Walk in the Footsteps of Nelson Mandela

Board your international flight for your flight across the Atlantic to South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg.

Welcome to Johannesburg, Joburg, Jozi or Egoli (City of Gold). This city has as many names as it has faces. Vibrant, energetic and dynamic, its diversity is both intriguing and exciting; this is a city of contrasts where the soul of Africa is fused with eastern and western influences.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Sandton or similar

Today our touring includes 3 key attractions which will highlight the Apartheid struggle and gain an in depth look into the Mandela legacy:

Apartheid Museum
This is a must-see for anyone wanting to really understand and experience apartheid. The exhibits include provocative film footage, photographs, text panels and artifacts illustrating the events and human experiences that are part of the epic saga known as apartheid.

Liliesleaf Farm
We’ll also visit Liliesleaf Farm, where some of the most prominent leaders of South Africa’s struggle against Apartheid sought shelter and attended key meetings. Many of these individuals were discovered in the police’s raid on Liliesleaf farm, and tried in the subsequent Rivonia Treason Trial. They were to later spend over 25 years in prison...today you will learn in great detail what happened at Liliesleaf and the ultimate arrest of Nelson Mandela.

Mandela Centre of Memory (Open Mon/Wed/Fri 0930-1530)
The Mandela Centre of Memory is an integrated and dynamic information resource on Mandela’s life and times. His ethos of inclusivity and the need to tolerate, engage and resolve conflict through dialogue and negotiation to a large extent averted a civil war in South Africa. Get to know Mandela through a host of exhibits, photos, resource materials and much more.

This morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you are picked up for your morning tour of Soweto, the largest township in Southern Africa. (Soweto is an acronym for South West Township). Experience the excitement and goodwill of the inhabitants of Soweto as they work towards creating a better South Africa; enjoy the sights and sounds of the typical African township. In the afternoon, visit Constitutional Hill and the Old Fort Prison.

Soweto – Hector Pieterson Memorial and Nelson Mandela’s home
Visit the rhythmic and vibrant city of Soweto with over 4 million inhabitants. Walk on the only street in the world where two nobel prize winners lived – Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. See the many historical monuments as Soweto was a focal point to much of the anti-apartheid struggle such as the Regina Mundi Church.

Constitutional Hill
Constitution Hill has been transformed to South Africa’s Constitution Court since the mid-1990s but previously it was one of the country’s most notorious prisons. The tour will focus on Sections Four and Five where famous political activists such as Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu were held, and the Women’s Gaol that has housed Winnie Mandela and other famous women.

Today we travel to Pretoria and stay overnight at Lesedi Cultural Village. Pretoria, situated in the fertile valley of the Apies River, at the foot of the Magaliesberg range, is the administrative capital of South Africa and the seat of government for six months in the year, alternating with Cape Town. Although Pretoria is so close to Johannesburg, the two cities could scarcely be more different. Pretoria, with the largest area of any South African town, is a city of civil servants and diplomats, trim residential districts and beautiful parks and gardens. It is also an important industrial town (iron and steel, automobile manufacture, cement production) and an educational and cultural center. The University of Pretoria was founded in 1930; and UNISA, the University of South Africa, is one of the largest open universities in the world, with over 100,000 students.

Freedom Park
The mandate of Freedom Park is the creation of a memorial and monument that will narrate a story of South Africa’s history. The Garden of Remembrance acknowledges those that contributed to the freedom of the country. It is also home to the Wall of Names- an awe-inspiring structure (697m), inscribed with the names of those who died during eight conflicts within South Africa’s history.

Lesedi Cultural Village
Later this afternoon, enjoy an amazing cultural experience at the Lesedi Cultural Village, a multi-cultural African village set among pristine bushveld and rocky hills less than one hour's drive from Johannesburg. Situated at Lesedi are a number of different homesteads or traditional villages where a kaleidoscope of African cultures awaits you. Each traditional homestead is inhabited by a family of elders, wives and children. Guest are in for an experience of a lifetime and are introduced to the art, dancing, history, tribal legend and cuisine of five of Southern Africa’s greatest tribes. The cultural experience begins with a multi-visual presentation on the history and origins of today’s rainbow nation, followed by a tour of four ethnic homesteads, namely: Xhosa, Zulu, Pedi and Sotho. After the tour guests are escorted to the boma where they enjoy dinner and watch the different tribes of Lesedi Cultural Village perform dances and tell stories that date back to the days of their ancestors. We’ll overnight at the cultural homestead for a unique experience.

