15 Days Mandela’s Legacy - Wildlife & Waterfalls Tour

After breakfast, proceed to Liliesleaf Farm. The headquarters of the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC), Liliesleaf Farm was used in secret by Nelson Mandela and ANC activists during the struggle. In July 1963, a police raid led to the arrest of a number of ANC figures, and to the subsequent Rivonia Treason Trial.

After Liliesleaf Farm, continue to Soweto. Famed as the site of the Soweto Uprising where, in 1976, police opened fire on some 10 000 students who marched in protest of the apartheid government’s policy to enforce Afrikaans and replace native languages in the education system. In Soweto, visit Nelson Mandela House on Vilakazi Street, where the former President lived with his family, pay tribute to the Soweto Uprising victims at the Hector Pieterson Memorial, created to commemorate the life of a teenager shot and killed during the riots, and finally, visit the Regina Mundi Church.

We will enjoy an intimate meeting with a relative of Hector Pietersen. In 1976, the young boy was shot and killed by police during a protest, becoming an iconic image of the struggle for equality. We will engage in a candid conversation with this member of Pietersen’s family adding a personal (and especially poignant) angle to the complex and controversial history of apartheid and finally, visit the Regina Mundi Church. We will depart Soweto by bus around 3pm, arriving at our hotel about an hour later.

• Accommodation: Garden Court Hotel Sandton City
• Meal Plan: Breakfast x 1, Lunch x 1

Evening: On your own. Your Tour Leader is happy to provide recommendations on how you can spend this free time. Perhaps you will seek out a performance of traditional African drumming.

After breakfast, we will begin our full-day exploration of Johannesburg. Established in 1886 on the site of gold-rich farmland, the city today is a thriving metropolis of skyscrapers, including the Carlton Centre (the tallest office block in Africa), and the Nelson Mandela Bridge.

After about a 30-minute bus ride, we will arrive at the Apartheid Museum for what will likely be a powerful experience. Here, we will be immersed in nearly a half-century’s worth of unequal rights, a history that affected more than 20 million black South Africans. With 22 exhibits spanning print, photo, and film, the museum provides a moving examination of the era before equality. It will provide rich insight into how far South Africa has come to reach its current state, governed by a constitutional democracy that celebrates diversity. We will explore the museum until around 11:30am, at which point we will embark on a 15-minute ride to our next stop: Constitution Hill, site of the historic Old Fort Prison. Originally constructed by the Boers during colonial times in the 19th century, the white-walled fort has held prisoners of war, common criminals, and political figures—especially during the apartheid era. Nelson and Winnie Mandela were incarcerated here, as was Mahatma Gandhi. We will explore the site and learn how it came to be called “the Robben Island of Johannesburg” during our hour-long visit accompanied by a local guide. At about 2pm, we will drive for about a half hour back to our hotel.

• Accommodation: Garden Court Hotel Sandton City
• Meal Plan: Breakfast x 1, Dinner x1

Evening: On your own. You are free to join your fellow travelers and compare favourite photographs from the day’s events, or quietly contemplate the view of the African night sky up above.

Leaving the City of Gold, Johannesburg, around 06h30, we make our way east toward Mpumalanga; a region identifiable by the majestic mountains, picturesque passes, lush valleys, flowing rivers, mighty waterfalls and dense forests. Hardly any other areas in the world can match the incredible splendour of the lowveld and escarpment. We pay a visit to the renowned God’s Window before making our way to our lodging for the night which is situated on the border of the Greater Kruger National Park.

We begin the following day early as we embark on a full day of game viewing in the park. Upon our arrival back at camp in the afternoon we enjoy the magical sunset over the Drakensberg Mountains, relax by the pool and enjoy a delicious meal before falling asleep to the serene sounds of nature. The biggest Game Reserve in South Africa, the Kruger National Park contains the world’s most enormous population of different animal species, and boasts an incredible 16 different ecosystems. Enthralling game drives grant us spectacular game viewing as we search for an array of wildlife as well as Africa’s Big 5, which includes the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo.

• Accommodation: Nkambeni Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast x 3, Lunch x 3, Dinner x 3

Evening: On your own. You are free to join your colleagues and compare favourite photographs from the day’s events, or quietly contemplate the view of the African night sky up above.

