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South Africa Eclipse Expedition Itinerary     Page 1

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Day 1 – Sat, Nov. 30, 2002 USA to Pretoria, S.A.                             Meals aloft
    Depart on South African Airways from Atlanta or New York. Special add-on fares are available from many US cities. Contact TravelQuest for details, (800) 830-1998.

Day 2 – Sun, Dec. 1 Arrival in Pretoria                                            Dinner
    Arrive at Johannesburg International Airport and transfer to the Aloe Ridge Hotel, located in 2,800 acres of pristine African bush. The reserve features 22 varieties of game, and 176 bird species have been recorded there.
    The Gorge Restaurant at this very unusual property is the only one in the world linked to its own observatory. The hotel features impressive equipment including a 25-inch telescope with Apogee AP7 CCD camera, Sun filters, and other imaging equipment. By using remote control and projection we will observe the magnificent southern sky. Bill Hollenbach, the hotel’s full-time astronomer, will be on hand to demonstrate the Sun filter equipment at the observatory and the large range of stellar images stored in his database.
Overnight: Aloe Ridge Hotel.

Day 3 – Mon, Dec. 2 Tswaing Meteor Crater                                    B/L/D
    This morning, we will venture 40 kilometers north of Pretoria to the Tswaing Meteor Crater. This 200,000-year-old impact scar is a kilometer in diameter with a rim 100 meters high, similar in size to the well-known Barringer Meteor Crater in Arizona. The crater is covered with indigenous trees and bushes that attract a variety of bird life, and a lake of salty water fills the center — thus the name Tswaing, meaning salt pan. We’ll take time to visit the museum adjacent to the crater.
    After lunch we will arrive at Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge. Once an old farmhouse, Shiluvari today is an intimate lodge with well-appointed two-bedded chalets with private bathrooms. The property lies on 60 hectares of natural bush and sits adjacent to a dam and lake that is home to both hippo and crocodile as well as spectacular bird life. Join our star party tonight as we explore the deep southern sky from this remote locale.
Overnight: Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge (three nights)

Day 4 – Tue, Dec. 3 Cultural Villages                                               B/L/D
    After breakfast we will take advantage of our location to visit the local Shangaan and Venda arts and crafts areas. Large thatched, conical roofs typify the style of the homes of the Shangaan people. Their dress often consists of long colorful material, knotted on one shoulder with wide beaded necklaces and heavy metal bracelets.
    The Venda people are related to the Shona people of Zimbabwe, known in the past for their skills as iron- and coppersmiths. Today, they still practice their old customs and initiation ceremonies. Venda women traditionally wear striped salempore material with braids sewn on as well as their unique chalk-stiffened white pompoms.
    On our return drive to the lodge we will enjoy the scenic delights of Phiphidi Falls and Lake Fundudzi. This evening, join us for dinner, a pre-eclipse briefing, and another amazing stargazing session.

 
 
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  Copyright  2002 TravelQuest International.  All rights reserved.
Revised: October 25, 2005.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
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