South Africa Travel Package: Celebrate Nelson Mandela

On this fascinating tour of South Africa, celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela and learn about the turbulent history of apartheid in-depth.

This South Africa Travel Package was created for a family who wanted an educational South African experience in addition to a safari. This travel package allowed them to explore the turbulent history of apartheid in-depth and celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela.

They started their South Africa Travel Package with a can’t-miss safari experience. They stayed at &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge, a sleek and luxurious lodge with gorgeous views over the African savannah. They took game drives to see the Big 5 on safari and enjoyed water-based safari activities, relaxing in between adventures on their private verandah with their own plunge pool.

After 3 nights at the lodge, they continued their South Africa Travel Package with a transfer to the coastal city of Durban. Along the way, they visited the Luthuli Museum and learned about Chief Albert Luthuli, who would serve as an inspiration and collaborator to Nelson Mandela, and the early days of the anti-apartheid movement. After this enlightening excursion, they spent the evening at their luxurious seaside accommodations at The Oyster Box. The next day, they took a cultural tour through nearby regions to follow the steps of some of the world’s greatest leaders.

Next on their South Africa Travel Package, they visited the historic Nelson Mandela Capture Site, where Mandela was finally captured and arrested after more than a year of evading apartheid operatives, en route to their scenic lodgings at Three Tree Hill Lodge. Then, they spent their last 2 nights at The Saxon Boutique Hotel & Spa in a tranquil suburb of Johannesburg. While in Joburg, they enjoyed a private tour of the Apartheid Museum and a guided cultural tour through nearby Soweto, which included a visit to Nelson Mandela’s former home.

Finally, their South Africa vacation was at an end. They were picked up from their hotel and transferred to the airport to begin the journey home.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1
Welcome to Johannesburg! Upon arrival, you will be met at the door of your aircraft with your name on a paging board and assisted through immigration, baggage collection, and customs. Catch a domestic flight to Richard’s Bay and take a road transfer to Phinda Mountain Lodge.
&Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge

Day 2 – 3
Spend the next 2 days at Phinda Mountain Lodge, a luxury lodge set within the 23,000-hectare Phinda Private Reserve in the northern regions of KwaZulu Natal. Phinda Mountain Lodge is poised on the crest of a mountain commanding spectacular views over the Lebombo range. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, nature walks, excellent bird watching, riverboat cruises, and canoeing.
&Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge

Day 4
Today, you’ll be transferred from Phinda to Durban, stopping at the Luthuli Museum in Groutville en route. Learn about Chief Albert Luthuli, who became the first African to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent stance in the fight against apartheid. See the many parallels between Luthuli and Nelson Mandela while learning about the history of the anti-apartheid movement. Continue on to Durban, where you’ll find your fabulous accommodations at The Oyster Box.
The Oyster Box

Day 5
Today, you will head to Inanda and KwaMashu for a cultural tour, where you’ll walk the path of the world’s greatest leaders. You’ll drive into the townships to walk on the original wooden floors of Mahatma Gandhi’s house and pay respects to Dr. John Dube at Ohlange High School, where Nelson Mandela cast his vote in South Africa’s long-awaited first democratic elections. From there, you’ll cross into the rural Mzinyathi area and learn about the spiritual significance of its namesake waterfall. Then, you can enjoy a few quarts of beer with the locals before sharing a traditional shisanyama lunch at a favorite tavern. The tour will end with a visit to a family home in K Section to give you a more personal insight into township life.
The Oyster Box

Day 6
This morning, you’ll hit the road and travel toward Ladysmith, where you’ll stop en route at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, where Mandela was arrested by apartheid operatives after successfully evading capture for 17 months. Following this stop, you’ll make your way to Three Tree Hill Lodge, nestled in the foothills of the magnificent Drakensberg Mountains. Enjoy views over the secluded Mfazimnyama Valley from your colonial-style luxury accommodations.
Three Tree Hill Lodge

Day 7
This morning, your driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to The Saxon Boutique Hotel & Spa. From your location in the tranquil, tree-lined suburb of Sandhurst, you can easily reach Johannesburg’s world-class shopping and business hub, and enjoy amazing panoramic views over indigenous gardens.
The Saxon Boutique Hotel & Spa

Day  8
After breakfast, you have the opportunity to visit 2 of Johannesburg’s most popular attractions, allowing you to take a closer look at South Africa’s turbulent past. Embark on a historical voyage of discovery at the Apartheid Museum, which examines the story of apartheid right up to the first democratic elections held in 1994. Then, you’ll continue to Soweto, the largest black residential area in South Africa. Your guide will follow a route that takes you past all the major points of interest, including the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Baragwanath taxi rank, Regina Mundi church, Hector Pieterson Memorial, and Nelson Mandela’s former home.
The Saxon Boutique Hotel & Spa

Day 9
After breakfast, your driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport, where you’ll begin your journey home.

 

About this vacation
Cost Per Person

Based on
9 day stay
4 travelers

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