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JHB/SOWETO TOUR
PRODUCT OVERVIEW : The aim of this tour is to interpret how the discovery of diamonds in 1866 and then gold led to the rapid economic development of South Africa and how the migrant labour system sowed the seeds of apartheid. Central to the story is how Johannesburg grew to be central to the recent history of South Africa and why, as the most culturally diverse city on the continent, it will remain at the centre of shaping the socio-political and socio-economic landscape of sub-Saharan Africa. The Mandela story is threaded through the history of South Africa and his legacy guides the story up to the present day. The itinerary loops out to Soweto then finishes close to the commonly used hotels in the Rosebank and Sandton areas. Johannesburg is a very large urban area and this route allows me to cover the key attractions and places of historical interest. TOUR STRUCTURE: We start at the Apartheid museum where we spend about 2 hours. We then head off to Vilakazi Street, where guests take a site-tour through Mandela House which takes about half an hour. Thereafter, we drive past Orlando West High School, Moema Street and Hector Pietersen memorial. I discuss the Soweto Student uprising in 1976. We then drive through ‘Deep Soweto’, past Regina Mundi church to Kliptown where The Freedom Charter was adopted in 1955. After Kliptown, we head back towards Jo’burg past Bara Taxi Rank and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Lunch at La Bouqueria or Salvation Cafe. Both have received great reviews from our guests. Followed in the afternoon by a drive through the mining precinct, including a short walkabout in the 44 Main Street pedestrian mall. Proceed to Maboneng and walk through Arts on Main galleries before heading to Constitution Hill. I usually start on the ramparts of the Old Fort with an historical overview of the site. The tour then proceeds into the Old Fort, including the isolation cells and Mandela’s cell in the Infirmary. Then we visit the main chamber of the Constitutional Court and view the Constitutional Court Art Collection. We conclude the day in No.4 Men’s Prison including the Ghandi and Mandela exhibits.
HUMAN ORIGINS TOUR
PRODUCT OVERVIEW : The Human Origins Tour is an exclusive private guided tour in open game drive vehicles that affords guests the unique opportunity of experiencing first-hand two active fossil digs in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind. A handful of super specialist guides lead this experience. Two world famous sites - Gladysvale and Malapa - are the key attractions visited on this tour. They are situated within the John Nash and Malapa Nature Reserves which comprise the core of the UNESCO designated Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. The discoveries at Rising Star Cave [Homo naledi] and at Malapa [Australopithecus sediba] were rated by The Smithsonian Magazine in the top ten scientific breakthroughs in the last decade. The Human Origins Tour is the only private guided tour designated to conduct exclusive tours to these two famous dig sites. Together the reserves are almost 9000ha in extent and they protect the most pristine areas of the high altitude dolomitic grasslands which are second only to the Cape Floral Kingdom (Fynbos) in terms of floral diversity. This protected area is also home to leopard, brown hyena and lynx [caracal]. Antelope like the magnificent eland, blesbok, kudu, blue wildebeest, zebra and red hartebeest amongst other species are often seen. Amazingly, all this within sight of the second largest urban area on the African continent. The area is an ancient landscape – truly ancient geology protecting and slowly revealing the ancient origins of the human race. TOUR STRUCTURE: Tours are available Monday through Sunday and last around four hours. Morning tours offer the best light and views and start at 09h00. Water and snack packs are provided. Pick-up from Jhb at 08h00. Each open game drive vehicle can seat ten guests.
PILANESBERG TOUR
Guests are picked up from their hotel at 07:00 and driven out to the Pilanesberg National Park. The Pilanesberg is located north of Rustenburg and the drive will take approximately 3 hours. With the chance to see Africa’s Big Five in their natural habitat, the Pilanesberg National Park offers uninterrupted game-viewing. Home to over 7000 animal and 300 bird species, wildlife lovers can view all of the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard) and a myriad other game – including zebra, hyena, giraffe, hippo, cheetah, crocodile, antelope, springbok and many other types of Southern African buck. The Pilanesberg National Park is a haven for bird-watchers who have the chance to view over 300 recorded bird species on their bird-spotting expeditions. Guests will be driven around the park by our expert Wildlife guides, stopping for lunch at the Bakubung Bush Lodge. After lunch they will begin making their way back to Johannesburg through the park, arriving back at their hotel at 18:00. TOUR STRUCTURE: Tours are available Monday through Sunday and last around 10 hours.
