Be one of the first to visit by air this fascinating British Overseas Territory of great natural and historic significance, a remote volcanic island, previously only accessible by Royal Mail ship
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(limited dates/availability)
Flight - 1 night
Pretoria - 1 night
St. Helena - 7 nights
Johannesburg - 1 night
Flight - 1 night
The building of a uniquely sited new airport and a newly opened quality hotel in traditional style has inspired this exciting new programme to discover a fascinating British overseas territory. Successful visits in 2019 of the first Jules Verne group by air and our own Head of Product confirmed the combination of wonderful nature and fascinating naval and military history.
The wire bird is an endemic land bird protected from extinction by the St. Helena National Trust who also have a project to re-plant endemic trees in their Millennium Forest. The governor’s house is a fascinating British residence and home to the giant tortoise, Jonathan, the island’s oldest resident at nearly 200 years old! The few coffee plantations produce premium coffee.
The island welcomed famous people such as Charles Darwin, the Duke of Wellington, Captain Cook and the astronomer, Halley. It was a place of exile for the Zulu chief Dinizulu, 6000 Boer prisoners and most notably for Napoleon, whose death at Longwood House in 1821 will be marked in 2021. He was buried nearby after being guarded by 1000 soldiers and a strong naval presence (his entry of death may be viewed in the town archive).
Previously the Royal Mail ship was the only way to reach this remote sub-tropical island, 1400 miles from the nearest landfall. It reveals deep verdant valleys, barren desert, volcanic scree, plentiful birdlife and a rich history as the halfway point on the East India trade route (before the Suez Canal opened). Jules Verne possess over 10 years’ experience of programmes to St. Helena since a British government commission approached to increase tourism. Our guides are the excellent Basil George, a local historian of some renown and his knowledgeable son.
Cultural & Natural Wonders
Jules Verne Sightseeing
3 Lunches and 3 Dinners
Local Expert Guides
Guaranteed Departure
Group Size: 2 –15
Experience a town walk with historian Basil George (pictured), and a guided tour of Jamestown museum. Enjoy a dinner at the Mantis hotel and a farewell dinner of local specialities with Basil George (ladder walk is optional!).
Day 1 Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Johannesburg.
Day 2 Arrive Johannesburg and transfer to Pretoria. View the Union Buildings, Voortrekker Monument and Church Square. Overnight at the 4-star 131 Herbert Baker. (D)
Day 3 Fly from Johannesburg to St. Helena (via Windhoek). Stay seven nights at the 4-star Mantis St. Helena Hotel. (B)
Day 4 Explore the diverse landscape of the island including Woody Ridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, packed lunch and afternoon tea (or St. Helena coffee!) at a historic hotel. Continue to Jacob’s Ladder in lower Jamestown. (B, L)
Day 5 View the island’s endemic plants and wire bird. Plant a tree in the Millennium Forest. Afternoon free. Enjoy dinner at the hotel. (B, D)
Day 6 Visit a conservation establishment to view plants endemic to the island. Packed lunch. Visit Plantation House, Boer Cemetery, High Knoll Fort and Prince’s Lodge to view the Castell Collection of old island and naval prints, followed by tea. (B, L)
Day 7 A Napoleonic tour visits the French properties of Briar’s Pavilion, Longwood House and Napoleon’s Tomb. Visit also St. Matthew’s Church, a distillery and the site of Halley’s observatory. (B, L)
Day 8 Enjoy a boat trip along the lee coast to view East India Company fortifications, offshore islands, birds, dolphins and volcanic cliffs (in January Whale Sharks may be seen). A town walk of lower Jamestown and St. James Church with an included tea. (B)
Day 9 Free day. Farewell dinner of local specialities with Basil George. (B, D)
Day 10 Fly to Johannesburg. Overnight at the 4-star Maslow Hotel. (B)
Day 11 Return flight to London. (B)
Notes
5 Nov 2020 departure we will have 1 extra night in St Helena.
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An exquisite boutique hotel grandly situated on the famous Herbert Baker street. The chic 4-star 131 on Herbert Baker Boutique Hotel offers expansive views over South Africa’s administrative capital. Restaurant, bar, pool and WiFi (free). 9 air-conditioned rooms with tea/coffee making facilities, mini-fridge, satellite TV and hairdryer.
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A 4-star boutique hotel set in the original East India Company’s residential buildings built in 1774 in the centre of Jamestown with bar and WiFi (free). The excellent restaurant offers local and international cuisine. 30 air-conditioned rooms with safe, mini-bar and satellite TV.
The 4-star Maslow Hotel is located in Sandton City. Restaurant, bar, pool, gym, spa and WiFi (free). Air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe and satellite TV.
Victoria Falls Extension
Fly to Victoria Falls for four nights at the iconic 5-star Victoria Falls Hotel, a member of the exclusive ‘Leading Hotels of the World’, and steeped in history and tradition. Includes a guided tour of Victoria Falls and a sunset cruise on the Zambezi.
Day 1 Fly to Victoria Falls via Johannesburg for four nights at the 5-star Victoria Falls Hotel, one of the world's grand hotels, a short walk from the Falls.
Day 2 Excursion to Victoria Falls and sunset cruise.
Day 3 At leisure. Optional helicopter flight over the Falls (12 mins, £150).
Day 4 At leisure.
Day 5 Fly to Johannesburg for the overnight flight to London Heathrow.
Day 6 Arrive Heathrow in the morning.
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One of the world’s great hotels, known as ‘The Grand Old Lady of the Falls’ and a member of the exclusive ‘Leading Hotels of the World’, this 5-star hotel is steeped in history and tradition. Fine dining and casual restaurants, afternoon teas on the terrace, pool and gardens, a short walk to the falls and WiFi (free). 161 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe and satellite TV.
2020
Thursdays
per person in a twin room
South African Airways from Heathrow
2021
Thursdays
per person in a twin room
South African Airways from Heathrow
Thursdays
per person in a twin room
South African Airways from Heathrow
Thursdays
per person in a twin room
South African Airways from Heathrow
(limited dates/availability)
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
(limited availability)
2021: Mar 18, Apr 15
Single supplement £395
(2021 £445)
Flight Options
South African Airways Business Class
(London-Johannesburg-St Helena) from £3745
Extension Options
Extension - Victoria Falls
4 nights £1295
Single supplement £575
Extra nights – Johannesburg
131 on Herbert Baker Hotel
(per night) £65
Single supplement £45
Arrival transfer £30
Monarch Hotel (per night) £75
Single supplement £75
Departure transfer £30
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, 9 nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 3 dinners, itinerary as described, services of local guides and representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
© 2020 Jules Verne - 96 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0BE
Please complete this form and a member of our sales department will contact you as soon as possible to confirm your booking and take payment. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm
