welcome reception $6,145 $250 $5,895* mount nelson ...vineyards, cape town a j o u r n e y o n t h e...

Vineyards, Cape Town

Admire Victoria Falls on an Optional Post-Trip ExtensionEXCITING OPTIONAL EXCURSIONAvailable at Additional Cost

Cape Town: Wine CountryFull-day excursion

Stellenbosch

Experience the winemakers’ way of life in the Cape Winelands where more than 150estates enjoy ideal Mediterranean-like growing conditions for all major grape varieties.Visit Franschhoek, or French Corner, established in a lovely glen by French Huguenots in1688 and Stellenbosch, the well-preserved capital of the wine region, founded in 1679. Top off the tour with wine tasting at a renowned estate and lunch with a vineyard view.

Top to bottom:

Cable car station and lookout

point, Table Mountain

Cape cuisine

Game viewing

Cover photos:

Lion on the savannah

Cape Town

Calif. Seller of Travel Reg. No. 2028271-40, Fla. ST Reg. No. ST-36196, Iowa ST Reg. No. 520,Nevada ST Reg. No. 2003-0257, Ohio ST Reg. No. 8889139, Wash. State ST Reg. No. 601-820-781. PARTICIPATING AIRLINES-all IATA and ARC member carriers. ©2010 AHI TravelPrinted in the USA.

ITINERARYDay 1 Depart Gateway City

(Provided for Air Program participants only)

Day 2 Arrive Frankfurt, Germany / Evening departure for Cape Town, South Africa (Day room in Frankfurt and flight included for Air Program participants only)

Day 3 Arrive Cape Town

Day 4 Cape Town

Day 5 Cape Town

Day 6 Cape Town

Day 7 Rovos Rail

Day 8 Rovos Rail

Day 9 Johannesburg

Day 10 Johannesburg

Day 11 Thornybush Game Lodge

Day 14 Thornybush / Return to Gateway City (Provided for Air Program participants only)

Day 15 Arrive in Gateway City

NOTE: This itinerary schedule may change due to localconditions. Many excursions in this program involve anelement of walking as some of the finest attractions arelocated in areas not closely accessible by motorcoach.

To give away is

to make provision

for the future.

~ Tswana proverb

“The greatest glory in

living lies not

in never falling,

but in rising

every time we fall.”

~ Nelson Mandela,president of South

Africa, 1994-1999

“The whole scene

was extremely

beautiful; the banks

and islands dotted

over the river are

adorned with sylvan

vegetation of great

variety of color

and form …. [S]cenes

so lovely must

have been gazed

upon by angels

in their flight.”

