Tour Overview
Experience the raw energy of the ‘Rainbow Nation’ during this visit to South Africa. Talk to the people; see the traditions, religion, beliefs and history of the many cultures that make up South Africa. Learn of the decades of darkness with Apartheid legislation and the winds of change that brought about a new, and long-time coming, freer South Africa for all. Your journey will take you to the two largest cities, Cape Town and Johannesburg, to several World Heritage Sites, Robben Island and St. Lucia Wetlands, and to the Kingdoms of Swaziland and Zululand, where you can experience the true cultures of South Africa. No trip would be complete without a safari to see the ‘Big Five’ - the black rhino, Cape buffalo, lion, elephant and leopard. Finally nothing can compare to the scenery you will see as you crisscross South Africa, particularly the spectacular Cape of Good Hope.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Johannesburg, South AfricaArrive Tambo International Airport, in Johannesburg. Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in. This afternoon visit Liliesleaf that occupies a momentous place in South African history and socio-cultural evolution, as it was the site of the breaking of the resounding political 'silence' of the 1960s. Originally purchased in 1961 by the South African Communist Party, Liliesleaf is recognized by the ANC as the birthplace of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the military wing of the ANC and the Congress Alliance. Liliesleaf's Board of Trustees has embraced the need for a wider public audience to hear the stories of South Africa's political past and has created an interactive museum experience to preserve the stories of the past so that they can be told to future generations. Dinner this evening is at Moyo’s (the Swahili word for Soul), situated deeply rooted in the foundations of the Melrose Arch. Moyo Melrose offers a giant a la carte menu., setting the bar for sophisticated African dining and entertainment. Spread over five levels, Moyo Melrose is linked by copper and rustic steel staircases; a passage way from one alcove or level to the next and around each corner a statuesque piece of art in testament to Africa’s riches. Sporadic interaction of Moyo performers at the table or fancy footwork from the Putsula dancers will have feet tapping and the vibe of a band on the stage will have everyone asking for more. Winner of numerous awards, Moyo Melrose Arch continues to innovate and create a uniquely unexpected dining experience.
Dinner
The Rosebank Hotel
Day 02: Johannesburg - Soweto
Today’s tour is to Soweto and the Apartheid Museum. Soweto (an acronym for the Southwestern Townships) is Johannesburg’s twin city, populated exclusively by black people. It is the largest black township in the country consisting of 26 townships, each of which designed to be independent. The township of Soweto as a whole could be called multiracial, in the sense that its residents are from all the tribes in South Africa. The type of housing ranges from shacks to large mansions and there is one street where you can find the houses of two Nobel Peace Prizewinners; Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Also located in Soweto is the Baragwanath Hospital, thought to be the largest hospital in the southern hemisphere but despite this, almost 85% of the local residents still consult traditional healers who concoct medicines in their age old tradition. It was in Soweto that much of the struggle against apartheid was fought. On June 16, 1976 the riots, which spread through the country, started here with black children protesting against Afrikaans being used as a joint instruction medium with English in African schools. A newspaper photographer, Sam Nzima, captured the moment when a fatally wounded 13 year old, Hector Petersen, was carried out of the crowd. This photograph came to symbolize the tragedy of that day and each year June 16th is remembered with a national holiday called Youth Day. Your visits will include seeing Nelson Mandela’s Home and Hector Peterson Memorial. Enjoy lunch at a local shebeen - Wandies Restaurant. This afternoon on your way back to Johannesburg, stop at the Apartheid Museum. The Museum tells the story of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. The Apartheid Museum, the first of its kind, illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid: The racially prejudiced system that blighted much of its progress and the triumph of reason, which crowned half a century of struggle. The Museum has been assembled and organized by a multi-disciplinary team of curators, filmmakers, historians and designers. The exhibits are from film footage, photographs, text panels and artifacts illustrating the events and human stories that are part of the epic saga known as apartheid.
At leisure this evening.
