South Africa Long Walk To Freedom Tour October 2016

Integrity Tours www.integritytours.ca TICO # 2976741 (R)

LONG WALK TO FREEDOM TOUR

SOUTH AFRICA, October 17-Nov 2, 2016 JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME Friends, please join me and others on the Long Walk To Freedom Tour in South Africa in October 2016. It is a fantastic one-of-a kind tour. This will be my third tour to South Africa in four years, and I’m excited to return. Come and explore South Africa’s journey towards a

democracy in an itinerary that will astound you. You will

feel the presence and power of Nelson Mandela and his

comrades in the struggle as we visit places of

significance, from Johannesburg and Soweto, to KwaZulu

Natal, to Mveso and Qunu in the Eastern Cape, to Cape

Town and the southern tip of Africa. Over 15 days and 14

nights, you will be stunned by the beauty of the

contrasting landscapes of South Africa as we travel from

our upscale hotels in our comfortable air-conditioned luxury tour bus in gorgeous summer weather.

We will visit important museums and historical places of interest; we will go on a safari to a game reserve to share

space with animals in the wild; relax at the beach at Port St. Johns on the Indian Ocean; take the cable car ride to the

top of Table Mountain; enjoy wine-tasting in the Western Cape; visit Robben Island, Mandela’s prison-home for

eighteen years; take the fabulous coast-line trip to the Cape of Good Hope; and of course, take advantage of budget-

friendly shopping wherever we go. Experienced tour guides who possess an authentic understanding of South

Africa’s troubled history and hopeful future will accompany us on our incredible journey.

This tour will appeal to all those who have been moved by South Africa’s journey towards a democracy and who

would enjoy a pleasurable holiday experience in beautiful South Africa. I have worked closely with South African-

Canadian Tour Operator, Integrity Tours and their expert associates in South Africa to design this unique tour. The

all-inclusive package includes all international and internal flights, tour bus transportation, all hotel accommodation,

all hotel breakfasts and eight hotel dinners, three special lunches and admission costs to all venues.

It will be worth every penny of the cost. Couples, friends or colleagues at work are encouraged to team up for this

unique experience. Single occupancy hotel accommodation has an additional cost. An installment payment plan

starting with an initial down payment of $500.00 will get you started.

Secure your booking now! If you are interested in this tour and want to talk further, please call me.

Lloyd McKell

647-200-5808

Lloyd McKell is a retired educator of an Ontario public school board, and is currently Chair of Mandela Legacy

Canada.

http://www.integritytours.ca/


, 2016,

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1: Tuesday October 18 – Johannesburg, Gauteng

The beautiful city of Johannesburg, Jo’burg for short, welcomes us with its

blooming jacaranda trees, its friendly people and its impressive modern

buildings. After a long flight, we check in to the upscale Holiday Inn

Sandton (4 nights) set in the heart of the financial district. This hotel offers

comfortable accommodation in sophisticated rooms. In-house facilities

include restaurants, a bar, a swimming pool, fitness centre as well as

business facilities. We enjoy a well-deserved evening of relaxation!

DAY 2: Wednesday October 19 - Johannesburg

Apartheid Museum: The Apartheid Museum which opened in 2001,

covers the full history of the Apartheid era in South Africa. We spend at

least two hours taking in the 22 individual exhibition areas. These

exhibitions span the beginnings of segregation in the country, the

implementation of the Apartheid system and all of the key factors that

have shaped its 20th century history. This visit provides us with an

important understanding of the historical context to begin our tour.

Liliesleaf Farm: Now restored as a heritage memorial, Liliesleaf Farm, in the early 1960’s was a secret refuge and

underground planning hideout for the armed struggle by leaders of the resistance movement including Mandela,

Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada and Joe Slovo. The discovery of this underground activity by the South

African police ultimately led to the arrest of Mandela and his comrades. Our on-site guide takes us through this

powerful and important history.

DAY 3: Thursday October 20 - Johannesburg

Constitution Hill: Constitution Hill has been the site for South Africa’s Constitution Court since the mid-1990’s but

previously it was one of the country’s most notorious prisons. The Old Fort was built in 1892 and for most of its

history, it functioned as a prison and detention centre for those awaiting trial. Our tour of this facility will take us to

the isolation cells where political activists such as Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu, Winnie

Mandela and many others were held awaiting trial.

FLIGHT DATES

Depart Toronto - Monday October 17, 2016,

Arrive Johannesburg - Tuesday October 18, 2016

*******

Depart Johannesburg - Tuesday November 1, 2016

Arrive Toronto – Wednesday November 2, 2016



Hector Pieterson Museum: This museum and memorial in Soweto pays tribute to Hector Pieterson, a 12-year old

student who, on June 16, 1976, was shot by police during a student protest. The students were protesting against

their inferior Bantu education and the imposition of Afrikaans as the language of instruction. The death of Hector

and his fellow students has come to symbolise the struggle by the youth of South Africa against the tyranny of

apartheid. June 16 is marked as National Youth Day annually.

