A wonderful, versatile, and rich tour and vacation in South Africa, spanning from history to wildlife is waiting for you! The journey starts in Johannesburg, passing through the Pilanesberg National Park and ends in Cape Town.

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A wonderful, versatile, and rich tour and vacation in South Africa, spanning from history to wildlife is waiting for you! The journey starts in Johannesburg, passing through the Pilanesberg National Park and ends in Cape Town.

The highlights of your 8-day vacation in South Africa are:

  • Tour of Johannesburg, where you'll visit the Apartheid Museum, Soweto’s Hector Peterson Memorial and gain insight into Mandela’s family life during the oppressive years of Apartheid while visiting the Mandela House, now a national monument;
  • Visit to Liliesleaf Heritage Site which is linked to the Rivonia Treason Trial that led to Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment;
  • Safari and escorted game drives in Pilanesberg National Park, home to the Big Five and other local wildlife.
  • Tour of the lively and cosmopolitan town of Cape Town.

This travel and trip to South Africa takes you to discover some of the most important sites of modern history, but also natural wonders, such as the Table Mountain, Cape Point, where it said that two oceans meet, and unique local fauna and flora. Are you ready to enjoy your unforgettable dream holiday in South Africa?

Trip summary

  • Travel style Tailor-made travel
  • Departure Johannesburg
  • End Cape Town
  • Countries
    • South Africa
  • City
    • Johannesburg
    • Pilanesberg National Park
    • Cape Town
  • Theme Art, history and cultural trips
  • Accommodation Standard
  • Flight Excluded
  • Guide Included
  • The tour has met our standards

Detailed itinerary

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  • 1
    Johannesburg
    Day 1

    Arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport and transfer to the hotel, situated within the upmarket suburb of Sandton in Johannesburg. Close to the hotel there is the Nelson Mandela Square, attached to Sandton City Shopping Mall. This colourful square is rich in upmarket shops and restuarant, and the central area is a popular venue for outdoor dining. The iconic Nelson Mandela statue is a symbol of this square and is well worth a visit during your leisure time. Rest of the day free at leisure without guide. Overnight in Johannesburg at Protea Hotel Balalaika or similar.

    Visited places:
    • Johannesburg
  • 2
    Johannesburg
    Day 2

    The whole day is devoted to the visit of Soweto and surrounds, where Mr. Mandela worked as a human-rights lawyer and became instrumental in South Africa’s political struggle. The tour starts visiting the the prestigious Apartheid Museum, located in Johannesburg’s Ormondo suburb. Here it is possible to understand the epoch of Apartheid era in South Africa. The exhibition spans the beginnings of segregation in the country, the implementation of the Apartheid system and all of the factors that have shaped its 20th century history including the discovery of gold that led the migration of many and many foreigners to the country, the rise of black consciousness and the first democratic elections.

    Then, you'll continue to  Soweto for lunch followed by a tour through this lively township. Visit the Hector Peterson Memorial and Mandela House, located in the only street in the world to have housed two Nobel laureates, the other being Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. Mandela House is a national monument and offers insights into Mandela family’s life during the oppressive years of Apartheid. During the visit, you'll be exposed to Mandela’s personal life.

    During the afternoon, visit the Liliesleaf Heritage Site, known as Liliesleaf Farm. It is an heritage site linked to the Rivonia Treason Trial that led to Nelson Mandela’s incarceration. In the early 1960’s Liliesleaf was a sanctuary where the most prominent leaders of South Africa’s struggled against Apartheid sought shelter, attended secret meetings and engaged in key debates on political and military policy and strategy. Many of these individuals, including Nelson Mandela, were discovered in the 1963 police raid on Liliesleaf Farm, and tried in the subsequent treason trail. You will learn in great detail what happened during those days and the ultimate arrest of Nelson Mandela. Overnight in Johannesburg at Protea Hotel Balalaika or similar.

    Visited places:
    • Johannesburg
  • 3
    Johannesburg - Pilanesberg National Park
    Day 3

    Ealry breakfast and departure to Pilanesberg National Park, located in an ancient volcanic crater that today comprises one of South Africa’s most exciting Big Five eco-tourism destinations. Here, accompanied by your skilled game ranger in an open safari vehicle, you will explore a 58,000 ha malaria-free wildlife wonderland and discover the beauty of the African bush. Overnight in the Pilanesberg National Park at Ivory Tree Lodge or similar.

