|
|
VISITOR OPPORTUNITIES |
SARDINE RUN OCEAN CRUISE
Other tour operators wait for the sardines, Expert-Tours are where the sardines are! Port Elizabeth. Baitballs from February to July.
Expert-Tours has succeeded in finding baitballs and diving with the action since 2002 in Port Elizabeth!
Here, in Port Elizabeth, all sardines gather before they move North if the current allows them to.
Gannets, seals, penguins, whales, Orcas and sharks. All are here to feed on the sardines.
We are there, where the sardines will break the surface of the Indian Ocean, to view, dive and snorkel with them.
All participants of the CTM2009 are welcome to book this unforgettable adventure:
Daily trips leave from the Port Elizabeth Harbour at 8.30 am each morning between 20th June and 28th June (weather permitting). During the
approximately 4 - 5 hour trip we will take you to the sardine run action, you will see hunting common dolphins, brydes and minky whales going through
baitballs; see sharks breaching through the surface of the Indian Ocean and experience thousands of gannets diving into the sea.
Windjackets and waterproof containers for cameras can be provided.
Prices for package:
A Sardine Run day comprises a 4 - 5 hour trip, approximately 50km to maximum 100km travel out at sea on the boat. We cover the area inside the Algoa Bay and if neccessary, travel to Maitlands (half way to Cape St. Francis) to find Sardine Run action.
20% of all tour income is donated to Ocean Messengers NGO!!
Visit the Ocean Messengers website...
Price per person per day:
ZAR 600.00
Bookings and reservations:
Pre-booking essential via email (info@expert-tours.de) or phone (0027 (0) 41 581 2486 /
0027 (0) 721 420 420, speak to Petra or Rainer.
|
 |
| |
|
DUNEFIELDS RESERVE
Experience the vastness and breathtaking wonder of untouched nature at it’s best, in the largest coastal dune field in the Southern Hemisphere
Situated on Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, are 142 square km’s of magnificent towering sand dunes, known as the Alexandria dune fields.
‘………a sight once seen, never to be forgotten’
Your day begins at 9am, when you will arrive at Dunefields Reserve. After being welcomed with tea and coffee, you will depart on a custom made open Landcruiser
for your 3-hour excursion, which includes an exhilarating drive over sand dunes, bordering on the Addo Elephant National Park, down to the sea.
Photograph the spectacular scenery while your experienced guide explains the geology of the dunes as well as the flora and fauna.
Explore the shell middens left behind by early man (Strandlopers) and listen to the fascinating history of the lives they lived.
Pottery shards and primitive tools that were used have been found over the years and are shown and explained.
Refreshments will be served on the beach, where you can relax and observe the numerous sea birds that inhabit the shoreline,
such as the endangered Black Oystercatcher and Damara Terns, and be on the lookout for Bottlenose dolphins and Southern Right and Humpback whales.
Take a walk along this 50km long stretch of desolate, unspoilt beach and take pleasure in being the only visitors for as far as the eye can see.
You will be returned to a unique tranquil setting, under a canopy of trees, where you can indulge in a delicious 3-course lunch and specially
selected wines. Sit back and relax around the fire while you reflect on what you have experienced. Your unforgettable day comes to an end at
approximately 14h30/15h00 when you will be returned to your vehicle.
Groups are small and trips limited to one per day, to ensure minimal impact on the environment, as well as offering a more personal
and exclusive experience. The maximum number of guests per trip is 15, using 2 vehicles, with the option of 1 additional guest
sitting in the front of the vehicle with the guide (closed cab), making it a total of 16.
We are situated approximately 1 hours drive Port Elizabeth. Unfortunately we do not offer transfers, so guests need to make their own arrangements to get here.
Contact: Jill Lake
Tel / Fax: +27 (0) 41 468 0343
e-mail: info@dunefields.co.za
Visit the Dunefields website...
RATES
R600.00 per adult
R300.00 per child under 12yrs
No charge for children 6yrs and under
Price includes: Guided excursion, lunch and drinks
Arrival Time: 09h00
Departure Time: 14h30 (approx.)
|
|
| |
|
ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK & SUNDAYS RIVER SUNSET CRUISE
7.30 a.m. pick up at residence in Port Elizabeth and transfer to the Addo Elephant National Park. Arrive at approximatly 9.00 a.m. at the reserve gate, check in and quick comfort
stop and depart for the reserve and game viewing. Approximately a three hour drive through the game reserve, viewing. Elephant, Lion, Black Rhino, Buffalo, Zebra, Eland, Kudu, and
Warthog amongst the many species of animal and fascinating bird life.
Return to the rest camp by 12.00 p.m. For refreshments and lunch. Enjoy a picnic lunch sitting quietly under the
shade of the trees, whilst observing game drinking at the waterhole during the midday heat. Visit the underground hide for an up close and personal experience of the African Elephant.
