Greetings,

What follows is a out line of a proposed Soccer Safari Cultural experience of South Africa in 2018.

The dates will be determined by the participants.

As this tour is open to family ie spouses,kids,friends ie non players as well,more than likely  it will take in August 2018.However that is not set in stone,and the actual dates will be what the participants who are travelling want it to be.

This will be co ed recreational level soccer,not a competitive level.

Local Ashland Oregon adult soccer player Stephen Abelsohn is a South  Africa/ Africa Safari tour specialist.He will design and tour lead the tour along with his local guides.

That’s Stephen all dolled up in the village areas-you to can look like this.

The object of this  e mail is to obtain a digital hands up to see who may be interested in participating.

We do not have prices yet.That will come later once we know that we have enough folks who say they interested.

So this is not a request for a commitment.

Its only to ascertain how many interested people we have.

If we have enough interest,then I will get it quoted.

That quote will be a digital/text detailed outline of the trip.

At that point,we will ask for commitments to see who is in.

Some thoughts around When:

That depends on who is traveling.Since this can be open to families of soccer players in that case August would be the better time.

I say August as mid July is the end of the World  Cup,and its useful to give some time for the crowds to start leaving…airlines rates may go down as well.

If no kids/students are involved then we can travel as late as November…the benefit of November is cheaper rates re the International tickets,and it maybe warmer in certain parts of the country.

If we travel in August we have the opportunity if its later in August to enjoy some of the magical wild flower region, and its the height of the whale migration so whale watching is on as well.

Where will we visit:

Cape Town South  Africa is  a stunningly beautiful city nestled between mountains and 2 oceans ie Atlantic and Indian.

Cape Town Winelands

Cape Town is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.It has much variety in activities,something for everyone:

• Active experiences  ie sea kayaking,paragliding,kite surfing,surfing,stunning beaches,abseiling of Table Mountain,biking,hiking etc
• As well Cultural aspects ie visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.There are the townships close by where we can go to experience some urban cultural interaction..possibly play a game in that area..
• Visit local schools in the townships,maybe run a  simple coaching clinic for younger kids.
• Volunteer at a local township organic community garden,work with the local community and share a meal together.
• Visit successful business people who with any help from the government have created successful businesses..
• We can bring soccer boots,shirts,balls for donations.

Scenic :

• Table Mountain ( we can walk up the mountain, walk across the top, and take the cable car down,lots of options)
• The Cape Winelands are only 45 minutes from Cape Town,we can do wine tasting or a combination of cheese/wine and chocolate activity,
• The  Cape Point tour where the currents of the 2 oceans meet,is most likely the most popular tour in South Africa due to its beauty.CNN recently had it as part of its top scenic drives in the world…go up the Atlantic Ocean and back via the Indian ocean..small fishing villages dotted along the way.We can do part of this a bike tour.

1. Art/Craft markets 
2. The V and A Waterfront a integrated complex with the Cape Town harbor,
3. Lots of bike riding along the coast,
4. Evening walks to watch sunsets,
5. A small walk/ climb to the top of Lions Head for a sunset is popular,
6. Really nice white sanded beaches with a healthy clean Atlantic Ocean to enjoy.

Cape Town has some awesome coffee shops,its a real foodie city,many different types of restaurants tucked away in quite neighborhoods all over the place,lots of dancing ie Salsa, Tango,Ecstatic dance,Saturday farmers markets…so much for everyone.

I estimate we will spend 3 to 4N  in Cape Town.

We will spend about 5 to 7N  in the rural Eastern Cape where Nelson Mandela is from.We will visit his village and the museum dedicated to this great human.

We will play at least 2 games in this area.

This area takes us deep into the village area….rolling hills,village after village..we will  base ourselves at one of the village backpackers on the coast where we will play some of the local teams.

Watch out for the local cow pies.

We may have to ask the locals to move off the pitch.

• We can also choose to play pick up with the kids/adults  in the afternoon..playing for the love of it…
• This area can be a target for donations as mentioned above.
• Cultural village immersion activities can be included for some of our time,the other time will be free to wander around the village.Full free immersion experience.
• Visits to the local shabeen,the community “watering hole” are encouraged and welcomed by the community.
• Take a 1N, 2N or 3N hike down the wild coast…rolling green hills,white sanded beach areas,warm waters of the Indian ocean.Stay in oceanside backpackers….easy hiking..I walked most of a 3N trail recently barefoot.No major uphills Sierra Mountains style.This would be a wonderful activity as for part of the trip it meanders through remote villages.

Typical beach one wanders down as part of the hike.Stop/go/swim as we like.You can see the rolling hills in the background.

Some locals will have grand stand seats for the game.

Then of course we will do a Safari for 2 to 3 Nights in Kruger National Park..immersing ourselves into the Wild Africa bush for 2 or 3Nights with am and sunset/evening game drives…staying in the camps within the park.We can game drive in between as well..non stop safari for 2 to 3 Nights..as much as we can handle. A full immersion into the African bush.

With flying time we are up to 2 weeks.If its requested we can extend to a longer trip.

Add on’s for Victoria Falls, Botswana and or other areas can be accommodated.

Price:

I understand that is a determining factor.I have designed many tour’s for a US college and they have the starving student budget.This wont be luxury rates.

We will stay in clean comfortable moderate lodging.

The Eastern Cape is a relatively inexpensive place to stay in.Once we  have the interested numbers in,I will have the quote to all with a week or so.

One last though…travelling to a place like the Eastern Cape that is an impoverished area with little infrastructure,is Eco Tourism at its best.

We will be supporting folks who struggle to see tourists,who don’t have much at all in there lives from a material point of view.

Our presence we will be contributing to the well being and growth of these folks in the best possible way.

What they may not have in material wealth,they have a spirit that will blow you away,and I have no doubt that many participants will leave this area touched by the pure humaneness that we will experience.

If this trip happens,we can see about some charitable contributions,maybe ask some of the bigger soccer clubs/colleges etc for donations which I did some years ago with a East Coast college.

If you are interested send a e mail to  stephen@go2southafrica.com indicating your interest,along with:

1. What month works best for you ,
2. A rough estimate of the amount of time that you can spend away,
3. If the 2N hike down the wild coast interests you.

If we can  get enough interest,enough being about 15 folks and on up,I will get this drawn up.

So that we have some focus to this request,please send your replies in by the 15th December.

This is not limited to the Ashland Soccer Club.

If you know players in other  areas/cities,close by or further afield,  please forward to them.

Any questions about the trip can sent to stephen@go2southafrica.com.

You can also call Stephen on 541 482 6050.