NT02 - Full Day North East Tours

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 full day tours are especially for you.

Pretoria City, Soweto & Johannesburg City - (8 Hours)

09:00 - 17:00 (Every Day)

The Northern tour starts with a Pretoria City Tour to pay a visit to the Voortrekker Monument, where the history of the early white pioneers in the interior of the country is depicted on marble friezes, 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.

After spending the morning in Pretoria we travel on to “Egoli” - meaning "Place Of Gold and visit the suburb of Dube in Soweto, where we enjoy lunch at the cosy Wandi’s Place, a tavern in the middle of this huge "township"

Soweto North East Tour with a difference takes you through the streets of Soweto and its adjoining suburbs. Experience all the turmoil of this city during the "apartheid" years. The early house of Mr. Mandela, and the Regina Mundi Catholic Church. 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.

Johannesburg, the discovery of the enchanting minerals hidden below the plains of the highveld sparked off one of the fastest urban developments of the modern era. In just over a century, the ramshackle congregation of prospectors' tents and crude digging devices near the farm of Langlaagte has spread for more than 30 kilometres in each direction into a metropolis of skyscrapers. The Johannesburg of today is a modern version of its inauspicious but frantic beginnings. It is the technological and financial forerunner of Africa, South Africa's premier business destination and home, including Soweto, to more than five million people. Built on and maintained by the ancient ground it covers, Johannesburg is the prince of the subcontinent.

Included:
- Transport in an Air-conditioned vehicle for your comfort
- All Entrance Fees
- Lunch
- Registered, Professional Tourist Driver Guide for the duration of the tour

Costs (01 January - 31 December 2010):

09:00 - 17:00 (Every Day)

The tour starts with a Pretoria City Tour to pay a visit to the Voortrekker Monument, where the history of the early white pioneers in the interior of the country is depicted on marble friezes, 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.

After spending the morning in Pretoria we travel on to “Egoli” - meaning "Place Of Gold and visit the suburb of Dube in Soweto, where we enjoy lunch at the cosy Wandi’s Place, a tavern in the middle of this huge "township"

Soweto Tour with a difference takes you through the streets of Soweto and its adjoining suburbs. Experience all the turmoil of this city during the "apartheid" years. The early house of Mr. Mandela, and the Regina Mundi Catholic Church. 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.

Johannesburg, the discovery of the enchanting minerals hidden below the plains of the highveld sparked off one of the fastest urban developments of the modern era. In just over a century, the ramshackle congregation of prospectors' tents and crude digging devices near the farm of Langlaagte has spread for more than 30 kilometres in each direction into a metropolis of skyscrapers. The Johannesburg of today is a modern version of its inauspicious but frantic beginnings. It is the technological and financial forerunner of Africa, South Africa's premier business destination and home, including Soweto, to more than five million people. Built on and maintained by the ancient ground it covers, Johannesburg is the prince of the subcontinent.

Included:
- Transport in an Air-conditioned vehicle for your comfort
- A Professional, Registered Driver Guide for the duration of the tour.
- Refreshments en-route
- Lunch at Wandie’s Place - a local restaurant in Soweto
- All entrance fees

Costs (01 January - 31 December 2010):

09:30 - 17:30 (Mon - Fri)

Leave Pretoria / Johannesburg and travel on to the historical town of Cullinan where the largest blue-white diamond ever was found in 1905 (3 100 carat!). 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. After an exciting morning enjoy lunch at Sammy Marks Restaurant.

After lunch you continue for a Pretoria City & Cultural Tour, starting 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 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.

