I just wanted to say thank you for organising the trip; it was brilliant! We had an amazing time! Everything went really smoothly, which was great, hotels, guides and drivers were perfect, it was very relaxing and I can't believe it is all over! Anyway thanks again!

Tom

South Africa Football World Cup 2010

2010 Football World Cup, South Africa

South Africa was awarded the 19th Football World Cup Finals, to be held in June and July 2010 at 10 venues around the country. During the 2010 World Cup Finals accommodation is very limited and so it South Africa Football World Cup 2010 is wise to start making your travel plans as soon as possible. World Big Cat Safaris has some fantastic safari, beach and cultural itineraries on offer within South Africa and Mozambique. These packages are short stay safaris that can be combined between the 2010 World Cup Games. By combining a few of these itineraries you will get a great overview of South Africa as well as seeing some amazing international football (or soccer as it is called in South Africa!).

Below is a brief description of some of the host cities and a selection of the itineraries that can be done from each city:

Johannesburg

Johannesburg has two stadiums that will be used during the 2010 World Cup Finals. The stadium in Soweto has undergone a major upgrade and will host the opening game as well as the 2010 World Cup Final on the 11th July. Johannesburg is the hub of South Africa and is an easy access point for the rest of the country as well as the rest of the world.

We have several exciting packages that football fans can enjoy between their teams’ games. Below is a selection of safaris and beach holidays based from Johannesburg.

Madikwe Private Game Reserve – From £1,895 per person sharing - A 4 Day Safari

Enjoy three nights Cheetah at Sunset at the Makanyane Safari Lodge situated in the Madikwe Private Game Reserve, where you can enjoy 2 game drives per day, in open safari vehicles, in search of the “Big Five”. Included in this Safari package are your return flights from Johannesburg, accommodation at Makanyane Safari Lodge on a full board basis including house wines, spirits and beers and transfers to and from your hotel in Johannesburg.

Benguerra Lodge – Mozambique – From £3,230 per person sharing - A 4 Day Safari

Fly from Johannesburg to Vilanculos on the Mozambique coast and then transfer to the tropical Bazaruto Islands. Enjoy your days diving or snorkelling on the amazing offshore reefs, deep sea fishing, land rover excursions or simply relaxing on the white sandy beaches. This safari includes accommodation on a full board basis, wind based activities, limited alcoholic beverages, transfers to and from Johannesburg airport and your Johannesburg hotel and return flights to Mozambique.

Lion Sands River Lodge – From £2,460 per person - A 4 Day Safari

Lion Sands River Lodge is situated in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve which borders the world famous Kruger National Park. The best time to view animals, including the “Big Five” is in the morning or afternoon when it is cool and the animals are most active. Your safari includes accommodation on a full board basis, including 2 game drives a day, 3 meals a day, local beverages, return transfers from Johannesburg airport to your Johannesburg hotel and return flights to the lodge.

Cape Town

The football stadium in Cape Town is being built especially for the 2010 World Cup and is going to stand under the impressive Table Mountain. We have a couple of between match packages that can be done from Cape Town that will give you a good insight into the wine lands and the scenic garden route.

Cape Town to Port Elizabeth – From £1,230 per person sharing - A 5 Day Safari

This 5 day trip takes you from Cape Town through the town of Stellenbosch to the wine lands of Franschhoek where you enjoy some wine tasting on one of the renowned wine estates. The following day the tour continues through Calitzdorp to the ostrich farming capital of the world, Oudtshoorn where you have a tour of one of the farms and of the impressive Cango Caves. From the dry Karoo area you journey over the Outeniqua mountains to the lush greenery of the Garden Route and onto Knysna before heading to Plettenberg Bay for 2 nights. The last day of the tour includes a visit to the Tsitsikamma forest and Storm’s River Mouth before finishing in Port Elizabeth.

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve (Starting in Cape Town ending in Johannesburg) – From £2,490 per person sharing - A 4 Day Safari

A 2 hour flight north takes you to the malaria free Kalahari Desert and to the private Tswalu Game Reserve. The 90,000 hectare reserve is home to black rhino, buffalo and Kalahari lions as well as springbok, oryx, sable and roan. Activities include game drives and game walks through the red sand dunes of the desert in search of the unique animals of the Kalahari. This safari package includes flights from Cape Town to Tswalu and onto Johannesburg, transfer from your Cape Town hotel to the airport and from the airport to your hotel in Johannesburg, accommodation at Tswalu Motse Main Lodge on a full board basis with local beverages and activities included.

Durban

Durban is going to host a number of matches including Male Lion Stalking one of the 2010 Football World Cup semi finals and a host of the pool games. It is the perfect city for people who enjoy the outdoors because it is blessed with warm weather, great surf, miles of sandy beaches, the Drakensberg Mountains and some fantastic scuba diving. Tour packages from the sunshine city include safaris, battlefield tours and cultural tours. We have several battlefield and wildlife safaris based from Durban.

Battlefields and Safari – Price on request

This package starts from Durban with a drive up the north coast to Mkuze where you overnight. From here it is a short drive to the Hluhluwe Game Reserve, home to the “Big Five” including some of the largest populations of black and white rhino. After enjoying your safari you drive to Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift for a historical tour of the battlefields. Included in this package is your accommodation, some meals, return transfers from Durban, 2 battle field tours and a 3 hour game drive in Hluhluwe Game Reserve.

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth is known as the friendly city and is very family orientated. The stadium is named after Nelson Mandela and can hold 50, 000 people. Various safari options are available from Port Elizabeth, with a selection shown below.

Shamwari Bayethe Lodge – Price on request

Drive from your Port Elizabeth hotel or Simonstown, Cape Town, South Africa the airport to the Shamwari Private Game Reserve where you enjoy game drives in the “Big Five” reserve. Game activities take place in the mornings and afternoons when the animals are most active. During the heat of the day why not relax around the pool and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

Amakhala Game Reserve – From £1,040 per person sharing - A 4 Day Safari

You will be picked up from your hotel in Port Elizabeth or the international airport and transferred to the Amakhala Game Reserve where you can enjoy game walks, game drives, canoeing safaris and river cruises in this “Big Five” reserve. This safari package includes return transfers from Port Elizabeth, accommodation at Amakhala Safari Lodge, 2 game activities a day, all meals and selected drinks.

Blaauwbosch Game Reserve– From £625 per person sharing - A 4 Day Safari

Set in the arid Karoo, this private game reserve is home to the “Big Five” as well as cheetah which can be viewed on morning and afternoon game drives. This safari package includes return transfers from Port Elizabeth and accommodation at Blaauwbosch Main Lodge on a full board basis.

For more information about any of the tour packages that we are offering for the 2010 World Cup Finals, please contact us on: 01273 691 642 US Toll Free: 1866 357 6569 or email sales@worldbigcatsafaris.com