Westside Mandela South Africa

Westside Mandela South Africa Spring 2020: 25 Years of Democracy

Former South African president Nelson Mandela is a global icon, leaving his mark on not just South Africa, but the world. The life and spirit of President Mandela will always give us the strength to continue to fight for fairness and justice. Cape Town and Johannesburg plays a large part in his life story that Mandela left a lasting legacy in the city and country. Our trip will be a historic mission and first-hand educational experience for youth and every participant on this mission. This mission will open youth lives to better understand the challenges experienced by the people of South Africa 25 years after the end of Apartheid and better advocate their lives here at home and support each other as a supportive community here at home.


What's included in this trip:

  • HOTEL FOR 5 NIGHTS SINGLE AND DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
  • HOTEL 2 NIGHTS CAPE TOWN SOUTHERN SUN WATERFRONT
  • HOTEL 3 NIGHTS JOHANNESBURG SOUTHERN SUN HYDE PARK
  • PROFESSIONAL GUIDE
  • DAILY TOURS
  • AIRPORT TRANSFERS
  • VOLUNTEER EXPOSURE
  • MOST MEALS
  • FREE TIME TO EXPLORE WATERFRONT
  • TRAVEL PROTECTION INSURANCE
  • B= BREAKFAST D=DINNER INCLUDED
  • ALL IN COUNTRY TRANSPORTATION AND TOURS
  • MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN - FINAL PAYMENT DUE 60 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE DATE.
  • NO VISA NEEDED FOR SOUTH AFRICA
  • NO VACCINATIONS (SHOTS) NEEDED FOR SOUTH AFRICA
  • AIRFARE COST SHOWN IS AN ESTIMATE. THIS FORM IS FOR HOTEL/TOURS.
  • ROOM MATES CAN BOOK SEPARATELY. CHOICE 1 ON THE DOUBLE OCCUPANCY TAB & LIST ROOM MATE IN NOTES. ROOM MATE COMPLETE SEPARATE FORM


What's not included:

  1. SOUVENIRS
  2. MEALS WHERE NOTED
  3. SNACKS
  4. ANY ADDITIONAL CHARGES TO YOUR ROOM.
  5. ROUND-TRIP COACH AIRFARE (ESTIMATE $1500 PER PERSON)


Itinerary:

Day 1: Depart Chicago 04 APRIL 2020

Day 1 (Chicago):

DEPARTURE FROM CHICAGO O'HARE AIRPORT


DAY 2: ARRIVE CAPE TOWN 05 APRIL 2020

Day 2 (Capetown):

Arrival into Cape Town International Airport, meet your Capetown Representative who will assist you through customs and immigration, collect your bags and show you to your awaiting transfer coach to transfer you to your hotel in Cape Town.

With Table Mountain, one of the most spiritual places on earth, at its heart and two oceans at its feet; the city of Cape Town, strategically situated at the south-western tip of Africa, has been famed for centuries as the Tavern of the Seas.

Vibrant, cosmopolitan and an eclectic mix of old and new, this laid-back city is as much at home with its 17th-century castle – whose cannons have never been fired in anger – as it is with its sleek skyscrapers and trendy malls.

Home to South Africa’s first mosque, oldest wine farm, a 350-year old garden, award-winning eateries and timelessly beautiful beaches, it’s no surprise the legendary spectral ship, the Flying Dutchman, has spent eternity sailing the city’s shores.

Rest of the day at leisure

Later meet your English Speaking Guide who will give you an orientation tour of the V&A Waterfront “Where the City Meets the Sea' Meals on Own


DAY 3: CAPE TOWN 06 APRIL 2020

Day 3 (Capetown B,D):

Breakfast at the hotel

Meet your English Speaking Guide for your Robben Island Tour

09:00 - Depart on your half day Robben Island tour

Ferry times may change with each season

This excursion is weather dependant

The famous Robben Island, whose prison was once home to former South African president Nelson Mandela as well as many other black political freedom fighters, is now a World Heritage Site and provides stunning views across the bay with Table Mountain as its backdrop. A trip to the island is an unforgettable experience and offers a glimpse into the life and times of the apartheid era. The standard tour to Robben Island is 3.5 hours long, including the two half-hour ferry rides. You will visit the infamous Maximum Security Prison, with a former political prisoner as your guide and a 45-minute bus ride with a guide providing commentary and the opportunity to explore the Murray & Bay Harbour precinct attractions, such as the Muslim shrine, or kramat, and the Museum Shop.

