A Journey Of A Lifetime - CAPE TO CAIRO - Great Safaris
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P RE SE NTS:
CA PE C AI RO
TO
A Journey Of A Lifetime
DAY 1. 24 SEPTEMBER 2020. ARRIVE CAPE TOWN – D
Begin your Goway Holiday of a Lifetime in Cape Town, which is
one of the most diverse and breathtakingly scenic cities you’ll ever
have the pleasure of visiting. Fondly known as the Mother City,
Cape Town has everything for the curious Globetrotter who enjoys
the good life in all its forms. From exquisite wine farms in magnifi-
cent green settings to captivating architecture and a rich history,
the city’s many attractions will leave little doubt in your mind as to
why it has been voted one of the world’s top cities to visit.
Upon arrival at the airport, a Goway representative will assist you
with customs and transfer you by luxury vehicle to the Silo Hotel,
which will be your accommodation for the next two nights. On ar-
rival at the Silo, head up to the Silo Rooftop for cocktails and cana-
pes and a briefing on your magnificent journey which is about to
unfold. Enjoy the relaxed, al fresco experience with spectacular
views of Cape Town from the tallest building on the Victoria & Al-
fred Waterfront.
The Silo is an extraordinary 5-star hotel on Cape Town’s V&A Water-
front. It sets a new standard for luxury accommodations and has
a magical atmosphere surrounded by the natural wonder of the
Mother City. Your accommodation at The Silo is booked in the Silo
Rooms, which have spectacular harbour views.
After freshening up, it’s time for dinner. Transfer through Fresnaye,
a suburb of Cape Town, for a home cooking dinner experience.
You’ll learn how to prepare simple, delicious food from all around
the world alongside like-minded people who share a passion for
food and cooking, as well as a desire to learn new skills.
Overnight: The Silo Hotel
www.capetocairo.goway.com
DAY 2. 25 SEPTEMBER 2020. CAPE TOWN AND SURROUNDS
– BLD
After breakfast, take a Scenic Helicopter experience to see Cape
Town from a different vantage point. On your journey, you’ll fly over
the City Bowl, Green Point Stadium, Clifton, Camps Bay, and the
majestic Twelve Apostles.
From here, your Cape Town tour begins heading out of Cape Town
along the Atlantic Seaboard, through Hout Bay and over the scenic
coastal avenue of Chapman’s Peak Drive. Pass through the quaint
village of Noordhoek and continue your journey to the Cape Point
Nature Reserve. Here, you’ll visit the Cape of Good Hope while on
the lookout for wildlife that inhabits the area.
Next, head out to Simon’s Town to learn about the naval town’s
rich history at museums and monuments. Bring the town to life as
you gain insight into the shark diving industry and hear stories of
Just Nuisance, a Great Dane WWII mascot and the only dog ever
enlisted in the Royal Navy. Continue to Noordhoek where you’ll
have a private lunch at Crofter’s Kitchen in Chef Nicky Gibb’s pri-
vate home.
The remainder of your afternoon is spend at Kirstenbosch Bo-
tanical Gardens, where you will head on a private tour through
one the world’s most beautiful gardens.
There will be time to freshen up at the hotel before a Gala din-
ner at Gate Restaurant in Stellenbosch which is located in Quoin
Rock Wine estate. Here, on the slopes of the majestic Simons-
berg Mountain, you will enjoy a Gourmet Tasting menu with
wine pairing.
Overnight: The Silo Hotel
DAY 3. 26 SEPTEMBER 2020. DEPART CAPE TOWN – BLD
In the morning, bid farewell to Cape Town and transfer to the sta-
tion. At the station, a Goway representative will meet you and help
you check in for your luxury train journey aboard Rovos Rail.
The Pride of Africa departs from Platform 23 of Cape Town Station
at 11AM. Freshen up in your suite before joining other guests in the
Midway Lounge or the Observation Carriage at the rear of the train.
