4-day Soweto & Pretoria, Lion Park, Magalies/Pilanesberg Safari

Day 1 · Nelson Mandela House and Apartheid History

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   Soweto

   8 hours

   This tour takes you into the most famous sprawling township in Africa, home of about 2 million people. Full of surprise and contrast, Soweto is a township located on the South-Western side of Johannesburg. It is home to sites of historical importance; as many of the struggles were fought against the injustices of the apartheid. We start this tour by crossing the Nelson Mandela Bridge to visit the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg's Newtown Cultural District. You will see the Telkom Tower, an imposing 269 meters tall and Constitution Hill, where we take a highlights tour.

   Now to Vilakazi Street where we can relive the history of two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. We visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, and then the Mandela House Museum. Have an authentic African eating experience at a local restaurant and end the day with a drive past the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, and Orlando power station’s towers.

We overnight at a 3/4 star hotel.

Day 2 · Jacaranda City, Voortrekker Monument to study the Pioneer history of South Africa and the Afrikaner

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   Pretoria

   9 hours

   Pretoria was named after one of the "Voortrekker" leaders Andries Pretorius, and is the administrative capital of South Africa. The many historic buildings, museums and monuments make this a historical ‘heimat’ of South Africa. It is also called the "Garden City" due to the abundance of Jacaranda trees flowering into a sea of purple. It is the capital city and steeped in the history of South Africa.

   On entering Pretoria city centre, we visit the historic Church Square with its beautiful buildings and the Kruger Statue.  Visit the Voortrekker Monument to study the Pioneer history of South Africa and the history of the Afrikaner (Lunch en-route not included). We then traverse to the Sammy Marks Museum for a guided tour through the Marks Mansion. Visitors hear the story of Sammy Marks and his family, their experience throughout the South African War and Marks’s achievements as businessman and entrepreneur. Union Buildings concludes this rich South African heritage excursion.

We overnight at a 3/4 star hotel.

Day 3 · Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve

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   Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve

   9 hours Admission included

   The Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve is a game reserve in Gauteng covering 1200 hectares. Besides the game drive where white lions and rhinoceros can be seen, visitors can view a wide variety of game including some very rare and endangered species and can expect to see in excess of 650 head of game. The Reserve falls within the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site (COHWHS).

    You can choose from a big variety of additional things to do here, from lion, cheetah and wild dog feeding, live snake display, a visit to the vulture hide and predator camp. It includes a visit to the Wonder Caves, a Natural Wonder 5 – 10 million years old, where Cave Pearls, Stalactites & Stalagmite Formations up to 15 m, and a Rim Stone pool can be seen. (We have lunch at one of the restaurants, own cost)

   Overnight at a 3/4 star hotel.

We overnight at a 3/4 star hotel.

Day 4 · Magalies Zipline Adventure or a Pilanesberg Big 5 Game Drive

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   Pilanesberg National Park

   9 hours

   You have the option to choose between the Magalies Adventure or a Pilanesberg Big 5 Game Drive. See itinerary here.

   ​Magalies Adventure:

   ​Having a cable car ride to the top of the Magalies Mountain and enjoy the spectacular views from the top. You will then go to the Harties Horse Trail Safaris where you will have an unforgettable experience on a 1.5 hour horse trail safari that will get you into reaching distance of wildlife. Wildlife can be seen up close from horseback like Giraffe, Kudu, Zebra etc. Children from the age 6 and older can join on the ride BUT they MUST be able to steer their own horse.

   Following this is Ama Zwing Zwing Zip Lines, to enjoy this unique adventure of sliding on steel cables while viewing game below! With a total length of 1.3 km, made up of 7 slides, this adventure in the sky continues over ten platforms ranging in height from 2m up to 14m. We take you back to the airport, or for another tour by Amatungulu Tours. (B)