Jozi's Architecture and History, Private tour

Welcome to beautiful South Africa! Arrive at the airport in Johannesburg and meet your tour guide who will drive you to your hotel and assist with check-in procedures.  Spend the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying the hotel amenities.  Since the first gold rush in 1886, Johannesburg has never lost its frenetic pace. It has been described as the ‘golden heartbeat of Africa’, a place of commerce and opportunity, and one of the most diverse cities in the world. Johannesburg is the capital of the Gauteng Province, the smallest, but wealthiest in the country, with the largest economy of any metropolitan region of sub-Sahara Africa. 

The Park Inn Sandton Hotel is known for receiving the Best Design Hotel award at the 2011 South African Property Owners (SAPOA), preferred by many for its extraordinary location, great facilities, and comfort. All these provide the ideal experience for Johannesburg travellers. The proximity to both local businesses and exciting attractions, like the Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton City Shopping Centre, Nelson Mandela Square and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, is unbeatable. In addition, the hotel’s facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, gym, a great restaurant and a cosy bar.

Overnight in Johannesburg. 

Indulge in a delicious breakfast before heading towards Pretoria, the country’s capital. The beautiful city lies 50km from Johannesburg and is affectionately known as the ‘Jacaranda City’, because of the many purple blossoms lining the streets when the trees are in full bloom.

Visit Pretoria’s oldest hotel, the Victoria Hotel. The exact time of its building is unknown, but despite several makeovers, it retains much of its old-world charm. Originally called the Station Hotel, because of its proximity to the Sir Herbert Baker-designed Pretoria Railway Station, in 1884 its name was changed to the Hollandia Hotel, after the Dutch workers who built the railway line that connected the Transvaal with the sea. It received its current name during the Anglo-Boer War when the British occupied Pretoria. The hotel’s history is evident wherever you look, from the Victorian claw-foot baths and brass beds to the grand staircase lined with old photographs, and the former stables out back, which are now used for parking. There’s a real feeling of stepping back in time – especially at night apparently when you can have a close encounter with one of three ghosts reputed to haunt the place!

Proceed to Melrose House, a museum that used to be the house of George Heys. The young man from Durban made his fortune in the diamond rush in Kimberley by establishing a successful coach transportation business that operated between Kimberley and Pretoria. With his newfound wealth, he commissioned British architect WT Vale to design him a house. In 1880, the three-storey, stately Victorian mansion, with turrets and Dutch gables, was erected. The house was named after Melrose Abbey in Scotland, where Heys and his wife had visited on a delayed honeymoon. The grand house remained in the Heys family until 1968, when it was bought by the city council of Tshwane (Pretoria) and turned into a museum. Afterwards, visit the University of Pretoria, a former humble Victorian building dating back to 1908. And if you watched the film Invictus, produced by Clint Eastwood, you would also enjoy a visit to Loftus Stadium, to relive South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victory in 1994. However, the highlight of the day is undisputedly the Union Buildings. This is where the South African Government resides, and it was built by Sir Herbert Baker, the most important and renowned architect of his time. Admire the interesting example of British monument style and the mix of Victorian, Edwardian and Cape Dutch architecture. Your day ends with a transfer back to your hotel in Johannesburg.

Overnight in Johannesburg 

Start your day with a tasty breakfast. Then, enjoy a visit to Soweto, an absolute must while in South Africa. It is the largest township and introduces you to the locals, their culture and way of life, as well as interesting social projects. See Walter Sisulu Square, where the anti-apartheid Freedom Charter was signed and catch a glimpse of South Africa’s largest bus and taxi rank. Stroll the beautiful streets and visit the Hector Pieterson Museum, Regina Mundi Church, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Mandela House Museum and the FNB – former Soccer City Stadium. Finish your urban adventure with a drink in a shebeen, a typical Soweto bar!

Overnight in Johannesburg.

Start your day with a rich breakfast at the hotel, followed by a visit to Newtown. Situated in Johannesburg’s inner city, Newtown is part of the city’s cultural and creative hub. The district houses theatres, art galleries, museums, restaurants, bookstores, craft markets, clubs and cafés. In the early 20th century, the area was used primarily for brick making since the land was rich in clay. Due to its easy access to Johannesburg’s railway lines, Newtown became a commercial and trading hub as banks, brick companies, a brewery and fisheries establishing in the area. The district has a politically turbulent past and, due to its multiracial diversity, it was the scene of some of the first forced removals in Gauteng implemented by the apartheid government. Today, Newtown remains resolutely colour-blind with artists of all races gathering here. Walk the Heritage Trail starting with Mary Fitzgerald Square, home to the Market Theatre and Museum Africa, followed by the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre and the South African Breweries Museum, where we will have drinks to experience history in a very refreshing way.

Overnight in Johannesburg.

Begin your last day in Johannesburg with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Spend some time at leisure before your guide will pick you up and transfer you to the airport. Have a safe journey!

Breakfast included.