~ David Livingstone,Scottish explorer,

1813-1873

SPONSORED BY

BOSTON COLLEGEALUMNI ASSOCIATION

OCTOBER 5-19, 2010Other dates available upon request

NEW ULTIMATE FLEXIBILITY-The AHI TravelPassenger Protection Plan now offers a low-cost AnyReason Cancellation feature. Book worry free!NOT INCLUDED-Fees for passports and, if applicable,visas; personal gratuities; laundry and dry cleaning;excursions, wines, liquors, mineral waters and meals notmentioned in this brochure under included features;travel insurance; all items of a strictly personal nature.MOBILITY AND FITNESS TO TRAVEL-The right isretained to decline to accept or to retain any person as amember of this trip who, in the opinion of AHI Travel isunfit for travel or whose physical or mental conditionmay constitute a danger to themselves or to others onthe trip, subject only to the requirement that the portionof the total amount paid which corresponds to theunused services and accommodations be refunded.Passengers requiring special assistance, including with-out limitation those who permanently or periodically usea wheelchair, must be accompanied by someone who isfit and able to assist them, and who will be totallyresponsible for providing all required assistance.AIR TRANSPORTATION-The price of air transporta-tion offered by AHI Travel is based on Advance PurchaseExcursion fares. After tickets are issued, penalties up to100% of the ticket price may be levied. If connectingflights are requested, special promotional fares may beused, in which case penalties of as much as 100% maybe assessed by the airlines if reservations are changed orcanceled after ticketing. After departure, if the reserva-tions are changed, you will be charged the higher, allyear Economy class fare. VARIATIONS TO THE GROUPITINERARY MUST BE REQUESTED NO LATER THAN 60DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. Passengers who choose tomake their own airline reservations independently willbe wholly responsible for any airline fees or penaltiesincurred as a result of program cancellation and/orchange in travel dates, or airline schedule(s).CANCELLATION-In addition to airline cancellationpenalties, all cancellations for any reason whatsoeverwill be subject to a $250 per person cancellation fee.Cancellation from 120 days to 76 days prior to departurewill result in forfeiture of 10% of the entire cost of thetrip per person; 75 days to 30 days, 50% of the trip costper person; cancellation from 29 days up to the time ofdeparture will result in 100% forfeiture of the entire costof the trip. TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE IS AVAIL-ABLE. AN APPLICATION WILL BE SENT AFTER YOURESERVE. All cancellations must be submitted in writingto AHI International Corporation.BAGGAGE-Baggage restrictions vary according to theairline policy and the class of service flown. Details willbe provided with your pre-departure information.Baggage allowances are subject to change by the carrierwithout notice. Excess baggage charges for additional oroversized/overweight pieces are expensive and notincluded in your trip price; plan your wardrobe accord-ingly. Transport of baggage and personal effects is at theowner's risk throughout the travel program. RESPONSIBILITY-AHI Travel and the Boston CollegeAlumni Association act only as agents for the suppliers oftravel conveyance, transport, accommodations or otherservice and have no responsibility for any delays, delayeddeparture or arrival, missed carrier connections, loss,death, damage or injury to person or property or acci-dent, mechanical defect, failure or negligence of anynature howsoever caused in connection with any accom-modations, transportation or other services or for anysubstitution of hotels or of common carrier equipment,with or without notice, or for any additional expensesoccasioned thereby. Dates, Program Details and Tourcosts, although given in good faith and based on tariffs,exchange rates and other information current at thetime of printing, are subject to change at or before thetime of departure. No revisions of the printed itinerary orits included features are anticipated; however, the right isreserved to make any changes, with or without notice,that might become necessary, with the mutual under-standing that any additional expenses will be paid by theindividual passenger. Baggage and personal effects arethe sole responsibility of the owners at all times. If theentire program is cancelled for any reason, participantsshall have no claim other than for a full refund. By for-warding the deposit, the passenger certifies that he/shehas no physical, mental or other condition of disabilitythat would create a hazard for himself/herself or otherpassengers and accepts the terms of this contract. Theairlines and other transportation companies concernedare not to be held responsible for any act, omission, orevent, during the time passengers are not on board theirconveyances. The passage contract in use, when issued,shall constitute the sole contract between thecompany(ies) and the passenger and/or purchaser ofthis trip.

800-669-8430 www.bc.edu/alumni 800-669-8430 www.bc.edu/alumni

Send to: South AfricaGail A. DarnellBoston College Alumni Association825 Centre StreetNewton, MA 02458-2527Phone: 617-552-4700 Toll Free: 800-669-8430

Please contact AHI Travel at 800-323-7373 with questions regarding this trip or tomake a reservation.

Full Legal Name (exactly as it appears on passport)

(1) _____________________________________________________________

(2) _____________________________________________________________

Street Address ___________________________________________________

City ____________________________________________________________

State_________________________________________ ZIP ______________

Home: (____________)_____________________________________________

Office: (____________)_____________________________________________

E-mail:__________________________________________________________r Yes, please e-mail me information about special travel opportunities.

Sharing with_______________________________________. (Form sent separately.)

Name(s) you would like on your name badge(s):

(1) _____________________________________________________________

(2) _____________________________________________________________

Optional Post-Trip Extension to Victoria Falls & Botswana

Please make _____ reservations for me (us) on the Optional Post-Trip extensionto Botswana, including Victoria Falls and game viewing at Chobe National Park.

