The Italy 2010 Soccer World Cup Tour

The Italy soccer matches during the group phase take place in Cape Town (14 June 2010), Nelspruit (20 June 2010) and Johannesburg (24 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, all our other tours are available to you.

The Group Phase Itinerary for Italy Matches

Day 1 to 4 (11-14 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. 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 eighteen 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.

Italy plays against Paraguay at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town on the 14th of June.

Day 5 to 8 (15-18 June 2010)

We leave the Cape of Good Hope with a sense of nostalgia. 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 visit the Cango Caves, a natural wonder of the world, with eight kilometers of majestic stalactites and stalagmites. We also look in on an ostrich farm, with it grandeur 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. We return to Knysna in the late afternoon.

Day 9 (19 June 2010)

Today we are on our way to Italy's second match, against New Zealand. We fly to Johannesburg and then on by luxury coach to the lowlands. We spend the rest of the day sightseeing in this beautiful part of the country. We go down the Sabie Pass, see the mining town of Pilgrims Rest, stand on the edge in the Blyderiver Canyon and see the world through Gods Window.

Day 10 to 13 (20-23 June 2010)

A leisurely drive takes us to Nelspruit where we watch the match against New Zealand at the Mbombela Stadium. Then on to what you have come for – a Big Five game reserve. We will spend the next four days in the tranquillity of the African bush. On arrival you are 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 an African Safari. 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.

Day 14 to 15 (24-June 2010)

We leave our game lodge early as Italy plays Slovakia in the afternoon at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg. Our stopover in Johannesburg is an adventurous one. During our second day 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.

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast our African Safari has come to a close. Soon we will leave for the airport for our flight back home. The management of Wild Sunset Safaris will be at the airport to bid you an African farewell – hamba gathle!

The optional extension of the tour

For those staying on for the second leg of the tournament the journey continues. Provided enough members of the touring party indicate that they want the tour to continue so as to see the Group of 16 match in Pretoria-Tshwane (where Italy will most probably play their first knock-out game on 29 June 2010). The tour can be extended as indicated below.

Day 16 to 18 (26-28 June 2010)
(optional extension of the tour)

Our early flight takes us to Durban. Here we will visit two sought-after wildlife parks in South Africa – Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (previously known as "the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park"). Established in 1895, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is noted for its wide variety of both birdlife and wildlife. Apart from game viewing drives there are guided walks which can be especially rewarding in the early morning and late afternoon. The Wetland Park is a World Heritage Site and encompasses an immense mosaic of habitats ranging from coral reefs and beaches, coastal forests, salt and fresh water marshes to the drier woodland areas. This is a remarkably beautiful place.

Day 19 (29 June 2010)

We leave for Pretoria-Tshwane after a very early breakfast for the match in the Round of 16 at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. 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!

In the morning we leave for Johannesburg. The management of Wild Sunset Safaris believe that they have presented you with the best South Africa has to offer. We trust that you will say: “I will return someday”. We bid you: “ci vediamo”!

Owing to uncertainty about the teams qualifying for the further 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.