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Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa. The city is one of the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the world] and is also the world's largest city not situated on a river, lake, or coastline.
While Johannesburg is not officially one of South Africa's three capital cities, it does house the Constitutional Court, South Africa's highest court. The city is the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade, due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills. Johannesburg is served by O.R. Tambo International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Africa and a gateway for international air travel to and from the rest of Southern Africa. More recently Lanseria International Airport has started international flights, and is situated conveniently on the opposite side of the metropolis.
Johannesburg includes Soweto, which was a separate city from the late 1970s until the 1990s. Originally an acronym for "South-Western Townships", Soweto originated as a collection of settlements on the outskirts of Johannesburg populated mostly by native African workers in the gold mining industry. Eventually incorporated into Johannesburg, the apartheid regime (in power 1948–1994) separated Soweto from the rest of Johannesburg to make it a completely Black area.
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive (administrative) and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital. Pretoria is contained within the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality as one of several constituent former administrations (among which also Centurion and Soshanguve).
Pretoria in South Africa is popularly known as The Jacaranda City due to the thousands of Jacaranda trees planted in its streets, parks and gardens.
OUR TOURS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PLACES OF INTEREST IN JOHANNESBURG & SURROUNDING AREAS:
Kruger House:
The Kruger house is a house museum, i.e. it attempts to recreate the ambience of a historic period, event or person. The house has been refurbished to look almost as it did at the time when President Paul and Mrs Gezina Kruger's lived there. An almost total historic environment has been recreated. Visitors to Kruger House should feel as though the President or Mrs Kruger might return at any moment. The furnishing plan has been based on a thorough study of the available evidence of original furnishings. In accordance with this several changes have recently been made to the interior, not as a curatorial whim, but with a view to give the visitor a more accurate conception of the life style of the Krugers.
Voortrekker Monument:
The majestic Voortrekker Monument is situated in the northern part of South Africa in the Pretoria (Tshwane) region in a nature reserve. It is a unique Monument which commemorates the Pioneer history of Southern Africa and the history of the Afrikaner and is situated in a beautiful setting. Today it is the most visited heritage site of its kind in Gauteng and one of the top ten cultural historical visitor attractions in the country.
The Union Buildings:
The Union Buildings were designed by Sir Herbert Baker and are considered to be one of the country's finest architectural masterpieces. They were the setting for President Mandelas historic inauguration on 10 May 1994. The beautifully landscaped grounds are open to the public, including features such as the amphitheatre, the Garden of Remembrance and the Delville Wood memorial.
Melrose House:
Peace officially Declared! Lord Roberts requisitioned Melrose House as headquarters of the British forces, after the invasion of Pretoria in June 1900. Instructions were issued from here for more than 18 months, determining the strategy of the British forces in the field. The Peace Treaty of Vereeniging which ended the Anglo-Boer War (1899 - 1902) was signed in Melrose House on 31 May 1902.
Lilliesleaf Farm:
Liliesleaf Farm personifi es the beliefs, inspiration and aspirations of a unique group of leaders who were committed to bringing about socio-political transformation predicated on democratic principles.
Liliesleaf Farm was purchased by the South African Communist Party (SACP) in 1961 and evolved into the headquarters of Umkhonto-we-Sizwe (MK), the African National
Conference (ANC) military wing, translated as “The Spear of the Nation”. The farm, situated just outside Johannesburg, was used not only as the high command, of MK, but also as a hideaway and meeting place for ANC and Congress Alliance senior leaders.
The raid by security police on Liliesleaf in 1963 led to the arrest and capture of members of the high command of MK, and the subsequent Rivonia Trial, which resulted in the lifelong imprisonment of key ANC, South African Communist Party and Congress Alliance leaders. This trial was a key turning point in the struggle against Apartheid, catapulting South Africa’s situation into the international spotlight.
In addition, the trial catalysed a series of events in South Africa’s history which would eventually result in the formation of South Africa’s fi rst democratically elected government, some 31 years later.
Gold Reef City Museum Houses
- Mr Ohlthaver's House. If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to be a mine official in the good old days, here’s your chance to join Veli as the dinner guest.
- Dowse House. Wander through the corridors with Veli as you learn about home-schooling (without the internet).
- Oosthuizen House. A “ghostly” experience awaits you as you stroll down the passages of time, where you will see what it was to ‘waste not, want not’.
Gold Reef City Gold Pour
- Liquid gold–there’s nothing quite like the magnificent glow that emanates from the molten liquid. This is an experience of the heart, soul and mind that you will never forget.
Gold Reef City Underground Mine Tour
- Descend into the depths of the earth and discover the riches of our history. Experience the heart stopping feeling of travelling deep below the surface. Feel the cold air and touch the rough rock that holds the wealth of a nation.
Cullinan Diamond Mine:
Enjoy a surface tour of the Premier Mine, the third richest diamond producing mine in South Africa - opened in 1902, where the world’s biggest diamond was discovered. Premier Mine has produced 255 gem diamonds of over 100 carats, and nearly a quarter of the world’s gem diamonds of 400 carats and over!
