SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORY TOUR
WITH THE FAMOUS BLUE TRAIN
19 DAYS
Covering the Highlights of the African Paradise
Sterkfontein Caves
- Pretoria - Johannesburg
- Sandton
- Soweto - Cape Town
Robben Island and Townships Tour - Cape Wine Route - Table Mountain
and Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Tour - East London - Nelson Mandela
Freedom Trial Tour - Gold Reef City
Pilanesburg and Sun City Tour . And of course the Ultra Deluxe
: The Blue Train
SOUTH
AFRICAN HISTORY TOUR WITH BLUE TRAIN
Click here for images of the De Luxe Suites
on board the train
19 DAYS
The
Blue Train has an aura of mystique about it. Kings and presidents
have travelled on this magnificent moving five-star hotel. And of
course it is time to welcome you as well on board this extra special
train as our most welcome an d honored guest . Its very name has become
synonymous with the ultimate in luxury and personal service.
Day
1 - Wednesday - Weekly year round - Arrive Johannesburg
Our local rep will collect you from airport and help with your private
transfer to your hotel : Sample Hotel : The 5 star Michaelangelo Hotel.
Day
2 - Thursday - Sandton - Soweto
Morning at leisure to shop at Sandton City.
Soweto Township Tour.
Explore the busting neighborhood life of the township and visit two
Nobel Prize winners’ previous homes. Explore the historical
Hector Petersen Memorial and the Baragwaneth Hospital and enjoy a
tour through Nelson Mandela’s home. We stop off at either Wandies
or Sekumzi’s for a traditional feast of African delicacies and
beer. After lunch, we depart from Soweto and make our way to the Apartheids
museum where you embark on a journey of discovery of the racial segregation
experienced by millions of South Africans. We return to your hotel
at 16h00 pm.
Overnight Jnb hotel - 5* Michaelangelo Hotel.
Day
3 - Thursday - Sterkfontein Caves
Depart Johannesburg at 09h30 and make our way to the Cradle of Humankind.
You will be met by your guide and start your journey back in time
through the Sterkfontein Caves the home of Mrs. Ples a skull which
derives its name from Pleasianthropus (meaning almost human). After
your informative tour enjoy a light lunch and time to shop for curious
before your return journey to your hotel.
Overnight Jnb hotel- 5* Michaelangelo Hotel.
Day
4- Friday Pretoria City Tour
A morning tour, which includes a visit to the historical Voortrekker
monument, Paul Kruger’s House, Church Square and the City Hall.
End the morning with a visit to the Union Buildings and lunch.
Overnight Pretoria hotel – 5 star Sheraton Hotel.
De Luxe Suite Layout
De
Luxe Suite - Double - Night
Day
5 - Saturday - The Blue Train
Transfer to depart Pretoria on Blue Train to Cape Town. Overnight
train in De Luxe Suite with all meals
included.
The route between Pretoria and Cape Town is a 27-hour journey of 1
600 kilometres (994 miles), through some of the most diverse and spectacular
scenery offered by the African sub-continent.
On the southbound trip, the train departs from Pretoria mid-morning
and arrive in Cape Town just after lunch the following day. En route
the train stops at the famous diamond town of Kimberley where guests
can explore the Diamond Museum and the Big Hole, the biggest man-made
hole in the world.
Day
6- Sunday - Cape Town
Arrive Cape Town. Transfer to Cape Town hotel for overnight –
5 star Table Bay Hotel.
Upgrade
on board the Blue Train to Luxury Suite
Sample Twin Luxury Suite - Day use
Day
7 - Monday Robben Island and Townships Tour
Our tour endeavours to identify and understand the culture of the
New South Africa. We proceed through the historic Malay Quarter discovering
the origins of our multi-cultural city and its people. The tragic
saga of “Forced Removals” then unfolds as we ddrive through
the remains of the once vibrant District 6 and visit its living museum.
Then it’s off o the Townships, visiting examples of ‘black’
and ‘coloured’ townships focusing on development issues
of Education, Health Care and Housing. In Langa we visit the Chris
Hani Community School as well as the Tsoga Environmental Centre where
local community guides take us on a walking tour. We go via Bonteheuwel
to Guguletu where we stop off at the Uncedo Pottery Project, and then
to the Weltevreden Park Government Housing Development Site. We then
return to the city for lunch at the Waterfront before departing on
the ferry to Robben Island where ex-prisoners become our tour guides.
We are taken on a walking and driving tour of this political prison
where Nelson Mandela was jailed for 19 years.
Overnight Cape Town Hotel - 5* Table Bay Hotel.
Day 8 - Tuesday Cape Wine Route
After collection from your hotel, we leave the city and head along
the N1 motorway to visit the Afrikaans Taal Monument on the outskirts
of Paarl. Next, we stop at the entrance of the Victor Verster Prison
from which Nelson Mandela was released from detention. A scenic drive
is taken to the Franschhoek Valley to visit the memorial to the French
Huguenots, and then we call on one of the many fine wine estates in
the region. A cellar tour and a tasting of “the nectar of the
gods” are included. Cross the Helshoogte Pass (Hells Heights)
and descend into historic Stellenbosch, centre of learning, rugby
and the wine industry. We stop for lunch (own account) washed down
with local wine. After a short-guided tour of the second oldest South
African town, a unique shopping experience awaits you at Oom Samie
se Winkel (Uncle Sam’s Shop). The tour terminates at your hotel
again in the late afternoon.
