July 2007

"I am so convinced of the advantages of looking at mankind instead of reading about them, and of the bitter effects of staying at home with all the narrow prejudices of an Islander, that I think there should be a law amongst us to set our young men abroad for a term among the few allies our war have left us."
- Lord Byron

Greetings dear friends, colleagues and all other fans of Road Travel! We hope to find you all in spectacular frame of mind and excellent health as well.

As Spring approaches and winter draws to a close, we are gearing up for a very busy time ahead and keeping ahead of the rest by continuously sourcing new suppliers and negotiating the best rates for our valued clients = you :-) Winter has also been very good for us, with a lot of well informed travelers realizing that Southern Africa offers so much during the colder months as well. The most popular tailor made tours included the Cape Winelands, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Botswana.

The Western Cape has had excellent rains this winter, and we can therefore offer two amazing Spring Flower Tours this Spring:

4 DAY FLOWERS & STARS

Day 1
Collection from Cape Town International Airport / Hotel. Overland via the beautiful Hex River Valley and Pass to Matjiesfontein - gateway to the Great Karoo. View this quaint little town and its attractions on foot, and enjoy a beer and light lunch at the Lord Milner Hotel. Continue onto to Sutherland - Check in at your guesthouse in town. Dinner at a selected venue. Overnight Sutherland.

Day 2
After breakfast, view some of the sites in the town, and then head out to the South African Observatory, for an information session and tour of some of the facilities. Return to town for a short lunch break (or take a picnic basket), and then head out to one of the flower areas around the town of Sutherland. Dinner at a selected venue. After dinner, you will view the African skies through powerful private telescopes. Your host will explain the skies of the southern hemisphere. Overnight Sutherland.

Day 3
This morning after breakfast, you go off in search of the wild flowers of the Karoo. A circular trip with a picnic lunch is planned for the day. Return to Sutherland in the late afternoon. Dinner at a selected venue. Stargazing - second option (weather permitting). Overnight Sutherland.

Day 4
On the final day of this tour, you will make your way along valleys and farm land to view some more of the exquisite flowers of the Karoo. Optional lunch break in Worcester. Drop-off in Cape Town.

From Only R5 050.00 Per Person Sharing.
Contact us to find out more: info@roadtravel.co.za

5 DAY INTO NAMAQUALAND

Day 1
Collection from Cape Town International Airport / Hotel. Travel overland from the city to Citrusdal and Clanwilliam, where you will visit the Ramskop Nature Reserve. A light lunch will be enjoyed at the Reserve. Using some of the back roads, you now continue on to Vredendal / Vanrhynsdorp, where you will check in at your accommodation venue. Free time to relax before dinner. Dinner at a selected venue. Overnight Vredendal / Vanrhynsdorp.

Day 2
This morning after breakfast, you will make your way via Garies and Kamieskroon to Springbok, where you stay overnight. En route, visits to the off-road areas of Garies and Kamieskroon, as well as the Skilpad Flower Reserve at Kamieskroon will be possible. Dinner at a selected venue. Overnight Springbok.

Day 3
After a leisurely breakfast, you will visit the Goegap Nature Reserve outside Springbok, before heading back to Vanrhynsdorp, where you will visit the succulent nursery in town. After the visit, a late afternoon drive will take you up the pass to Niewoudtville. Here you will check in at a farm stay venue, where you stay overnight for the next 2 nights. Dinner is enjoyed on the farm. Overnight Niewoudtville.

Day 4
Niewoudtville is known as the bulb capital of the world and many species of various bulbs are found in the rural areas around the town. You will visit a well-known flower farm in the area, where the owner will address the group on the various plants. After a picnic lunch, the rest of the day is spent viewing the floral beauty of the area. Y our trip/stops will also include the waterfall near the town. The day will provide many opportunities for photographing the wonderful flowers. In the late afternoon you return to your guesthouse for dinner and your overnight stay. Overnight Niewoudtville.

Day 5
On the final day of the tour, you will make your way along down the West Coast, visiting "lost" fishing villages and towns, as you enjoy the flowers of the coast. Lunch break in Paternoster - seafood to feature! Drop-off in Cape Town.

From Only R4 930.00 Per Person Sharing.
Contact us to find out more: info@roadtravel.co.za

Some Specials for the next month or two include:

• Samara Private Game Reserve = September - stay for 3 & pay for 2
• Mantis Madness continues until the end of September - stay for 3 nights at Shamwari / Jock Safari Lodge / Sanbona & stay for free for 3 nights at The Constantia / The Bishops Court / The Long Beach
• Mashatu Main & Tented Camp = January till June 2008 - stay for 4 & pay for 3

There's been a lot of changes and improvements all over the Southern African property spectrum:

• Madame Zingara's has packed up in Cape Town and moved their tent of dreams to Johannesburg till the end of the year.
• Whale Sanctuary Lodge in Gansbaai have officially opened for business.
• Gondwana Game Reserve has added a further 2000 hectares of land and is busy building a 5 star lodge.
• Mandela Rhodes Place is operational and offers a choice of luxurious city apartments.

Sjoe!

There's more - but we prefer to talk to you personally, so do give us a call (VOIP phone & SKYPE due soon) or send us an email or even send us a fax & we guarantee timorously, knowledgeable and maybe even humorous replies.

Kind Regards
The Road Travel Team
info@roadtravel.co.za