Footsteps of a Freedom Fighter

In this journey around South Africa we will take you through numerous stages of this great leader’s life: from the village where he was born, his place of study, his former home, his imprisonment at Robben Island, to his inauguration as President and finally where he was laid to rest in his home village of Qunu. This cultural immersion will take you to both tourist and off-the-beaten-path destinations as well as a big 5 game reserve in the Eastern Cape for a comprehensive South Africa journey.

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Day 1

On arrival after clearing passport control and customs, collect your luggage and proceed to the Arrivals Hall. Here you will be met by an Alluring Africa representative for your private road transfer to Protea Balalaika where you will stay for two nights.

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Day 2

After breakfast at your hotel you will be met by an Alluring Africa representative for your private full day Amandla tour. During this theatrical tour, you will travel along the footpaths of our freedom fighters and experience Johannesburg and Soweto through their eyes.

Relive the journey to freedom through the eyes of Walter Sisulu, father of the ANC, or anti-apartheid activist, Ruth First. Travel through the streets of Jozi and Soweto to a time where uprisings and injustice was rife, but passion and determination prevailed so that democracy could be born. From Liliesleaf and Freedom Square to Constitutional Hill, discover the secrets of our past as the riveting tales of the true struggle for freedom is revealed. Other highlights en-route include: Nelson Mandela Bridge, Hector Peterson Memorial, Homes of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela, Freedom Square and Museum Africa to mention a few (no entrance, only drive through)

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Day 3

After breakfast at your hotel you will be met by an Alluring Africa representative for a private guided morning tour of Pretoria. Known informally as ‘the Jacaranda City’, highlights of this half day tour include: the historical Voortrekker Monument, Church Square, the City Hall State Theatre / Opera House, the Union Buildings and the President’s office.

After the tour, you will be dropped off at the Johannesburg International Airport for your scheduled flight to East London. On arrival in East London, you will be met by an Alluring Africa representative for your private road transfer to Crawfords Beach Lodge where you will stay for two nights.

Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Take a stroll along the beautiful beaches of the Wild Coast or simply enjoy the view from your patio.

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Day 4

After breakfast you will be met at your hotel by an Alluring Africa representative for your private full day Nelson Mandela Freedom Trail Tour.

This is a historical tour that takes you to the city of Mthatha, following the footsteps of Dr. Nelson Mandela. The highlight of this tour is a visit to Qunu Village where President Mandela grew up and has built his house, the village of Mqhekezweni where he spent most of his adult hood at the Great Place under the Regent King Jongintaba Mtirara. This is the place where he learnt about leadership.

Highlights include: Nelson Mandela Museum, the round hut he shared with his cousin when living in Mqhekezweni Great Place, Bityi railway station

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Day 5

After breakfast you will be met at your hotel by an Alluring Africa representative for your private road transfer to Kariega Game Reserve where you will stay for two nights. En route, visit Forte Hare University in Alice.

In 1939 Nelson Mandela enrolled at the University College of Fort Hare, Alice. It was here that he would meet his lifelong friend and colleague, Oliver Tambo. Fort Hare was a key institution in higher education for black Africans from 1916 to 1659. Mandela who studied Latin and physics there for almost two years in the 1940s, left the institution as a result of a conflict with a college leader.

Arrive at your lodge in time for an afternoon game drive.

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Day 6

Enjoy morning and afternoon game viewing activities at Kariega Game Reserve.

At Kariega, everything revolves around two-daily safari drives and river cruises – the close-up encounters with African wildlife are the centre of guests’ unforgettable safari holiday. The experienced game rangers will drive guests out on safari every morning and afternoon/evening in open game-drive vehicles, traversing the valleys, grassy plains and African bushveld to bring you close to the Big 5 and other game roaming freely in their natural habitat. If you are fortunate, you may witness the lion hunting or feeding, or even the heartwarming social interactions of an elephant herd.

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Day 7

After breakfast you will be met by an Alluring Africa representative for your private road transfer to the Port Elizabeth Airport for your scheduled flight to Cape Town. On arrival in Cape Town, you will be met by an Alluring Africa representative for your private road transfer to Southern Sun the Cullinan where you will stay for four nights.

Enjoy the rest of your afternoon at leisure. Your hotel is within walking distance of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront where you will find numerous shopping and dining options. Also check out the Nobel Square Project with statues of South Africa’s four Nobel peace laureates – Chief Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk.

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Day 8

After breakfast at your hotel you will be met by an Alluring Africa representative for your private half day Cape Town City & Table Mountain tour including a Cape Town street art experience with a focus on Nelson Mandela themed graffiti.

Highlights of this tour include a street art experience; a visit to Table Mountain where the varying flora and fauna will be explained on the cableway (the cableway ticket is included, but note that the mountain visit is weather permitting); Malay Quarter tour; city centre, passing through the City Hall where the former president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela addressed the masses after his release from prison; and Company Gardens, situated next to the Houses of Parliament, where the latest Nelson Mandela statue has been placed.

You will then be dropped off at the V&A Waterfront where you will take the ferry to Robben Island (unaccompanied). Learn about this iconic landmark where Nelson Mandela spent more than two decades imprisoned.

At conclusion of the tour you will take the ferry back to the V&A Waterfront and make your way back to your hotel.

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Day 9

After breakfast at your hotel you will be met by an Alluring Africa representative for your private half day Cape Peninsula tour.

Travel through many famous coastal suburbs of the Cape and traverse one of the world’s most spectacular passes – Chapman’s Peak. Visit the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach as well as the Cape Fur Seal colony on Duiker Island (weather permitting). Catch a glimpse of southern right whales (seasonal) off the Cape’s longest beach. Spot wildlife in the Table Mountain National Park, and explore the rocky coastline, the Cape fynbos vegetation and the south-westernmost point of Africa – Cape Point – and its lighthouse.

Stroll through world-famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens at the foot of Table Mountain.

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Day 10

After breakfast at your hotel you will be met by an Alluring Africa representative for your private full day Cape Winelands tour.

Highlights of this tour include: scenic and historic drive through, and wine tasting at local farms in Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. The name ‘Stellenbosch’ is almost synonymous with the Cape wine industry. Not only does it have the oldest wine route in the country, and arguably the most famous, but the town has one of the most modern experimental wineries Franschhoek, this traditionally French town is the food and wine capital of the country and one would be hard pressed to dispute the claim. Eight of the top 100 restaurants in the country are found in Franschhoek, there are nigh on 30 wine cellars and over 28 restaurants from which to choose for your gastronomic experience. Two wine tasting experiences are also included in the tour.

Time permitting, you will also drive past Drakenstein Correctional Centre (formerly Victor Verster Prison) is a low-security prison The prison is famous for being the location where Nelson Mandela spent the last part of his imprisonment for campaigning against apartheid.

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Day 11

After breakfast at your hotel you will be met by an Alluring Africa representative for your private road transfer to Cape Town International Airport. Connect with your onward flight arrangements (not included).