Zebra Tour – 1st & 2nd Test Tour

Johannesburg / Durban / Drakensburg / Bloemfontein
07th – 18th June 2018

ENGLAND TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA 2018 – ZEBRA TOUR

2 Nights Joburg 3 Nights Durban 2 Nights Drakensberg 2 Nights Bloemfontein
 

ITINERARY:

DAY 1: THURSDAY 07TH JUNE – UK/JOHANNESBURG

Arrive at your chosen airport three hours prior to departure where you will check in for your international flight.
 

DAY 2: FRIDAY 08TH JUNE – JOHANNESBURG

Upon arrival into Johannesburg you will be met by a LWTL tour manager and transferred into the city to the Balalaika Hotel for a 2 night stay on a B&B basis. This evening, enjoy welcome drinks with your tour host and fellow tourists.
 

DAY 3: SATURDAY 09TH JUNE – 1ST TEST MATCH, JOHANNESBURG

MATCH DAY!
SOUTH AFRICA v ENGLAND
After a leisurely morning you will enjoy a pre-match lunch and Q&A Session. After lunch you will be transferred to Ellis Park Rugby Stadium. Post match you will be transferred back to your hotel.
 

DAY 4: SUNDAY 10TH JUNE – JOHANNESBURG TO DURBAN

After breakfast please check out of your hotel and meet in the hotel foyer 10 mins prior to your transfer to OR Tambo International Airport for your flight to Durban. Upon arrival in Durban you will be transferred to the Protea Hotel, Umhlanga for a 3 night stay on a B&B basis.

DAY 5: MONDAY 11TH JUNE – UMHLANGA, DURBAN

Day at leisure in Umhlanga. With Durban having such warm winters you can enjoy some time on the beaches. We will have an optional half day tour to learn more about the city including the Sky Car at Moses Mabhida Stadium followed by lunch and the Aquarium at Ushaka Marine World.
 

DAY 6: TUESDAY 12TH JUNE – UMHLANGA, DURBAN (OPTIONAL SAFARI)

Day at leisure in Umhlanga. Alternatively perhaps join us on an optional full day safari to Hluhluwe Game Reserve. After an early 6am departure, on arrival in Hluhluwe (3.5 hours) enjoy a 3 hour game drive in open top safari vehicles. Lunch is in included at Hluhluwe’s Hilltop Camp followed by another hour of game viewing before heading back to Umhlanga (approximate arrival time 1830hrs).
 

DAY 7: WEDNESDAY 13TH JUNE – UMHLANGA, DURBAN TO DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Drakensberg (4 hours). Upon arrival check into the Cathedral Peak Hotel for a 2 night stay on a DBB basis. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
 

DAY 8: THURSDAY 14TH JUNE – DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS

Day at leisure to explore your surroundings.
 

DAY 9: FRIDAY 15TH JUNE – DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS TO BLOEMFONTEIN

This morning, after a leisurely breakfast check out of our hotel and transfer to Bloemfontein, to your chosen hotel for a 2 night stay on a B&B basis.
 

DAY 10: SATURDAY 16TH JUNE – 2ND TEST MATCH, BLOEMFONTEIN

MATCH DAY!
SOUTH AFRICA v ENGLAND
After a leisurely morning you will be transferred to the selected venue for a pre-match lunch and Q&A Session. After lunch you will be transferred to the Toyota Stadium. Post match you will be transferred back to your hotel.
 

DAY 11: SUNDAY 17TH JUNE – BLOEMFONTEIN/JOHANNESBURG/UK

After checking out of your hotel you will be transferred to the OR Tambo International Airport for your return flight to the UK.
 

DAY 12: MONDAY 18TH JUNE – UK

Arrive back in the UK. Complete passport control, collect your luggage and continue with your onward travel.
END OF TOUR ARRANGEMENTS
 

ZEBRA TOUR HOTELS

JOHANNESBURG

PROTEA HOTEL BY MARRIOTT BALALAIKA SANDTON (2 nights from 8th June 2018)

This peaceful hotel offers stylish accommodation in Johannesburg’s suburb of Sandton. It features 2 swimming pools set within gardens, as well as 2 gourmet restaurants and a modern fitness centre.
Protea Hotel Balalaika offers a free luxury shuttle service to and from Sandton Gautrain Station, which has a direct link to O.R Tambo International Airport, 20 km away. All guest rooms at Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton are decorated in English country style, featuring bright colours and large windows. The private bathrooms come with complimentary deluxe bath products. Breakfast is served in The Colony Restaurant which has a garden terrace, and The Bull Run specialises in prime cuts of South African beef. There are several bars and lounges, including Lords Cigar Bar and The Oval Coffee Shop. The Sandton City shopping centre is 600 m from the hotel, and Nelson Mandela Square and Sandton Convention Centre are both 800 m away. On-site car parking is available.

DURBAN

PROTEA HOTEL BY MARRIOTT UMHLANGA, DURBAN (3 nights from 10th June 2018)

Located in the heart of Umhlanga Rocks, near Durban in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Protea Hotel Umhlanga boasts stunning views of the nearby beaches and lush surroundings. Guests of Protea Umhlanga can enjoy magnificent sea views from some of the rooms with stylish, elegant furnishings. Each air-conditioned room has a fully equipped kitchenette, satellite TV and separate bathroom. A delicious breakfast is served on-site every morning, while lunch and dinner can be ordered from a variety of nearby restaurants. To ensure a hassle-free stay, the attentive staff can arrange for airport shuttle and babysitting service upon request at a charge. Nearby attractions include Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve, Haween Forest, and Umhlanga Rocks. King Shaka International Airport is a 15-minute drive away.

