The France 2010 Soccer World Cup Tour

The France soccer matches during the group phase take place in Cape Town (11 June 2010), Polokwane (17 June 2010) and Bloemfontein/Manguang (22 June 2010).

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

Due to the complexity in the allocation of venues to the advancing teams during the knockout phase, we do not cater for this part of the World Cup. However, our other tours are available to you.

The Group Phase Itinerary for France

Day 1 to 4 (9-12 June 2010)

Welcome to South Africa! We meet you at the Cape Town International Airport and take you to your hotel. If flight schedules allow, an afternoon drive through Cape Town will put you in the mood for what is to come. This evening, dine in one of the many restaurants at the Waterfront.

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.

On 11 June is France's first match against Uruguay on the soccer field at the Green Point Stadium, Cape Town!

Day 5 to 8 (13-16 June 2010)

We leave the Cape of Good Hope with a sense of nostalgia – “I will return here, someday”. Today we are en route to Oudshoorn. We take the scenic Route 62, reminiscent of the more famous Route 66 in the USA. Sit back and enjoy the magnificent landscapes, towering cliffs and scenic passes. The mountains form the backdrop to a rainbow of colours – fields of wheat, canola, vineyards and orchards.

In Oudshoorn, 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! After a busy day we can enjoy the luxurious desert retreat of a Country House.

Early morning we join the Garden Route, undoubtedly the most beautiful part of the South African coast line. The area boasts a Mediterranean climate and unsurpassed natural beauty. We spend the next two days in the sleepy picturesque town of Knysna. The town 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. After a siesta we take a sunset cruise across the lagoon to the Heads to get a full view of the lagoon and the town.

After a light breakfast a short drive takes us into one of but a few remaining indigenous forests in South Africa, known as Tsitsikamma. Have you ever dreamt of an enchanted forest of mysterious and impenetrable lushness, with a canopy of giant trees and moss and ferns under foot? Well this is it! We take the back roads deep into its inner sanctum. Here we enjoy the pleasure of a “bush brunch”. We continue our journey, meandering through the forest, to the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay. We 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 start you planning your next visit. Our last stay in the Garden Route is the picturesque town of St Francis Bay with its whitewashed dwellings.

Day 9 to 11 (17-19 June 2010)

Early morning we depart from Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth for Polokwane for France's second match against Mexico on the 17th of June. We will spend the next few days in the African bush! 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. On arrival you will be welcomed by your ranger and tracker – your exclusive hosts during your stay. Discuss your itinerary with them, but remember, there is no typical day in the wild. Each day is different because of the unpredictable behaviour of the wildlife. Your ranger will take full advantage of a cheetah hunt, or a leopard feeding in a tree.

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. Tomorrow we will depart for Johannesburg and then on to Bloemfontein/ Manguang where France will play the team of the 2010 host country – Bafana Bafana on the 22nd June!

Day 12 to 13 (20-21 June 2010)

Our stay in Johannesburg is an adventurous one. 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 14 to 16 (22-24 June 2010)

We leave Johannesburg for Bloemfontein/Manguang where France will attempt to qualify for the knock-out phase of the tournament! After the game with our hosts: Bafana Bafana, we will enjoy the tranquillity of a game lodge.

After breakfast we depart for the Lesotho-Drakensberg. The drive takes us through picturesque villages and regions with strange-sounding names such as Phuthaditjhaba, Qwa-Qwa and Golden Gate. The route meanders through beautiful mountains of sandstone, pieces of which were also used as building blocks in many of the dwellings in the area. Late afternoon, the sandstone reflects an array of warm colours – gold, yellow and ochre. Keep your cameras handy! We spend two nights in Clarens (“the jewel of the Free State”), well-known for its artists’ colony.

Then much too quickly it is our last day. We leave for Johannesburg on our journey back home. 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, Wild Sunset Safaris does not offer scheduled tours for the matches of the teams that make it to the final stages of the tournament. 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.