I/we authorize you to make my/our reservations as follows:Land Programr I/we will make my/our own air arrangements and transfers.r Please call me/us to discuss my/our air options.r I prefer single accommodations at an additional $1,995 (limited availability).r I request assistance in securing a roommate but will accept a single, if one is

available at this time, and pay the single supplement. Should a roommate befound, I understand the supplement will no longer apply.

Land and Air Programr I/we reserve the Land Program and request the Air Program to Cape Town,South Africa, with return from Johannesburg, South Africa, to depart from:

________________________________________________________________Departure City

r Please send me information on upgrading my flights.

Please note: Air prices will be sent to you with your Reservation Confirmationand air schedule sent at 90 days before departure. International flight arrange-ments can be canceled with no obligation up to 75 days before departure.

Reservations are subject to availability and processed on a first come, first servedbasis. Reservations to be paid in full by July 22, 2010 (75 days prior to depar-ture). Reservations received after this date must be accompanied by payment infull. Final payment may be made by personal check, MasterCard or Visa. Makechecks payable to AHI International.Enclosed is a deposit of ________ ($600 per person required) to reserve________ place(s).

r Accept my check made payable to AHI International.

r Charge my deposit to: r MasterCard r Visa

Card #___________________________________________________________

Expires________/________

________________________________________________________________(Signature as it appears on credit card)

Please note: Any payment to AHI International constitutes your acceptance of theterms and conditions set out herein, including but not limited to the Cancellation terms.

Title First Middle Last Class Year

Reserve your trip to South Africa today!For Office Use Only: B #: ______________ Date: ________________

PSR: ________________Trip #:16-19037INCLUDED FEATURES

First, Four Nights in CapeTown• Deluxe accommodations at the historic and

elegant Mount Nelson Hotel.• Welcome Reception at the hotel.•A tour of Cape Town, featuring the Victoria &

Alfred Waterfront and panoramic views fromatop Table Mountain.

• A lecture on South Africa’s history and culture.

• A visit to Robben Island.• A tour of Cape Peninsula, including lunch.

Then, Two Nights aboardthe Rovos Rail• Deluxe accommodations on a luxury Rovos

Rail train from Cape Town to Pretoria.• Tours of Matjiesfontein and Kimberley.

Next, Two Nights inJohannesburg• Deluxe accommodations at the hillside

Westcliff Hotel.• A lecture on contemporary South Africa.• A visit to the Apartheid Museum.• A tour of Soweto.

Finally, Three Nights atthe private ThornybushGame Reserve• Deluxe accommodations at the Thornybush

Main Lodge.• Morning and afternoon game drives with local

English-speaking driver-guides.• A presentation by a Thornybush naturalist.

Transfers and Porterage• Deluxe motorcoach transfers between

hotels and train stations, from the WestcliffHotel to Thornybush Game Reserve, and fromThornybush to the Johannesburg airport,including baggage handling at the hotels.

Many Included Extras• An American breakfast included at each hotel,

all meals on the train and at the game lodge.• Tipping of guides and drivers on included and

optional excursions is included.• Consultation services of a Passenger Service

Representative prior to departure.• Services of a professional Travel Director and

professional English-speaking local guidesthroughout your trip.

• Deluxe travel wallet.• Detailed destination and travel information

to assist in your planning.

Dear Alumni and Friends,We invite you to join our fantastic Treasures of South Africa

program. Visit historic cities, admire breathtaking landscapes, discover a kaleidoscope of cultures and explore one of the last true frontiers in search of Africa’s famous big game.

This thoughtfully designed itinerary features the very best ofSouth Africa with preferred access to popular attractionsand insightful excursions led by knowledgeable guides.Throughout the journey, you’ll be treated to sumptuous cuisine, personalized service and luxurious, deluxe accommodations thathave played host to luminaries and statesmen. To top it off, you’llsavor these once-in-a-lifetime adventures with like-minded travelers and still have free time to venture out on your own.

And if you want to continue your exploration of southern Africa,we are offering an extension featuring an additional night inJohannesburg and two nights in Kasane, Botswana.

