Mandela’s Journey (9 Days)

specialDeparture: October – April
This well crafted tour takes you back through a historical journey into one of the world’s greatest African leaders. Nelson Mandela was a legend in his own time both in his home country of South Africa and the world at large. The safari begins in Pretoria visitng South Africa’s Historical Landmarks, then to Johannesburg for the Apartheid museum and down to Phinda to get a taste of nature. See Robben Island where Mandela was held captive. Learn about South African History & Culture while enjoying Nature and Wildlife viewing. Mandela’s Journey is a chance to understand his struggle to help mankind.

Itinerary

Day 1: Pretoria
Upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, you will be met by our representative who will transfer you to your lovely accommodation.

After checking in and freshening you will depart on a half day Pretoria City Tour. (Including entrance fees but excluding lunch). This insightful half-day tour will take you back in time as you explore some of South Africa’s historical landmarks. Your 4 hour journey will take you to the Voortrekker Monument, which commemorates the Great Trek, President Paul Kruger’s House (who was president when the South African War broke out in 1899), Church Square and Melrose House where the peace treaty was signed in 1902 – before ending at the Union Buildings, which houses the president’s office.
Overnight at the The Fairlawns Boutique Hotel (B)

Day 2: Johannesburg
You will be collected for your private full day Soweto, Johannesburg City and Apartheid Museum tour (Including entrance fees but excluding lunch).

This 8-hour guided tour will take you into the heart of the vibrant Soweto Township where you will explore various landmarks such as the Mandela Family Museum, Hector Pieterson Memorial, the Regina Mundi Church and a shebeen (informal bar). Afterwards, discover the “City of Gold” as you journey to a building in the shape of a diamond, the gold mining company head offices, and a muti shop for traditional healers, the Market Theatre Complex and the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Enjoy a stop for lunch (own account) before making your way to the renowned Apartheid Museum. (B)

Day 3: Durban
After breakfast you will be transferred to OR Tambo International Airport for your filght to King Shaka International Airport.

On arrival at King Shaka International Airport you will be met by a Town and Country representative and transferred to The Oyster Box Hotel (B)

Day 4: Around Durban
You will be met at your hotel for your private full day Midlands Meander Tour (Including lunch).

Winding our way out of Durban we pass through the Western suburbs of Kloof and Hillcrest and make our way towards Pietermaritzburg. We bypass Pietermaritzburg and head for the small town of Howick where a stop will be made at the Howick Falls. Visit the arts, crafts and curio center in The Old Farmers Hall before continuing through the beautiful farming area of the Natal Midlands, famous for its dairy farms and horse studs. Stops will be made a various weavers, potters, carvers etc. before stopping for lunch at a local Country Inn and brewery.

After lunch visit the famous Ardmore Potteries at Caversham Mill. During the return journey back to Durban a stop can be made at the Nelson Mandela capture point. It was at this exact spot on 5th August 1962 that Mandela was apprehended after 17 years on the run. (B)

Day 5 & 6: Phinda Private Game Reserve
You will be collected from The Oyster Box Hotel and transferred to the Phinda Private Game Reserve.

Enjoy 2 nights at Forest Lodge on Phinda Private Game Reserve in a suite with ensuite bathroom. Your stay includes three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees, scheduled safari activities, refreshments on game drives, nature walks (1 hour) accompanied by experienced armed trackers (subject to availability), emergency medical evacuation insurance and laundry. Overnight at the Phinda Forest Lodge (AI)

Day 7: Capetown
After breakfast you will be transferred to King Shaka International Airport for your flight to Cape Town International Airport. On arrival at Cape Town International Airport our representative will meet you and transfer you to Cape Grace Hotel where you will be for 2 nights. Your stay includes breakfast, use of the Hot Spa area (steam room, sauna, rain and body shower), complimentary limited wireless internet access, morning tea and coffee with wake-up calls, luxury chauffeur transfers within the City Bowl (10km radius) including Kirstenbosch Botanical, gardens from 0700hrs to 2300hrs, subject to availability and Cape Orientation (Introduction to the Cape) Overnight at the Cape Grace Hotel


Day 8: Robben Island
Depart on a fully Cultural Tour. Guests are invited on a sensory journey through the social and political history of multi-cultural Cape Town, with its diverse influences and fascinating history.