Visitors will see the big hole, the shaft and the diamond room where a selection of uncut diamonds and replicas of world famous diamonds are displayed.
The biggest diamond ever was found was here at the Premier mine in 1905. Uncut it weighed over 3 000 carats. The Cullinan diamond was cut into many smaller stones, two very large stones were also cut out of it. One of these is called 'The Star of Africa' and is part of the British crown jewels. The mine was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, who had discovered the mine three years earlier. The massive diamond was given to British King Edward VII in 1907.
Maropeng Visitor Centre:
The Maropeng Visitor Centre is an exciting, world-class exhibition, focusing on the development of humans and our ancestors over the past few million years. On arrival, you will see a massive burial mound called the Tumulus, which is your entrance to learning the secrets of our ancestry.
Maropeng, situated in the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng province, South Africa, it is a world-acclaimed tourist destination that is not only part of the South African national pride, but appeals to the world.
The Tumulus building is a first of its kind in the world! It is designed to look like an ancient burial mound from the front, upon exiting one then looks back on a very modern structure. The architecture is symbolic of the journey through the evolution of life.
Newly opened 260m2 exhibition consists of four large show cases which include life like models of hominids, a sabre tooth cat, a reconstruction of a mined cave vs a pristine cave, cave formations and geologies, early life forms, fossils in general, specific finds (like Mrs Ples, Taung Child, Little Foot), details of fossilization, paleo botany and landscapes.
Maropeng, which is a Setswana word meaning ‘returning to the place of our origins’, takes visitors on a fun and informative journey of discovery using spectacular methods to tell stories of the evolution of life and the origins of humankind. It denotes the universal relevance of the Cradle of Humankind as the ancestral home of all, no matter what colour, culture or creed.
The Sterkfontein Caves:
The Sterkfontein Caves are owned by the University of the Witwatersrand, whose scientists have been responsible for the main excavations of the World Heritage Site. They are credited with many of the famous discoveries including the world famous “Mrs Ples” and “Little Foot”, an almost complete Australopithecus skeleton dating back more than 3-million years.
Within the caves, scientists have discovered many hominid and other animal fossils, dating back more than 4-million years, to the birth of humanity. The most important and most famous of these fossils are Australopithecus skeleton that is more than 3-million years old. These fossils, both found in the Sterkfontein Caves in the Cradle of Humankind, tell us much about the precursors of modern humans, Homo sapiens
Rhino & Lion Park Tour comprises:
Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve History
The Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve is a privately owned, non-subsidized game reserve, covering approximately 1 200 ha on the typical Highveld of Gauteng. The reserve is situated in the "Cradle of Humankind", a declared World Heritage Site, about 40 km north-west of Johannesburg and 60km west of Pretoria.
The reserve was founded in 1985 by Ed Hern, a well known stockbroker, with the aim of preserving this beautiful area for private leisure. Prior to this the farm was utilised as a dairy and agricultural produce farm. From a modest beginning of two white rhinos, "Ouvrou" and "Bulle", imported from a zoo in Germany, and some antelope species, the reserve now boasts 600 head of game representing 25 different species. Public demand to visit the reserve became overwhelming and this was met in 1990, coinciding with a name change from "Kiepersol" to "Rhino Park".
Emphasis was also placed on breeding and the success of this project is best illustrated by the fact that no less than 18 white rhino calves have been born at the reserve to date. Increasing the number of species is always hampered by external factors such as climate, habitat, grazing, availability, etc. but the reserve has always strived to reach this goal in order to enhance the entertainment and educational value to the public - many of whom would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience wildlife in this manner due to cost and distance constraints.
For obvious reasons, the rare and dangerous species have a greater attraction value, and this led to the introduction of lions, cheetah and later, the highly endangered Cape wild dog. The latter have formed part of a very successful breeding programme which has, in turn, led to breeding programmes for Bengal tigers, Siberian Tigers and the extremely rare White Lion (one of which was born at the reserve in 1999). These activities have seen the staff complement at the reserve grow from 5 to 39 people employed on a full time basis.
Once again the name was changed to "Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve" in order to reflect the new attractions and to differentiate between the reserve and its competitors.
The management of the reserve were still not satisfied and hence the re-introduction of warthog, after a long absence from the Gauteng Highveld, was successfully implemented. A natural development was the establishment of a vulture restaurant which caters for the groups of these magnificent birds which live in the nearby Magaliesberg. Through the generosity of the general public and farmers, who donate carcasses to the reserve on a regular basis, this venture has proven highly successful. Often one can view as many as 200 birds feasting at the reserve.
Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve Animal Crèche
Animals available to touch and take a photograph with are Lion & Tiger Cubs, Cheetah cubs etc. (Subject to availability) 5 minutes allowed per person.