The original Maraba Village, situated just to the south of the present Marabastad, was founded and ruled by the Pedi Chief Maraba. The name Marabastad is the Afrikaans word meaning Maraba City. Marabastad was a culturally diverse community, with the Hindu Mariamman Temple arguably being its most prominent landmark. Like the residents of other racially diverse areas in South Africa, such as District Six, "Fietas" and Sophiatown, the inhabitants of Marabastad were relocated to single-race townships further away from the city centre. These removals were due to Apartheid laws like the Group Areas Act. Unlike Sophiatown, Fietas and District Six, it was not bulldozer, but it retained many of its original buildings, and became primarily a business district, with most shops still owned by the Indians who had also lived there previously. Some property was however owned by the city council and the government, resulting in limited development taking place there. In addition, a large shopping complex was built to house Indian-owned shops. The black residents of Marabastad were relocated to Atteridgeville (1945), the Coloured residents to Eersterus.

Included:
- Transport in an Air-conditioned vehicle for your comfort
- All Entrance Fees
- Refreshments en-route
- Registered, Professional Driver Guide for the duration of the tour
- Lunch

Costs (01 January - 31 December 2010):

06:00 - 16:00 (Every Day)

06h00! Why so early..? To have the best possible chance of viewing as many animals as possible during the early morning. The animals tend to seek shady hidings from the mid-day heat, thus the earlier the better. We travel via Hartebeespoort Dam and Cashan Territory which is the most scenic and serene area in the Gauteng Province. On our return this afternoon, if time allows us, we may stop at one of the largest arts & crafts markets in the southern hemisphere. We continue travel via the Platinum Province - Western Bonjanala Region onto the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, offering Africa’s “Big 5” game viewing. After unforgettable African safari experience we travel onto the exciting and exhilarating Sun City, Africa’s Kingdom of Pleasure. Experience epic extravaganza’s, Health Spa or Valley of the Waves (only if you stay over for a night, plus entertainment, own account) try your luck in the world-class casino or enjoy some leisure time in the beautiful gardens.

After arriving at the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve.we will spend the rest of the morning driving through this beautiful 50 000 ha Game Reserve nested in a 13 000 million year old crater. We seek out the big five while enjoying the peace of nature. Pilanesberg is one of the oldest and largest volcanic complexes on earth. You may find the largest, or the fastest, or one of the most endangered land mammals on earth; or the largest flightless bird, just one of over 300 species of birds in the park; or some of the thousands of plant, insect or reptile species. Of course, one can never hope to see it all, but Pilanesberg’s magic will be found in its unique geology, its ancient and extraordinary history, in the diversity of life and in looking for the big game. We then stop for lunch at the Pilanesberg Centre. After lunch we continue on to Sun City - "The Kingdom of Pleasure". You have the rest of the day at leisure to spend at the Valley of the Waves, Casino or a tour of the Palace of the Lost City (own Account). We return at 16h00.

Included:
- Transport to and from the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve in an air-conditioned vehicle for your comfort
- A Professional, Registered Driver Guide for the duration of the tour
- Refreshments en-route
- Lunch at the Pilanesberg Centre
- All entrance fees

Excluded:
- All Entertainment at Sun City

Costs (01 January - 31 December 2010):

Pre-Arranged Time (Every Day)

Depart at 06h00. Deep in the rugged bushveld, in the heart of an ancient volcano, lies the world's most unique resort. This is the internationally acclaimed Sun City. Sun City Resort has a unique heartbeat and an African rhythm of its own and is unlike any other Resort destination in the world. This is pure fantasy and your every desire is met. There are four world-class hotels including the magnificent Palace of the Lost City that glitters like a jewel beneath the African sun, brilliant in its rain forest surroundings and luxurious in its detail and design. Adjoining the Resort, is the beautiful Pilanesberg National Park, which will delight game viewers as it is a malaria free zone and home to the Big 5. There are number of optional extra activities that you may decide to enjoy while at Sun City for the day.

Included:
- Return Transfers to and from Sun City in an Air-conditioned vehicle for your comfort (Driver will wait at Sun City)

Excluded:
- All Entrance Fees
- All Entertainment
- Beverages & Food
- Tourist Guide
- Accommodation

Costs (01 January - 31 December 2010):