Johannesburg – Johannesburg (or as locals say: Joburg, Jozi or eGoli) is South Africa’s largest city. She is the economic heart of South Africa and is bursting with culture, history, and creativity. Visitors exploring this bustling urban jungle can expect a variety of experiences from colourful street art, historical museums like the Apartheid Museum, and fashionable shopping districts such as Sandton. A heritage site worth visiting is the vibrant and historic neighbourhood of Soweto, which played a pivotal role in the struggle against apartheid. Visitors can take a guided tour of the township, which includes stops at a variety of museums.
Pretoria – Pretoria is a South African city also known as the Jacaranda City for its tree-lined streets robed with purple blossoms in springtime. Another historically significant city, Pretoria boasts striking architecture and numerous historical sites. Noteworthy attractions include the Union Buildings, Voortrekker Monument, and sprawling botanical gardens that make it an ideal destination for history enthusiasts. The beautiful gardens and tree-lined streets make it a serene city to visit for those who enjoy nature and city life.
HALF DAY MAROPENG, CRADLE OF HUMANKIND & STERKFONTEIN CAVES TOUR
Experience the birthplace of life, first-hand. The Cradle of Humankind is one of eight world heritage sites in South Africa boasting 13 excavation sites that’s recognised worldwide. The first Hominid Fossil was discovered in 1924. Visit the Maropeng (meaning “returning to the place of origin”) Museum and witness how we evolved into the people we are today, discover some of the animal species that became extinct in the last century and see how humans are busy destroying the earth in real-time. Our tour continues to the Sterkfontein Caves (subject to favourable weather conditions), one of the richest and most productive Paleo-anthropological sites in the world that forms part of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Amongst the most remarkable findings to have been made by numerous world-famous scientists within the Cradle of Humankind is the famous Mrs. Ples, the first complete Australopithecus skull to be discovered and more recently, “Little Foot”, a 4.17-million-year-old almost complete ape-man skeleton that was discovered in the same caves.
HALF DAY CULLINAN DIAMOND MINE TOUR – The Cullinan Diamond Mine is one of the biggest and most productive diamond bearing kimberlite pipes in the world. It has produced some of the largest diamonds ever found. The largest diamond, the Cullinan, was chiselled into 98 individual diamonds including the Great and Lesser Stars of Africa, which are now set in the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. The tour starts with a 15-minute video before we are led into the high security premises of the mine where we are shown the workings and machinery of the mine. We then visit the enormous open cast mine, that are four times larger than the famous Kimberley ‘Big Hole’. After visiting the mine, we will have the opportunity to visit the Cullinan Diamond Mine market for an unforgettable diamond and jewellery shopping experience.
HALF DAY SOWETO & APARTHEID MUSEUM TOUR – Soweto is an urban area of the city of Johannesburg, bordering the city’s mining belt in the south. Its name, an English syllabic abbreviation for Southwestern Townships, refers to its origins as a Black township under South Africa’s Apartheid government. The population has historically been overwhelmingly black and some of the watershed events in the struggle against Apartheid occurred in this township. On this tour we will discover Soweto and the surrounding area, driving past a hostel in Diep Kloof, the well-known Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Orlando Power Station, Mandela House Museum, Desmond Tutu’s House, the Hector Pieterson Memorial & Museum, a quick stop at a well-known restaurant, a shebeen, the Regina Mundi Church, Maponya Shopping Mall, Kliptown, Walter Sisulu Freedom Square and Aldorado Park. Afterwards we will head towards the Apartheid Museum. Once there you will have the opportunity to discover the history of the Apartheid era on your own.
HALF DAY PRETORIA TOUR – Pretoria is informally known as ‘the Jacaranda City’, for its beautiful, purple-lined streets when the jacaranda trees are in full bloom. Take this opportunity to stand in front of the heart of the country overlooking a city built on passion and determination, where buildings are architecturally significant, and a nation congregates around statues of past leaders. Highlights include Paul Kruger House, Church Square, Voortrekker Monument, Union Buildings and City Hall.
HALF DAY JOHANNESBURG & SOWETO HIGHLIGHTS TOUR – Discover the history of Johannesburg, the city of gold, and experience the vibrant neighbourhood life of Soweto. Visit Constitution Hill, the Constitutional Court and site of Johannesburg’s Old Fort Prison, Walter Sisulu Square – Kliptown Open Air Museum and the Hector Pieterson Memorial. View the iconic Soweto Towers and experience the buzzle of Vilikazi Street and an authentic street market.