Breakfast, Lunch
The Rosebank Hotel Day 03: Johannesburg - Mpumalanga
Depart after an early breakfast and leave Johannesburg’s distinctive skyline, heading for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld. Upon arrival check in at the hotel. This afternoon is at leisure. This evening depart for the Shangana River Club. Immerse yourself in a feast of culture, with a night of Shangaan dance, song and an unforgettable African banquet. Follow the sound of the beating drums through a path of flaming torches to experience an exciting evening in the unique Shangaan way. Be welcomed by the Chief Numzaan with a traditional brew, and learn of the rich heritage and customs of the Shangaan people.
Breakfast, Dinner
Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel Day 04 : Kruger National Park
Nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights – this is real Africa. Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Set off before breakfast in an open safari vehicle in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard, and all types of wondrous wildlife, birds and plant species. Savor the magic of this enormous wilderness. Early morning game drives start with a wake up call between 05h00 and 06h00 and then you head out for your game drive in time to catch the sunrise and great animal viewing.
Breakfast
Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel Day 05: Kingdom of Swaziland
Enjoy an enchanting drive to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland, a former British Protection Territory, now ruled by King MsWati III. Witness a Swazi cultural experience before visiting the famous Ngwenya Glass Factory to see master craftsmen fashion collectable figures and functional art out of molten glass. We continue through the capital city, Mbabane, known for its vibrant markets packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings. Spend the night in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley with dinner at your hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner
Lugogo Sun Day 06: The Kingdom of the Zulu's
Today visit the Swazi Candle Factory, teeming with exquisite wax artworks in every shape and color imaginable. Then onto Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. Arrive mid afternoon at the town of St Lucia, a World Heritage Site and home to hippo, crocodile and no less than 367 bird species.
Breakfast
Protea Hotel St. Lucia Day 07: Durban
This morning enjoy a boat cruise on Lake St Lucia before departing for Durban. Hug the lush KwaZulu-Natal coastline en route to Durban, watching the sugar cane fields do their own version of the Mexican wave at the urging of the wind. Along the way stop at Kwa-Dukuza, formerly known as Stanger. The great Shaka Zulu is buried at Kwa-Dukuza, and Nobel laureate, Albert Luthuli, lies buried nearby. Walk a 'muti' (African medicine) trail through the Harold Johnson Nature Reserve or visit historic battle sites such as the Ultimatum Tree, Ndondakusuka or Fort Pearson. Zulu hospitality is warm and the people friendly. They are proud to show you their heritage. This afternoon, check into your hotel and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Dinner will be at the hotel later this evening.
Breakfast, Dinner
Protea Hotel Umhlanga Day 08: Port Elizabeth - Knysna
Transfer to Durban Airport for your mid morning flight to Port Elizabeth. On arrival board your waiting coach and travel through the glorious, indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest, (Tsitsikamma is a Khoisan word meaning, “place of much water” before reaching Knysna, perhaps South Africa’s most visually stunning resort, in the heart of the famous Garden Route.
Breakfast
Protea Hotel Knysna Quays Day 09: Knysna
Cruise on the vast Knysna Lagoon and visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Enjoy an amazing view of the imposing sandstone ‘Heads’ which guard the sea entrance to Knysna’s huge tidal lagoon, and the forests, marshes and pristine beaches beyond. This afternoon depart on a Knysna Township Tour, which offers a wealth of insight into South Africa's history, education, political, social, tribal and ethnic attributes. A community Guide will take you into the heart of this truly unique peaceful African Township where you will walk down the little dust roads and meet the people face to face. With your guide you will have a chance to talk to the people, gather information, see firsthand if what you hear about South Africa is true or not. See the culture, traditions, dress, religion, beliefs and history of many cultures but the Xhosa in particular – have an exhilarating insight into the world of the XHOSA people.
Breakfast, Lunch
Protea Hotel Knysna Quays Day 10: Oudtshoorn
This morning enjoy the wonderful views of the spectacular Outeniqua Pass en route to Oudtshoorn, the ‘feather capital of the world’, so named because it’s the center of South Africa’s ostrich industry. After lunch, we learn more about these hardy, enigmatic creatures during a tour of an ostrich farm. We then head underground on a fascinating tour to discover the Cango Caves, one of South Africa’s most incredible natural wonders with it magnificent dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
Breakfast, Lunch
Oudtshoorn Hotel Day 11: Cape Town
Today will be a day of magnificent vistas. Enjoy the ever-changing passing canvas as you travel to Cape Town via ‘Route 62’, South Africa’s version of America’s ‘Route 66’. Upon arrival in Cape Town, the first thing you will notice is beautiful Table Mountain, a flat-topped stone behemoth that rises above the town, dwarfing even the tallest skyscrapers in the business district.