After lunch we continue the game drive through the reserve making our way to meet the Ferry, a boat on the nearby Sundays river. We board the Ferry and depart for a sundowner cruise of
between two and a half and 3 hours on the river.
Drinks and snacks will be supplied on board while we slowly cruise the river, bird and game viewing along the way. Stop and climb the shifting
sanddunes. From the top we can watch the sun disappearing over Algoa bay, and the possibility of sighting, in the distance some of the many Whales that seasonally visit this large protected bay.
Soon after sunset when the shadows have merged into dusk we depart back to Port Elizabeth well satisfied and relaxed, recounting experiences that will last forever. Return to accommodation in Port Elizabeth.
Contact: Alan Fogarty Tours & Holiday Services
e-mail: info@alantours.co.za
Visit the Alan Fogarty Tours website...
|
 |
| |
|
GREATER ADDO NATIONAL PARK
8.00 a.m. pick up at residence in Port Elizabeth and and depart for the Addo Elephant National Park. We enter the Southern Matyholweni gate and pass through this new section of the Park before entering the original section were we start our search for Africa's Big 5.
The Park is home to some 500 African Elephants, Black Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Lion and Leopard amongst the other Antelope, Warthog and Zebra, Reptiles and diverse Birdlife. Arriving at the main Lodge we break for a picnic under the trees overlooking the water hole.
After lunch we continue to the Woody Cape section of Addo where we set out on foot through the expansive and picturesque dune fields. We explore huge Khoikhoi middens. Ancient dumping grounds were locally extinct Khokhoi left millions of sea shells they harvested from the seashore and nearby reefs.
Discover pot shards, pieces of pots they used to carry and store water and cook foodstuffs. Search amongst the bones and try to identify mammals and birds hunted, captured and eaten by these the first permanent inhabitants of the area.
As the day slowly fades, we leave the exposed dunefields for the sheltered forest where we complete the day with a comfortable walk at this magical time.
A time when the forest creatures awaken from the lethargy of the day. Listen to the forest as the evening song engulfs you in a hidden world,
wrapping you in it's cloak of secrecy in these serene coastal dune forests.
Contact: Alan Fogarty Tours & Holiday Services
e-mail: info@alantours.co.za
Visit the Alan Fogarty Tours website...
RATES
Two to three persons at R1050.00 each
Four to five persons at R800.00 each
Six and above persons at R700.00 each
|
 |
| |
|
HALF DAY EXCURSIONS PORT ELIZABETH
All half day excursions include entrance fees and light refreshments en-route.
Seaview Lion Sanctuary and Kragga Kama Nature Reserve
African Big game on your doorstep. 8.00 a.m. Pick up. Depart via the coastline to lookout point for brief historical orientation before
proceeding to Seaview Lion sanctuary. View Lion and Tigers at close quarters. Stop at sancuary centre for interaction with Lion cubs and refreshments. Depart for Kragga Kama nature reserve for game viewing experience before returning.
Contact: Alan Fogarty Tours & Holiday Services
e-mail: info@alantours.co.za
Visit the Alan Fogarty Tours website...
|
 |
| |
|
Red Location and Tavern Tour
A glimpse into apartheid and the vibrant life in the townships. 8.00 a.m. Pick up. Depart via the Port Elizabeth harbour for orientation. Depart for the Red Location in the suburb of New Brighton.
On arrival commence guided tour of this thought provoking monumnet to the struggle for democracy. Afterwards we proceed to a tavern to settle down to a traditional lunch and local brew and observe the colourful, vibrant daily life in the townships. After lunch we return to place of residence and end of excursion. Price of tour includes tavern lunch and traditional refreshments.
Contact: Alan Fogarty Tours & Holiday Services
e-mail: info@alantours.co.za
Visit the Alan Fogarty Tours website...
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
Coastal, Inland Bird Watching and Nature Walk
7.30a.m. Pick up at place of residence. Walk the coastal birding route along the Cape Recife nature reserve shore line, Waders, Gulls and Terns. The reserve is home to an important breeding colony of Roseate Terns one of South Africa’s rarest and most endangered seabirds. Explore the rock pools and sandy shore line. Enjoy a light snack
before departing for an inland birding experience where we discover the hidden secrets of the Eastern Cape sub-tropical thickets on the outskirts of Nelson Mandela Bay.
Contact: Alan Fogarty Tours & Holiday Services
e-mail: info@alantours.co.za
Visit the Alan Fogarty Tours website...
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
Woody Cape, Dune and Forest Walk
Early departure from Port Elizabeth for Woody Cape, a pristine remnant of the once huge coastal canopy forests.