Mandela House: Mandela House is a national monument dedicated to

offering insights into the life of Nelson Mandela and the families that

he lived with. Mandela lived in that house in his early activist days from

1946. The house has been fully renovated and hosts a visitor centre as

well as excellent multi-media and audio-visual displays outlining the

history of the Mandela family. Mandela House is located on Vilakazi

Street, Soweto which has the distinction of being the only street in the

world on which two Nobel Peace prize winners lived: Nelson Mandela

and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Chez Alina Restaurant, Soweto: a special lunch of bbq meats (braai)

and other local dishes is held for us at this popular friendly restaurant.

Origins Centre: The Origins Centre, close to the University of Witwatersrand, features many exhibits designed to

feed the interest of the visitor hungry for knowledge about the origins of humankind. The exhibits have been

carefully tailored to capture the attention of everyone from young children to academics. Data is layered in such a

way that each individual is able to choose how much information he or she wishes to access on a specific topic.

DAY 4: Friday October 21 - Johannesburg

Today is a day of leisure. Enjoy shopping at Jo'burg’s most exciting indigenous African flea market which features an

extensive variety of gift items, from works of art, to exquisite jewelry, to knick-knacks, all made by expert African

hands. Bargain your way to your best price and boast about the great deals you got. Include a visit to the vast mall at

Nelson Mandela Square, whose courtyard has an elegant and imposing 6-metre high statue of Mandela. Or you can

spend a relaxing day at the hotel pool or go on a hotel bus tour to Lion Park or to Gold Reef City. In the evening, you

can go to a jazz club or to a recommended restaurant for dinner, or both! All costs are our own.

DAY 5: Saturday October 22 - Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal

We leave Johannesburg after breakfast for a delightful 6-hour

drive (with refreshment stops) in our comfortable air-conditioned

luxury tour bus through the stunning African countryside, passing

through several small towns to arrive at the town of Mtubatuba in

the province of KwaZulu-Natal. As always, our knowledgeable

guide provides us with commentary of the history of key places we

pass by. We arrive at the Protea Hotel Umfolozi River in

Mtubatuba (2 nights) which offers comfortable accommodation in

spacious air-conditioned rooms, swimming pool and a sundowner

deck for relaxation.



DAY 6: Sunday October 23 - Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal

Safari Time! - Hluhluwe Game Reserve: Hluhluwe is the oldest game reserve in the country and internationally

renowned for its campaign to save the white rhino from extinction. The reserve is home to South Africa’s Big Five,

the name given to the following group: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. The diverse eco-systems

surrounding the reserve contribute to the abundance of wildlife found there. The open Land-rovers can carry up to

ten guests comfortably and the trained driver and experienced guide ensure that this 3-hour safari is a safe and

memorable experience for all. Get your cameras ready!

Dumazulu Cultural Village: We experience the traditional KwaZulu-Natal

hospitality at DumaZulu Traditional Village, South Africa’s biggest cultural

village site. We savour the local Zulu culture, the rhythmic drumbeat and

dancing, the delicious lunch, and a taste of Zulu beer. We marvel at the skills

of local artisans as they make spears, shields, baskets and clay pots.

DAY 7: Monday October 24 - Umhlanga Rocks, KwaZulu-Natal We leave Mtubatuba and travel on our tour bus to Umhlanga Rocks, a holiday resort village, 16 kilometres from the city of Durban. On the way, we take a detour to the town of Howick which is the place where Mandela was arrested after 17 months on the run. This led to his conviction at the Rivonia Treason Trial which sent him to prison for 27 years. An impressive sculpture of Mandela marks the place where he was arrested. On the way to Umhlanga, we drive through Pietermaritzburg, the capital city of KwaZulu-Natal. On arrival at Umlanga Rocks, we check in to the beautiful Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge (1 night) which is located close to the beach on the Indian Ocean.

DAY 8: Tuesday October 25 – Mthatha, Eastern Cape We leave Umhlanga Rocks and make a stop for some sightseeing in Durban, a vast city of many cultures, before continuing on our 4-hour scenic drive to the city of Mthatha (often written as Umtata). This drive through the countryside of the Eastern Cape will evoke Mandela’s description of the landscape in his autobiography, The Long Walk To Freedom, as “a beautiful country of rolling hills, fertile valleys and a thousand rivers and streams”. The drive is a real treat! We arrive at the charming Garden Court Hotel in Mthatha (3 nights), a luxury hotel featuring a trendy sociable bar, cocktail lounge, gym and outdoor pool.

DAY 9: Wednesday October 26 - Mthatha Today’s tour takes us through Mandela’s place of birth, his youth and ultimate resting place. The tour bus takes us through this stunning countryside of villages, roundhouses and kraals, hills, valleys and rivers. We drive through Mveso, Mqhekezweni and Qunu. Our tour guide is at his best. We learn much that we didn’t know before. Our bus stops occasionally to permit us to absorb this magnificent countryside and to stand on the very ground on which Madiba in his youth walked, played and grew to manhood. It is an emotional and awe-inspiring experience.

DAY 10: Thursday October 27 – Mthatha We spend a full day in the City of Port St. Johns on the Indian Ocean. Here we can spend part of the day swimming and relaxing at the beach, and part of the day browsing through the town, and seeing the sights. Port St Johns is renowned for its natural beauty. Lunch here is at our own cost. We return to the Garden Court Hotel in time for dinner.