Lunch is served at 1PM in the dining cars. The train passes through
Worcester on the way to the village of Matjiesfontein. At 3PM, you’ll
reach the first of three tunnels that will take you through the Hex
River Pass. Be careful when walking through as it passes through
the third tunnel, which runs 13.5km long; if you’re in your suite,
you may want to turn on a light. High tea is served in the Midway
Lounge or Observation Carriage at the rear of the train.
At 5:45PM, you can disembark in Matjiesfontein for a stroll through
the quaint village. A 100 years ago, Laird Logan set up a small re-
freshment hotel for the hungry and thirsty travellers of the Cape
Government Railways (CGR). Of particular interest in Matjiesfon-
tein is the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars
and railway carriages to the right of the hotel. For refreshments,
check out the pub in the Lord Milner Hotel. At 7PM, the train de-
parts Matjiesfontein. Overnight through the Karoo via De Aar to-
wards Kimberley. Dinner is served in the dining cars at 7:30PM.
Overnight: On board the train
www.capetocairo.goway.com
DAY 4. 27 SEPTEMBER 2020. KIMBERLEY’S BIG HOLE AND DIA-
MOND MINE MUSEUM TOUR – BLD
Kimberley was the site of one of the largest diamond rushes in
the world. The incredible story starts in 1866, when Erasmus Ja-
cobs discovered a white pebble at the Orange River near Hope-
town. However, the pebble was no ordinary stone, but, in fact, a
rough diamond that measured in at an impressive 21.25ct. After
the diamond was sent to London, two other were discovered in
the region, prompting thousands of miners to arrive from all over
the world.
In 1871, a larger diamond was found at Colesberg Kopje at 83.50ct.
The hill became the site of a massive mine as the townsfolk and
diamond companies mined for more diamonds. The hill soon be-
came a huge hole, later known as the Big Hole, as it’s still called
today. Because of the Big Hole, a town formed around the mine
as more people gravitated towards it in search of diamonds. The
new town became Kimberley, named on 5 June 1873. The name
Kimberley originated from where the diamonds formed: in kim-
berlite pipes. During the exciting diamond rush, five enormous
holes were dug along these pipes, the biggest of which was the
Kimberley Mine.
Today, the Big Hole has been transformed into a fun and interac-
tive tourist experience. Learn all about the story of diamonds from
the first one discovered, known as the Eureka, to the end of the
rush in 1914. First, visitors to the Big Hole can travel underground in
a recreation of a mine shaft. Watch a 15min film that explains the
history of diamonds in Kimberley. After the film, you can peruse
the museum artifacts, photographs, and archived material.
The Tour of Kimberley’s Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum
begins at 2PM. 10 minutes after departing Kimberley, you’ll spot a
shallow lake on the left-hand side of the train where you can usu-
ally see spectacular flocks of Lesser Flamingos (around 23,000 of
them). From here, travel from the Karoo to the Highveld. Enjoy din-
ner on board.
Overnight: On board the train
DAY 5. 28 SEPTEMBER 2010. PRETORIA CITY TOUR – BLD
Breakfast is served in the dining cars between 7AM and 9:45AM.
The train continues its journey towards Pretoria passing through
Krugersdorp, Johannesburg, and Germiston. Arrive at 10AM at Ro-
vos Rail’s private station in Capital Park, Pretoria. Enjoy a walking
tour of the station and locomotive workshops (weather permit-
ting) followed by lunch on the platform and a city tour of Preto-
ria at 2:15PM. The train will depart Capital Park Station at 6PM for
Zeerust in the Limpopo Province. At 7:30PM, enjoy dinner on the
train while the Train Manager informs you about the game lodge
visit planned for the following two days.
Pretoria, known as the Jacaranda City due to the thousands of Jac-
aranda trees that line the wide city streets, was founded in 1855 by
Marthinus Wessels Pretorius, son of one of the original Voortrek-
kers, Andries Pretorius. The city and its vicinity provide a solid frieze,
marking the progress of the Afrikaner people and their interaction
with other cultures. Two structures dominate the Pretoria skyline:
the Union Buildings, designed by Sir Herbert Baker to serve as the
government’s administration headquarters, and the Voortrekker
Monument, a massive granite shrine commemorating the Voor-
trekkers. Pretoria was named the capital of the Zuid-Afrikaansche
Republiek in 1860 and became the Administrative Capital of the
Union of South Africa in 1920. It maintained this status when South
Africa became a republic in 1961.