DRAKENSBERG

CATHEDRAL PEAK HOTEL, DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS (2 nights from 13th June 2018)

Nestled in the picturesque Drakensberg Mountain Range, a World Heritage Site, Cathedral Peak Hotel features a 9-hole golf course, a swimming pool and gym facilities. The rooms offer views of the surrounding mountains and include an en suite bathroom with a bath or shower. The suites come with a bath and a fireplace. Breakfast and dinner as well as mid-morning and afternoon tea are included. Cathedral Peak Hotel has a dining area and a bar. Guests can also enjoy guided hikes and bird watching. Free WiFi is available in public areas. For guests travelling with children, the hotel has a children’s dining room, a playground with trampoline, and babysitter services. Winterton is 46 km away and Ladysmith Airport can be reached in 90 km. Giants Castle Game Reserve is 67 km from the hotel.

BLOEMFONTEIN

CITY LODGE HOTEL, BLOEMFONTEIN (2 nights from 15th June 2018)

The City Lodge Bloemfontein Hotel offers the perfect practical destination for business, conference and tourist trips to the city, located in the Free State Province of South Africa. Readily available from the N1 highway and only 10 minutes from the Bloemfontein Airport, the hotel is within walking distance of shopping centres, restaurants, the Bloemfontein Zoo, the city centre and, for rugby and football fans; it is a stone’s throw from the Free State Stadium. The Grey College school, as well as the Free State University, are in walking distance. A three-star establishment, this new City Lodge features 151 well-appointed hotel rooms. For the more leisurely – minded, a swimming pool in the beautiful garden provides an excellent place to relax and unwind. A 15-minute walk past the Bloemfontein Zoo and Loch Logan Lake brings visitors to the Performing Arts Center of the Free State, which houses the city’s flagship theatre venues and activities.

PROTEA WILLOW LAKE, BLOEMFONTEIN (UPGRADE OPTION – 2 nights from 15th June 2018)

Set in a beautifully landscaped garden in Bloemfontein’s business district, this hotel provides guests with a comfortable base, thanks to its pool and sun terrace. Enjoying easy access to the university, Protea Hotel Bloemfontein includes 94 luxurious guest rooms. Start the day with a swim in the pool, followed by a stroll through the garden. All guest rooms boast a modern décor, with earthy tones underlining the hotel’s relaxing atmosphere. Unwind in front of the fireplace in the lounge or make use of the room service option. Free wireless internet access as well as free parking further complement your stay at Protea Hotel Bloemfontein.

 

TESTIMONIALS

 
I have recently returned from Australia after experiencing your companies services for the 2nd time (SA previously). Just a few words to compliment you, your staff and in particular our tour leader (endeavour 1V Red) Mike Pyrgos, Robert Jones and John Bentley on their professionalism, attention to detail and sheer commitment to ensuring our enjoyment. Mike and Rob helped me out with a particular problem and I will be forever grateful! Your staff in general were kind and considerate and again I thank them. They were all, a credit to you and your company and everyone in our party from South Wales would agree with this sentiment. Please pass on my thanks to everyone. Again Thanks!
Gordon Pritchard
 
Just a Big Thank You to all Living with the Lions Staff in organising the Tour to Australia. Had an Amazing Time – The Organisation and Attention to Detail was first class. Also, please pass on our thanks to the Group Leaders (Mike and Andy plus others), John “Bentos” Bentley and Rob Jones as Rugby hosts, plus the additional student helpers (Jonathan, Katie, Lucy) for their part as well Will definitely be touring again with LWTL, whether it be Lions, Hong Kong Sevens or Dubai Sevens. Best wishes for the future and hope to see you soon…
Huw Thomas, Graham Davies and Ceri Jonathan
 
Many many thanks for a fantastic holiday. Everything was so well organised I really cannot speak highly enough of the quality of the tour and the hard work put in by both the Living with the Lions guys and all the volunteers. Mike, Andy, Fleur and Lucy on our tour were simply brilliant. Looking after so many people all doing their own things was not an easy task although you guys made it seem effortless – the hard work behind the scenes made everything go like clockwork. The final Saturday was a day to remember. The general talk was – “well how good was that”. Not just the result but the whole day, simply brilliant. Rob and Bentos were both fantastic as well working so hard to talk with everyone to make everyone’s holiday something special. Once again a big thank you to all and hope to see you all again in four years!!
Many thank and kind regards,
Alasdair and Susanna
 
Many thanks for an excellent tour to Australia for the Lions 2013. The way all your staff looked after us all and the pre-match parties were fantastic capped off with an amazing boat trip to the final test and of course the win. Please pass on our thanks to all concerned and we shall see you all in 4 years. Again many thanks to all for a fantastic 3 weeks.
Neil and Gaynor Street
 
Thanks for a great trip to Australia. We can’t emphasise enough how much we enjoyed ourselves and how much we appreciate the effort that you all put in to ensure that it was the holiday of a lifetime. Please pass on our thanks and comments to all the representatives.
With very best wishes
Dave & Anne
 
Hope you are well and not too jet-lagged! Please pass on our thanks to the team for a thoroughly enjoyable tour. I have travelled with several sports companies before and this was definitely the best experience, particularly in terms of the pre-match entertainment. You may remember my father and I were late additions to the Great Barrier Reef Trip. If you can email,send an invoice we can settle up.
All the best,
Carolyn
 
On behalf of the Whitby Lads, Ron, Craig, John,Tim and myself I would just like to take this opportunity to thank the Living with the Lions team for a tremendous Lion’s tour! The whole tour surpassed all our expectations and was so professionally organised. This trip of a lifetime proved to be just that!
Many Thanks
Bill Bowes