lotty
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
South Africa 2nd Feb

Hooray the tickets have arrived,nearly there.

Looking at the price of the excursions, comparing them against the 2011 prices posted on the forum.Most of the trips have risen a nominal amount-because of inflation.

Can the rise in the elephant Whispers be justified?

Interaction only from £48 in 2011 to £113 in 2012.

Ride and Interaction from £79 in 2011 to £147 in 2012.

Seems hell of an increase to me, is there any justification in the increase.?

Olly
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Lotty

Sorry for the delay - I've been trying to find an answer for you.

According to our agents in Africa, the price increase is down to a few things - including inflation - but mainly that there is now a coach transfer involved, as we are staying at a different property. The extra cost covers things like petrol, insurance, staff wages and so on

Kind regards,

Olly, your editor

BGray
  • (Member)
(Member)
Those who did it on my hol absolutely loved it, if that's any help!

Bob

sallyc
  • (Member)
(Member)
Olly

Is there any chance you could publish the 2012 excursion prices? I am going on this trip at the end of September and would like to know how much I need to save as I plan on doing them all!!

Thanks

Sally

Sally-Anne
(Member)
Hello Sally,

I have collected the excursion information relating to your tour for you below, I hope you have a wonderful time!

We've put together a fantastic choice of great value excursions to help you make the most of your holiday. We've also got some superb deals if you choose to book an excursion package, subject to availability. Unless specified, all optional

excursions are available to pre-book in the UK (no later than 5 days prior to departure), on the following number: 01858 581024

Please remember, booking excursions before you travel guarantees that you pay the lowest possible price, and helps to secure a place on the excursion of your choice. Please note that all prices are subject to change.

Cape Town - Cape Peninsula - Full Day (£ 64.00)

The first stop will be Hout Bay - a lively town with a busy harbour. We continue to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, with its beautiful displays of South African flowers. Next, our journey takes us to the rugged Cape Point where the dramatic granite cliffs plunge 850ft to the sea below, then it’s on to the famous rocky headland of the Cape of Good Hope.

How to book : This Optional excursion is only available to book through your Tour Manager in resort

Cape Town - Evening Sunset Cruise (£ 20.00)

A delightful evening cruise from the waterfront, around the bay. Enjoy a stunning African sunset before returning to the

quayside. Transfer not included (duration approx 90 minutes) How to book: This Optional excursion is only available to book through your Tour Manager in resort

Cape Town - Helicopter Ride (£ 137.00)

An amazing flight by helicopter over Cape Town - a truly wonderful way to view the city and Table Mountain. (duration 30mins) How to book : This Optional excursion is only available to book through your Tour Manager in resort

Cape Town - Winelands Tour - Full Day (£ 64.00)

A spectacular full day tour through the vineyard covered valleys and scenic country roads en route to a winery where you can enjoy a tour of the cellars followed by a tasting. How to book: This Optional excursion is only available to book through your Tour Manager in resort

Elephant Whispers - Interaction Only (£ 113.00)

Take the opportunity to come face to face with an elephant. You’ll be able to touch and feed these gentle giants - a privilege once reserved only for royalty! How to book: This Optional excursion is only available to book through your Tour Manager in resort

Elephant Whispers - Ride and Interaction (£ 147.00)

Take the opportunity to come face to face with an elephant. You’ll be able to touch, feed and take a short ride on one of these gentle giants - a privilege once reserved only for royalty! How to book : This Optional excursion is only available to book through your Tour Manager in resort

Knysna – Township Tour – Half Day (£ 43.00)

Enjoy a half day tour of a township with a local guide where you’ll be taken to a shanty town, a primary school and a traditional healer. How to book: This Optional excursion is only available to book through your Tour Manager in resort

Kruger Game Drive – Full Day (£ 67.00)

Enjoy the thrill and excitement of the sights and sounds of a Game Drive - there is nothing quite like a close encounter with some of Africa’s spectacular wildlife! (full day drive - approx 8/9 hours)

How to book: This Optional excursion is only available to book through your Tour Manager in resor

Kruger Game Drive – Half Day (£ 60.00)

Enjoy the thrill and excitement of the sights and sounds of a Game Drive - there is nothing quite like a close encounter with some of Africa’s spectacular wildlife! (afternoon game drive - approx 4 hours)

How to book: This Optional excursion is only available to book through your Tour Manager in resort

Robben Island ( £ 19.00)

Please note that it is becoming more difficult to book the Robben Island excursion on arrival in Cape Town. We therefore

recommend that if you want to do this extra excursion you should book this in advance, as space is very limited.

To book, please contact Nelson Mandela Gateway on: Tel: 00 27 21 413 4200 or www.robben-island.org.za

Please note: The above price is approximate.

How to book : Please note, unless otherwise stated, excursions need to be prebooked at least 5 days prior to departure

Deciding if the excursion is right for you

· When we refer to a half day excursion, this will normally last for 3-4 hours. A 3/4 day excursion will typically last 4-6

hours, and a full day is generally 6+ hours

· When we refer to walking we mean:

- minimal walking = very little walking with no long periods of standing and minimal steps or stairs

- moderate walking = average walking and/or uneven surfaces, some standing and/or steps and stairs

- strenuous walking = large amount of walking and/or many steps over rough terrain or extended periods of standing

and/or steps

Terms & Conditions

· Your Tour Guide will confirm the times and dates of your optional excursions at the start of your holiday. These may vary from those detailed here

- A minimum number of people are needed for an optional excursion to operate. If that number isn’t achieved, we may have to cancel it. If this happens, you will be offered a full refund of the money that you have paid and we have no further liability. If we have to cancel and you paid for the excursion overseas, your Tour Manager will refund you overseas. If you pre-booked in the UK before the holiday, the refund will be processed by our head office in the UK, and will be sent to the lead passenger's home address within 10 working days of your return date to the UK.

- If you want to cancel an optional excursion we are unable to refund the cost of the excursion once it has been paid for. If you suffer from a disability that restricts your mobility we will do our best to ensure that you can participate in our excursions. Please let us know before you book about any special requirements. We reserve the right to limit your participation in our programme of excursions if we have reasonable doubts about your comfort and safety or the safety and comfort of your fellow travellers and no refund will be offered under these circumstances.

· It’s unlikely that we’ll have to make any changes to our optional excursions programme. But if we do, we’ll let you know before you go away (time permitting), or our Tour Guide will let you know when you get there

If you did not buy travel insurance through us, then your travel insurance may not cover you for some of the activities you may be taking part in during our excursions programme. We suggest that all customers check their travel insurance as it is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate cover for the activities you intend to do

Best regards Sally-Anne - your editor

sallyc
  • (Member)
(Member)
Sally-Anne

Thank you very much for the updated prices, although I do find it amusing that at the beginning you say about pre-booking the excursions only to find that everyone of them is bookable only through the Tour Manager in resort!! ;

Sally-Anne
(Member)
Oh gosh, yes it does say that, I think that is the text that they use for all the excursions. Sorry about that, I'm standing in for Olly at the moment and that was my first post! Hope you have a great holiday all the same.

Best regards Sally-Anne - your editor