Overnight: On board the train
www.capetocairo.goway.com
DAY 6. 29 SEPTEMBER 2020. MADIKWE RESERVE – BLD
Note: Please pack a small overnight bag. Tog bags have been
placed in your suite for your convenience to use for your 2-night
stay at the game lodge. Comfortable clothes and shoes for hot
days and cool evenings are essential. Sun tan lotion and hats are
strongly recommended. It can get very cold during the game
drives, so please wear warm clothing. Your belongings will be safe
inside your suites under the guard of the train staff.
Breakfast is served until 10AM in the dining car. Arrive at Zeerust
at 11AM. Please exit the train carefully as there is no platform—
steps are provided. Transfer to the Madikwe Game Reserve for a
2-night stay at Tau Game Lodge. Note that beverages, phone calls,
and laundry are charged to your own account while staying at the
lodge. Bottled water and a limited wine selection will be available
during lunch and dinner, compliments of Goway. Wi-Fi is available
in the main house and there are also spa facilities on site. The time
of your game drives will be confirmed on arrival. Lunch is served at
the lodge at 1PM. In the afternoon, go on an afternoon game drive
with sundowners on route. Dinner is served at your lodge at 7PM.
Overnight: Tau Game Lodge
DAY 7. 30 SEPTEMBER 2020. MADIKWE RESERVE – BLD
Head out on an early morning game drive before spending the
rest of your day at leisure enjoying the lodge facilities. Grab a tea
or coffee before and during the morning game drive. At the lodge,
breakfast will be served at 9:30AM and lunch will be served at 1PM.
Late in the afternoon, head on a second game drive, enjoying sun-
downers en route. Dinner is served at the lodge at 7PM.
Note: please make sure to give your passport to the Train Manager
to take care of border formalities the following day.
Overnight: Tau Game Lodge
DAY 8. 1 OCTOBER 2020. GABORONE TO ZIMBABWE – BLD
Head out on an early morning game drive for two hours before
enjoying breakfast. At 10:30AM, transfer back to the train stationed
in Gaborone, Botswana. Border formalities will take place en route
to Botswana prior to arriving at the train station in Gaborone. De-
part Gaborone at 10AM. Lunch is served in the dining cars at 1PM.
Dinner is served in the dining cars at 7:30PM as you make your way
towards Francistown near the Zimbabwe border and Plumtree for
border formalities.
Overnight: On board the train
www.capetocairo.goway.com
DAY 9. 2 OCTOBER 2020. PLUMTREE TO HWANGE GAME
RESERVE – BLD
Breakfast is served in the dining cars between 7AM and 10AM as
the train departs Plumtree. Enjoy a lecture on board during both
the morning and afternoon. Please consult your Lecture Sheet for
times and venue for the morning and afternoon lectures. Lunch
is served in the dining car at 1PM. Consider familiarizing yourself
with the list of activities available in Victoria Falls, which is available
in your itinerary pack in your suite. You can book these excursions
for yourself at the hotel or beforehand on the train through the
on-board lecturer. At 6:15PM, pass through Gwaai and Dete along
one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line, which
stretches 114km long, and borders the eastern edge of the Hwange
National Park, where you’ll spot occasional game animals. Dinner
is served in the dining cars at 7:30PM as the train heads to Thomp-
son’s Junction.
Overnight: On board the train
DAY 10. 3 OCTOBER 2020. VICTORIA FALLS – BLD
Breakfast is served between 7AM and 10AM as the train heads to-
wards Victoria Falls. Please pack a small overnight bag for your stay
at the Victoria Falls Hotel and ensure that you have gotten your
passport back from the Train Manager. Your possessions will be
safe in your suite.
