COMPANIONS’ PROGRAMME
The conference organisers have not forgotten the companions who are accompanying delegates to the conference and a varied and exciting companion’s programme has been put together and is being organised and hosted by one of Pretoria’s premier tourism companies – Green Bushpig Safaris and bookings for these companion’s tours need to be made on the Tours and Accommodation Registration Form which can be downloaded electronically from the conference website.
Each companion will need to register on the main Conference Registration Form and will be required to pay a R500 registration fee, which will entitle the companion to the following:
• a bag containing tourist information, a lapel badge and a Conference Programme Handbook;
• participation at the two conference social functions: the meet-and-greet cocktail reception and the conference dinner;
• participation in the daily optional outings for companions upon payment of the prescribed tariffs.
The following daily outings are offered to registered companions during the four days of the conference. A minimum of two people per tour is required for each tour. Companions will be picked up from their hotels each morning. Flat walking shoes are recommended and companions are warned that there will be some very early starts for most of these tours!
Pre-booking of day excursions is urged, but bookings may be made on arrival at the conference (subject to availability). Kindly note that all payments are payable in South African Rands (ZAR).
Monday 19 October: Cullinan Diamond Mine / Pretoria Cultural Tour - Cost : R790 pp
Transport and entrance fees are included in the tour price but lunch is at own cost.
Today’s tour starts with a visit to the Cullinan Diamond Mine. The small mining village of Cullinan, located east of Pretoria, gained world-wide attention with the discovery on June 25 1905 of an incredible 3108 carat stone, dubbed the Cullinan Diamond - the largest uncut diamond ever found. Over the years more than 120 million carats have been mined. Other notable gemstones unearthed from the Cullinan Mines include the 755 carat Golden Jubilee, the 600 carat Centenary, and the 530 carat Great Star of Africa and the Lesser Star of Africa, both cut from the Cullinan diamond itself.
After a guided surface tour of the mine and a browse around the jewellery shop (specialising in diamond and gold jewellery), the tour will head back to Pretoria and visit the Mapungubwe Museum located at the University of Pretoria. Mapungubwe was one of the early African trading kingdoms of southern Africa - Unesco describes Mapungubwe as the centre of the largest kingdom in the sub-continent before it was abandoned in the 14th century. The site was discovered in 1932 and has been excavated by the University of Pretoria ever since which now has a rich collection of artefacts made of gold and other materials, as well as human remains, discovered there which are displayed in the museum. (see http://www.safrica.info/about/history/mapungubwe.htm )
After lunch, a visit to some interesting places in Pretoria: the Union Buildings (seat of Government), Church Square (the city centre), the Voortrekker Monument (dedicated to the first white pioneers) and Freedom Park (devoted to those who sacrificed for freedom and democracy in South Africa) – see Http://www.southafrica.info/about/history/park-230908.htm
Tuesday, 20 October: ‘Jozi Tour’ to Gold Reef City and Soweto – Cost : R950 pp
Transport, entrance fees where applicable, and lunch at Gold Reef City are included.
Gold was discovered in Johannesburg in the late 1800s and today Johannesburg is the commercial, industrial and mining capital of South Africa. Gold Reef City is a restored mining village adjoining an exciting theme park. The tour takes us to some of the major highlights of the village and discusses the significance of gold in South African history. An underground mine visit as well as a real-life gold pour are included.
Gold Reef City is a huge and very popular entertainment complex made up of a theme park and casino facilities. The casino at Gold Reef City' is open 24 hours a day and offers an energetic atmosphere, highly trained staff and an abundance of gaming choices. The arena caters for everybody's gaming tastes with slots, tables, sports betting, Salon Privé for the high rollers and more. Gold Reef City’s appeal is broad. International travellers savour the offering of traditional African music, dance and history found throughout the complex. The carefully-documented history of Apartheid, chillingly yet beautifully depicted in the Museum, is a must-see on a South African visit. And nowhere else will the tourist find such a comprehensive and colourful depiction of mining life at the turn of the nineteenth century. Learners lap up the educational content, their minds sharpened by the adrenaline-spiking rides in the theme park.