This exclusive trip is an outstanding travel opportunity and anunbeatable value. Please join us as we discover the spectacularnatural beauty and indomitable spirit of modern-day South Africa.Space is limited to ensure maximum comfort, so weencourage you to make your reservation today.

Building a deeper connection with Boston College,

John Feudo Gail A. Darnell Associate Vice President Director of Travel Programsfor Alumni Relations & Special ProjectsBoston College Boston College Alumni Association Alumni Association

A word about your Tour OperatorAHI Travel is the premier operator of deluxe travel programssponsored by alumni associations. Their experienced, professional staff has offered the highest level of service ininnovative travel programs since 1962.In AHI Travel’s care, you can rely on:•An exceptional travel value. It would be impossible for an

independent traveler to arrange all these unique experiences, inclusions and services at a comparable price.

•Unique access to local sites. Take advantage of their 47 years of travel experience to gain preferred entrance topopular sites and to uncover the region’s hidden treasures.

•Flexibility and customization. They will help you tailor your dream trip with add-ons and extensions, while free timeduring the trip allows you to pursue your own interests.

•Safety and security. In a country where you might not know the language or culture, their professional staff is onhand to ease your way and get you any help you need.

•Full endorsement by the USTOA. This professional association safeguards consumers’ deposits and payments with a $1 Million Traveler’s Assistance Program.

VICTORIA FALLSOPTIONAL POST-TRIP EXTENSION

One night in Johannesburg and two nights in Kasane, Botswana

Extend your trip in Botswana at the conclusion ofyour South African adventure. This is a speciallypriced opportunity to spend two nights at the luxurious Mowana Safari Lodge next to the spectacular Chobe National Park. You’ll arrive inVictoria Falls, Zimbabwe, where you’ll see power-ful Victoria Falls before transferring to Kasane.

The Optional Extension includes:• Deluxe accommodations at the

InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport

• Deluxe accommodations at the MowanaSafari Lodge, located near Chobe National Park

• Round-trip flight between Johannesburg andVictoria Falls, Zimbabwe

• Daily breakfast, one lunch and two dinners• Visit to Victoria Falls, a morning safari game

drive and a sunset game-viewing cruise on theChobe River in Botswana

• Hotel tax and porterage• Motorcoach transfers between the hotels

and airports

$1,595 per person, double occupancy$495 single supplement

LAND PROGRAMOctober 7-18, 2010

Full Price Special Savings Special Price

$6,145 $250 $5,895*

*Special Price valid if booked by the date found on the address panel.

VAT is an additional $165 per person.

All prices quoted are per person, based on double occupancy (unless otherwise stated). Single accommodations are an additional $1,995 (limited availability).

Give the gift of travel. PERSONALIZED GIFT CERTIFICATES! Call us for details.

AIR PROGRAMOctober 5-19, 2010

For your convenience, AHI offers a flexible AirProgram featuring special air fares available atan additional cost in conjunction with the LandProgram.

AHI has designated specific Group AirSchedules for this departure utilizing sched-uled jet service from North America to CapeTown, South Africa, with a return fromJohannesburg, South Africa. Those partici-pating on these flights will enjoy motorcoachtransfers between the arrival/departure air-ports abroad and the hotels, including baggagehandling. Prices are dependent upon dates, airroutes and class of service chosen and will bereflected on your Reservation Confirmation,which will be sent to you upon receipt of yourreservation. Air schedules will be sent withyour Final Invoice approximately 90 daysbefore departure. Prices quoted to you willinclude all domestic and foreign governmentalairport departure taxes and fees and any appli-cable fuel surcharges. AHI ticketed passengerswill also receive Automatic $250,000 FlightInsurance, subject to policy terms.

Above: Victoria & Alfred

Waterfront with Table Mountain

in the background,

Cape Town

THE BIG FIVETThhee SSaaffaarrii EExxppeerriieennccee

YOUR LUXURIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS

LIONELEPHANT

RHINOCEROSLEOPARDCAPE BUFFALO

Rovos Rail

THORNYBUSHGAME RESERVE

Thornybush Main Lodge

Guest room, Thornybush

Mount Nelson Hotel

M A I N L O D G EKrugerrand

U N E S C O

Robben Island (1999) and the Cape Floral RegionProtected Areas (2004) are UNESCO WorldHeritage List sites featured in this comprehensiveprogram. These sites are distinguished due to universal scenic, historic, artistic or scientific value.