Accommodation: Lesedi Cultural Village

Return to Johannesburg and enjoy a full day at leisure. Visit the Nelson Mandela Square just a short distance away from our hotel. Shopping is a great option at the Sandton Mall or take part in optional tours.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Sandton

Today enjoy a half-day tour to the local markets and Museum Africa. Your afternoon is at leisure.

Local Markets
Enjoy great shopping at the street market in Newtown – the heart and soul of Johannesburg’s cultural landscape, a place where the creative arts are nurtured and celebrated.

Museum Africa
Museum Africa, in Newtown, Johannesburg, pays tribute to the extraordinary richness of African history from ancient times to the present.

After an early breakfast, transfer with your driver and guide to Johannesburg airport for your flight to Mthatha (formerly known and still often referred to as Umtata).

Mthatha is Madiba country. Renowned as the world’s most loved ex-convict, (Nelson Mandela) this former statesman was born in the nearby town of Mvezo, spent his childhood in Qunu and today the main buildings of the Nelson Mandela Museum are in Umtata. On the banks of the Mtata River - named after the Sneezewood (umtati) trees, famous for their wood and medicinal properties - Umtata was founded in 1879 and was originally the capital of the Transkei, homeland of the Xhosa during the Apartheid era. Transkei now forms part of the Eastern Cape and Umtata is still the centre of the region. This part of the country remains seeped in the old traditions and women still wear ochre-coloured dresses with turbans, wire bracelets and white clay on their faces and bodies. Young boys still observe the coming-of-age ceremony called Khwetha and women carry jars of water on their heads. Domestic animals dawdle along the road sides.

Accommodation: Garden Court Mthatha

Today we’ll begin to gain a deeper understanding of the Royal Mandela Clan and Nelson Mandela. We’ll venture to Mvezo, Mandela’s birthplace and Qunu where he grew up and ultimately where he rests today. The exhibitions celebrate his life and his journey including Gift to the Nation that showcases the gifts he has received from the people, institutions and governments around the world, and a collection of images and artefacts that illustrate and illuminate his life.

The area offers various museums which commemorate Mandela’s life and work, from childhood to adulthood through its exhibitions, publications, collections, educational and cultural programs. You will come away more enlightened about one of the greatest leaders of our time.

Transfer to East London for your flight to Cape Town. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel located at the gateway to Cape Town’s most sought after area, the bustling V & A Waterfront with all its shops, cafes and restaurants.

The Dutch settlement at Table Bay, under the leadership of Jan van Riebeeck was established in 1652. Its purpose was to supply fresh produce and meat to the fleets of the Dutch East India Company for their voyages between Europe and the Spice Islands to the east. In the early days, the settlement was known among sailors from around the world s “The Tavern of the Seas”, and to this day Cape Town has maintained a reputation of friendly hospitality. With is majestic Table Mountain backdrop, Cape Town is undisputedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Today’s touring include seeing the fabulous views over the city from Table Mountain and a cruise to Robben Island.

Table Mountain
Since the first person laid eyes on Table Mountain, it has exerted its powerful and charismatic pull, enchanting and drawing any and all who fall under its spell. Enjoy the magnificent views. (weather permitting)

Robben Island
Mandela spent almost 25 years in this prison. During the apartheid years this island was known for its institutional brutality against opponents of the apartheid regime. (weather permitting)

Today you’ll be treated to magnificent views and spectacular scenery as you travel along the Atlantic seaboard. One of the most spectacular coastal scenes in the world, Chapman's Peak Drive stretches and hugs the Atlantic Coastline for a breathtaking 9 kilometres, connecting the fishing village of Hout Bay.

This afternoon we’ll embark on a city tour - the Cape Town’s vibrant city centre lies in a natural  Amphitheatre sheltered by the wide arms of Table Mountain, Signal Hill and Lion’s Head. This tour takes will make stops at the famous Bo Kaap area, Slave Lodge and District 6 Museum.

This morning, its time to experience praise and worship, as you go into the heart of the community: the church. The church plays an integral role in the cultural and social life of township communities. After Church we'll visit the world famous Mzoli's which offers traditional township Braai (BBQ) for lunch.

Today enjoy some last minute shopping before you get ready of your onward international flight via Johannesburg.