NT01 - Half Day North East Tours |
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We understand that many visitors don’t have the luxury of spending time doing tours in and around the Johannesburg and Pretoria areas over a couple of days. For those of you that would like to do some sightseeing between business meetings or on your final day before catching a flight back home, these half day North East tours are especially for you.
Departures Pretoria City & Marabastad Drive-By - (4 Hours) Morning Tour: 09:00 - 13:00 (Every Day) The Pretoria City Tour starts at the Voortrekker Monument, where the history of the early white pioneers in the interior of the country is depicted on marble friezes. The depiction leads up to the independence of the Republic of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State in 1852 and 1854. From there we continue our journey through history and visit the Kruger House Museum, where the worldwide moral support for the Transvaal Republic during the Anglo-Boer War can be seen. We also visit Church Square, with the old Parliament building, the Palace of Justice and Paul Kruger’s statue (commissioned by Sammy Marks). From there we drive past the Transvaal Museum, the City Hall and Melrose House (where the peace treaty of Vereeniging ending the Anglo-Boer War was signed). We conclude this tour with a visit to the Union Buildings. Various concerts have been staged in the terraced gardens, and a beautiful view of the city can be obtained from there. Included: Costs (01 January - 31 December 2010):
 Gold Reef City - (4 Hours) Morning Tour: 09:00 - 13:00 (Tue - Sun) You leave Johannesburg/ Pretoria for Gold Reef City, built on the site of the Crown Gold Mine. Here, life in Johannesburg at the turn of the previous century is depicted. The mine closed in 1977, having produced 1,4 million kg of gold, a world record. The complex consists of the Lower Terrace, where buildings are in the Victorian style (1886 - 1900) and the Upper Terrace, exhibiting buildings in the Edwardian style (1900 - 1920). Apart from various shops and entertainment areas, a Gold Pour, an Old Mint (with modern jewellery) and a descent into a gold mine can be experienced. Included: Costs (01 January - 31 December 2010):
Soweto - (4 Hours) Morning Tour: 09:00 - 13:00 (Every Day) This Northern tour with a difference takes you through the streets of So-we-to (South Western Township) and its adjoining suburbs. Experience all the turmoil of this city during the "apartheid" years. The early house of Mr. Mandela (which is now the Mandela Family Museum), will be visited, as well as a shebeen (typical tavern) and the Regina Mundi Catholic Church - the largest Catholic Cathedral in the Southern Hemisphere (1 600 square meters). Here one of the few Black Madonna’s in the world can be seen. This was also the venue for many illegal meetings in the “old” South Africa. Other places of interest that will be visited are the Hector Peterson Memorial & Museum, one of the first and youngest victim of the 1976 Soweto upraises. Sam Nzima captured Hectors death in a dramatic photograph. We also pass one of the most important hospitals in South Africa, the Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital. Included: Costs (01 January - 31 December 2010):
Cullinan Diamond Mine - (4 Hours) Morning Tour: 09:30 - 13:30 (Every Day) Leave Pretoria / Johannesburg and travel on to the historical town of Cullinan where the largest blue-white diamond ever was found. This 3,106 carat diamond is the largest gem diamond ever found. It was discovered in 1905 at the Premier mines in South Africa by Frederick Wells, a mine superintendent. He was walking through the mine at the end of the day, when he happened to glance up. He noticed a large mass in one side of the mine wall. Thinking it was a big piece of glass embedded by a practical joker he examined what turned out to be a huge diamond. Wells received $10,000 for his find. The diamond was named Cullinan, after the mine's owner Sir Thomas Cullinan. Experience a surface tour of the World Famous Cullinan Diamond Mine and video on the diamond industry in South Africa. Also, the state of art at the diamond-cutting factory where you can buy diamonds and jewellery from the source at the best possible prices. Included: Costs (01 January - 31 December 2010):
De Wildt Cheetah & Wildlife Trust - (4 Hours) Morning Tour: 07:30 - 11:30 (Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun) Visit this centre where breeding and research on rare and endangered species is conducted. Cheetah, including the "King Cheetah", Wild Dog and Brown Hyena are successfully bred here. Rehabilitation of birds of prey including the Cape vulture are also done here. This Northern tour is conducted by a knowledgeable guide in an open vehicle, and lasts for three hours. Breeding and research of rare and endangered species are conducted here and amongst other, the Brown Hyena, The Wild Dog and Cape Vulture can be seen. One of the most prized animals at the Centre is undoubtedly the “King Cheetah”, a genetic variation with heavy black markings and larger spots than the ordinary Cheetah. Included: Costs (01 January - 31 December 2010):
Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve - (4 Hours) Morning Tour: 09:00 - 13:00 (Every Day) The Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve is a privately owned game reserve covering some 1400 hectares. A Nature Reserve with Lion, Rhino, Cheetah Wild Dogs, Buffalo and large variety of antelope, it also houses a nursery/den for all young endangered and orphaned animals. This allows you to have your photograph taken while playing with the lion cubs. The Reserve is proud to host a pride of lion in a special enclosure; as a result they are fed and not allowed to hunt. They still operate as a pride and form part of a breeding program. The main focus of the breeding program is to breed white lions, endangered species and Bengal Tigers. Included: Costs (01 January - 31 December 2010):
Lesedi Cultural Village - (4 Hours) Morning Tour: 10:30 - 14:30 (Every Day) Dance the night away.... Included: Costs (01 January - 31 December 2010):
*** Collections/ Drop Off's from/to OR Tambo International Airport or Johannesburg will cost an additional R200 per add on. |
