We meet and get to know our fellow travellers this afternoon at the Savoy Hotel in Central London where we enjoy Afternoon Tea before being transferred to the airport for our overnight flight to Johannesburg.
An early morning arrival sees us touching down in Johannesburg, South Africa. The timing of flights to and from St Helena Island necessitates a stop over in this powerhouse of Africa before and after our Expedition to the Island.
We depart from the airport on a City Orientation Tour to give you an insight into this vibrant multi-cultural city taking in the City, Hillbrow Tower and Constitutional Hill before enjoying lunch. After lunch, we check-in at our hotel with the remainder of the afternoon to rest and refresh.
We meet in the bar this evening for a pre-dinner drink before enjoying dinner at Amuse Bouche Restaurant within the hotel.
An early breakfast this morning before we transfer to O R Tambo Johannesburg International Airport for our flight to St Helena Island. The aircraft makes a short technical stop in Windhoek, capital city of Namibia before landing at St Helena’s spectacular airport early afternoon.
We are met by our local guide and transferred to our hotel. Enjoy some free time to wander the streets of Jamestown or rest and take a well earned nap before joining the group for an aperitif before dinner at our hotel.
After breakfast, we undertake a guided walk of the Longwood Boundry. During his incarceration on St Helena, Napoleon was allotted an area of about 12 miles in circumference within which he could ride or walk, without being accompanied by a British Officer. The Longwood Boundry Walk retraces the route that Napoleon would have undertaken during his solitude and allows us to experience a welcome breath of fresh air and exercise after our long journey.
After working up an appetite, we enjoy lunch at Bertrands Cottage. The cottage was built in 1816 by the British Government for Napoleon’s Grand Master, Henri-Gatien Bertrand and his family. General Betrand chose to accompany Napoleon to St Helena during his exile.
This afternoon we enjoy an excursion by sea to view the fortifications from a different perspective. St Helena was an important fortress during the early days of sail - resulting in numerous forts and batteries being located on the coastlines of the Island. This sea based cruise allows you to view these landmarks at a perfect observation point.
We return to our hotel for some free time and dinner.
After breakfast we visit the Museum of St Helena to learn more about the fascinating past and present history through the eyes of the museum which is located at the foot of Jacob’s Ladder in a beautifully restored late 18th Century building.
We have lunch in Jamestown before undertaking a guided walking tour around Jamestown. This is an ideal introduction to the island, its people and its rich history. This gentle stroll takes in The Castle, St James Church (the oldest church in the Southern Hemisphere), the famous Jacob’s Ladder, the Court House and Castle Gardens. It is an opportunity to learn about the settlement of this volcanic island and the lives of the people who live on the British Atlantic outpost.
After breakfast we travel to Plantation House. Built in 1792, Plantation House has been and still reminas thE residence of all St Helena’s Governors. The house retains its charm and features many timeless pieces. Plantation House is also the home to 186 year old Jonathan, the tortoise - the oldest known land vertebrate in the world.
We enjoy a light buffet lunch at Richards Lodge This afternoon we visit the only distillery on St Helena. The most remote Distillery in the world, located at Alarm Forest, is where Head Distiller Paul Hickling oversees every step of the distillery products. His product range includes, Tungi (a spirit made from indigenous prickly pears, White Lion Rum, Jamestown Gin, White Lion Rum and Midnight Mist coffee liqueur, made exclusively from local St Helena Coffee.
Dinner at our hotel.
Today we focus on Napoleon. A full day tour exploring and visiting prime locations in connection with Napoleon during his exile. Sites include: New Porteous House, Maldivia House, Mount Pleasant, Fisher’s Valley and Deadwood Plain.
Dinner at our hotel.
Today we take a slightly more adventurous approach to experience the wildlife of the island. This full day guided 4WD excursion explores the wild side of St Helena. Enjoy up close and personal immersion into the island’s incredible landscapes, from sheer volcanic rock formations to lush green countryside. Dinner at our hotel.
Breakfast and morning at leisure. We meet up for lunch at one of the little restaurants in Jamestown before an optional climb to the top of Jacobs Ladder!
This evening we enjoy a Farewell evening reception, at the Generals Quarters - adjacent to the main house at Longwood. The quarters once accommodated Napoleon’s large entourage. The building in recent years has been beautifully restored and is now a wonderful addition to the estate.
Morning at leisure before transferring to St Helena Airport and our return flight to Johannesburg. We arrive in Johannesburg this evening and transfer to our hotel.
After breakfast this morning we travel to Soweto, the sprawling famous township for a guided tour by a local resident, visiting the former homes of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. After a traditional local lunch, we visit the moving Apartheid Museum before transferring to the airport for our flight home. We have lounge access this evening to relax before our flight.
Arrive London. A transfer to the Savoy Hotel is available for guests extending their stay in Central London.
