Day 1: Saturday: Departure from Nairobi

Day 2: Sunday: Arrival Israel

Tel Aviv/Jaffa – Nazareth – Tiberias
Arrive Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv. Met on arrival by a representative of Raydoll Tours and assisted through airport and immigration formalities. Thereafter proceed for breakfast at a hotel in Tel Aviv.
We begin our pilgrimage to the Holy Land with a visit to ancient city of Jaffa (New Testament Joppa).In the book of Jonah it is recorded that it was from here that Jonah set off for Tarshish and was swallowed by a great fish.

It was also at Joppa where the Apostle Peter had a vision, whilst sitting on the rooftop of the House of Simon the Tanner, and he received God’s command to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles . Today a monument, the Church of St Peter stands on the site traditionally associated with the house of Simon the Tanner (Acts ( v. 43)
Next we drive northwards through the modern metropolis of Tel Aviv and then along the Meditarranean Sea , stopping at Caesarea, to the site of the ancient city of Roman rulers, built by Herod the Great and named for the Roman Ruler Augustus Caesar. It was at Caesaria that Peter baptized the family of the Roman Ruler. We then drive on to the ruins of Caesarea Maritima, which was the seat of government of the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate. Our next stop is on Mt. Carmel where we shall visit the “Place of Sacrifice” where the Prophet Elijah had an encounter with the Priests of Baal (1 Kings 18:17-40). We drive on across the “Plain of Harmageddon” to the town of Nazareth, a town in the hill country of Galilee where Jesus grew to manhood (Matth. 2:23), and visit the Basilica of the Annunciation. Lunch is taken enroute. Finally on this day we shall visit Cana in Galilee, the scene of the wedding feast, where Jesus turned the water into wine (John. 2:1-11). Late afternoon arrival in the city of Tiberias by the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Monday: Sea of Galilee – Golan Heights

The Sea of Galilee is rich in memories of the three years of Jesus’ ministry around its shores. We begin this day with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to visit the ruins of Capernaum which in Jesus’ time was a flourishing border town and was called “his own city” because of the frequency with which Jesus visited it and the mighty works he did there. Next we visit the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and the Chapel of the Primacy at Tabgha. We stop for a while on the Mount of Beatitudes, the scene of the Sermon on the Mount (Matth. 5) before driving on around the shores of the Sea of Galilee up to the Golan Heights stopping at the lookout point where we can see the “Road to Damascus”. Our next stop is at one of the sources of the River Jordan at Banias, which is the site of Caesarea Philippi where the Apostle Peter made his great confession of faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God (Math. 16:13-17). A lunch of St. Peter’s Fish is ready for us in a restaurant on the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee. Before returning to our hotel we shall have the opportunity to stop at a baptismal site on the banks of the River Jordan. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Tuesday: Mt. Tabor – Jordan Valley – Jerusalem

We say farewell to the Sea of Galilee after breakfast and start this day with a drive through the beautiful landscape of Lower Galilee, the scene of much of Christs’ ministry and the home of many of the disciples. From here we go to Mt. Tabor, the Mount of the Transfiguration (Matth. 17:1-8). From the top of the Mount there is a wonderful panoramic view which extends from Mt. Hermon in the north to the hills of Samaria in the south. We drive on past the small town of Nain, where Jesus raised the widow’s son (Lk. 7:11-17). Next we drive to the foot of Mt. Gilboa, stopping for a moment at the Spring of Ein Harod where Gideon the Judge, collected his people to fight the Midianites (Judges 7: 4-7). Next we visit the excavations of the ancient Israelite city of Beit Shean. In New Testament times it became one of the 10 cities of the Decapolis. We continue our drive southwards through the Jordan Valley and drive on up through the Judean Wilderness to Jerusalem, “ the city of God”, and take a first glimpse of the city from the heights of Mt. Scopus before checking into our hotel. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 5: Wednesday: Mt. Olives – Old City of Jerusalem

After breakfast we shall start our pilgrimage in Jerusalem with a Drive to the top of the Mt. of Olives, from which Jesus ascended to heaven after his resurrection. From the top of the Mount there is a magnificent view over all of ancient and modern Jerusalem, the center of the biblical world. We visit the holy shrines on the Mount and walk on down the “Palm Sunday Road” visiting the Chapel of Dominus Flevit (Jesus wept) enroute to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations where Christ prayed on the night of his betrayal (Lk. 22:40-46). Next we shall enter within the old Walled city of Jerusalem and walk in the footsteps of our Lord as he bore the burden of our sins to the Cross at Golgotha. We visit the Pools of Bethesda and walk on along the Via Dolorosa, following the 14 Stations of the Cross from Pilate’s Judgement Hall to the empty tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After lunch we shall visit the last standing remnant of the ancient Temple at the Western (Wailing) Wall and visit some of the exciting Archeological sites in and around the Old City. We end this memorable day of our tour of Israel with a visit to the Garden Tomb before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Thursday: Mt. Zion – Ein Karem – Bethlehem

We start this day with a visit to Mt. Zion where we shall stop to see the Upper Room, the Tomb of King David and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu which is built over the Palace of Caiaphas, the High Priest, who imprisoned Jesus and interrogated him before his trial before Pontius Pilate (Lk. 22:54). Next we shall drive through the New City, passing the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament building), and on into the hill country to a “city of Juda” which today is called Ein Karem. Here we shall visit the Church of the Visitation, which by tradition is built over the house of Zacharias, where the Virgin Mary came to visit her cousin Elisabeth (Lk. 1:39-80). Here John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, was born. A visit to the Yad Vashem memorial to the victims of the holocaust is also on our program for this morning. Afternoon drive to Bethlehem, the royal city of David, to kneel at the place of the birth of Christ in the Grotto of the Nativity. We visit also the Shepherd’s Field where the Angel of the Lord appeared to the Sheperds. On that first Christmas Eve and announced the birth of the Saviour (Lk. 2: 8-18). Finally we drive past Rachel’s Tomb and return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Friday: Jerusalem

Day of leisure in Jerusalem with time for shopping and other private activities. Breakfast and dinner in the hotel. (Should you choose not to have a free day as part of your Israel tour, please contact us for other options )

Day 8: Saturday: Dead Sea – Massada

After breakfast we drive down through the Judean desert and past the “Inn of the Good Samaritan” to the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on the face of the Earth. We drive around the shores of the Dead Sea passing Ein Gedi enroute to the mountain fortress of Massada. Ascent by cable car for an extensive tour of the site which was the scene of the last Jewish resistance against the Romans in the year 73 AD. We return to the shores of the Dead Sea and have an opportunity for a bath in mineral rich waters before visiting the archaeological remains of the Qumran settlement, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were written over 2000 years ago. Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Sunday: Departure

After breakfast we take our leave from Jerusalem and drive back to Tel Aviv where we will check in for our homebound flight from Ben Gurion Airport.

“They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed but abideth forever”. Psalm 125:1

~ End of Pilgrim ~

10 DAYS TOUR OF BEAUTIFUL SOUTH AFRICA

 (CAPETOWN, JOHANNESBURG, PRETORIA, SUN CITY)

DAY 1: NAIROBI- CAPE TOWN

Arrive Cape Town, met by a Raydoll Tours representative and your local English speaking guide and assisted to your waiting vehicle then transferred approximately 30 minutes by coach to your hotel in the city. The rest of the day will be at leisure.

The evening can be spent on a walk around the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, with its abundance of restaurants and shops where you can enjoy dinner.   Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 2:   TABLE MOUNTAIN & ROBBEN ISLAND

Today you will get to enjoy Cape Town’s famous landmark – Table Mountain – as well as one of the World’s Heritage Site’s – Robben Island.

Depart from the hotel and drive up Kloof Nek between Table Mountain and Signal Hill to the lower cable station.  Board the cable car that takes you to the summit of Table Mountain, 1036 metres above sea level (weather permitting).  The views of the city and surrounds are spectacular and there is a chance to walk around the top of the table to view various parts of the city.

