South Africa 2009

The Big Five Tour - 3rd Test, T20s, ODIs + Safari

Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1
Wednesday 18th March                                      Depart Australia, Arrive Capetown

Depart locally from your Australian capital city on the flight to Capetown via Johannesburg. On arrival you will be transferred by coach to your accommodation where you will have the evening at leisure to recover from your long flight.

Accommodation: Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel or similar

Days 2 - 6
Thurs 19th – Monday 23rd March                 3rd Test Match – Newlands, Capetown
 

Each morning before the cricket there will be a pre match briefing with your Tour Host Merv Hughes. You will then be transferred to Newlands, where you will have reserved seating for the deciding 3rd Test match between South Africa and Australia. The Aussies have won their last three Tests at the most picturesque ground in world cricket, including a convincing seven wicket win in 2006. Stuart Clark was the hero on his debut last time round as he took 9 wickets and helped finish the match off in 3 days. You will be a guest at our all inclusive tour function on the evening of day one which will be hosted by Merv Hughes and includes guest speakers.

Accommodation: Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel or similar

Day 7
Tuesday 24th March                                         Table Mountain
 

This morning we make our way to the summit of the world famous Table Mountain. The cable cartakes you to the summit in under ten minutes and the rotating floor ensures that you will get a 360 degree aerial view of the city. Once at the peak there are over two kilometres of pathways leading you to spectacular views over Capetown, Table Bay, Robben Island, the Cape Flats and the Cape Peninsula. This afternoon is at leisure leaving you free to explore the V&A waterfront precinct famous for its shopping, or to take in the spectacular Cape Point and Hout Bay.

Accommodation: Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel or similar

Day 8
Wednesday 25th March                                   Robben Island
 

After breakfast this morning, we board a ferry at the V&A Waterfront and cross the bay to Robben Island. It was here that Nelson Mandela spent the majority of his 27 year incarceration. Now a museum, you will be taken on a fascinating guided tour of the complex by a former political prisoner in what is probably the best demonstration of reconciliation you will see in South Africa. This afternoon will be at your leisure where you can explore the renowned wineries of Stellenbosch which represents more than 200 wine and grape producers of the region.

Accommodation: Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel or similar

Day 9
Thursday 26th March                                      Capetown – Johannesburg
 

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your internal flight to Johannesburg. You will be transferred by coach to your exceptionally placed accommodation across the road from the Wanderers Ground and the famous Wanderers Club. Steeped in history and tradition, you will have the rest of the day to explore the club's many bars and restaurants or test your abilities on the tight unforgiving Golf Course.

Accommodation: Protea Wanderers Club or similar

Day 10
Friday 27th March               1st Twenty20 International – Wanderers, Johannesburg
 

This afternoon you will be part of a pre match briefing with your tour host Merv Hughes before leaving to walk the short distance to the Wanderers. You have the chance to witness Australia’s first Twenty20 International Match against South Africa in the intimidating atmosphere of the famous Bullring. Australia has a great affinity with this ground as it is the scene of our famous 2003 World Cup victory. A batsman's paradise, the ground played host to an astonishing display of explosive batting in 2006 - South Africa amazingly chased down Australia's record score of 4/434 with a ball to spare thanks to 175 runs from Herschelle Gibbs.

Accommodation: Protea Wanderers Club or similar

Day 11
Saturday 28th March                                      Johannesburg – Centurion
 

This morning you will be transferred the short journey by coach from Johannesburg to Centurion and our hotel, the Centurion Lake Hotel which is located a short walk from Supersport Park. Supersport Park is a relatively new wicket in South Africa and has a reputation of being one of the bouncier wickets in the country – which should make compelling viewing for tomorrow’s 2nd Twenty20 International.

Accommodation: Centurion Lake Hotel or similar

Day 12
Sunday 29th March           2nd Twenty20 International – Supersport Park, Centurion
 

After a morning at leisure, you will be a part of the pre match briefing hosted by Merv Hughes. The group will then make the short stroll to Supersport Park to watch the Aussies take on the South Africans in the second Twenty20 International. The last time Australia played at Centurion was in 2006 in a One Day International where South Africa won by 6 wickets on the Duckworth Lewis method. Today is the deciding match of the two match Twenty20 series and both sides will be out to assert their authority with the five match One Day International series beginning in a few days time.

