Day 1 | Cape Town
Long March to Freedom Exhibition
The Long March to Freedom exhibition is a monumental procession of 100 life-size bronze statues and the largest exhibition of its kind anywhere in the world. The bronze artworks depict South African and international icons, some famous and others unknown, and tell the story of South Africa’s 350-year struggle for freedom and democracy. A tour through the procession is an immersive and moving experience, connecting the visitor with the lives of the person so vividly created in bronze.
Apartheid to Freedom Walking Tour
Get introduced to the history of apartheid in Cape Town and the places related to it. Hear about the apartheid laws and the consequences they had. Find out more about the struggle for freedom and what happened the day Mandela was released. Highlights and Cape Town attractions include St George’s Cathedral and Desmond Tutu, The Cape High Court and the “apartheid benches”, a stopover in District Six and the spot where Mandela made his first speech as a free man.
http://freewalkingtourscapetown.co.za
Eat at The President Hotel
The President Hotel offers a wide variety of food and drink options for you to choose from. The many venues lend themselves to a range of food and drink experiences depending on your mood, tastes and desires. The Presidential Wine Experience is a journey you don’t want to miss out on. The wine list features an award-winning selection of wines from 5 of the local regions. Enjoy complimentary wine tastings and pairings with the sommelier or just sit back, relax and enjoy your favourite tipple.
Stayover at Mandela Rhodes Place
The iconic Mandela Rhodes Place hotel is located in the heart of Cape Town’s cultural quarter, making it the perfect place to spend your first night exploring the great man’s journey. The hotel also offers guests a timeline, displaying the life of Mandela in 14 sections, while a number of abstract portraits of Nelson Mandela are displayed in the corridors.
Day 2 | V&A Waterfront
Robben Island Museum
Madiba spent 18 years imprisoned on Robben Island, which is located just under 7km from off the coast of Bloubergstrand, Cape Town. His stay there has formed an important part of the narrative and it’s the perfect place to start learning of not just his life story, but his fellow political prisoners. Be inspired by stories of former prisoners as they guide you through the prison hallways and around the island, which includes a visit to the Lime Quarry and the house of another famous political prisoner Robert Sobukwe. This three to five hour excursion is a life changing experience.
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA)
After having officially opened its doors to the public in September 2017, the Zeitz MOCAA has quickly become a popular attraction to both locals and visitors alike, bringing plenty of foot traffic to the up-and-coming Silo District. Boasting the largest collection of African art on the continent and rival the likes of the Tate Modern in London, MoMA in New York and Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, the museum itself is a work of art, having been constructed using the original grain silos.
Nobel Square
Based at the iconic V&A Waterfront, Nobel Square is where the statues of Nobel Peace Prize winners Mandela, Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and FW de Klerk stand side by side. It’s a favourite photo spot for visitors and locals alike, while the ever-popular V&A Food Market is located a few feet away. After lunch, make sure you explore the Waterfront properly, which has more than 450 retail stores in the main centre and a further 150 in the Watershed market.
www.waterfront.co.za/attractions/nobel-square
Tour of Cape Town's DHL Stadium
This is where we celebrated the life of Nelson Mandela, where we cheered football’s superstars on the world’s biggest stage. It’s where we’ve had goosebumps from seeing the globe’s biggest names live on stage and taken selfies of ourselves dressed up for rugby 7’s greatest event. But it’s so much more than that. It’s also the perfect setting for a unique gala event, business conference or product launch and the ideal backdrop for an international blockbuster or one-of-a-kind photo shoot. Come and experience a paid tour of this iconic venue and see why it’s so much more than just a stadium. Registered tour guides accompanying tours will have free access. Tours run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:00.
Eat at Karibu Restaurant
Set between the picturesque view of Table Mountain and the tranquil blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Karibu affords you the opportunity to experience the vibrant flavours of South Africa and be part of their unique theatre of dining. Encounter the ruggedness of Africa within the luxurious setting of the restaurant where a mixed fusion of African ambience blends itself with the flavours of our rich and diverse cultural heritage.
