2 nd New Zealand Division in North Africa Battlefield Tour
Follow in the footsteps of the Kiwi Division as they fought their way across North Africa, from El Alamein to Tripoli. The 2 nd N.Z. Division gained the distinction of being the only division to reach their target on the opening night of El Alamein, Visit such battles sites as Alam Halfa, Ruwesait Ridge where Sgt Keith Elliott and Charles Upham won the Victoria Cross, Qattara Track and Miterayia Ridge, Mersa Matruh, Minqar Qaim, Sidi Aziez, Belhamed, the Blockhouse, Sidi Rezegh, Tobruk, Derna, Benghazi, Tripoli and much more.
Day 1 Arrive Cairo airport, where you will be met by our representative and escorted to our hotel in the pyramid district of Cairo. (D) Day 2 Today we visit the impressive Pyramids and Sphinx and the Cairo Pharaoh Museum. We will also visit Cairo War Cemetery, where “Jock” Campbell VC (the hero of Sidi Rezegh) is buried. Lunch will be taken on a Nile river boat. Day 3 An 8.00am start for our drive to El Alamein, via Alexandria’s Chatby and Hadra war cemeteries, where New Zealanders of both World Wars are buried. Lunch will be at the famous Cecil Hotel and the day includes a short tour of Alexandria city or some free time, before making our way to our hotel at El Alamein. Day 4 A full day on and around the El Alamein battlefield, including visits to Ruwesait Ridge, Miterayia Ridge, El Alamein war cemeteries and museum. Qattara Track, the original railway station and much more. The day includes a cold picnic lunch on the battlefield.
Day 5 Drive to our hotel in Mersa Matruh via Sidi el Rahman, Fuka airfield (site of the famous 1942 SAS raid) and Minqar Qaim (site of the famous New Zealand “Breakout”). Day to include visit to the Rommel museum. Opportunity for shopping in Mersa Matruh or relaxing on the beach. Day 6 8.00am start for our drive to our hotel in Bardia, via Sidi Barrani and Hellfire Pass War Cemetery, before driving up the 500ft Sollum escarpment and crossing the border into Libya. Day 7 Today we will have 4x4 desert vehicles for visits to Sidi Azeiz and Belhamed before making our way to our hotel in Tobruk. Day includes a picnic lunch and dinner overlooking Tobruk harbour. Day 8 Again we have 4x4 vehicles to visit the Sidi Rezegh battlefield area and blockhouse captured by New Zealanders in November 1941. Day will include barbecue on the battlefield. Day 9 A full day in Tobruk visiting the Commonwealth, German and French Foreign Legion war cemeteries, harbour area and Afrika Korps Headquarters. Lunch and Dinner will be at our harbour restaurant. Day 10 Drive through the Cyrene to our hotel in Sousa, via Fig Tree Hospital, Knightsbridge War Cemetery and the famous German field hospital known as the “Weiss Haus”, and the impressive Derna Pass. Lunch will be taken on route. Day will include a tour of the ancient city of Appollonia. Day 11 Drive through the Green Mountains to Benghazi via Cyrene and the Temple of Zeus and Beda Littoria (site of the famous 1941 “Raid on Rommel”. Lunch will be taken in Benghazi before visiting Benghazi War Cemetery. Later this day we will fly to Tripoli and transfer to our hotel. Day 12 Visit to Tripoli War cemetery and the magnificent Roman city of Leptis Magna. Day 13 Day of leisure in Tripoli or optional visit to the ancient city of Sabratha. Day 14 Return flight to Cairo, overnight in Cairo. (Flights can be arranged to other destinations) Day 15 Flight home or other
Minqar Qaim
Price of Tour TBC Single supplement TBC Deposit £ 250 per person Price includes: All land transport with A/C vehicles. Internal Flights Mineral water is provided free at all times during the day. 4x4 desert vehicles. All 4/5 Star hotels. All meals commencing on Day 2 and for the duration of the battlefield tour. Visa’s for Egypt and Libya. All entrance fees for the various museums. Battlefield Guide and Historian. Tour Handout, (a booklet covering the campaign in North Africa and some of the places we will visit) Not included in price: International Flights Travel Insurance Optional Tours (Pyramid Light Show, Nile Cruise, Sabratha) Gratuities Laundry, drinks, Telephone calls, use of hotel services etc.
Please Note that passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months. Anyone with a Israeli stamp/visa in their passport will not be allowed entry into Libya.