Arrive in Victoria Falls at 12PM. Disembark at Victoria Falls Station
with your overnight bag and assemble on the platform before
walking down to Victoria Falls Station to register. As you listen to
a welcome speech on the lawn, your bags will be delivered to your
room. Please make sure you have your passport with you, as you’ll
need it to change money or cross the border into Zambia. You can
exchange currency at the hotel and there is also an ATM within
walking distance. The hotel has a business centre and Wi-Fi avail-
able throughout. For lunch and dinner, you’ll head to the Jungle
Junction or the Stanley Room. These meals are included in the
costs of your Holiday of a Lifetime. All alcoholic and non-alcoholic
beverages consumed off the train are at your own expense. Any
meals at other venues are also at your expense. Please be ready by
3:45PM in the hotel foyer to take you to the Sunset Cruise on the
Zambezi River.
Note: Light snacks and drinks are included in your cruise. Dinner
is available at the buffet back at the hotel at 7:30PM. Seating is at
tables reserved for Rovos Rail guests.
Overnight: Victoria Falls Hotel
DAY 11. 4 OCTOBER 2020. VICTORIA FALLS – BLD
Breakfast is served in the Jungle Junction Restaurant until 10AM. Today is at
leisure in Victoria Falls. If you have booked a morning activity, please ensure you
have checked out prior to departing, as checkout time is 10AM. Reception can
store your luggage while you’re on your excursion. The following activities are
available (at your own expense) and may be arranged beforehand on the train
or at Victoria Falls Hotel: a tour of the falls, a helicopter or fixed wing flight over
the falls, white water rafting, and bungee jumping.
Lunch is available at the hotel between 1PM and 3PM. You need to meet on the
station platform at 3PM for departure. Please hand your passport to the Train
Manager for border formalities in Zimbabwe and Zambia. The train departs Vic-
toria Falls at 4PM for Zambia, just as high tea is served on board. After crossing
over the Eiffel-esque construction of Victoria Falls Bridge, the train enters Zam-
bia. Following a slow and winding route for 11km, the train approaches the town
of Livingstone. Back before the age of air travel, Livingstone was the principal
entry point for Northern Rhodesia. Dinner is served in the dining cars at 7:30PM.
Overnight: On board the train
www.capetocairo.goway.com
DAY 12. 5 OCTOBER 2020. ZAMBIA TO KAPIRI MPOSHI – BLD
Breakfast is served in the dining cars between 7AM and 10AM.
Spend the day aboard the train as you travel through Zambia,
passing through Kafue. In the morning, join a lecture. Please con-
sult your Lecture Sheet for times and venue for the morning and
afternoon sessions. Lunch is served at 1PM in the dining cars. In the
afternoon, the train passes through Lusaka, and another lecture
takes place on board. After a 62km-stretch of track, the train will
reach the important station of Kapiri Mposhi. Dinner is served in
the dining cars at 7:30PM as you make your way towards Kapiri
Moposhi and the start of the Tazara Railway Line.
Overnight: On board the train
DAY 13. 6 OCTOBER 2020. KPIKA TO KASAMA – BLD
Breakfast is served in the dining cars between 7AM and 10AM.
You’ll spend the whole day traversing a vast stretch of under-pop-
ulated hinterland, passing through Serenje. In the morning, join a
lecture. Please consult your Lecture Sheet for times and venue for
the morning and afternoon sessions. Lunch is served at 1PM in the
dining cars. In the afternoon, join another lecture. Dinner is served
in the dining cars at 7:30PM.
