so close by. We have a relaxing afternoon where we can take a walk through the charming old colonial facades and local market of Livingstone, taste some local fare and do some shopping, African style, followed by a sunset cruise on the Zambesi River where we will see some Hippo’s, crocodiles and other African wildlife. The major centre of feminine energy for Africa is Lake Victoria and the focal point of this energy is Victoria Falls (several hundred kilometres south). We will spend two nights with the thundering energy of Mother Africa cleansing and purifying our energy systems in preparation for what lies ahead.
Meals incl. – B
16th Nov Victoria Falls
We spend the day in and around Victoria Falls National Park. There are 5 major Falls that make up Victoria Falls : Devil’s Cataract, Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow Falls and the Eastern Cataract. At their highest, the Falls are 111m high and depending on the season between 500,000 and 9 million litres of water hurtle over their 1.7km wide lip every second! We will soak up the mist and rainbows from the Falls, and enjoy the lively birdlife of this amazing earthly paradise. We will rest in our own still-points and connect with all that is in this amazing power point.
Meals incl. – B
17th Nov Fly Victoria Falls - Johannesburg
After a relaxing morning either by the pool or in Livingstone, continuing to soak up the surrounding energy from the Falls (the highest concentration of negative ions in the world is at Victoria Falls), we fly back to Johannesburg and again overnight at the guest house.
Meals incl. – B
18th Nov Fly Johannesburg – Hoedspruit & transfer to Timbavati
We fly to the North East of South Africa on the border of the Kruger National Park. Here on the Nile Meridian lies the White Lion Sanctuary (www.whitelions.org), living proof of an Ancient Sirian prophecy. Mike Booth of Aura Soma International brought the White Lion Project to my attention when we met in the Central Australian desert in November 2006. Alison Efting, the director of AllisOne www.allisone.co.za and a champion for the White Lions has arranged for us to have privileged access to the White Lions and the projects director Linda Tucker. Today we will relax into our guest house before taking a short stroll to be introduced to the sanctuary.
Meals incl. – B / D
19th Nov Timbavati – the White Lions
Get up close and personal with these amazing cats. Today we meet with Linda Tucker, who has dedicated the past 15 years to the urgent protection of thi unique breed of snow white lions, born in only one place on earth – Timbavati. The White Lions are believed by indigenous elders to be the most sacred animals on the African continent.
Meals incl. – B / L / D
20th Nov White Lions
Over the 2 days we will spend with Linda, she has arranged a number of things for us in and around the White Lion Project including; a dawn expedition accompanying the scientific monotoring team to track the reintroduced White Lions in their natural endemic habitat; a walk along the banks of the Klaserie River in alignment with the Nile together with Shangaan Trackers identifying animal tracks; White Lion meditation on the sacred geometry and alignments of Timbavati and Giza in the north; riverside picnic in the Wild Fig Forest and meditation with the Sicamore (Pharoah) diva's; discussion on the rare genetics of the White Lions and an awesome video presentation of Marah, Queen of the White Lions and her 'long walk to freedom'; relaxed game drive. We will then finish off a special two days with a traditional Shangaan dinner and warrior dancing with Chief Axon Khoza and the Medicine Women of Maria Khosa's family, Lion Queen of Timbavati.
Meals incl. – B / L / D
21st Nov Fly Hoedspruit - Johannesburg
After a leisurely morning, the afternoon is spent traveling back to Johannesburg where we will overnight to get ready to head north. We will again be guests at the Africa Sky guest house, by now they will know your name and how you take your tea! We also have a special surprise for you this evening - we are off to the theatre to see the Lion King production, sure to make you feel even closer to this great land.
Meals incl. - B
22nd Nov Fly to Kilimanjaro Airport, Tanzania
We spend the day traveling up to Northern Tanzania and head into Moshi, gateway to Mt Kilimanjaro, where we will be welcomed by our local guide and transferred to a lovely African guest house for the evening to rest up before our big challenge.
Meals incl. – B / flight meals / D
23rd Nov Mt Kilimanjaro trek
Today the ascent to the top of the highest peak in Africa, and one of the highest free standing mountains in the world, begins. It is an amazing sight, rising out of the plains and rainforest at its edge. Kilimanjaro is the centre of masculine energy for Africa and is a beautiful mountain to behold. We will climb it on the Machame route, one of the most picturesque, and it takes us from semi desert, savannah, through rainforest, and up to alpine and onto a snow capped peak. A real heart warming and mind expanding challenge lies ahead. The trekking is reasonably easy going although we continually rise in altitude, and they are quite long days. The final day is a tough trek to the top, requiring a very early start, however no climbing is involved, we trek right to the top.
For those who choose to view rather than climb the mountain there is the option of taking a ‘writer’s break’ at one of the lovely game lodges nearby.