Above upper left to right: Game viewing in Thornybush Game Reserve. Boma at Thornybush Main Lodge

JOHANNESBURGThe land around Johannesburg was first inhabited by local peoples and then later byEuropean farmers before the 1871 discoveryof gold triggered an influx of internationaladventurers and fortune seekers. But the gold

THORNYBUSH MAIN LODGEThornybush Game Reserve

Unrivaled big game viewing is complemented byexquisite accommodations at the exclusive MainLodge of the private Thornybush Game Reserve.Luxurious amenities include full spa facilities and aswimming pool. Indulge in full English breakfastsand superb gourmet cuisine infused with local flavor,attention to detail and highly personalized service.Comfortable air-conditioned suites with extensiveliving areas are styled in rich natural textures and overlook the seasonal Monwana River. Each features a bath and shower, and private decks from which to appreciate the sweeping vistas over the savannah and 24-hour animal observation at the water hole.

WESTCLIFF HOTELJohannesburg

Cascading from a hillside in cosmopolitanJohannesburg, the award-winning Westcliff isthe city's most glamorous retreat. Readers ofTravel + Leisure magazine rated it among the tophotels in the world in a 2008 survey. Guests atthis glorious gem enjoy understated elegance, a holistic spa, palatial marble baths and individually furnished guest rooms decorated bySouth Africa's premier designer, Graham Viney. A sprawling pool and terrace overlook theMagaliesberg Mountains and the forested canopyof the northern suburbs.

retained its spirit. If tranquil Cape Town is the country’s oldest and most cultured city,Johannesburg is its rambunctious little brother.The suburb of Westcliff, the peaceful environsof your hotel, is distinguished by romanticEdwardian mansions and the city’s ZoologicalGardens.

SOWETOAn acronym for South Western Township,Soweto is a living symbol of the energy andspirit that helped end apartheid. One hundredyears after it was founded to house black mineworkers away from the center of Johannesburg,Soweto is a study in contrasts. BMW dealershipsand tidy row houses sit side by side with squat-ter camps and tin shacks. Despite its tragic history, Soweto leads a trendsetting culturalscene. Vilakazi Street is famous for its two former residents: Nobel Peace Prize winnersNelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Otherimportant sites include the stirring ApartheidMuseum and the Hector Pieterson Memorial,erected in memory of the 1976 student protestthat captured the world’s attention.

Nineteenth-century big-game hunterscoined the phrase, The Big Five. Theterm refers to the most dangerous animals to track on foot and which,therefore, are the most prized trophies.They are the lion, elephant, cape buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard. Thesemagnificent creatures are still themost desired animals to stalk while on safari, but, nowadays, with a zoomlens mounted on a digital camera!

ProgramHighlights

•Enjoy luxury accommoda-tions renowned for everymodern comfort and amenity,in three of the country’sdiverse regions.

•See the changing landscapesof South Africa during atwo-night train journeyacross the country aboardthe luxurious Rovos Rail.

•Watch Africa’s wildlife in itsnatural habitat during athree-night safari.

•Enjoy a specially designed itinerary designed to showcase the breadth ofSouth African culture, landscape and wildlife.

•Walk in the footsteps ofNelson Mandela with visitsto Robben Island andSoweto.