Overnight: On board the train
DAY 14. 7 OCTOBER 2020. NAKONDE TO TUNDUMA TO MBEYA
– BLD
Breakfast is served in the dining cars from 6AM to 8AM. At 8AM,
disembark the train at Kasama for a morning excursion to Chisim-
ba Falls. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing, walking shoes,
suntan lotion, and a hat. Depart from Kasama at 11AM and travel
towards the border. Please make sure to give your passport and
completed forms to the Train Manager before reaching the bor-
der. Lunch is served in the dining cars at 1PM. Tea is served in the
Observation Car at 4:30PM as you pass through Chozi. Arrive in Na-
konde at 5:40PM on the Zambian border for passport and customs
formalities. Continue to Tunduma on the Tanzanian border. Adjust
your watch one hour ahead. Dinner is served at 7:30PM in the din-
ing cars. Depart Tunduma on route to Mbeya.
Overnight: On board the train
DAY 15. 8 OCTOBER 2020. MAKAMBAKO TO MLIMBA TO KI-
BEREGE – BLD
Breakfast is served in the dining cars between 7AM and 10AM. Ar-
rive in Makambako at 10AM where you can enjoy a stroll through
the town (time permitting). Depart and head towards Mlimba. The
train descends into the Rift Valley and through the Udzungwa
Mountains as it negotiates the tunnels, switchbacks, and viaducts
of the escarpment towards Selous Game Reserve. Please consult
your Lecture Sheet for times and venue for morning and afternoon
sessions. Lunch is served in the dining cars at 1PM. Dinner is served
in the dining cars at 7:30PM as the train travels towards Kisaki.
Overnight: On board the train
www.capetocairo.goway.com
DAY 16. 9 OCTOBER 2020. SELOUS GAME RESERVE – BLD
Today, enjoy a game drive in the Selous Game Reserve, the largest
game reserve in Africa at a size of 55,000 squared-kilometres (time
permitting). Meals are enjoyed on board the train as it departs Ki-
saki and descends into the Rift Valley from the highlands and tra-
verses the fertile lands of Tanzania towards Dar es Salaam. Tea is
served in the Midway Lounge Car and Observation Car as the train
passes Chozi. Dinner is served in the dining cars at 7:30PM as the
train travels towards Gwata.
Overnight: On board the train
DAY 17. 10 OCTOBER 2020. ARRIVE NAIROBI – BD
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 9:30AM as you continue
to Dar es Salaam. Upon arrival, disembark and transfer by private
vehicle to the airport in time for your onward flight to Nairobi, Ke-
nya. Upon arrival in Nairobi, a Goway representative will meet you
and transfer you to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a special din-
ner organized at the hotel.
Overnight: Hemingways Hote
DAY 18. 11 OCTOBER 2020. NAIROBI TO MASAI MARA GAME RE-
SERVE – BLD
Start your day with breakfast at Hemingways Hotel. After break-
fast, a representative will pick you up to transfer you to Wilson Air-
port for your charter flight to Cottars Camp. Upon arrival, a camp
guide will meet you and transfer you to the camp for check-in.
The award-winning Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp has its own 7608-
acre private conservancy and is situated one kilometre from the
famous ‘seventh’ natural wonder of the world, the Masai Mara.The
Masai Mara has the largest concentration of terrestrial wildlife on
earth – the immense wildebeest, zebra and plains game migra-
tion that numbers over 2.5 million animals, with some of the high-
est success rates of big five sightings in the business. Owned and
managed by the oldest established and continuing safari family
in Africa Cottar’s 1920’s Safari Camp extends an era of luxury and
quality and returns to the original spirit and essence of ‘safari’.
Enjoy lunch at the camp before an afternoon game drive in a
shared vehicle until sunset.
Overnight: Cottars Camp
DAY 19. 12 OCTOBER 2020. MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE – BLD
You’ll be picked up early in the morning and transferred to the
launch site for your hot air balloon excursion. Enjoy an hour-long
aerial flight with breathtaking views of the famous Masai Mara
Game Reserve. Land in style and enjoy a champagne breakfast as
a celebration of Goway’s 50th Anniversary. Head on a game drive
back to your camp for leisure time and lunch.
The experience at Cottar’s includes a number of activities such as
bush walks (or runs!), canvas bush bath and transfers to cultural
visits. Later in the afternoon, head on another game drive until
sunset.