24th Nov Mt Kilimanjaro trek
Meals incl. – B / L / D
25th Nov Mt Kilimanjaro trek
Meals incl. – B / L / D
26th Nov Mt Kilimanjaro trek
Meals incl. – B / L / D
27th Nov Mt Kilimanjaro trek
We will be awakened just after midnight to begin our ascent to Uhuru Peak, and the top of the mountain at 5895 metres! We will rest in the energy of this beautiful place and then descend back down a way to revel in the exhilaration of reaching our goal and the amazing views of Africa we have seen.
Meals incl. – B / L / D
28th Nov Mt Kilimanjaro trek – Moshi
After breakfast, a simple descent remains and then we will be awarded our summit certificate before heading back into Moshi for a well earned rest evening at our guest house, where a shower and a hearty family meal will be the order of the day, perhaps early to bed for some.
Meals incl. – B / L / D
29th Nov Safari – Lake Manyara National Park / Ngorongoro Crater
This morning we head off nice and early with our guide to start our African safari adventure and get up close with many amazing animals of this country. Our first stop will be a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. Lake Manyara itself, with it's pink flamingo's, is one of the major attractions of the Park, along with the game viewing in a forest-like environment. After lunch en route, we will drive to Ngorongoro Crater to spend the evening in our campsite on the rim of the crater, affording an incredible view. This volcanic crater with impenetrable sides has created a microcosm of the African savannah and is a biologist's delight. The soil and energy is particularly rich having been a volcano in geologically recent times.
Meals incl. – B / L / D
30th Nov Ngorongoro Crater – Serengeti Plains
The world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater is part of a large area of interrelated ecosystems and is one of Africa’s best wildlife viewing areas with a large concentration of animals in the area. It is one of the largest calderas in the world at about 20km wide with steep unbroken walls which provide the setting for an incredible natural drama. Lions, elephants, buffalo, gazelle’s, zebra and wildebeests are just some of what you will see, with the small chance of a black rhino wandering past. After a 6 hour crater tour with lunch by the lake we will drive into the Serengeti to our campsite in the true wilderness for the evening, where we will hear the roar of the lions not too far away!
Meals incl. – B / L / D
01st Dec Serengeti Plains
Our morning and afternoon game drives across the majestic plains of the Serengeti will afford the opportunity for sightings of numerous lions, zebra, wildebeests, giraffe, elephants, hippo’s, water buffalo and who knows what else!
Meals incl. – B / L / D
02nd Dec Lake Victoria
Today we will drive through the Serengeti to take in the glorious Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake and the second largest freshwater lake in the world, 68 800 sq km in total. We will spend a couple of hours and lunch by the lake, enjoying the birds and other animals there, perhaps being lucky to even spot an otter of monkeys. Having communed with Mt Kilimanjaro and much of the lifeblood of Africa we now come to the basin of feminine energy to dip our toes, perhaps have a splash and pay our respects. Late afternoon we head back into the main part of the Serengeti to spend the evening in the Seronera Wildlife Lodge, swapping animal sighting stories with other guests over sunset drinks and dinner.
Meals incl. – B / L / D
03rd Dec Serengeti Plains
We have another day to spend searching out any animals that may have eluded us to date, and another relaxing evening in the lodge.
Meals incl. – B / L / D
04th Dec Serengeti Plains - Olduvai Gorge - Maasai Village - Tarangire NP
This morning we leave the Serengeti and on the way out, we will stop off at the start of Olduvai Gorge, a 100m deep, 50km long ravine that is one of the continent’s best known archaeological sites due to layers of volcanic deposits laid down over a period of almost 2 million years, providing remarkable documentation of ancient life.
We will also visit a Maasai Village and get an insight into this colourful tribe’s culture. The Maasai are pastoral nomads who have actively resisted change and still follow the same lifestyle they have for centuries. Their culture centres around their cattle which provide many of their needs – milk, blood and meat for their diet and hides and skins for clothing. The land, cattle and all elements related are considered sacred.
This evening we will be camping at a comfortable campsite near Lake Manyara.
Meals incl. – B / L / D
05th Dec Tarangire National Park - Arusha
Today we get back into our truck for the last time and head into Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is part of an extended ecosystem where animals roam freely and it stretches southeast of Lake Manyara, with a high concentration of game and bird viewing. After our morning game drive and lunch, we head back into Arusha to arrive late afternoon.
Meals incl. – B / L
06th Dec Arusha
Today we have a rest day to spend at our leisure, perhaps wandering through local markets in Arusha, a long leisurely lunch and much reminiscing about our favourite animal sighting moments and the wonderful country we have spent the past couple of weeks in.
Meals incl. – B
07th Dec Arusha - Johannesburg
This morning we fly back down to Johannesburg for a last evening at the Africa Sky Guest House (complete with personalised mug behind the bar) and a celebratory dinner before heading home.
Meals incl. – B / flight meal
08th Dec Johannesburg – Australia
Flight home
Meals incl. – B / Flight meals
Please note, this itinerary is subject to change.