USA 2010 Soccer World Cup Tour

The USA soccer matches during the group phase take place in Rustenburg (12 June 2010), Johannesburg (18 June 2010) and Pretoria/Tshwane (23 June 2010).

The knockout phase starts on 26 June, with the final on 11 July 2010.

Owing to the complexity of the allocation of venues to the teams who make it to the knockout phase, we do not cater for this part of the World Cup. However, all our other tours are available to you.

The Group Phase Itinerary for USA Matches

Day 1 (10 June 2010)

Welcome to South Africa! We welcome you at the O.R. Tambo International Airport and take you to your hotel. If flight schedules allow, an afternoon drive through Johannesburg will put you in the mood for what is to come. Dine in one of the many restaurants in the posh Sandton district.

Day 2 (11 June 2010)

Today we explore two well-known landmarks of Johannesburg, namely Gold Reef City and Soweto. Johannesburg, more commonly known as Egoli, is built on the richest goldmine in the world. Experience the mining process by entering an underground mine, search for the elusive specs of yellow in the rough rock and feel the heat of the golden liquid as it is poured into the mould.

Soweto, the most populous black urban community in South Africa, is steeped in history. Its political heartbeat has guaranteed it a place on the world map. Soweto was at the centre of the uprising that led to the overthrow of the apartheid regime and the onset of the historical peace process towards a democratic dispensation. However, Soweto is far more than this. Despite its poverty, it has a vibrant cheerfulness and is a hive of activity. We will visit its landmarks and a "shebeen" – a traditional drinking joint where we will enjoy the music, have a pint or two and enjoy a traditional African meal.

Day 3 (12 June 2010)

USA's first game is against England at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg! On our way to we visit Pretoria/Tshwane, the capital city. We visit the Union Buildings, the residence of the government, the Voortrekker Monument, commemorating the courage, determination and persistence of the Afrikaner people of South Africa in their struggle for survival and the Freedom Memorial which affords spectacular views of the city and Unisa with its 240 000 students! Then on to Sun City – the well-known resort hotel in the Pilanesberg Mountains. We will book into our hotel and then leave for the soccer match.

Day 4 to 8 (13-17 June 2010)

Up early this morning as we leave for Cape Town via Johannesburg. No trip to South Africa is complete without a visit to the Mother City. It lies beneath the sandstone countenance of Table Mountain, often shrouded in a veil of clouds. Far below its flat crest lies the harbour, with colourful sailing boats returning from stunning trips to the precipitous cliffs of the Twelve Apostles, the magnificent Monte Carlo-like mansions of Clifton, the sandy white beaches of Camps Bay, Muizenburg and Fish Hoek, not to mention Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.

After breakfast we head for the wine region of South Africa, with vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads, nestled at the foothills of majestic mountains. We first head for the farming district of Paarl, and take the scenic route through its oak-lined streets and the surrounding wine region. We stop at Laborie for a cellar tour and wine tasting.

Then on to Franschhoek, historically dating back to the arrival of the French Huguenots in the 17th century. A drive up the mountain affords us spectacular views of the valley below. Closer to town we take a wagon ride through a patchwork of vineyards overlooking the town. Franschhoek boasts some of the best restaurants in South Africa. We stop for lunch and also allow you time to browse through the small shops on Main Street to buy a trinket or two.

After lunch we depart for Stellenbosch – truly the heart of the South African wine industry. This town boasts a culture steeped in South African history. Walk down the canalised avenues in the shade of giant oak trees and beautifully preserved historical buildings. High up in the Simonsberg is a wine farm belonging to the golfer, Ernie Els, our country’s best-known export. What a vista of the Cape peninsula!

In the afternoon we head for “the Mountain”. We ascend its vertical cliffs by cable car and from the “table top” – one kilometre above sea level – the view of the city, the Atlantic seaboard, Robben Island on the horizon and the Peninsula will take your breath away. Our last stop is Signal Hill, from where we will view the setting sun and the early lights of the fairest city of them all!

After breakfast our leisurely drive along the coastline takes us through the exclusive suburbs of Sea Point, Clifton, Camps Bay and Llandudno. We stop for a drink at the posh Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa and then head for Cape Point, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.

On our way back we stop to view a penguin colony, and drive through the coastal towns of Muizenberg, Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay. We also drive through the grand suburbs of Constantia, Newlands and Pinelands and make a brief stopover at the tranquil Kirstenbosch botanical gardens.

Our last day in the Cape of Good Hope. Today our itinerary takes us to Hermanus, arguably the best place on earth to watch the Southern Right Whales from the cliff path winding from one side of the town to the other. Our drive takes us through seaside villages such as Gordons Bay, Pringle Bay and Bettys Bay. In the afternoon we return to Cape Town. If time allows, we will stop over at Bloubergstrand (Blue Mountain Bay), descriptive of its spectacular view across Table Bay. It is 'early to bed' as we fly to Johannesburg after breakfast.

Day 9 (18 June 2010)

The day is spent in Johannesburg. If time allows we drive through the posh suburbs of Sandton, inter alia Houghton, Sandhurst and Gallo Manor. We leave in time for the USA match against Slovenia.

Day 10 to 13 (19-22 June 2010)

Today we head for the bush! Undoubtedly the main attraction of Africa is its wildlife. For the next four days, experience the great outdoors in the company of the Big Five – lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant, and more species of mammals than anywhere else in Africa.

Although sightings of these animals and birds are not guaranteed, experienced game rangers and trackers take visitors out in open safari vehicles to spots where there are usually sightings. The game rangers' wealth of knowledge of the bush and their own wildlife experiences make for interesting conversation around the fire.

An early morning game drive is advisable because the bush is alive with activity at that time of the day. In the late afternoon, the amazing African sunset will make your sundowner even more enjoyable. As darkness descends, your tracker will scan the bush with a powerful spotlight and point out the elusive nocturnal wildlife. Tonight, around the log fire, you will enjoy superb food, excellent wines and impeccable service.

But keep in mind, you have come to relax and refresh the soul. Enjoy the pool deck, or explore the camp – just don’t wander off too far! The afternoon siesta is a must, to make up for the early morning wake-up call. Soon you will feel relaxed, yet exhilarated.

Day 14 (23 June 2010)

After breakfast we depart early for Pretoria/Tshwane for the USA match against Algeria at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. After the match we book into a comfortable guest house - something Pretoria is well-known for. Why not spend the last night on the town. “The Square” is nearby where the night never ends!

Tomorrow, we leave early for Johannesburg and a connecting flight back home. Our African safari has drawn to a close. The management of Wild Sunset Safaris will be at the airport to bid you an African farewell – hamba gathle! For those staying on for the second leg of the tournament, the journey continues.

Owing to uncertainty about the teams qualifying for World Cup knockout, Wild Sunset Safaris does not offer scheduled tours for matches of teams that make it to the final stages of the World Soccer Cup. We do not believe that we can provide service excellence for our clients with such a short lead time between the different knockout phases. However, all our other tours are available to you.