A melting pot of historical repression and contemporary optimism, South Africa has shedding the legacy of the apartheid era and coming to terms with its complex history. Students can discover the myriad of people that make up this country and the sometimes brutal repression in its history. Investigate how the Portuguese, French, Dutch and British all made their marks on this beautiful country.   

Visit the legendary site of Isandlwana where Zulus took the British camp by surprise. The vast Zulu army of 20,000 killed 800 British and 300 native soldiers, more than half their force. A shred of British self respect was salvaged the same day when 120 British troops successfully fought off repeated Zulu assaults by a force of 4000 at Rorke’s Drift, killing 500 Zulu fighters.  Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded as a desperate government sought to deflect attention from the disaster.

With the discovery of diamond fields at Kimberley in the 1860s any chance of the British sustaining a lasting peace with the Boers disappeared; memorials of the Boer Wars can be seen on the hills of Majuba and Spioenkop. The modern history of South Africa will also fascinate your students through the development of Afrikanerdom into the Apartheid era. The Sharpeville massacre was a contributing factor to eventual Reform and Mandela's 'Walk to Freedom'. The stories of this are eloquently told in Johannesburg's Apartheid Museum.

Our best value sample itinerary from £1615

11 Days to South Africa Eastern Highlights

Day 1:
Fly from London overnight to Johannesburg.

Day 2:
Arrive in Johannesburg, meet your guide and transfer by coach to Hazyview. On the way visit Dullstroom Bird of Prey Sanctuary dedicated to caring for and rehabilitating a wide range of species. Overnight stay in Hazyview.

Day 3:
The morning excursions will take you from Long Tom Pass to Lisbon Falls, onward to Gods Window, you can experience the breathtaking views of this 700m high clifftop popular vantage point. From here you will travel on to Blyde River Canyon, the largest green canyon in Africa due to its subtropical foliage. Overnight stay in Hazyview.

Day 4:
Transfer to Kruger National Park to spend the day game viewing in the largest National Park in Africa, It is almost the same size as Wales. All the Big Five game animals are found at Kruger National Park, boasting more species of mammals than any other African Game Reserve (at 147 species) including leopard, rhino, elephant, lion and cape buffalo. Overnight stay in Kruger Park area.

Day 5:
Spend the day game viewing in Kruger National Park. Overnight stay in Kruger Park area.

Day 6:
In the Morning transfer to the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park on the north coast of Kwazulu-Natal, a UNESCO world heritage site it is home to marine reserves, game reserves as well as a number of lakes and wilderness areas. Overnight in St Lucia area.

Day 7:
In the morning enjoy a boat tour around lake St. Lucia. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in St Lucia area.

Day 8:
Depart for Dundee. Afternoon guided tour of the Battlefield Site of Islandlwana and Rorke's Drift, a Mission Station in Natal and the site of the first major encounter in the Anglo-Zulu war. Overnight in Dundee.

Day 9:
Depart for Pretoria. Visit the Voortrekker Monument built to honour emigrants who left the Cape colony moving further into South Africa in the 1830s to 40s. Not far from here you will visit the Union Buildings which house the Presidents offices. Overnight in Pretoria.

Day 10:
Visit the Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Rescue Centre (formerly De Wildt) which breeds and rescues rare and endangered species such as cheetahs and African Wild dog. Transfer to Johannesburg airport for your overnight return flight to London.

Day 11:
Arrive back in the UK.