Stayover at Mount Nelson
At the foot of Table Mountain is an inviting hotel, painted pink for peace in 1918. Within, the magic of a bygone era awaits. Delight in exquisitely restored interiors with quirky modern touches. Capture the light with a painting masterclass or unwind and indulge at the Librisa Spa. You are guaranteed an unforgettable stay.
www.belmond.com/belmond-mount-nelson-hotel
Day 3 | Stellenbosch
Mandela Memorial Square
The Mandela Memorial Square in Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands is home to one of the lesser-known statues of Madiba. The design consists of iron silhouettes of Mandela’s face applied to two sides of a wall. The eastern side also comprises a map of the eastern part of South Africa showing the places of importance in Mandela‘s life. The same applies to the western side of the wall (facing the town hall). A quote from Nelson Mandela’s first opening of parliament speech connects the wall with a bench on the southern side. The Mandela image and the bench are illuminated at night.
www.southafrica.net/mandela-memorial-square-stellenbosch
Local meals and theater entertainment at Amazink Live
As South Africa’s first township dinner theatre, Amazink has been beloved by locals and tourists alike, drawing visitors from as far afield as Australia and Sweden. On Friday nights, a delicious, three-course South African meal sets the stage for vibrant and soulful local rhythms woven through stories of life, love and laughter. During the week, locals from both Kayamandi and town used the space for coffee dates, meetings and post-parkrun breakfasts
Stayover at Spier Hotel*
Spier Hotel in Stellenbosch is the perfect stayover for families with the hotel pulling out all the stops necessary to ensure parents AND their kids have everything they need. The hotel – and greater estate – also enjoys strong ties to the outlying community. From social investment, outreach projects and upskilling of local staff, Spier invests heavily back into their workforce and locals in the area. Staying here, you will quickly pick up on the sense of Ubuntu (humanity towards others), and it creates a wonderful atmosphere for both guests and staff at the estate. While at Spier you can also discover the Heritage Walk, a free circular walk which you can start at the Spier Hotel
* Spier Hotel is currently undergoing refurbishments and will re-open early 2025. The wine farm remains open to the public during this time.
Day 4 | Franschhoek
Tour of Drakenstein Correctional Centre and Nelson Mandela statue
Take a scenic morning drive to historic Paarl and visit the Drakenstein Correctional Centre where Nelson Mandela spent the last 14 months of his 27 years of imprisonment in a house on the property. Here, you will find a bronze statue of Nelson Mandela at the entrance of the prison, with a raised fist, signifying the freedom of a once oppressed country.
www.southafrica.net/drakenstein-correctional-centre
Eat at the South African Table at Leopards Leap
The Leopard’s Leap South African Table presents guests with the opportunity to taste authentic
South African dishes and to learn more about the food heritage while sharing a meal.
https://leopardsleap.co.za/pages/south-african-table
Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper
Experience a Wine and Beer Tasting Service in Franschhoek. A Hop-On Hop-Off service where you can select from 27 wineries, 3 breweries & 36 restaurants to visit
www.franschhoekvineyardhopper.co.za
Stayover at Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate
Sitting in the magnificent Franschhoek Valley in South Africa’s Western Cape, her lush vines spread across 47-acres with gentle vistas over the valley floor, with the rugged mountains beyond. This is heartland South African wine country at its very finest.
Day 5 | Genadendal
Genadendal Mission Museum
The oldest mission station in South Africa, Genadendal (which means ‘Valley of Grace’) is home to about 8000 people and the Mission Museum, a national monument with beautifully restored historic buildings, showcasing some of South Africa’s most important artefacts. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you learn about Genadendal’s inspiring history. During his term as president, Nelson Mandela decided to rename the presidential official residence in Cape Town from ‘Westbrook’ to ‘Genadendal’ in honour of the oldest mission settlement in South Africa.
Genadendal Hiking Trail
The Genadendal Hiking Trail is a relatively tough but scenic, 2-day circular route that includes an overnight stay in a farm cottage. The route starts at the Genadendal Mission Museum, winds up the mountains, through a farm, where you stay over and then back down the next day. The trail offers interesting rock formations, natural rock pools to cool off in the hot summer months and breathtaking sweeping views of the Overberg valley. With flowers dotting your walk as you go, you may even get a chance to see a few Proteas in bloom.
www.genadendal.info/genadendal-hiking-trail
Eat at Abbey Rose Restaurant
The Abbey Rose is a family-run country restaurant situated in the leafy town of Greyton. Abbey Rose offers a range of speciality South African dishes, including Oxtail, Kudu Pie, Lamb Shank and the locally available linefish, as well as putting a delicious local spin on meals such as Steak, Ribs, Chicken, Curry, Calamari and Pasta. A beautiful garden setting makes for a fine dining experience!
Stayover at Weder Guest House
This is one of the original missionary houses with all the old-world charm you could possibly expect. Thick adobe walls, thatch roof, several fireplaces, wooden shutters and oodles of character.
