January 2005
An amazing journey across a scenic country
Imagine spending New Year’s Eve in the bush of South Africa, tables decked out in white linen, dinner cooked over an open fire under a sky so clear you could easily see the Milky Way galaxy with the naked eye. This was the experience shared by the thirty people who participated in the HBS alumni travel program in January.
“South Africa Explorer,” a thirteen-day trip that originated in Johannesburg and concluded in Cape Town, brought together alumni, their families, and friends, spanning six decades in age and hailing from six countries. We shared an amazing journey through the wildlife, history, and scenic beauty of South Africa.
Our safari adventure brought us within feet of elephants, lions, rhinos, crocodiles, cheetahs, hyenas, and birds of every color and size. From the bush, we headed to Stellenbosch, the capital of South Africa’s wine region. We delighted in an elegant French-style picnic at the Boschendal wine estate, coordinated by Julian Coulter (MBA ’03), export sales and marketing manager. In addition, our group explored the majestic beauty of the Cape of Good Hope, enjoyed the views from atop Table Mountain — at 3,563 feet above sea level, Cape Town’s most famous landmark — visited Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, and toured the city of Cape Town. The HBS Club of South Africa hosted a farewell dinner — a taste of local generosity.
— Christine Sullivan