Overnight: Cottars Camp
www.capetocairo.goway.com
DAY 20. 13 OCTOBER 2020. MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE – BLD
Cottar’s has the highest number of Gold (the highest professional
level) Safari Guides within one camp in Kenya. You are in excep-
tional hands as you head out on your morning game drive. The
Masai Mara is perhaps the only region in Kenya where you can still
see animals in the same numbers as they existed a century ago.
Enjoy lunch at the camp.
In the afternoon you will visit a very traditional and authentic local
Masai village and you’ll have opportunities to immerse yourself in
the lifestyle of communities around Olderkesi Conservancy. These
interactions are handled sensitively, with respect, and with the ulti-
mate goal of increasing knowledge, raising awareness and enrich-
ing all of those involved. Head back for dinner at the camp after an
afternoon game drive.
Overnight: Cottars Camp
DAY 21. 14 OCTOBER 2020. DEPART NAIROBI – BD
Enjoy breakfast at the camp before you check out and transfer to
the airstrip for your charter flight back to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta
Airport. Upon arrival, connect to your flight to Kigali, Rwanda. Upon
arrival, a Goway representative will meet you and transfer you to
your hotel. That evening, enjoy a special dinner.
Overnight: Kigali Serena Hotel
DAY 22. 15 OCTOBER 2020. KIGALI CITY TOUR AND GENOCIDE
MEMORIAL – BLD
After breakfast you will head out on your Kigali City. It will offer you
an in-depth view of Kigali, past and present, demonstrating the
genuine heartbeat of the city. Kigali, with a population of one mil-
lion, is divided into three districts: Gasabo, Kicukiro, Nyarugenge.
Founded in 1907 as a German settlement, Kigali did not become
the capital until Rwanda’s independence in 1962 when it replaced
the colonial seat of power in Butare.
The Kigali City Tour begins as a historic journey through the city
with a guided tour from the first modern building, from which the
capital city was founded, to the rapidly-growing neighbourhoods
that are changing the face of the city. The Genocide Memorial site
is a grim reminder of the senseless massacre of innocent lives in
1994. The memorial is the final resting place for more than 250,000
victims of the genocide against the Tutsi, and it is a place of re-
membrance and learning. The memorial also sheds light on other
massacres, including Cambodia, the Balkans, and the Holocaust.
Rwanda’s recovery, growth, and development has been incredible
and a true testament to humankind’s resilience.
After the tour, transfer to your accommodation on the border of
Volcanoes National Park where the remainder of the day is at your
leisure. Singita Kwitonda Lodge sits lightly on 178 acres of breath-
taking land right on the edge of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National
Park, a place of exceptional natural beauty where more than half
of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas live in high-altitude
dense cloud forests.
Overnight: Singita Kwitonda Lodge
www.capetocairo.goway.com
DAY 23. 16 OCTOBER 2020. GORILLA TREKKING – BLD
Today you will experience the ultimate wildlife experience. Singita
guests take in pre-trek information and media in a dedicated con-
servation room at the lodge. You’ll be woken early to enjoy break-
fast and gear up, and then taken to the guide station a few kilome-
tres from the lodge. Here you will have a briefing and then set off
on the scenic trek through thick forest terrain towards a specific
gorilla group, guided by trained rangers. The length of the trek var-
ies, depending on which gorilla family group guests are allocated
to, and this will be decided upon with regard to the fitness levels
and capabilities of the trekkers. Once the gorilla group is located
you will spend up to an hour with them, observing these gentle
creatures in their natural habitat.
Post trek, return to the comfort of the lodge. Tonight a special
gourmet dinner is planned to celebrate your experiences.
Overnight: Singita Kwitonda Lodge
DAY 24. 17 OCTOBER 2020. DEPART KIGALI FOR ADDIS ABABA
– BLD
After breakfast, drive to Kigali for lunch in the city before continu-
ing to the airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, a Go-
way representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
Welcome to Addis Ababa (literally ‘New Flower’ in Amharic), Ethio-
pia’s capital city. Lying 2,700m above sea level in the central high-
lands, Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues, interest-
ing museums, and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa,
known as the Merkato. The city was founded by Emperor Menelik
II in 1887, who selected the site due to its location in the Entoto
Hills, which has long been the centre of Shoan politics. The city is
Africa’s diplomatic capital with headquarters for the Organization
of African Union and the United Nations Economic Commissions
for Africa. You’ll find many impressive statues and monuments in
the middle of the city’s roundabouts.
Overnight: Sheraton Hotel
DAY 25. 18 OCTOBER 2020. FLY TO LALIBELA – BLD
After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela. Upon arrival, a Goway repre-
sentative will meet you and transfer you to Mezena Lodge.
Lalibela is known as ‘New Jerusalem,’ a town internationally renowned for its rock hewn churches
often called the Eighth Wonders of the World. Physically carved from the rock in which they stand,
these towering edifices seem to be superhuman creations of workmanship and concept. At the end
of the 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries, King Lalibela of the Zaghwe Dynast built a series of
rock-hewn churches on this spot, calling it New Jerusalem.
This morning, you’ll visit the first group of six churches which lie in rock cradles, one behind the other:
Bet Golgotha, Bet Mika-el, Bet Mariam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, and Bet Medhane Alem. Bet Med-
hane Alem, the largest, is built like a Greek temple. In the corner, you’ll find three empty graves sym-
bolically dug for biblical patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
After lunch, you’ll visit a second group of rock churches. The southeast cluster of churches is more ir-
regular in design than the northwestern cluster. Several of the individual churches in this cluster are
thought to have been secular in origin and some predate the reign of King Lalibela by five centuries.
The churches in the southeast cluster include Bet Gebriel-Rafael, Bet Abba Libanos, bet Lehem, Bet
Emanuel, and Bet Mercurios. According to legend, Bet Abba Libanos was built overnight by Lalibela’s
wife, Meskel Kebre, who was assisted by a group of angels.
Finally, visit Bey Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant and majestic of all the Lalibela churches. It lies
somewhat isolated in the southwest part of the village on a sloping rock terrace. You can only reach it
by passing through a tunnel.
This evening, enjoy a special dinner organized for you at a one-of-a-kind restaurant. Savour the dishes
as the flavours of traditional Ethiopian dishes awaken your senses.
Overnight: Mezena Lodge
www.capetocairo.goway.com
DAY 26. 19 OCTOBER 2020. DEPART ADDIS ABABA – BL
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before being transferred to the airport
for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, transfer to the
Sheraton, where a day room has been reserved for your use until
your onward flight to Cairo in the evening.
Overnight: Flight to Cairo
DAY 27. 20 OCTOBER 2020. ARRIVE CAIRO – BL
Upon arrival in Cairo, a Goway representative will meet you and
transfer you to your hotel. Lunch at leisure at your hotel. Late this
afternoon, head to the Seasons Country Club for a cocktail recep-
tion to celebrate your first night in Egypt. The Seasons Resort and
Country Club offers a unique combination of beautiful landscap-
ing and outdoor activities. Enjoy views of the pyramids from the
roof of the restaurant.
Alternatively, a visit to The Grand Egyptian Museum will be includ-
ed today (Subject to museum official opening date). This colossal
building will house 100,000 antiques, some of which have never
been displayed to the public. The collection consisting of King Tut’s
tomb and tens of thousands of other rare and unique archaeologi-
cal finds has found a new home in a museum built on the plateau
of the pyramids of Giza. It has exhibition galleries, a storage cen-
tre, a conference centre with a 3D cinema, and also retail outlets,
restaurants, and ancillary buildings. The museum has been built a
small distance away from the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Men-
kaure so as not to disfigure the Giza Plateau. Although the size and
complexity of its design matches those of the pyramids, the chal-
lenges associated with its construction do as well.