Take breakfast at your leisure then transfer to Nelspruit Airport for a brief flight to Cape Town. When you touch down, Table Mountain will loom large, a majestic work of nature that stands over everything in the city. Today will be free so you can discover the Cape Town highlights that most interest you, perhaps a cable car ride up Table Mountain.

The new art museum, Zeitz MOCAA, is highly recommended and just a few steps from your hotel. Through permanent and changing galleries, this pre-eminent museum creates an African narrative on definitions of contemporary art, challenging Western dictation of artistic boundaries. There’s a powerful message here, one that takes Mandela’s legacy to a new level, which shows that to be equal also means to influence and define all those spheres that have traditionally been dominated by white Western narrative. Other ideas for this free day include a sunset cruise from the harbor or wine tasting in Constantia on Table Mountain’s back slopes.

• Accommodation: President Hotel
• Meal Plan: Breakfast x 1

Evening: This evening is on your own, whether you would prefer to explore Cape Town and please ask the Tour Leader a good area for drinks and dinner.

This morning, the wind will rustle through the trees as it coasts in off the Atlantic Ocean. A stark building stands before you, unapologetic of its austere state. When you step inside, footsteps will echo as you walk through the prison. As you step into the cell and the door closes, you will notice how the room is only big enough for a single bed and a bucket to use as a toilet. This lonely, frighteningly cramped cell is where Mandela spent 18 years of his incarceration. At one point he was allowed one visitor a year, for a maximum of 30 minutes. Your guide, Christo Brand, knows this place very well since he was Mandela’s former prison guard. He arrived as a fresh-faced 18-year-old racist but gradually changed his views as a friendship with Mandela grew, which lead to Brand smuggling items and messages in for his prisoner.

Your local guide you will have a fascinating insight into these long years of Mandela’s life, particularly how his down to earth, courteous demeanor was extended to his enemies. When you return to the mainland, you will visit Groote Schuur, a vast manor house that sits beneath the rugged point of Devil’s Peak. Ornate walls mix with teak woodwork and colonnaded verandahs in this presidential home. However, Mandela did not live here. Instead, Groote Schuur housed the leaders of an old political landscape from Cecil Rhodes to FW de Klerk. Although, it was here that Mandela negotiated a resolution that changed the South Africa’s history, which enabled peaceful negotiations that would lead the country out of apartheid and into the democratic era.

• Accommodation: President Hotel
• Meal Plan: Breakfast x 1

Evening: On your own. You are free to join your fellow travelers and compare favourite photographs from the day’s events, or quietly contemplate the view of the African night sky up above.

Embark on a boat cruise to Duiker Island this morning, an island that is a sanctuary for thousands of Cape fur seals as well as a variety of seabirds including gannets, cormorants and seagulls.

Then, head for the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, recognized globally for its extraordinary land formation, rich and diverse fauna and unique flora, a scenic wonder, where soft white sandy beaches alternate with rugged stretches of rock and breathtaking cliffs.

Get acquainted with African penguins at Boulders Beach, one of the few remaining locations in the country where African penguins are able to roost and nest without interference from humans.

End with a mind-blowing gastronomic experience at the GOLD Restaurant. This Pan-African experience melds African culinary traditions with modern flavors, serving up a sophisticated African feast that changes seasonally.

• Accommodation: President Hotel
• Meal Plan: Breakfast x 1

Evening: On your own, with the freedom to explore the on-site amenities or reflect on the day’s experiences.

Start at the Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center as you cross the city to another colorful, racially-defined neighborhood, Bo Kaap. Brightly colored houses paint a wonderful postcard here, yet they fail to obscure the area’s past as a home for slaves. Walk the cobbled streets, soak up the Cape Malay heritage, and gain a contrasting sense of how the city is changing. Rugged mountains provide the backdrop to Drakenstein Prison, where Mandela took his final steps to freedom. It was here where the world’s media followed the man as walked free after 27 years, on 11th February 1990. Mandela built a house in his home village of Qunu after his release, which was an exact replicate of the cottage he stayed in at Drakenstein Prison.