Descend from Table Mountain and return to the city via the Bo-Kaap, the Cape Malay quarter, and then leave the vehicle to walk through Government Avenue where the original settlers planted their vegetable gardens.  Today it is home to the South African Museum, the Cultural History Museum, the Houses of Parliament, the National Gallery and St George’s Cathedral.  Walk through the city to the old Town Square, bustling with the market traders of Greenmarket Square and St George’s Mall.  Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. 

After lunch you will be transferred to the V & A Waterfront to the Robben Island ferry departure point. Your guide accompanies you on the ferry, which takes approximately 25 minutes to reach the island located in Table Bay. This is an opportunity to visit the most symbolically significant sight in South Africa, which is now a World Heritage site.  The guides on the island, most of who are ex-political prisoners, meet visitors. The tour includes a visit to the prison block, the limestone quarry where many of the prisoners worked for a number of years and a drive around the island with breath-taking views of the city across the bay.  There is an African Penguin colony on the island as well as some antelope species. The duration of the tour is 3½ hours. After this moving visit, you are returned to the hotel where you arrive in the late afternoon.  The rest of the evening will be at leisure.  In the early evening, you will be able to enjoy a dinner hosted by a local family.  Return to your hotel later in the evening for overnight.

DAY 3:  CAPE PENINSULA TOUR

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Today will combine a little adventure and nature.  Drive from the city to Simonstown to meet the sea-kayaking guide for a safety briefing, then gear up for a couple of hours of easy paddling in twin kayaks along the False Bay Coast. The safe, comfortable kayaks require almost no balance or skill. Paddle to Boulders Beach where a colony of African Penguins live, and view them from the ocean as they swim around this quaint little cove. Leave the kayaks on the beach at Seaforth and lunch at a seafood restaurant.

From here, drive into the Cape Peninsula National Park.

Take a drive off the main road to the untouched area of Olifants Bay. There is a herd of endemic Bontebok living on this side of the reserve and it is possible to see them on the beach and in the surrounding ‘fynbos’, South Africa’s indigenous floral vegetation with flowering species throughout the year. Continue your drive to the tip of the Cape Peninsula and walk to the lighthouse at Cape Point with it’s beautiful views overlooking False Bay, so named as the early navigators thought they had arrived at Table Bay. The walk continues on a boardwalk along the coastline where your guide meets you for the drive back to the city. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon.  The rest of the day and evening will be at leisure.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 4: CAPETOWN- JOHANNESBURG

After breakfast your guide will drop you at the Alfred & Victoria Waterfront where you will have an opportunity for shopping for which this city is famous. Lunch is on own accord at the myriads of restaurants to be found here.

After lunch, you will be transferred to the Airport to board your scheduled flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival, you will be met by another local guide and transferred to your hotel. The evening will be at leisure.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 5: SOWETO & THE APARTHEID MUSEUM

Today’s visits will start after breakfast and include Soweto. Soweto obtained its name from the first two letters of South Western Township, which was the original description of the area.   Today Soweto is a vibrant city with many possibilities although some of its areas still bear the scars of its Apartheid past.

From Soweto the tour will take you on a visit to the Apartheid Museum. The Apartheid Museum which  has been assembled and organized by a multi-disciplinary team of curators, filmmakers, historians and designers, is the story of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. For anyone wanting to understand and experience what South Africa was really like, a visit to the Apartheid Museum is fundamental. The museum is a beacon of hope showing the world how South Africa is coming to terms with the past and working towards a future that gives dignity and hope to all the people of South Africa. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: PRETORIA

Today you depart from Johannesburg for a visit to Pretoria, the civic capital of South Africa. Following your check out formalities  you are transferred by road to Pretoria and the Pioneer Open Air Museum for a three-hour conducted, hands on tour which includes Melrose House, Church Square and Voortrekker Monument.   A light snack lunch will be served during the tour.

After a full day’s tour you are transferred to a Pretoria Hotel for dinner, followed by a well – deserved rest.