•Learn about South Africa,past and present, during twoexclusive educational presentations.

outh Africa is a land of spectacular cultural, biological and geological

diversity. Sir Frances Drake, the great English navigator, described its southwest shores as the“fairest cape in the whole circumference ofthe earth.” Cosmopolitan Cape Town is poisedbetween mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. Fromflat-topped Table Mountain to historic RobbenIsland to the serene landscapes of the CapePeninsula coastline, the city always fascinatestravelers with its history and natural beauty. Thentravel across the country aboard the luxurious RovosRail to the northeastern corner of the country. Thetrain stops in Victorian Matjiesfontein and inKimberley, center of South Africa’s diamond industry. In Johannesburg, visit the stirringApartheid Museum and experience the sense of community that unites Soweto. Finally, embark on a three-night safari at the private ThornybushGame Reserve, which is a showcase of bushveldlandscapes and wildlife. See the Big Five in their natural habitat, and spend your leisure time baskingin the luxury of the Thornybush Game Lodge.Indulge your cultural curiosity and ignite your spirit of adventure. Come discover the inspiringTreasures of South Africa!

CAPE TOWNSheltered beneath massive Table Mountain on anarrow peninsula that curls southward to thesea, the Mother City of Africa is one of the mostbeautiful destinations on earth. Elegant CapeTown is a feast for the senses. Centuries-oldCape Dutch houses, storied landmarks andenchanted gardens dot the cityscape. Among thecity’s countless highlights, the colorful Victoria &Alfred Waterfront welcomes visitors with hun-dreds of inviting boutiques and cafés set amidworkaday harbor life. To the south, the Atlanticseaboard gives way to a spectacular coastline,powdery beaches, seaside villages and an arrayof exotic wildlife within easy reach of the city.

ROBBEN ISLANDRobben Island has come to symbolize the triumph of the human spirit. This remarkableoutpost has served as a whaling station, a lepercolony, a military base and, most infamously, thepolitical prison that housed Nelson Mandela andother freedom fighters. Today, former prisonersguide visitors with an insider’s view of Africa’sAlcatraz where, despite inhumane conditions,prisoners were able to organize politicaldebates, educational programs and sportingevents and become the international focus ofthe fight against apartheid.

CAPE PENINSULAThe Cape of Good Hope, where the Atlantic andIndian oceans meet, is a captivating place of awe-inspiring scenery, fantastic walks, desertedbeaches and rare wildlife. The Cape FloralKingdom is renowned for an abundance of biodiversity that encompasses the natural wonders of Table Mountain National Park. Thisarea, representing less than 0.5% of Africa, ishome to nearly 20% of the continent’s flora.Explore the length of Cape Peninsula and marvelat some of the 2,285 species of plant life, a spectacular display that far exceeds that in theBritish Isles (1,492) and New Zealand (1,996). AtCape Point, ascend one of the world’s highest seacliffs by funicular to admire stunning panoramiccoastal views. In Simonstown, seemore than 2,000 protectedAfrican penguins at BouldersBeach from boardwalks thatwind among their nests.

Nelson Mandela: From Prisoner to President Nelson Mandela was a successful lawyerwhen he joined the African NationalCongress in 1952. A decade later, the ANCwas banned and Mandela was sentenced to life in prison. During his 27 years as a political prisoner, he refused to compromisehis beliefs to gain freedom and became apotent anti-apartheid symbol. Freed in 1990,Mandela negotiated the end of apartheid,was awarded half of the Nobel Peace Prizein 1993 and became the first black presidentof South Africa.

In the not-so-distant past, a safari was synonymous with hunters stalking herds of biggame that roamed the African plains. Today,most hunters are armed with cameras instead ofguns. Their trophies? Images of the Africa’sincomparable wildlife.

Each day unfolds with discoveries of nature’sgrandeur on the wild continent. Awaken to thearoma of freshly brewed coffee as your expertdriver prepares his vehicle for your early morninggame drive. Set off in pursuit of exotic animalsand birds in their natural habitat and see thedrama of their day-to-day struggle for survival.

MOUNT NELSON HOTELCape Town

Nestled at the foot of majestic Table Mountain, the award-winning Mount Nelson Hotel offers unparalleled tradition, luxury and service. Rated among “the world’s best hotels” by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine in 2004, theelegant Nellie is set amid nine acres of well-tended gardens. It features a host of amenitiesincluding beautifully appointed English-stylerooms, heated pools, floodlit tennis courts, guided “garden walks” and popular afternoontea. For more than a century, this world-classgrande dame has played host to celebrities andstatesmen—including Winston Churchill and thePrince of Wales—and continues to welcomeinternational travelers with incomparable style.