After the tour, travel to the beautiful Cape Winelands to enjoy a delicious lunch and wine tasting in one of the Cape’s popular wine making regions, either Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. We will visit various wine estates, tasting and sampling their offerings. During the tour, we will behold rolling hills, farms, and dramatic mountain vistas, in addition to traditional Cape Dutch architecture.

• Accommodation: President Hotel
• Meal Plan: Breakfast x 1, Lunch x 1

Evening: On your own. You may want to soak up some final experiences in Cape Town, or prefer to swap stories and impressions of winelands with fellow travelers at the hotel.

Upon arrival in adventure capital, you will be met by our experienced guide at the Victoria Falls Airport. You will then embark on a road trip to Hwange Safari Lodge.

You will drive through rural villages with traditional huts, rural hospitals, school, and churches and will have a brief roadside stop at the Painted Dog Conservation to learn how locals work to protect the local painted dog population in Zimbabwe.

After check-in and lunch, you will depart on a 3-hour late afternoon game drive. This is the best time as the sunsets are stunning and most of the game will be flocking towards waterholes. Your guide will take you to several waterholes in the park for you to get some unparalleled views of the animals.

• Accommodation: Hwange Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast x 1, Lunch x 1, Dinner x 1

Evening:On your own. You are free to join your fellow travelers and compare favourite photographs from the day’s events, or quietly contemplate the view of the African night sky up above.

After a hearty breakfast, your experienced guide will pick you up for a full day safari in the Hwange National Park. You will have the incredible opportunity to spot massive elephants in the water, drinking and bathing themselves. You will also see buffalo, giraffe, and wildebeest grazing nearby.

After your first game drive, you will have a picnic lunch with lots of refreshments to cool you off atop one of the many viewing platforms that dot the park.

You will be back at the lodge in mid-afternoon where you can relax and enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace.

• Accommodation: Hwange Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast x 1, Lunch x 1, Dinner x 1

Evening:All evenings at our Safari Lodge are free for you to relax in your room, linger in the main dining area for a night cap, or sit by the fire with your fellow travelers.

Today it's time to discover the majesty and power of Vicotria Falls. On our guided tour of awe inspiring natural wonder, the raging waters of the Zambezi River will definitely leave you breathless as they outpour into the famous Batoka Gorge.

The tour will carry you through the segments of the Victoria Falls rainforest to the cliffs opposite the titanic waterfall. From that standpoint, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the main falls. Your guide will take you through the hypnotizing specifics of the geology, wildlife, and history of Africa’s leading landmark.

In the afternoon, enjoy a Zambezi River sunset cruise or a daring helicopter flight over the heavenly waters.

• Accommodation: Rainbow Hotel
• Meal Plan: Breakfast x 1

Evening:You are free to retire early tonight to rest after your journey. Or, you may choose to chat with your fellow travelers about the adventure that awaits us.

Today, you will cross the border into Botswana to see one of Africa's premier national parks, Chobe. You will take a safari into the park to spot one of the largest game concentrations on the continent. You are all but guaranteed to find groups of elephants and lions stalking their prey.

After your game drive, take a river cruise on the peaceful Chobe River and keep your eye out for crocodiles waiting in the shadows. Your local guide will point out many different species of stunning birds along the way.

In the evening, you will head back to your accommodation near Victoria Falls to rest up for another exciting day ahead.

• Accommodation: Rainbow Hotel
• Meal Plan: Breakafast x 1, Lunch x 1

Evening: You are free to relax at the hotel before tomorrow’s travel day, or soak up some more of the local scene here in “Victoria Falls.” Perhaps you will tap into the city’s vibrant beer scene your Tour Leader will be ready to recommend a local watering hole.

On your last day at Victoria Falls, you will have some time to gaze at the gorgeous waterfall one last time.

If you have the time, you might want to try a daring activity such as bungee jumping over the falls bridge or swimming in the Devil's Pool right above the falls. If that's not your idea of a fun time, spend your last hours shopping near the visitor's center and soak up the sights and sounds.

Before you know it, you will embark on your road transfer to the airport where you will catch your flight home. You will no doubt be sad to leave, but you'll have made memories to last a lifetime.

• Meal Plan: Breakafast x 1, Lunch x 1