DAY 7:  SUN CITY ( AFRICA’S KINGDOM OF PLEASURE)

Today you leave Pretoria and are transferred to the world famous resort of Sun City. The spectacular resort lies in an age-old bush-veld valley in South Africa’s North West Province.  On arrival check in at your preferred hotel which includes the Palace at Suncity. The rest of the day is free for own leisure activities

This so called Africa’s Kingdom of pleasure  provides endless thrills with many hundreds of slots in the Jungle Casino and Superstar Entertainment in the Superbowl. There are many sporting activities on offer including Golf, Tennis, Lawn Bowls, horseriding, mountain biking, cycling and jogging. For those who are inclined, there is the Valley of Waves where you can surf in 1.8 metre high waves or plunge down water chutes or just relax on the man made beaches under the African sun. Sun City is themed around endless pleasure and you should take this opportunity to enjoy your visit to the maximum.

Overnight at Sun city.

DAY 8: SUN CITY

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then spend the rest of the morning at leisure.

Depart at 2.00 p.m. for a two hour tour in which you will discover the tribal customs and traditional culture of the Motseng, Ledig and Bafokeng tribes who live in close proximity of the Sun City resort. An experienced guide conducts the tour and his knowledge of the cultures of the diverse tribes will assist you to gather first hand experience of their rites, rituals and folklore.

The tour includes a meeting with Queen Mother of the Bafokeng tribe, a visit to Craft Planet, a Sun City community upliftment project  which exhibits fascinating artefacts created from scrap materials each artefact symbolising aspects of  South African life.

You will be returned to Sun City at around 4.00 p.m. The rest of the evening at leisure for own activities followed by dinner overnight.

DAY 9:   LESEDI

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a free morning.

Depart Sun City in the early afternoon and start making your way back to Johannesburg.  A stop will be included at the Welwitchia Market should you wish to purchase any last minute African Curios. You will arrive at Lesedi in the mid afternoon where accommodation will be reserved for one night.

LESEDI CULTURAL VILLAGE is situated in the bushveld at the foot of the Magaliesberg Mountains north of Johannesburg. Families from the Zulu warrior nation – the proud Xhosa, the warm-hearted Pedi and the mountain dwelling Basotho – all invite you into their traditional homesteads to share their ancient cultures steeped in tribal folklore and ancestral traditions. Each village is built according to the traditional style of each village, but furnished for modern comfort.  On arrival, you will be welcomed with traditional song and dance and given a guided cultural walk through two of the four homesteads.

In the evening you will enjoy a traditional dinner served around a fire in the open-air “Boma” accompanied by tribal dancing.

DAY 10:  RETURN TO NAIROBI

After a leisurely breakfast, you will be collected from Lesedi and transferred to Johannesburg International Airport where you will be assisted with check in formalities for your return flight home.

~ TOUR  ENDS ~

Day 1: NAIROBI – MAASAI MARA

From Nairobi, transfer to Wilson Airport, to board your morning flight to the world famous Maasai Mara, departing at 10.00 am to arrive in the Mara at about 10.45am. At the airstrip, you will be met and transferred to selected lodge/camp in the Mara, which will be your game viewing base for the next two days. You arrive in time for a bit of relaxation before lunch. After lunch you depart for an afternoon game drive which will go late into the early evening. Return to the Camp/Lodge for dinner and overnight.  (LUNCH & DINNER)

Day 2: MAASAI MARA

Book your wake up call the night before and start at dawn for a best game viewing chance. Look out for the “Big Five” for which this park is famous. Lion Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino and occasionally the elusive Leopard, as well as many herds of plains game abound in this park. After what should be a rewarding morning, you return to the camp/Lodge for late breakfast. Thereafter relax by the pool for a swim or some reading before lunch. Lunch is served at the Camp/Lodge Thereafter depart for another game drive returning to the Camp/Lodge late in the evening for your well – deserved rest ,dinner and overnight. (BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER)

Day 3: RETURN TO NAIROBI

An early morning short game drive, then breakfast. Thereafter you are transferred to the airstrip to board your mid morning flight departing from the Mara at 11.00 am to arrive at Wilson Airport at 12.15 a.m. Transfer to your city base. (BREAKFAST)

~ TOUR ENDS ~