(departures ex Johannesburg)
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PRETORIA - CAPITAL CITY (HALF DAY)
 We visit Pretoria, the Administrative Capital of South Africa. We visit the Voortrekker Monument, Church Square, Kruger House or Melrose House (we drive past both, with a visit to one), the embassy area and more on this all-time favourite tour. One of our stops is at the Union Buildings, home to the president’s office, from where you can delight in a panoramic view of the Jacaranda City. |
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JOHANNESBURG TOUR (HALF DAY)
 This drive by tour gives you a glimpse of the material differences in the cosmopolitan area of Johannesburg. (Also known as ‘Egoli’ – place of gold). We drive through the affluent northern suburbs of Sandton, Houghton and Parktown, to the hustle and bustle of Hillbrow, home to African immigrants from all over the continent. In the City centre, from the viewing deck on the 50th floor of the Carlton Centre, we get a spectacular panoramic view of Johannesburg. Time permitting, we stop at Constitution Hill (closed on Saturday afternoons & Sundays), the new home of the Constitutional Court of South Africa and/or the Museum Africa (closed on Mondays) in the Newtown Cultural Precinct, where various exhibits tell the fascinating story of Johannesburg. We travel across the Nelson Mandela Bridge to the business district of Braamfontein, the University of the Witwatersrand, Fordsburg with its Oriental Plaza and Mosque and along the elevated M1 or M2 motorways which provide spectacular views of the Johannesburg skyline. |
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SOWETO TOWNSHIP (HALF DAY)
 In Soweto, South West from Johannesburg, you’ll catch a glimpse of the lives of its estimated 3 million residents. This popular tour includes a visit to attractions such as the Winnie Mandela and Family House Museum, the Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial site and the Regina Mundi Church. We also visit a typical shebeen (local restaurant and bar) for refreshments (own account) and a chat with the locals. The tour is concluded with a drive past a taxi rank, a squatter camp (informal settlement), Vista University, and the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. |
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THE APARTHEIDS MUSEUM (HALF DAY)
This newly built museum illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid. Visitors walk through the 22 individual exhibition areas, which contain film footage, photographs, text panels and artifacts illustrating the events and human stories behind apartheid. At the end you’ll have a far deeper understanding of the why and how of apartheid and the new South Africa of today. (Closed on Mondays) |
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GOLD REEF CITY (HALF DAY)
 Gold Reef City is a theme park - built around an old gold mine - which shows Johannesburg as it was at the time of the discovery of gold. Included in the tour is a journey down the mine shaft (220m), a gold-pouring demonstration as well as tribal dancing, showing various dances from the whole Southern African region. A variety of entertainment is available at the Theme Park. |
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CULLINAN DIAMOND MINE (HALF DAY)
 Enjoy a tour of the Premier Mine, opened in 1902, where the world’s biggest diamond (3106 carats) was discovered in 1905. Premier Mine has produced 255 gem diamonds of over 100 carats, and nearly a quarter of the world’s gem diamonds of 400 carats and over! This is also the only outlet in the world where you can buy the Cullinan Star Cut diamond – a unique 66 facet cut. Each stone is laser inscribed - your assurance of the stone’s uniqueness. On the surface tour visitors will see the big hole, the shaft and the diamond room where a selection of uncut diamonds and replicas of world-famous diamonds are displayed. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes as a fair amount of walking is involved. On the underground tour, tourists are fitted with safety clothes and equipment, and then transported to the mine entrance via tram. We then go 763m underground and view the following: admin offices, workshop, rest area, refuge bay (for emergencies), loading and tipping of ore, crushing of ore and the conveyor belt transporting the ore. Back on the surface you will also visit the lookout point overlooking the big hole, the diamond cutting and polishing workshop as well as the diamond shop. This is a physically taxing tour and only recommended for someone really physically fit. |
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THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY (HALF DAY)
In the early 1900's the Magaliesberg Mountains were rich in wildlife and home to abundant herds of elephants. One hundred years later the elephants have returned to this area, to a special place in the heart of beautiful African Bushveld. You will be hosted in small groups, by an experienced guide who will take you through an educationally oriented elephant experience. Guests are advised to wear comfortable clothing and flat, closed walking shoes... and definitely bring a camera! |
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DE WILDT CHEETAH CENTRE (HALF DAY)
 The De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre lies nestled in the foothills of the Magaliesberg, presenting a landscape of open African veld, many indigenous trees and a panoramic view of the north. De Wildt is renowned for its breeding success of rare and endangered species. The very rare King Cheetah was first bred here and similar success was achieved in breeding Wild Dog, Brown Hyena, Blue Duiker, Suni Antelope and various species of vultures. The tour coincides with feeding time, so you’ll be able to observe these animals feeding in a natural, but controlled, habitat. Advanced booking is recommended. No children under 6 are permitted |
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(departures ex Johannesburg)
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THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND WORLD HERITAGE SITE (CHOICE OF HALF DAY OR FULL DAY)
 The Cradle of Humankind – declared a World Heritage site in 1999 - is a 47 000-hectare area in the western part of Gauteng Province with around 40 different fossil sites where several of the world's most famous and important fossils have been discovered. We offer a half day tour to any one of the following, and a full day tour combining three of the following four attractions:
- Sterkfontein Caves
- Rhino & Lion Park
- Wonder Caves
- Maropeng Centre
RHINO & LION PARK - Situated in a World Heritage Site, The Cradle of Humankind, this 1 200 hectare park is home to over 700 head of game including white rhino, lion, buffalo, cheetah, wild dog, hippo and crocodile. Their newly built breeding centre houses, amongst others, Bengal and Syberian tigers, jaguars and white lions. If your holiday is nearing its end, but you still need to get those photos to impress your friends - this is it!