The tour begins with a ferry ride to Robben Island, best known as a jail for political prisoners, including former South African president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela. Guests will tour the island accompanied by a former political inmate and will hear first-hand tales of its story of hope and hardship. Leaving the island, there is a brief stop to witness the historical gesture of Cape Town’s noonday gun being fired before guests explore the legacy of apartheid at District Six, from where a vibrant and colorful community was forcibly removed and relocated onto the barren Cape Flats in the 1970s, when many historical buildings were leveled to the ground.

Delving even further into Cape Town’s history, the tour proceeds to the Slave Lodge, built to house the slaves of the Dutch East India Company in 1679. One of the city’s oldest buildings, it has since seen varied use as a courthouse, government offices and, finally, a museum. Guests move on to the Bo-Kaap, the oldest Malay settlement in South Africa, where brightly coloured houses vie for space with mosques and shops. Lunch is in the Bo-kaap area and the afternoon offers an opportunity to walk off the delicious meal on a walking tour of Langa, the first township established in Cape Town during the apartheid era. Vibrant and lively, Langa entrances the senses with it bustling streets and taxi ranks, busy community projects and thriving arts and crafts shops.

*If travel to Robben Island is not possible due to the weather, the tour will start at the Slave Lodge instead.

Witness the historical gesture of Cape Town’s noonday gun being fired before exploring the legacy of apartheid at District Six, from where a vibrant and colorful community was forcibly removed and relocated onto the barren Cape Flats in the 1970s, when many historical buildings were levelled to the ground. Delving even further into Cape Town’s history, the tour proceeds to the Slave Lodge, built to house the slaves of the Dutch East India Company in 1679. One of the city’s oldest buildings, it has since seen varied use as a courthouse, government offices and, finally, a museum. Move on to the Bo-Kaap, the oldest Malay settlement in South Africa, where brightly colored houses vie for space with mosques and shops.

Lunch is at the Bo-kaap Kombuis Restaurant, where spicy and fragrant dishes are savoured over spectacular views of Table Mountain and the city below. The afternoon offers an opportunity to walk off the delicious meal on a walking tour of Langa, the first township established in Cape Town during the apartheid era. Vibrant and lively, Langa entrances the senses with its bustling streets and taxi ranks, busy community projects and thriving arts and crafts shops. (B)

Day 9: Depart Capetown
After breakfast you are driven to the Cape Town International Airport for your flight onward or homebound.

Glossary: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D = Dinner, AI = All Inclusive

Cost $4995.00, per person
Based on twin share, single supplement applies

CALL NOW to BOOK 415-331-3791

Includes:
• Accommodation
• Meals, drinks and laundry as specified in the itinerary
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance
• Scheduled transfers as specified in the itinerary
• Scheduled sightseeing and excursions as specified in the itinerary
• Shared/scheduled game viewing activities as in the itinerary
• National parks and concession fees

Does not include:
• Meals, drinks and laundry not specified in the itinerary
• Premium brand drinks, champagne, cognacs, cellar wines, cigarettes
• Gratuities and any items of a personal nature
• Sightseeing and excursions not specified in the itinerary
• Flights and transfers not specified in the itinerary
• National parks and concession fees not specified in the itinerary
• Visa fees (please be sure to check if visas are required)
• Bed levies at South African hotels and lodges
• Travel Insurance
• Personalized Travel Journal
• Domestic Flights: OR Tambo International Airport to King Shaka International Airport and King Shaka International Airport to Cape Town International Airport

CALL NOW to BOOK 415-331-3791