We start with a walk in the expansive dune fields with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean and Bird Island, explore the Khoikhoi
middens, extinct inhabitants of this coastal area, relics of their ancient life style. We return by a leisurely walk on the Dassie trail, winding through magnificent Dune forest, dappled shade
and a myriad of bird songs cloak you in a lost world. We complete the walk and return to the vehicle for a well earned picnic lunch and the trip back to Port Elizabeth.
Contact: Alan Fogarty Tours & Holiday Services
e-mail: info@alantours.co.za
Visit the Alan Fogarty Tours website...
|
 |
| |
|
DAILY OUTINGS
Sundays River Cruise
The villages of Colchester and Cannonville lie near the estuary of the scenic Sundays River with its spectacular sand dunes
and views of Algoa Bay. The river is calm and peaceful and offers a relaxing and memorable experience. The raised viewing deck provides a great place from which to watch the bird life
along the river banks and game in the bush.
A 2½ hour cruise including a stop over of +/- 40 minutes at the lagoon near the river mouth for everyone to explore the world renowned Alexandria
Coastal Dune fields and experience a magnificent view of Algoa Bay and the Islands.
The Sundays River Valley stretches from Addo, world renowned for the Addo National Elephant Park in the south,
to the pretty citrus village of Kirkwood further north. The road up the valley from Port Elizabeth takes the traveller into an evergreen world of citrus trees. In October the trees are in full blossom,
and the warm air of the Valley is heavy with their perfume.
It is a very diverse region, with the thorny Karoo environment of Noorsveld around Darlington Lake, changing as you drive further south, to the
bleached dunes of Alexandria – a real gem of diversity just 40 minutes drive from Port Elizabeth.
The region includes the Greater Addo Elephant National Park (GAENP) which incorporates a 120 000 hectare marine
protected area to form the world’s first Big Seven Reserve (Southern Right Whales and Great White Sharks have been added to lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant).
Contact: Pembury Tours
e-mail: kerry@pemburytours.com
Visit Pembury Tour website...
|
 |
| |
|
St Francis Bay and Jeffrey’s Bay
Jeffrey’s Bay is a surfing mecca and is home to the Billabong Surf Challenge. There is time for a walk along the beach – which has
the largest variety of shells in South Africa. There are many clothing factory shops to browse through. Continue to St Francis Bay
and board a canal boat for a cruise through the man-made canals to view beautiful holiday homes! Enjoy a late lunch in St Francis Bay.
The cost includes the services of a registered tour guide in an air-conditioned vehicle, boat trip and lunch (drinks excluded)
Contact: Pembury Tours
e-mail: kerry@pemburytours.com
Visit Pembury Tour website...
|
 |
| |
|
Walk the Sacramento Trail
A guided tour starting with a scenic drive along the “Wildside” to the village of Schoenmakerskop, followed by
an easy 4 km trail which traverses the Sardinia Bay Nature Reserve. The walk follows the coast, returning via bridle-tracks and path
along the top of the vegetated dunes. There will be wonderful views of the coastline; vervet monkeys may be seen. Enjoy tea and scones
before returning to the hotels. The cost includes transport and a registered tour guide, tea and scones.
Contact: Pembury Tours
e-mail: kerry@pemburytours.com
Visit Pembury Tour website...
|
|
| |
|
Pre Conference Tour Three Days in Cape Town
Day 1 - Arrival in Cape Town
Upon arrival at Cape Town airport, you will be met by our representative who
will hand over your documents and transfer you to the Winchester Mansions Hotel, which is situated on the Atlantic seaboard with uninterrupted sea views.
It is two minutes’ drive from the trendy Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. This charming and gracious hotel offers its guests understated elegance and service.
The luxurious rooms have sea or mountain views. Sip sundowners whilst viewing the spectacular ocean sunsets and relax around the decked pool. There is an in-house
spa offering health and beauty treatments. We suggest you spend today at leisure exploring the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.
Alternatively, you may wish to spend the day at the beach and you can choose between the trendy beaches of Camps Bay or Clifton (15 minutes away from the hotel)
or you can take a drive around to the warmer Indian Ocean side and the beaches of Fish Hoek and St James. This afternoon you can enjoy your city tour on the Topless Bus which is a “hop on – hop off”
bus, so this gives you the freedom to explore the city and areas on foot as well.
Overnight: Winchester Mansions. Basis: bed & breakfast
Day 2 – Cape Point
This morning you will be met by your guide for you Full Day Tour of Cape Point. You depart and drive along the Atlantic seaboard via glamorous
Clifton to the quaint seaside village of Hout Bay. Here you can take a boat ride from the fishing harbour out to the seal colony on Seal Island. Continue via the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape Point.