 WONDER CAVE - One of the most beautifully naturally decorated caves in South Africa. Since its discovery only 100 years ago, few people have entered the Caves and it is thus relatively well preserved and virtually untouched The enormous cave chamber with a volume of 46 000 cubic meters is believed to be 2.2 million years old. Hourly tours are conducted on well-lit pathways where no crawling is necessary. Access to the underground cavern is by means of about 90 steps and then a lift.
STERKFONTEIN CAVES - In 1947 a well-preserved skull of a species of early man known as Plesianthropus transvaalensis was discovered. The skull became known as Mrs. Ples, dating back 2.5-million years. The total of over 700 hominid specimens found here has made Sterkfontein the world’s richest hominid site. A section of the caves is visited on an hour long guided tour and the excavation site can be viewed. A visit to the newly built Sterkfontein Orientation Centre is also included, displaying information about significant findings, as well as general information on human and cultural evolution.
MAROPENG CENTRE - The main building at Maropeng, called the Tumulus, emulates an ancient burial mound from the front, and in stark contrast, upon exiting, a very modern iconic structure is revealed. The architecture is symbolic of the journey through the evolution of life that is represented underground in the Maropeng Visitor Centre and the entire layout of the individual facilities across the site is based on the theme of constant discovery. An original fossil display and a boat ride on an underground lake through the four life-giving elements that combined to form the earth and shape the world as it is known today, are offered in the Maropeng Visitor Centre. |
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LESEDI CULTURAL VILLAGE (FULL DAY)
 Lesedi – The Place of Light - is a multi-cultural
African village, an hour’s drive from Pretoria and
Johannesburg and offers the following:
Guests are invited to the Ndebele village where an additional welcome by all the people of Lesedi, takes place. The cultural program begins with a multi-visual presentation on the history and origins of today’s rainbow nation. This is followed by a guided tour of the four ethnic homesteads – Zulu, Basotho, Xhosa and Pedi. As the sun sets over the African bush, guests are escorted to the Boma for traditional singing and dancing (you are voluntarily requested to participate in this) depicting stories that date back to the days of their ancestors. The guests are then treated to a Pan African Buffet in the Nyama Choma Restaurant with delicacies from North, East and Southern Africa. |
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PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK - DAY TRIP (FULL DAY)
If you don’t have the time for a Kruger Park Tour this is your best alternative - only about two hours from Pretoria / Johannesburg. This malaria-free 58 000 hectare park - the fourth largest in South Africa - is situated on the eroded remains of a 1,2 billion-year-old extinct volcanic crater, and is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant), and more than 365 bird species. |
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SUN CITY – DAY TRIP (FULL DAY)
 South Africa’s Kingdom of pleasure - Sun City - situated in the Bushveld of South Africa's North West Province, is surrounded by the imposing mountains of the Pilanesberg - draws thousands of visitors each year to its four top-quality hotels, magnificent sporting and recreational facilities including 2 world class golf courses, and the magical Lost City water-park, The Valley of Waves Water World. Sun City has dazzled the international community with its glamorous casinos, gourmet restaurants, extensive sports facilities & star-studded spectaculars. |
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