If you’ve ever imagined seeing a pride of lionslazing in the sun, a lone cheetah scouting forprey from atop a rock or a herd of gracefulimpalas bounding across grassland, thenThornybush Private Game Reserve is a dreamcome true. Located near world-renowned Kruger National Park, the reserve offers incredible wildlife encounters in the heart of the Valley of the Olifants, the most game-richarea in the country. Kruger and other nearbygame reserves are fenceless, so animals arefree to roam, giving you plentiful opportunitiesto see many of the reserves’ wild residents.During each safari adventure, scan for thefamous Big Five and the 152 other mammalspecies—and the 507 bird species, the 114 reptile species and more!—that reside within28,417 acres of lowveld as knowledgeable, seasoned driver-guides share their knowledge of the flora and fauna.

Return to the lodge for a hearty Englishbreakfast and share your morning encounterswith fellow travelers. After lunch, there is timeto take a dip in the pool or treat yourself to a massage at the spa. Tea is served before yourafternoon game drive.

As the sun completes its sojourn across thesky, return to the lodge for a relaxing evening.After a dinner of delicious Continental and localcuisine, gather around the fireplace to tradetales and tally your Big Five sightings. By day’send, you’ll have collected many photographs andthrilling memories of your very own safari.

SThis two-night trek across South Africa recalls anera when a rail journey was an event, not just ameans of transportation. This sophisticatedcross-country jaunt introduces you to the variedSouth African landscape during the 994-milejourney from Cape Town in the southwestern tipof the country to Pretoria in the northeastern corner. Rovos Rail offers the rare experience ofluxury travel in vintage carriages, all of whichhave been refurbished and impeccably appointedfor your comfort. The décor, late Victorian andEdwardian, is a nod to the heyday of refinedtrain travel. Spend your days in the observationcar or mingle with your fellow travelers in thelounge. To complete your experience, you canexpect attentive service and even a little bit offormality at dinner as passengers dress for theoccasion. You’ll enjoy fine cuisine; menusemphasize fresh, local ingredients and regionalspecialties. Each morning, you will relish a sumptuous breakfast buffet as well as dishescooked to order. Three-course lunches and dinners include a selection of excellent SouthAfrican wines. Air-conditioned suites feature asitting area, minibar (stocked with the beveragesof your choice), personal safe and full bathroomwith shower and hair dryer. Room service also isavailable at any hour.

rush, for better or worse, led to a populationexplosion and the development of the city thatwould become the country’s financial center.Today, skyscrapers have replaced miners’shacks in the vibrant City of Gold, and many ofthe poor neighborhoods are being revitalized.Through its tempestuous history, Joburg has

Top to bottom:

Waterfront musical

entertainment,

Cape Town; Cape

Peninsula;

Protea, national

flower of South

Africa; and

African penguin

DDaayy 11—Matjiesfontein This morning, your train leavesfrom Cape Town. Leave behind the mountains and the verdant vineyards of the Western Cape as you make your way to the Karoo,the semidesert plateau that encompasses much of South Africa’sinterior. Early this evening, arrive at Matjiesfontein, a turn-of-the-century spa town. It was founded by James D. Logan, anEnglishman who re-created a bit of London in the village by importing street lights and building a Victorian-style hotel. Explorethe town on a guided tour before resuming your journey.

DDaayy 22—Kimberley This morning, awake to the scenery ofthe Northern Cape province. Arrive in Kimberley in the afternoonand set out on a guided tour. The 1866 discovery of a diamond ona farm near Hopetown set off South Africa’s great diamond rush.See the Big Hole, the former diamond mine that once was thoughtto be the largest hole excavated by hand.

DDaayy 33—Pretoria After a late-morning arrival in Pretoria, transfer by deluxe motorcoach to the Westcliff Hotel.

Above:

Westcliff

nestled on

a hillside

Guestroom,

Westcliff

HotelMural of Nelson Mandela in Soweto