Looking at this dramatic promontory jutting into the sea gives one an idea why early sailors nicknamed it the Cape of Storms. You then follow the coastline northwards via Simonstown, where you can visit the
penguin colony of Boulders Beach. A leisurely drive through the leafy southern suburbs will bring you to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, which is dedicated to the extraordinary variety of plants found in the
Cape Floral Kingdom. This afternoon you ride the cable car to the top of Table Mountain to enjoy the panoramic views over the city and across Table Bay to Robben Island. Overnight: Winchester Mansions. Basis: bed & breakfast
Day 3 - Cape Town or the Winelands, Cultural Tour & Robben Island
After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, you will be met by your guide for a “Cultural Visit”. You spend the morning visiting
a local township and then the afternoon you take a ferry from the Waterfront across Table Bay to Robben Island. An ex-prisoner takes you on an extensive tour of the prison, which includes a visit to Nelson Mandela’s cell, the
limestone quarry and the old leper colony.
OR Full Day Winelands Tour This morning you are met by your guide for your Full Day Tour of the Winelands. The day is spent following the various wine routes (Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek).
You stop for tastings at wine estates along the way and you will have the chance to purchase some of the wines you have tasted. Particularly recommended are Fairview Estate on the Paarl Wine Route, which offers cheese tastings alongside
the wine tastings, and Boschendal Estate on the Franschhoek Wine Route, which offers very interesting cellar tours. A scenic drive over the Helshoogte Pass (Hell’s Heights) takes you to the Franschhoek Valley where you can visit the memorial
to the French Huguenots, who sought refuge from religious persecution in Europe and settled here in the late seventeenth century. Franschhoek is a good lunch stop as it has a reputation as the gourmet centre of South Africa. Paarl, with its
three imposing granite domes and monument to the Afrikaans language, is also an interesting stop. Overnight: Winchester Mansions. Basis: bed & breakfast
Day 4 - Cape Town to Port Elizabeth
This morning after a leisurely breakfast, you depart Cape Town and make your way to the Cape Town Airport to catch your flight to Port Elizabeth, where the CMT 2009 conference is being held
Contact: Pembury Tours
e-mail: kerry@pemburytours.com
Visit Pembury Tour website...
|
 |
| |
|
Pre-Conference Tour Cape Town, Wilderness, Tsitsikamma, Port Elizabeth
Day 1 – Arrival in Cape Town
This morning you all meet in Cape Town. From here you depart and make your way to Stellenbosch, known as the “Town of Oaks”. After tea you make your way to the newly built BERG RIVER DAM. You are met by a representative from DWAF, who will give a presentation on Cape Town’s complex water distribution issues and the Cape Town statistics, financial issues and the clearing of alien vegetation. From here you make your way to Franschhoek and spend the night at Le Quartier Français Guesthouse. Dinner is at one of the very popular restaurants in town. Franschhoek is known as the “Culinary Capital of South Africa”. Overnight: le Quartier Français. Basis: dinner, bed & breakfast.
Day 2 – Franschhoek to Wilderness
This morning after breakfast you depart Franschhoek and make your way through the mountains to the TEEWATERSKLOOF DAM. This dam has tunnels through the mountains to feed Cape Town’s water requirements. You will be met by a DWAF representative for a tour and presentation of the dam. From here you depart and drive through Villiersdorp to Worcester. You will visit the BRANDVLEI DAM, which has a channel system which provides water tot the farmers along the Breede River Valley. From here you make your way to the town of Montagu for lunch. After lunch you depart and make your way to the coastal town of Wilderness, where you spend the night at the Cinnamon Boutique. This evening you enjoy dinner at the in house restaurant which is very popular. Overnight: Cinnamon Boutique. Basis: dinner, bed & breakfast.
Day 3 - Wilderness to Tsitsikamma
After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, you depart for George. Here you will be met by a DWAF representative who will explain the contrasting water problems between George (a wet area and with less water constraints) and Cape Town (where there is a severe shortage of water). From here you depart and make your way along the Garden Route to the lagoon town of Knysna. Lunch is at the Knysna Waterfront and here you can sample local fresh fish and oysters. The afternoon is at leisure and you can enjoy a drive to the famous Knysna Heads, and then take a stroll along the foot path to the viewpoint. From here you depart and make your way to Plettenberg Bay and the Tsitsikamma Forest. This is an indigenous primeval forest with towering ancient yellowwood trees, lush vegetation and deep gorges. Here you check into your accommodation at the Tsitsikamma National Park. Dinner is served in the restaurant overlooking the Indian Ocean. Overnight: Tsitsikamma National Park. Basis: dinner, bed & breakfast.
Day 4 - Tsitsikamma to Port ElizabethIt
This morning is at leisure to explore the forest. You can enjoy a walk though the forest to the suspension bridge over Storms River. Late morning you depart and make your way to the KROM RIVER WETLAND SYSTEM. Here you will have a discussion about the water resource management. After this you depart and make your way to Port Elizabeth. You will be dropped off at your hotel.
Contact: Pembury Tours
e-mail: kerry@pemburytours.com
Visit Pembury Tour website...
|
 |
| |
|
|