Accommodation: Centurion Lake Hotel or similar

Day 13
Monday 30th March                              Centurion – Malelane (Kruger National Park)
 

This morning following breakfast you will be transferred from Centurion through the beautiful landscapes of the Mpumalanga province and onto Malelane. Here, your accommodation at the exceptional Pestana Kruger Lodge  is located just near the entrance of one of the world’s most famous Game reserves – Kruger National Park. The afternoon and evening will be spent at leisure preparing for tomorrow’s Game Drives.

Accommodation: Pestana Kruger Lodge or similar
 

Day 14
Tuesday 31st March                                                 Kruger National Park
 

After an illuminating sunrise and early breakfast this morning the group will head out on our first game drive. Early morning is the best time to view the animals as they are out and about before the heat of the days sets in. This drive will afford you excellent opportunities to view “The Big Five” – Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino. Our second game drive of the day will depart at sunset and our expert trackers will "hunt" the game before finishing with a memorable bush boma dinner under the stars of the African sky.

Accommodation: Pestana Kruger Lodge or similar

Day 15
Wednesday 1st April                                               Kruger National Park
 

This morning you will whisked into the heart of the African bush on another game drive. Feeding time is an opportunity not to be missed as the animals are out and about before retiring into the shade as the heat of the day sets in. Your safari guides will then find a secluded picnic site for a well deserved cooked breakfast. This afternoon you will have the chance to relax at our hotel where the Eshonalanga Bar offers magnificent views of the game as they come to drink at the nearby Crocodile River.

Accommodation: Pestana Kruger Lodge or similar

Day 16
Thursday 2nd April                                                 Kruger National Park – Durban
 

This morning you will be transferred back to Johannesburg for your internal flight to Durban. Upon arrival in Durban you will transferred by coach to the luxurious Durban Hilton. With the rest of the day at leisure you will be able to take advantage Durban’s fabulous balmy weather by exploring this perfect holiday paradise or relax within the wonderful hotel grounds in preparation for tomorrow’s first One Day International.

Accommodation: Durban Hilton or similar

Day 17
Friday 3rd April                                1st One Day International – Kingsmead, Durban
 

After your morning briefing hosted by Merv Hughes, we will make the short walk to Kingsmead Cricket Ground for the first One Day International of the series. In the corresponding match during the 2006 series, Australia won a cliffhanger by 1 wicket. Andrew Symonds guided the Aussies to 9/247 with a swashbuckling half century. Boeta Dippenaar and Shaun Pollock mounted a rear guard action and got the South Africans within a whisker of clinching the series before they fell short finishing at 9/246.

Accommodation: Durban Hilton or similar

Day 18
Saturday 4th April                                                     Durban – Centurion
 

After breakfast today you will be transferred by coach to Durban International Airport for your internal flight to Johannesburg then onto Centurion and the second One Day International. You will be transferred to your hotel in preparation for tomorrow’s game. Tonight you will be a guest at our all inclusive farewell function at the hotel hosted by Merv Hughes which will include guest speakers.

Accommodation: Centurion Lake Hotel or similar

Day 19
Sunday 5th April                   2nd One Day International – Supersport Park, Centurion
 

Following a pre match briefing with your host Merv Hughes we will walk accross to Supersport Park for the second One Day International. Despite losing here in 2006, Australia has fond memories of Centurion, winning both their matches at the 2003 World cup very easily against India and Sri Lanka. On a fast bouncy wicket, this game will be crucial in shaping the result of this five match series.

Accommodation: Centurion Lake Hotel or similar

Days 20 - 21
Monday 6th – Tuesday 7th April                             Depart Centurion – Arrive Australia
 

After checking out this morning you will be transferred by coach from Centurion to Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg for your return flight back to Australia. You will arrive on April 7 due to differing time zones.