Day 11: Friday October 28 - Cape Town, Western Cape The tour bus leaves Mthatha after breakfast for the scenic 3-hour drive to East London, where we catch the 1-hour flight to Cape Town. If you are a first-time foreign visitor to Cape Town, prepare to be impressed. Cape Town is reputed to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is one of the world’s most popular destinations for tourists. The majestic Table Mountain standing guard over the city, beckons us to its lofty plateau. We arrive at the luxury Townhouse Hotel (4 nights) which is located in the centre of the city and close to the Parliament, the historic Company Gardens and numerous cafes, restaurants, shops and marketplaces. Cape Town will leave an indelible impression on us.

DAY 12: Saturday October 29 - Cape Town Table Mountain: We travel by bus some distance up the mountain. Then we take the cable car to the mountaintop. The cable car which holds 65 people at a time gives a comfortable 5-minute ride and offers a 360° view of the surroundings during its ascent. We are totally surprised: the ride is not scary at all! At the top, to our delight, we discover a quaint restaurant, picnic tables, walking paths, and stunning views of Cape Town and of the surrounding oceans, and of Robben Island in the distance. Robben Island Tour: Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years of imprisonment on Robben Island. Many of his anti-apartheid comrades were inmates there as well. The tour of the island prison takes approximately 3.5 hours including the 1-hour return ferry trip. An ex-political prisoner of Robben Island will be our tour guide as we explore this prison compound and visit Nelson Mandela’s actual cell. We reflect on the enormous sacrifice paid by Mandela and his comrades in their struggle for freedom for the people of South Africa.

DAY 13: Sunday October 30 - Cape Town Wine-lands Tour: We take a delightful half-day bus tour through the wine-lands and view the great vineyards of the large wine-producing establishments. These vineyards, situated in a magnificent mountain valley, enjoy a mild Mediterranean climate ideally suited for their product. We will visit a world-class winery, taste award-winning wines and savour the natural beauty of one of South Africa’s most popular tourism destinations. The afternoon of this day is free for individual choice of activities.

DAY 14: Monday October 31 - Cape Town The Bo-Kaap Museum: This museum tour gives us an insight into the history and lives of the Cape Malay people. Bo-Kaap is one of the oldest and the most fascinating residential areas in Cape Town. The residents of Bo-Kaap are descendants of people who were enslaved by the Dutch and brought in from Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and various African countries during the 16th and 17th centuries. We will delight in the brightly coloured homes and romantic cobble-stoned streets that date back to the 18th century.



Cape of Good Hope: Our Long Walk to Freedom Tour ends with an impressive scenic coastal drive to the Cape of Good Hope at the southern end of South Africa where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. The tour bus drives past numerous panoramic views of beautiful beaches which, prior to 1994, black people were prevented by law from using. At the Cape of Good Hope, group or individual photographs around the iconic signpost are almost obligatory to ensure lasting memories of this great place on earth. On the return trip to Cape Town, we stop at Boulders Beach to view the nesting penguins which seem unconcerned about the presence of humans.

DAY 15: Tuesday November 1 The Long Walk To Freedom Tour comes regrettably to an end. After breakfast, the tour bus leaves Townhouse Hotel for Cape Town Airport for the flight to Johannesburg, and from there, back to Toronto.

END OF TOUR

________________________________________________________________________________

See next page for more details



LONG WALK TO FREEDOM TOUR - SOUTH AFRICA Oct 17th – Nov 2st, 2016

with

Tour Group: 30 persons

Cost: $6,995.00 per person based on double occupancy (includes all taxes)

Single Supplement: Additional $1,250 (for solo travellers not sharing room). If you are travelling alone and would like

to share a room, please let us know

Deposit: $500 as soon as possible Installment Payment Plan available (final payment due August 15, 2016)

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

International return flight (Toronto – Johannesburg) and internal flights All accommodation as per above itinerary (or similar) Meals: All breakfasts, 3 lunches, 8 dinners Transport in private, luxury, air-conditioned vehicles Local driver (English-speaking) on all bus tours Local guide (English-speaking) on all sightseeing excursions Entrance fees to sightseeing venues as stated in the itinerary above Porterage at airports and hotels (1 x standard piece of luggage per person)

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:

Gratuities for guides and drivers (Recommended: $5 per day for guide and $3 per day for driver per person) All other transport All other sightseeing Personal expenses such as tips for meals, all alcoholic and other beverages, telephone calls and laundry Any other services not mentioned above Travel and Medical Insurance not included – we strongly recommend that you purchase sufficient insurance for

travel and medical needs

NEXT STEPS:

Complete Registration Form Pay deposit of $500 Attend presentation to learn more about this tour Ensure Passport is valid (must be valid for at least 6 months from date of departure)

For more information:

Ramie Veerappan, Integrity Tours: [email protected] 416-768-5375

Lloyd McKell: [email protected] 416-755-8476 (h), 647-200-5808 (c)


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

South Africa Long Walk To Freedom Tour October 2016

Documents

Transcript of South Africa Long Walk To Freedom Tour October 2016