Overnight: Marriott Mena House
DAY 28. 21 OCTOBER 2020. FULL DAY TOUR OF GREAT PYRAMID OF
GIZA AND MEMPHIS - BL
Today you’ll get to experience some of the incredible history of Egypt. On
your full-day tour, you’ll first head to the pyramids and the Sphinx, which
the Ancient Greeks considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A
single pyramid is built of 2,300,000 blocks, each weighing an average of two
and a half tons. In the face of such immense creations, you can’t help but
feel the wonder and awe that many writers and artist have sought to con-
vey about the pyramids over the centuries. The Cheops Pyramid or Great
Pyramid of Giza is especially interesting as its interior burial chambers are
open to public inspection. Not far from the pyramids is the Sphinx, which
dates back to the time of Chephren (2,620BC). Hewn from natural yellowish
limestone and standing 19m-high and 57m-long the unforgettable statue
combines the head of a pharaoh with a lion’s body. Entrance to the Great
Pyramid and a camel ride are included for travellers that are interested.
After visiting the pyramids, enjoy lunch before proceeding to Memphis and
Sakkara. Memphis was the capital of Upper and Lower Egypt around 5,000
years ago during the 1st Dynasty. Menes, the first pharaoh of this dynasty,
built a great white-walled palace and the Temple of Ptah here. After visiting
Memphis, continuing to Sakkara, one of the most exciting historical and
archaeological sites in all of Egypt. Situated about 19km southwest of Cairo,
Sakkara is dominated by the famous step pyramid of King Zoser. It was the
first pyramid to be built in Ancient Egypt, preceding those at Giza by many
centuries, and was created by the famous pharaonic architect, Imhotep.
This evening you are at leisure.
Overnight: Marriott Mena House
www.capetocairo.goway.comDAY 29. 22 OCTOBER 2020. FULL DAY EGYPTIAN MUSEUM, CIT-
ADEL, MOSQUE, AND KHAN EL-KHALILI BAZAAR – BLD
After breakfast, begin your second full day of sightseeing around
Cairo starting with the Egyptian Museum, the most important de-
pository of Egyptian antiques in the entire world. It features arti-
facts from the Pharaonic and Greco-Roman periods, including the
celebrated mummy and artifacts of King Tutankhamun.
Continue on to the Citadel, which is situated on a highly-visible
spot of the Mokattam Hills of Old Cairo, which was the nerve cen-
tre of Egypt for almost 700 years. Construction began in 1176 and
was only completed by Muhammad Ali Pasha, ruler of Egypt in the
late 19th century. The Citadel was the home of Mamluk sultans and
Turkish governors and is among the world’s most splendid monu-
ments of medieval warfare. Facing the Citadel is the Mosque of
Sultan Hassan, built between 1356 and 1363. The mosque is per-
haps the most majestic monument of Arab architecture in Egypt.
After a lunch stop, the tour continues to Khan el-Khalili, known as
the Turkish bazaar during the Ottoman period. The bazaar was
built in 1382 by Emir Djaharks el-Khalili in the heart of what was
then known as Fatimid City. Today, the bazaar continues to be a
centre of trade and communion in the city and offers a wide array
of antiques, gold, silver, and copper handcrafts and numerous cof-
fee shops and local restaurants, which attract both Egyptians and
tourists alike.
After a brief return to the hotel to freshen up, head out for a gala
farewell dinner before returning to your hotel for your final night.
Overnight: Marriott Mena House
DAY 30. 23 OCTOBER 2020. DEPART CAIRO – B
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport to catch your
flight back home.
INCLUSIONS:
• VIP Meet & Greet on arrival in Cape Town, Nairobi, Kigali, and Cairo
• All transfers
• Accommodations as described
• Game-viewing and all park fees as described
• Meals as per itinerary, including 5 Highlight Dinners
• Guided sightseeing, including all entrance fees as listed
• Gorilla tracking permit and all park fees
• Tips and Gratuities to local guides and restaurants
• Egyptian Visa for US and Canadian Passport holders
• Domestic & Regional Airfares in business class where available
• Services of Goway Tour Escort throughout the trip
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