Overnight Cape Town Hotel - 5* Table Bay Hotel.
Day
9 - Wednesday Table Mountain and Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Tour
You are collected from your hotel and taken to the lower cableway
station on the slopes of Table Mountain. Weather permitting, ascend
the mountain by aerial cable car (entrance fee excluded), and from
a height of 1067 meters, view the city and Table bay below, Robben
Island, the Atlantic Seaboard as well as most of the spectacular Cape
Peninsula. Afterwards, head down in the Malay Quarter with its narrow
cobbled streets and colorful Mosques. Next, we continue to Government
Avenue where we park at the top and stroll to the National Gallery
and SA Museum, as well as view the Houses of Parliament. We then travel
to the City Hall on the Grand Parade and afterwards, visit the Castle.
Enter the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront – a region that abounds
with shops, pubs, restaurants and entertainment. You may leave the
tour here either to explore on your own, or return to your hotel in
the early afternoon.
Transfer to Cape Town airport for flight to East London
Arrive East London and transfer to hotel
Overnight East London hotel – 4 star Kilkerran Guest House.
Day
10 - Thursday East London
Morning at leisure.
East London City Tour: East London is the only river Port in South
Africa and an ideal holiday destination in South Africa. Join us in
exploring the City. Visit historical sites and view its Victorian
Style Buildings and architecture. Walk in one of South Africa’s
best beaches and enjoy shopping in the City.
Overnight East London hotel – 4* Kilkerran Guest House.
Day
11 - Friday Footsteps of Steve Biko
This tour pays a tribute to the late leader of Black Consciousness
Movement, Steve Biko.
Highlights of the tour:
• Statue of Steve Biko
• Steve Biko Garden of Remembrance
• Biko House in Ginsburg Township
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight East London hotel – 4* Kilkerran Guest House.
Day
12 - Saturday Nelson Mandela Freedom Trial Tour
This tour takes you to the birthplace of Dr. Nelson Mandela, where
you will visit the three historical sites of Nelson Mandela Museum,
Mvezo, birthplace, Qunu where he grew up and the main museum at Bunga
building in Umthatha. Lunch included.
Overnight East London hotel – 4* Kilkerran Guest House.
Day
13 - Sunday Transfer to East London airport for flight to Cape Town
Arrive Cape Town and transfer to hotel.
Overnight Cape Town hotel - 5* Table Bay Hotel.
Day
14 - Monday The Blue Train
Transfer to train station to depart Cape Town on Blue Train to Pretoria
On the northbound journey, the train leaves Cape Town just before
noon and arrives in Pretoria in time for high tea the following day.
It stops at the historic town Matjiesfontein, where guests can visit
the famous Lord Milner Hotel and the old car museum.
Overnight Blue Train in De Luxe Suite
with all meals included.
Day
15 - Tuesday Pretoria
Arrive Pretoria and transfer to Johannesburg hotel.
Overnight Jnb hotel – 5 star Hilton Hotel.
Day 16 - Wednesday - Gold Reef City
Morning at leisure.
Gold Reef City Tour
Gold Reef City is rich in history and Johannesburg is really the City
of Gold. Be rewarded with gold pouring demonstrations and the traditional
miners dancing (known as the gumboot dance). Gold reef city is a replica
of old-time Johannesburg and it allows you to take a step back into
time as you ride on the penny-farthing. Take a trip underground into
the mines and enjoy yourself as if you were part of history. Return
to your hotel late afternoon.
Overnight Jnb hotel – 5* Hilton Hotel.
Day 17 - Thursday Johannesburg
Morning at leisure.
Lesedi African Experience
Enjoy an African experience and engage yourself in the many delights
that this tour has to offer. Involve yourself in the multilingual
and audio-visual orientation depicting the history of South Africa.
Join a guided tour through traditional homesteads of Zulu, Xhosa,
Pedi and Sotho villages. Enjoy a song and dance performance before
finishing with a traditional feast.
Overnight Jnb hotel – 5* Hilton Hotel.
Day
18 - Friday Pilanesburg and Sun City Tour
From the Hotel, guests will be transferred to the Pilansberg National
Park, where they will have the opportunity to spot some, maybe all,
of the Big 5: Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo. Upon arrival
at the Park, guest will be transferred to an open vehicle, which will
take them around the Park, guided by a qualified ranger. The Safari
takes about 3-4 hours. Lunch will be served at the Manyane Restaurant.
A 15-minute drive away, the magic of Sun City awaits. After being
transferred onto a Sun City bus, guest will be taken on a tour of
the complex. Some places visited will be the Palace of the Lost City,
and a number of other hotels and the Valley of the Waves. Upon return
to the “Welcome Centre”, the numerous shops can be explored.
Guest will also have the opportunity to try their luck at some gambling
before returning to their hotel.
Overnight Jnb hotel - hotel – 5* Hilton Hotel.
Day
19 - Saturday Departure
Transfer to Jnb airport for flight home.
Rate
per person sharing in double : $ 8500.00 USD
Includes:
• Deluxe hotel accommodation as listed, tax included and breakfast
daily
• Deluxe suite accommodation on board the Blue Train, with all
meals while on board the train.
• Guided tours , as listed
• Entrance Fees for all the listed sites as per itinerary
•
All airport transfer in South Africa, based on the listed itinerary