Return to the V&A Waterfront for lunch

Lunch will be on your own account

Post lunch enjoy a visit to Zeitz Mocaa

In addition to its grand appearance, Zeitz MOCAA houses the largest collection of contemporary African art on the continent and is the only museum of its kind in Africa.

With the aim of providing economically viable access to a core collection of art to the public, the AfriSam Art Tour will explore the museum’s permanent shows and travelling exhibitions, both of which focus on contemporary art from Africa.

The museum boasts six research centres that include the Roger Ballen Foundation Centre for Photography, the Costume Institute, the Centre for Art Education, the Centre for the Moving Image, the Centre for Performative Practice, and the Centre for Curatorial Excellence.

Followed by a City tour of Cape Town & Parliament tour

The Mother City is steeped in history, culture and scenic wonders, and offers an abundance of things to see and do the drive to the city takes you past famous landmarks. We will pass the Dias statue, the Van Riebeek statue and Train station, before your visit to the Castle of Good Hope, built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The Castle was developed as a maritime replenishment station, and from 1678 it was the center of civilian, administrative and military life at the Cape until the area grew and operations expanded elsewhere. Today, the Castle is the seat of the military in the Cape and is open for visitors to explore and learn more about its history.

Move on to a visit of the Company Gardens, a large public park and botanical garden set in the heart of Cape Town, home to a rose garden, Japanese garden, fish pond and aviary, and driving through Malay quarters, also known as the Bo-Kaap, which means & 'Above Cape' because of its location up against the slopes of Table Mountain. There after visit Greenmarket square for some souvenirs.

During the course of the city tour a visit to the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa will be undertaken.

This visit will be conducted by a member of parliament and will highlight the day to day workings of the institution as well as detail the political makeup of present day South African politics Return to the hotel for refresh before enjoying a traditional meal and African entertainment at Gold Restaurant.


DAY 4: CAPE TOWN TO JOHANNESBURG 07 APRIL 2020

Day 4 (Capetown to Johannesburg B,D):

Breakfast at the hotel

Meet your English Speaking Guide and go to the magnificent Table Mountain (weather permitting), or in the event of inclement weather, Signal Hill. You will ascend to the top by the revolving cable car.

Here, you will see wild flowers, daisies, silver tree, and marvel at a birds-eye view of the city and its beaches. On a clear day, it is even possible to see Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.

After that descend back to the city, collect your bags and head to Cape Town Airport where you will catch your flight to Johannesburg.


DAY 5: JOHANNESBURG 08 APRIL 2020

Welcome to Johannesburg!

After a bawdy start as a tent and shanty town, today Johannesburg is the second largest city in Africa. Had it not been for the discovery of gold by prospector George Harrison though, the city probably wouldn’t even be in existence. Harrison, who pegged the first claim on the reef, sold it for just ₤10 and disappeared without a trace!

Known as the greatest gold-mining area on earth, this vibrant city is not just an industrial giant; it is the heart of the country’s economy. From traditional ‘muti’ (medicine) shops to exclusive boutiques in upmarket malls, theatres, museums, cultural villages, restaurants, beautiful walks in indigenous gardens and more, Johannesburg is a diverse cultural melting pot, deserving of its name of ‘iGoli’ — or ‘City of Gold’. Rest of the day at leisure.


DAY 6: JOHANNESBURG 09 APRIL 2020

Day 6 (Johannesburg B, D):

Breakfast at the hotel

09:00 - Depart your Pretoria city tour

En Route to the administrative Capital of South Africa you will visit the Voortrekker Monument situated south of Pretoria in a nature reserve. The Monument contextualizes early colonial history which led to the apartheid state and commemorates the Dutch settler history of Southern Africa and the history of the Afrikaner.

Enjoy a tour of the administrative capital of South Africa. Pretoria / Tshwane lies about 50 km north of Johannesburg. The population is just under a million persons and consists mainly of government officials and other related government personnel. In Pretoria, life goes at a much slower pace than in Johannesburg and it is quite easy for the visitor to find his or her way through the city, which is laid out like a chess board. Pretoria lies 1367 m above sea level, which makes it about 400 m lower than Johannesburg. It is surrounded by protecting mountains and is home to the magnificent Union Buildings Pretoria’s Union Buildings, the official seat of the national government, house the offices of the South African president and are located atop the Meintjieskop in the Arcadia suburb of Tshwane. An important South African heritage site, the impressive building is surrounded by pretty terraced gardens that offer panoramic views over the city.