Following lunch at Gold Reef City, we head into Soweto and explore this pulsating township. The establishment of Soweto is, like Johannesburg, linked directly to the discovery of Gold in 1885. Thousands of people from around the world and South Africa flocked to the new town to seek their fortunes or to offer their labour. Within 4 years Johannesburg was the second largest city. More than half the population was black, most living in multi racial shanty towns near the gold mines in the centre of the town. As the gold mining industry developed, so did the need for labour increase. Migrant labour was started and most of these workers lived in mine compounds. However other workers had to find their own accommodation often in appalling conditions. The first residents of what is now known as Soweto were located into the area called Klipspriut in 1905 following their relocation from “Coolietown” in the centre of Johannesburg as a result of an outbreak of bubonic plague.
Wednesday 21 October: Up Close and Personal Tour (Elephant Sanctuary / Chameleon Village / De Wildt Cheetah Research and Rehabilitation Centre) - Cost : R1 150,00
Transport, entrance fees and lunch are included in the cost.
This day requires a very early start and it may be best to ask your hotel for a packed breakfast! First, a visit to the Elephant Sanctuary (http://www.elephantsanctuary.co.za/hartieshome.htm ), where we will assist with the morning brush-down and grooming of the elephants, interact with them whilst they feed and then accompany them on their morning walk. The Elephant Sanctuary hosts a unique and fully guided educational program that sets itself apart from anything else that South Africa has on offer in terms of elephant interaction and touching elephants.
Visitors can learn more about elephant habits, behaviour, different personalities and anatomy through up-close and personal interaction. You get an opportunity to touch, feed and even walk trunk-in-hand with these magnificent animals. The Elephant Sanctuary’s elephant walk is unique because you don’t just walk with or alongside the animals – you actually walk trunk-in-hand with them. The main focus of The Elephant Sanctuary is to educate people about all aspects of elephants and elephant husbandry.
Afterwards, a visit to the nearby Chameleon Village (http://www.chameleonvillage.co.za/ ) - a large craft centre featuring African carvings, woodwork, jewellery and beadwork (ideal for buying presents to take home). Chameleon Village spans 10 Hectares and is packed with exciting facilities for local and international tourists. Visitors to Chameleon Village will be spoilt for choice- whether looking for eateries, browsing for gifts, home décor, that fine piece of art, or just looking for entertainment for the whole family.
After lunch at one of the restaurants in Hartebeestpoort, we cross the Magaliesberg Mountains again en route to the De Wildt Cheetah Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre - http://www.dewildt.org.za/ . Several endangered species are bred at the centre (including wild dog, brown hyena and cheetah).
Thursday 22 October: Cradle of Humankind (Rhino and Lion Park / Lesedi Cultural Village / Maropeng Interpretation Centre) - Cost : R1 050 pp Transport, entrance fees and lunch at Lesedi, are included in the cost.
Start the day with a drive around the Rhino & Lion Park http://www.rhinolion.co.za/newsite/default.asp followed by a trip to the Wonder Caves for a guided tour. Then a fascinating visit to the Lesedi Cultural Village - http://www.lesedi.com/ to watch tribal dancing and singing. Lesedi Cultural Village was established in 1993. The vision - to provide an authentic showcase of the traditional cultures of some of the well known African tribes, who have their home in South Africa. Representatives of these tribes facilitated the design of the cultural villages to ensure an historically representative portrayal of the cultures, highlighting aspects of the traditional way of life. Members of these historic communities live at Lesedi and continue to breathe life into their fascinating cultures. Guides take you through the five different tribal cultures in the replicated traditional villages. Lunch is a sumptuous affair featuring a wide variety of local dishes.
After lunch you visit the Maropeng Interpretation Centre in the Cradle of Humankind - http://www.maropeng.co.za/index.php/maropeng/ 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.
Welcome to Maropeng and the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Maropeng means “returning to the place of origin” in Setswana, the main indigenous language in this area of South Africa. The Cradle of Humankind is an easy drive of about an hour from Johannesburg or Pretoria. Our ancestors have lived in this area for more than 3-million years. By coming here, you are coming to the birthplace of humanity. Welcome home!