SOWETO TOUR
PRODUCT OVERVIEW : The aim of this tour is to interpret how the discovery of diamonds in 1866 and then gold led to the rapid economic development of South Africa and how the migrant labour system sowed the seeds of apartheid. Central to the story is how Johannesburg grew to be central to the recent history of South Africa and why, as the most culturally diverse city on the continent, it will remain at the centre of shaping the socio-political and socio-economic landscape of sub-Saharan Africa. The Mandela story is threaded through the history of South Africa and his legacy guides the story up to the present day. The itinerary loops out to Soweto then finishes close to the commonly used hotels in the Rosebank and Sandton areas. Johannesburg is a very large urban area and this route allows me to cover the key attractions and places of historical interest. TOUR STRUCTURE: We start at Vilakazi Street, where guests take a site-tour through Mandela House which takes about half an hour. Thereafter, we drive past Orlando West High School, Moema Street and Hector Pietersen memorial. I discuss the Soweto Student uprising in 1976. We then drive through ‘Deep Soweto’, past Regina Mundi church to Kliptown where The Freedom Charter was adopted in 1955. After Kliptown, we head back towards Jo’burg past Bara Taxi Rank and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
CLASSIC CRADLE TOUR
PRODUCT OVERVIEW: This tour takes place in the Greater Cradle Nature Reserve, which comprises the core of the UNESCO Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Guests will be given an insight into the important hominid finds in the area, specifically Homo Naledi at Rising Star Cave and Australopithecus Sediba at Malapa. Guests are transferred from their hotel to the Cradle Boutique Hotel, where they are accompanied by an expert guide through the Malapa Museum. Here they will watch a video presentation by Prof. Lee Burger detailing the exciting new finds at the Malapa, Gladysvale and Rising Star digs. They are then taken through a display room where their guide will interpret the exhibits and answer questions. After the museum experience, the guests will depart in an open game drive vehicle to the Motsetse Cave. The drive takes about 10 minutes and passes through pristine high altitude dolomitic grasslands which are second only to the Cape Floral Kingdom (Fynbos) in terms of floral diversity. This protected area is home to leopard, brown hyena and caracal (lynx) as well as antelope like the magnificent eland, blesbok, kudu, blue wildebeest, zebra and red hartebeest. At Motsetse Cave they will be given a geological overview of cave formation and an explanation as to why they are so rich in fossils. They will then proceed into the cave to see visible fossils in the cave breccia. After that it is down to the lime kiln where they are given a brief history of lime mining in the area and how it led to the fossil discoveries. Guests are then returned to the Cradle Boutique Hotel, where they can enjoy a coffee or a lunch on the verandah and then back to their hotels. TOUR STRUCTURE: Tours are available Monday through Sunday and last around 2,5 hours. This excludes travelling time from Johannesburg to the Cradle, which takes about 1 hour. With the chance to see Africa’s Big Five in their natural habitat, the Pilanesberg National Park offers uninterrupted game-viewing. Home to over 7000 animal and 300 bird species, wildlife lovers can view all of the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard) and a myriad other game – including zebra, hyena, giraffe, hippo, cheetah, crocodile, antelope, springbok and many other types of Southern African buck. The Pilanesberg National Park is a haven for bird-watchers who have the chance to view over 300 recorded bird species on their bird-spotting expeditions. Guests will be driven around the park by our expert Wildlife guides, stopping for lunch at the Bakubung Bush Lodge. After lunch they will begin making their way back to Johannesburg through the park, arriving back at their hotel at 18:00. TOUR STRUCTURE: Tours are available Monday through Sunday and last around 10 hours.
ARTS, FOSSILS & FOOD
PRODUCT OVERVIEW : This tour explores the surprising collection of art & artifacts to be found in and around Johannesburg. Through this exploration, the story of how Johannesburg became the most culturally diverse city on the continent emerges, as well as the more ancient story of how art and tools shaped the cognitive development of mankind. You will view an eclectic mixture of art - from the art collection at the Constitutional Court to the oldest original art on earth at the Wits Origins Centre, which houses ancient San art and incredible rock engravings. You then go on to explore the Street Art of Newtown and Maboneng. A drive through the Mining District of Johannesburg will give guests an insight into the importance of gold in shaping the city and then lunch at the opulent Rand Club gives them a taste of the lifestyle enjoyed by the Mining Bosses during the golden era of the Rand Lords. After lunch, a lazy drive through the leafy suburbs of Parktown, Houghton and Rosebank and on to visit the galleries on the Keyes Art Mile. Guests will then be dropped off at their hotel at 17h00 TOUR STRUCTURE: Guests are picked up from their hotel at 09:00. They will visit Constitutional Hill, Wits Origins Centre and take a short walk through the Newtown and Maboneng districts. Lunch will be enjoyed at the Rand Club and in the afternoon they can explore the galleries of the Keyes Art Mile in Rosebank. Guests are dropped off at their hotel at around 17:00.