The Union Buildings are one of the most recognisable and impressive heritage landmarks in Tshwane. The 285m-long sandstone building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker in 1910 to mark the Union of South Africa. The neo-classical design of the semi-circular building reflects the British imperial tastes of the time and the site itself, high on a central ridge looking out over the city, was chosen thanks to its similarity to the location of the acropolis in Athens. The two wings of the building and their twin domed towers are said to represent the Afrikaans and English languages, joined together by a central curved courtyard, symbolic of the union of the communities following years of war.

The Union Buildings have been the backdrop for some of the country’s most pivotal moments, such as the 20 000-strong march on 9 August 1956, led by South African women of all races protesting against the apartheid pass laws. For international visitors, this iconic building is most memorable as the place where Nelson Mandela was inaugurated in 1994 as the first democratically elected leader of South Africa, a moment which was screened live on television to millions of viewers across the world.

Within the gardens, you’ll find various monuments to important historic South African figures, including a monument of General Louis Botha riding his horse and an imposing 9m-tall bronze statue of Nelson Mandela that was unveiled here just after his death in 2013.

As the capital of the country, it is strewn with many official buildings and memorials dating back to the early 1900’s

After lunch (not included) make your way back to Sandton with a stop at Liliesleaf Farm.

Tucked away in the leafy suburb of Rivonia, Johannesburg is Liliesleaf. Once the nerve centre of the liberation movement and a place of refuge for its leaders, today Liliesleaf is one of South Africa’s foremost, award-winning heritage sites, where the journey to democracy in South Africa is honoured.

Recognised as one of South Africa’s leading heritage sites, Liliesleaf opened to the public in June 2008 and has since attracted thousands of local and international visitors, eager to understand and engage with a pivotal period in South Africa’s liberation struggle. The museum pays testimony to the many lives that changed the political landscape of this country and through its educational programs, appeals to younger audiences to face today’s challenges with creative enthusiasm.

Return to the hotel for a refresh before enjoying a traditional meal and African entertainment at Moyo’s Melrose

Restaurant


DAY 7: JOHANNESBURG 10 APRIL 2020

Day 7 (Johanesburg B):

Time permitting, some excursions or visits to charitable foundations could be included on this day

AIRPORT TRANSFER

Day 8: (Arrival ): Chicago


Cancellation policy:

DEPOSITS ARE NON REFUNDABLE. NAME CHANGES CAN BE MADE UP TO 60 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE LATE PAYMENT FEE OF $25 WILL BE APPLIED WHEN MONTHLY INSTALLMENT PAYMENT DATE IS MISSED. $50 PER PERSON NAME CHANGE FEE


Available Packages

SINGLE ROOM RATE

Available until October 31, 2019 - 9 left

$2,350.00

Deposit: $250.00

THIS RATE IS FOR ONE PERSON. NO ROOM MATE.

ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE LISTED ON THE FIRST PAGE. AIRFARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS PRICE. ESTIMATE $1500 PER PERSON ADDITIONAL.

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

Available until October 31, 2019 - 22 left

$1,750.00

Deposit: $250.00

If you want awesome customer service and a travel company that cares, you've found them. Crystal and her team are the best!

Lori A. Manns

Featured Travel Stories

Central Europe - Viking has debuted a new river cruise that would make even the Grinch burst with Christmas spirit! And if you already love Christmas like I do, Viking’s new ‘Christmas on...

read more
The Christmas Markets You Can't Miss on a Viking 'Christmas on the Rhine' River Cruise
Adventure

This Entire Caribbean Island is now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Martinique - This small French Caribbean island is known as the Isle of Flowers, the Rum Capital of the World, and now, its land mass, along with the... read more

River or Ocean Cruises

This Cruise Line Kicked Guests off a Cruise. Here's Why it's Good News for You and Cruise Travel

- Guests left behind when a ship sails away is usually an unfortunate situation no cruise line likes to talk about. But when it happened last week... read more

Outdoor Activities

5 Little-Known Facts about Africa's 'Big Five' Animals

Africa - 'Safari'. It's a Swahili word simply meaning 'journey'. But for travel lovers, the word 'safari' ignites our imaginations of exploring vast Sub-Saharan landscapes and encountering majestic creatures... read more