Your Voluntouring experience is not complete without taking in some key heritage and tourist sites during your off-periods. We can recommend some “must see places” however recommendations may vary and are dependant on the location of your project and number of tourists. Extensions and additional sight-seeing can be arranged at a fee on request.

The Apartheid Museum

Dedicated to South Africa’s darkest days – this incredible world-class museum in Johannesburg documents the forced removals, political executions, the rise of Black Consciousness and the 1976 Soweto student uprisings and its triumphs.

Newtown Cultural Precinct

Newtown is where some of Johannesburg’s hot and happening cultural scene can be found. At the heart of Newtown sits the famous Museum Africa as well as the Market Theatre complex. Newtown is part of the inner city regeneration project and promises to be Johannesburg’s most popular tourist hotspot.

The Cradle of Humankind

Take a tour to the Cradle of Humankind, at Sterkfontein, Gauteng’s famous World Heritage Site – where caves have produced nearly half of the world’s hominid fossil discoveries. Close to the Cradle is the Kromdraai Wonder Cave, as well as the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve.

Township Tours

Experience Township Life up close and personal, in Soweto. Visiting the Regina Mundi Church, Sharpeville Memorial Site, Nelson Mandela’s home – and/or stay for the night at any of Soweto’s famous Bed and Breakfasts. There are also township tours offered in Alexandra as well as the keen hospitality offered by township dwellers around Pretoria.

Out in the Country

The Magaliesberg area offers a wonderful arts-and-crafts route including fabulous food options, country getaways and wildlife. The Crocodile Ramble and the Magalies Meander are two well-known tourists routes in the area.

Walter Sisulu National Botanical gardens

A well-maintained nature reserve with over 600 species of flowering plants, 210 species of birds, as well as a number of reptiles and small mammals.

Days of Gold

Spend a day at the famous Gold Reef City, where you can go underground on a mine exploration and relive the old gold rush days of Johannesburg.

Museum Heartland

Pretoria offers a number of fantastic museums, grouped together as Museum Park. Why not visit the Natural Cultural History Museum of Science and Technology, the Transvaal Museum and the GeoScience Museum, to mention just a few.

Kruger House

President Paul Kruger lived in a house situated just three blocks from Church Square, from 1884 until 1900. The Victorian gabled house – which represents a simplified version of the neo-Gothic style - is a museum and displays his furniture, stagecoach, private railway coach and all of his personal effects.  A few hundred metres to the west, is Pretoria’s Old Cemetery, Helde Akker (heroes’ acre) where President Kruger lies buried.

Union Buildings

Designed by British Architect Sir Herbert Baker to accommodate the offices of the Prime Minister in 1913. The Union Buildings in Pretoria is set in terraced gardens modelled on the famous Villa d’Este at Tivoli near Rome, Italy, with magnificent views of the city. The gardens of the Union Buildings are home to another group of memorial structures.  The Delville Wood memorial commemorates the South African soldiers who died in the Battle of Delville Wood in France (World War I). Today, the Union Buildings still house the offices of the State President.

Voortrekker Monument Heritage Site

Perched conspicuously on top of one of the many hills that surround the City of Pretoria, is the imposing Voortrekker Monument. This enormous granite construction commemorates the Voortrekkers (pioneers) who trekked from the Cape, between 1835 and 1854, in search of independence from British rule.

Twaing Meteorite Crater

Situated 40 km to the northwest of Pretoria, the Tswaing Meteorite Crater is known as the Pretoria Saltpan. One of the best-preserved meteorite craters in the world, this crater is home to a few stone artefacts of the Late Stone Age as well as an impressive wetland.

A Walk on the Wild Side

All around Gauteng, one has the opportunity to experience wildlife and nature at its most abundant. The much-loved Lanseria lion park is a must for children of all ages and Krugersdorp Game Reserve offers a safari-type adventure close to both Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Lesedi Cultural Village

Although in the North West province, this cultural village is only a short, scenic drive outside of Johannesburg and Pretoria. The cultural village is a window on a number of our indigenous cultures for South Africans and international visitors alike. The village offers an exploration of traditional folklore and ancestry … not to mention the spectacular cuisine and fantastic curios

Cheetah Country

The De Wildt Cheetah Farm is a must for visitors situated north west of Pretoria. This well-known centre is renowned for the breeding of cheetah (including the rare king cheetah), as well as the brown hyena and African wild dog.

Wonderful Water Sports

Hartebeespoort Dam is just a half hour drive from Johannesburg, and is something of a weekend Mecca for water sports lovers. The perfect spot for a weekend getaway, and close enough for a quick day trip. The area boasts wonderful picnic spots and an opportunity to windsurf, sail, canoe, body-board and catch some welcome sun.

Information provided courtesy of South African Tourism - www.southafrica.net