    Visited places:
    • Johannesburg
    • Pilanesberg National Park
    Accommodation offered:
  • 4
    Pilanesberg National Park
    Day 4

    The morning is devoted to an amazing open vehicle safari in the Pilanesberg National Park. This park hosts healthy populations of lion, leopard, black and white rhino, elephant and buffalo. Here it is possible to observe a wide variety of rare and common endemic species, like the nocturnal brown hyena, the fleet-footed cheetah, the majestic sable, as well as giraffe, zebra, hippo and crocodile, and much more.

    Return to the lodge for lunch and time to rest before taking part in a new open vehicle safari in search of the Big Five as well as prolific birdlife and numerous other game. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight in the Pilanesberg National Park at Ivory Tree Lodge or similar.

    Visited places:
    • Pilanesberg National Park
    Accommodation offered:
  • 5
    Ilanesberg National Park - Johannesburg - Cape Town
    Day 5

    After breakfast, the travel back to Johannesburg starts. Arrive in Johannesburg, at O.R. Tambo International Airport and take your onward flight to Cape Town (aprox at 2.30 pm). Upon arrival, meeting with a representative and trasfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure to explore the oldest city of South Africa and its stunning set at the foot of Table Mountain without guide. Overnight in Cape Town at Southern Sun Cape Sun or similar.

    Visited places:
    • Pilanesberg National Park
    • Cape Town
    Accommodation offered:
  • 6
    Cape Town
    Day 6

    Enjoy a full day tour of Cape Peninsula. Drive through Sea Point, the seaside village of Hout Bay and then to Cape Point where the tradition says that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Return to Cape Town through the historic naval base of Simon’s Town and Muizenberg to visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, a centre for the preservation of the region’s unique flora. Overnight in Cape Town at Southern Sun Cape Sun or similar.

    Visited places:
    • Cape Town
    Accommodation offered:
  • 7
    Cape Town
    Day 7

    The day starts with a ferry ride to Robben Island (weather permitting). Here it is possible to have a unique insight into the immense sacrifice made by former president Nelson Mandela and his comrades. Upon arrival on the island, famous to be the place where Nelson Mandela and many other famous anti-apartheid activists were imprisoned, you'll visit the maximum security prison and the cell in which Mandela spent 18 years of his 27-year incarceration. Furthermore, there is the possibility to interact with an ex-political prisoner and also explore the island on a 45-minute bus tour accompanied by an experienced guide.

    The rest of the day is spent interacting with several communities as a way to exchange cultural values and learn about the South Africa of today. You will visit the Malay Quarter, also known as the Bo-Kaap which means "Above Cape" due to its location up against the slopes of Table Mountain, drive past the District Six Museum which was opened at the end of 1994 to remember and document the struggle residents had to endure with forced removals in the 1960’s, the Philani Empowerment Centre in Khayelitsha, where locals are taught basic life skills such as weaving and arts and crafts. You'll never forget the walking tour through “shanty town Khayelitsha” with a local guide, to his shack and to experience local living conditions. This suggestive visit is followed by a drive through the middle-class Khayelitsha, to share some of the achievements, such as new housing developments, shopping malls, hospitals and magistrate’s court, under the leadership of Mr. Nelson Mandela. Overnight in Cape Town at Southern Sun Cape Sun or similar.

    Visited places:
    • Cape Town
    Accommodation offered:
  • 8
    Cape Town
    Day 8

    Enjoy some last minute shopping or sightseeing, both unescorted. Wander through the variety of shops and boutiques catering for all tastes and budgets at the V&A Waterfront. Later you will be transferred to the airport, harbour or railway station: end of services.

    Visited places:
    • Cape Town
  • Prices and conditions

    Price includes
    • Accommodation as specified
    • Transportation as specified
    • Sightseeing as specified
    • 7 breakfasts (from day 2 to day 8)
    • 3 lunches (day 2, 3, 4)
    • 2 dinners (day 3 ,4)
    • Porterage
    Price does not include
    • Johannesburg to Cape Town flight on Day 5 (and departure tax)
    • Meals and drinks other than specified
    • Additional activities
    • Visa fees
    • Tips
    • Personal expenses
    • Travel insurance
    • Single supplement

    Note:

    • English departures only
    • Please book flights to depart Johannesburg after 3 pm (day 5)
    • Minimum 2 guests required
    • Comprehensive travel insurance is recommended