The England 2010 Soccer World Cup Tour

The England soccer matches in the group phase will take place in Rustenburg (12 June), Cape Town (18 June) and Nelson Mandela Bay/ Port Elizabeth (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 the English Matches

Day 1 (10 June 2010)

Welcome to South Africa! We meet 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. This evening, dine in one of the many top-class restaurants in the posh Sandton area.

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)

Today is England's first game, against the USA. On our way to Rustenburg, we visit Pretoria, 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 which will take place at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium - named after the Bafokeng people who live in the area.

Day 4 to 6 (13-15 June 2010)

Undoubtedly the main attraction of Africa is its wildlife. For the next three 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.

Day 7 to 11 (16-20 June 2010)

We take an early flight to Cape Town for England's second game, against Algeria on 18 June 2010 at the Green Point Stadium. The Mother City is regarded by many as the most beautiful city in the world. 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.

This corner of South Africa is also renowned for its splendid wines – produced among beautiful mountains, whitewashed Cape Dutch homesteads and a patchwork of vineyards. The towns reflecting the history of the French Huguenots are Stellenbosch, Franschoek and Paarl, all nestled beneath rugged mountains. No wonder this region is one of the most popular destinations for travellers.

Day 12 to 14 (21-23 June 2010)

We leave the Cape of Good Hope today with a sense of nostalgia en route to England's final game in the group phase against Slovenia (on 23 June 2010) at the Nelson Mandela Bay/ Port Elizabeth Stadium. Our drive takes us through a patchwork of farmlands, when the harvest is in, into the semidesert region of the Small Karoo.

Our first destination is Oudtshoorn, where we will visit the Cango Caves, a natural wonder of the world, with about eight kilometers of majestic stalactites and stalagmites. We also visit an ostrich farm, with its grand manor house, reflecting on the heyday when ostrich feathers were high mode. We watch farm labourers engage in their daily “Ascot” ostrich race. Why not try it yourself – but remember - hold on!

Then we join the Garden Route, undoubtedly the most beautiful part of the South African coastline. The area boasts a Mediterranean climate and unsurpassed natural beauty. The road meanders down to the narrow coastline through one of the few remaining natural, indigenous forests in South Africa. Look out for the fabled and elusive tuskered giants padding the forest floor, in the company of bushpigs, vervet monkeys, bushbuck and the endangered blue duiker antelope.

The sleepy picturesque town of Knysna lies on the shores of a beautiful estuary, with the lagoon spilling into the ocean, passing through the monolithic sandstone cliffs known as the Knysna Heads. A ferry ride across the lagoon is the best way to see the Heads and get a full view of the lagoon and town.

We continue our journey to the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay, and spend the afternoon at leisure. Enjoy the vistas of the lagoon below and the winding coastline in the distance. Weather permitting, a stroll on the beach, and for the brave a dip in the waves, will make you start planning your next visit.

Our last stop on the coast is the picturesque town of St Francis Bay with its whitewashed dwellings.

We leave the Garden Route for Nelson Mandela Bay/ Port Elizabeth where we will watch the soccer match on 23 June 2010 in which England will hopefully qualify for the knockout phase of the World Cup. We will be spending the night in Nelson Mandela Bay/ Port Elizabeth.

Day 15 (24 June 2010)

We leave early for Johannesburg and our connecting flight back home. Our African safari is drawing 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 venues for the knockout part of the World Cup, we do not offer scheduled tours for the matches of the teams that make it to the final stages of Soccer World 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.