Please take note of the following VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The following diseases can be spread due to the touching and/or stroking or interacting with the lion & tiger cubs (animals). Please wash your hands and other parts of your body that touched the animals properly with soap and water. Please contact your local Veterinarian or doctor with any of the symptoms related to the possible infection possible diseases: PARVO Virus, Feline AIDS, Snuffles, Ringworm, Feline Leukemia and Toxoplasmosis. Please search the web for links on these diseases or mail to: hippo@global.co.za. Please wash the parts of your body that touched the animals at the basin with soap provided at the EXIT gate of the Animal Crèche!
Sun City & Pilanesberg Tour comprises:
The Palace of the Lost City
The Palace Tour is a guided Tour to the The Palace of the Lost City one of the leading hotels around the world. The Tour Guide takes you around the Palace and gives you the history of the Palace then you walk around the public and the famous areas of the Palace and your guide will inform you about all the different Sculptors and custom made furniture in the Palace.
Pilanesberg National Park
Pilanesberg Game Reserve is in the Bojanala Region of the North West Province, adjacent to Sun City. Set in the crater of a long extinct volcano, the Park ranks among the largest of the parks in South Africa (it is in fact the fourth largest park) and covers an area of 55 000 hectare. The beauty of Pilanesberg is reflected in a large central lake, the Mankwe Dam.
Over time, wind and water have carved a spectacular landscape with rocky outcrops, open grasslands, wooded valleys and thickets.
Pilanesberg National Park accommodates virtually every mammal of southern Africa. Also home to the Big Five.
In a Nutshell
The creation of the Reserve is considered one of the most ambitious programmes of its kind to be undertaken anywhere in the world. Thanks to Operation Genesis in 1979, which involved the game-fencing of the reserve and the re-introduction of many long-vanished species, the park now has in excess of 7 000 animals including 24 of the larger species.
Location
Pilanesberg Game Reserve is in the Bojanala Region of the North West Province, adjacent to Sun City.
Wildlife
An abundance of wild life proliferate in 580 km of diverse and arresting bushveld terrain. The park is home to healthy populations of lion, leopard, black and white rhino, elephant and buffalo - Africa's "Big Five". A wide variety of rare and common species exist like the nocturnal brown hyaena, the fleet-footed cheetah, the majestic sable, as well as giraffe, zebra, hippo and crocodile, to mention but a few.
General
Visitors are offered many opportunities to experience the wonders of Pilanesberg. There are nearly 200 kilometres of excellent quality roads for either self-drives or guided drives, and professional guides operate within the park. Numerous hides and scenic picnic sites enable the tourist to experience "out-of-car" experiences as well.
Bird-life
Bird watching is excellent with over 300 species recorded. Some are migrants, others permanent inhabitants; some eat carrion or live prey, others eat seeds, fruit or tiny water organisms. There is a self-guided trail in the Walking Area at Manyane Complex in the east, which offers environmental education whilst enjoying game viewing and bird watching on foot. Also at Manyane is a walk-in aviary with over 80 species of indigenous birds.
"The Volcano that gave birth to a game reserve"
The crater of a long extinct volcano is the setting of Pilanesberg Game Reserve- a fascinating alkaline complex produced by volcanic eruptions some 1300 million years ago. Pilanesberg is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world. Its rare rock types and structure make it a unique geological feature. The area is fringed by three concentric ridges or rings of hills - the formation rises from the surrounding plains like a bubble. The structure of the park is termed the "Pilanesberg Game Reserve Alkaline Ring Complex".
Ancient, even by geological time scales, this extinct volcano is the most perfect example of an alkaline ring complex. A number of rare (but not necessarily economically important) minerals occur in the park. Pilanesberg Game Reserve rates high amongst the world's outstanding geological phenomena.
Pilanesberg has survived ages of erosion and stands high above the surrounding bushveld plains. The early presence of man can be seen in the numerous Stone and Iron Age sites that are scattered throughout the park.
The park exists within the transition zone
Between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation, commonly referred to as "Bushveld". Unlike any other large park, unique overlaps of mammals, birds and vegetation occur because of this transition zone. Springbok, brown hyena, the red eyed bulbul, and camel thorn trees usually found in arid areas are found cohabitation with moist-area-limited impala, black eyed bulbul and Cape chestnut trees.
The colourful hues
Varied habitats and panoramas will delight and entertain photographers and visitors.
The very topography makes the area a feast for the eye. Here are syenite koppies, thickly forested ravines, typical bushveld and also rolling grasslands and lightly wooded areas.
Off the centre of the park is Thabayadiotso, "the Proud Mountain". The Park ranks among the largest of the parks in South Africa (it is in fact the fourth largest park) and covers an area of 55 000 hectare. The beauty of Pilanesberg is reflected in a large central lake, the Mankwe Dam. Over time, wind and water have carved a spectacular landscape with rocky outcrops, open grasslands, wooded valleys and thickets. Today, Pilanesberg National Park accommodates virtually every mammal of southern Africa. Also home to the Big Five.
Elephant Sanctuary Tour comprises:
What is the Elephant Sanctuary about?
The Elephant Sanctuary has African elephants and offers an interactive elephant program and elephant back riding and overnight accommodation.
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