Breakfast
Protea Hotel President Day 12: Cape Penisula
This morning after breakfast, depart on a full-day Cape Peninsula tour. The Peninsula can be divided into the Atlantic coast on the west (including the City of Cape Town) and the False Bay coast on the east. With nothing but water all around the peninsula, the weather can be a little unpredictable and the wind can whip itself up into a fury. Luckily when it is howling on one side it is normally quiet on the other, so you can always find a sheltered spot. Travel along the Atlantic Seaboard, to Hout Bay, a functioning harbor and heart of the local crayfish industry. From Hout Bay, travel to Noordhoek and through Ou Kaapse Weg. Proceed to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, where you are able to ride the funicular to the viewpoint where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. The Cape Peninsula is the thin finger of land in the southwestern most corner of Africa with the city of Cape Town at its head. As you travel south towards Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, the land gets narrower until the great Indian and Atlantic Oceans combine into one vast southern ocean, with nothing beyond except Antarctica. In 1578 Sir Francis Drake described it as “The fairest cape in the whole circumference of the globe,” and it still is. On leaving the Nature Reserve, proceed to Simon’s Town (the country’s third oldest European settlement), for lunch at Seaforth Restaurant and a short stop at Boulders Beach. Nestled in historic Simon's Town in South Africa, Boulders Penguin Colony is part of the Cape Peninsula National Park. Almost 3000 African (jackass) penguins, so called because their call resembles the bray of a donkey, reign supreme amidst rounded rocks and fish-filled False Bay. These endangered, flightless birds are free to roam the seas and return to their private haven - Foxy Beach at Boulders. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Breakfast, Lunch
Protea Hotel President Day 13: Cape Town - Walk to Freedom - Robben Island
The Walk to Freedom day tour offers a wealth of insight into South Africa's history. It includes a brief educational introduction to Cape Town, one of the world's most varied and popular cities. First stop is the 'Malay Quarter', a living cultural museum and home to the oldest mosque in the Southern Hemisphere. You will discover the unique culture, lifestyle and personality of the Cape Muslim community and their contribution to South Africa's development. Your guide will then take you through to Zonnebloem and District Six which explains the result of the Group Areas Act, where 60 000 Capetonian families were forcibly removed from this once vibrant area between 1966 and 1982. Examine the now desolate area, Zonnebloem, which was District Six and visit the living museum which attempts to represent and recapture District Six in various ways - as a fine-spun tapestry of communal life torn apart but not forgotten. As guests of local community workers, you will be able to walk through a vibrant black community with all its different social strata. Langa is Cape Town's oldest formal black township. You will have the opportunity to talk to people and try the traditional African sorghum beer and ginger beer at the 'spaza' (a small township shop) or the 'shebeen' (tavern). You will also have the opportunity to witness the work in progress as hundreds of squatters, with the help of state grants, are setting about building their own brick homes. Today’s tour will conclude with a visit to infamous Robben Island, whose prison was once home to former South African president Nelson Mandela as well as many other black political dissidents. The site is now a World Heritage Site and provides stunning views across the bay with Table Mountain as its backdrop. Here you will experience the conditions of incarceration - view Nelson Mandela's maximum-security prison cell (Cell 5) and see the lime quarries. In the one, hard labor was served, in the other prisoners discussed strategy, freedom and the future. Later, many prisoners would develop eye problems as a result of the sun's reflection off the lime surfaces. This well-preserved landmark is a monument to the triumph of freedom, dignity and determination over humiliation and oppression. On Robben Island, visitors' movements are restricted by regulation to the bus and the group's guide. Tour of the island is conducted in large buses. The island tour includes round trip ferry transfers, an island tour and tour of the prison. On your return to the V&A Waterfront you will be met for private transfer to your hotel.
Breakfast
Protea Hotel President Day 14: Cape Town - Depart
Morning at leisure. Later transfer to Cape Town International airport for your onward departing flight.
Breakfast
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