Wilro Tours

This is the perfect tour for first-time visitors to South Africa's commercial and financial capital - Johannesburg - the City of Gold, known amongst locals as Egoli, Jozi or Jo'burg. Our tour route covers all the major points of interest, from Sandton in the north to Soweto in the south:

* the suburbs of Sandton, Rosebank and Houghton (drive past Nelson Mandela's home)

* Braamfontein, home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa

* the downtown area, City Hall, Diagonal Street, Newtown, Nelson Mandela Bridge

* the Carlton Centre, see the city from the "Top of Africa" enclosed viewing deck on the 50th floor

* Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

* Regina Mundi Catholic church

* Hector Pieterson Memorial

* Vilakazi Street - Nelson Mandela's former home and Bishop Desmond Tutu's home

NOTE - the tour route may vary, depending on the pick-up and drop-off points

We drive through the northern suburbs of Saxonwold, Houghton and Parktown, to the hustle and bustle of Hillbrow, home to African immigrants from all over the continent. We stop to visit Constitution Hill, the new home of the Constitutional Court of South Africa (closed on Saturday afternoons, Sundays & public holidays!), which is built on the site of the "Old Fort" that later became a notorious prison. At the Carlton Centre in the heart of downtown Johannesburg, we take the elevator to the "Top of Africa" enclosed viewing deck on the 50th floor (closed on Sunday afternoons).

Time permitting, our next stop is the Museum Africa (closed on Mondays!) in the Newtown Cultural Precinct, where a variety of exhibits tell the fascinating story of Johannesburg, from the Iron Age, through the discovery of gold in 1886, right up to the first democratic elections of 1994. From here we continue across the Nelson Mandela Bridge into the business district of Braamfontein, then past the University of the Witwatersrand to Fordsburg with its Oriental Plaza and Mosque. We then travel along the elevated M1 or M2 motorways which provide spectacular views of the Johannesburg skyline.

Two of our most popular tours, WJSO Johannesburg & Soweto orientation and WASO Apartheid Museum & Soweto, are combined to give visitors one full day to experience South Africa's commercial and financial capital - Johannesburg - the City of Gold, known amongst locals as Egoli, Jozi or Jo'burg.

Our tour route covers all the major points of interest, from Sandton in the north to Soweto in the south:

* the suburbs of Sandton, Rosebank and Houghton (drive past Nelson Mandela's home)

* Braamfontein, home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa

* the downtown area, City Hall, Diagonal Street, Newtown, Nelson Mandela Bridge

* the Carlton Centre, see the city from the "Top of Africa" enclosed viewing deck on the 50th floor

* Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

* Regina Mundi Catholic church

* visit Hector Pieterson Memorial

* Vilakazi Street - Nelson Mandela's former home and Bishop Desmond Tutu's home

* lunch stop at a local tavern - optional, can be arranged in advance

* visit the Apartheid Museum

PLEASE NOTE - the tour route may vary, depending on the pick-up and drop-off points

This tour provides a great opportunity to take a closer look at South Africa's turbulent past, by combining a drive through Soweto with a visit to the Apartheid Museum, regarded as the pre-eminent museum in the world dealing with 20th century South Africa, at the heart of which is the story of apartheid. The Museum opened its doors in 2001 and here visitors can embark on a historical voyage of discovery, a personal exploration of the past that examines apartheid right up to the first democratic elections held in 1994. The tour of the museum lasts approximately two hours.

We then continue to Soweto (South western township), a sprawling residential area that has become a "city within a city". Soweto is home to approximately 2-million people, many of whom work in various parts of the greater Johannesburg metropolitan area. Your guide will follow a route that takes you past all the major points of interest, including the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Baragwanath taxi rank, Regina Mundi church, Hector Pieterson Memorial and Nelson Mandela's former home.

The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg is regarded as the pre-eminent museum in the world dealing with 20th century South Africa, at the heart of which is the story of apartheid. The Museum opened its doors in 2001 and here visitors can embark on a historical voyage of discovery, a personal exploration of the past that examines apartheid right up to the first democratic elections held in 1994. The self-guided tour of the museum lasts approximately two hours.

The Constitution Hill precinct is bordered by the inner-city neighbourhoods of Braamfontein and Hillbrow. It is here that South Africa's new Constitutional Court opened in March 2004. The new court building is, most appropriately, established on the site of the Johannesburg Fort, built as a fortress in 1898 and later converted to one of the country's most notorious prisons - popularly known as "Number Four". The Fort closed its doors in 1983. Your visit here includes the museum that has been established in the old prison and will bring home the significance of this development and what it means for the future of Johannesburg.

The name Johannesburg is synonymous with South Africa's gold-mining industry, after all, this is the city that was founded way back in 1886 as a miner's village on the Witwatersrand goldfields. Today, the Gold Reef City theme park and museum - built around the original No.14 shaft of Crown Mines - recreates the city of Johannesburg as it was during the early days of the gold rush.

On arrival you will meet your guide, who will conduct your tour through the complex. You'll delight in the myths and magic of gold, the glimpse into the lifestyle of those early pioneers, the excitement of traveling 220 meters (720 feet)below the surface to see first-hand how precious gold is extracted from the earth and then watching the liquid yellow metal being poured into ingots. Enjoy the remarkable recreation of Victorian Johannesburg and the legendary characters that featured in the world's greatest gold discovery. A stunning experience, not to be forgotten!

The City of Pretoria lies only 58 km (36 miles) north of Johannesburg and provides a complete contrast to the City of Gold. South Africa's administrative capital was founded in 1855 and named after the Voortrekker leader, Andries Pretorius. Often referred to as the "Jacaranda City", this nickname refers to the thousands of trees lining the streets, their purple blossoms heralding the approach of summer each October.

Our tour begins with a visit to the Voortrekker Monument, a striking memorial built to honour the early pioneers. We then continue to the central part of the city which has retained the name of Pretoria, visiting Kruger House Museum and Church Square, where the statue of Paul Kruger looks down on the passers by. Melrose House is a classic example of a Victorian suburban townhouse and a visit can also be included, subject to time permitting (closed on Mondays!). We then continue to the imposing Union Building, which houses the offices of the State President, Deputy President and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Our stop here provides an impressive view over the city and completes the tour, before returning to your hotel.

SPECIAL NOTE: Children under 10 years are not permitted to join this tour

When diamonds were first discovered in about 1888 in the river systems east of where Cullinan is today, a fascinating history began which led to the discovery of Premier Mine (now Cullinan Diamond Mine). The mine was discovered on a farm called Elandsfontein, owned by Willem Prinsloo. Thomas Cullinan bought the farm and soon after, in 1902, the Premier Diamond Mining Company was registered. Prospecting began without delay and mining began the following year. In 1905, one of the greatest events in diamond history took place when an enormous diamond, weighing 3106 carats, was found. It was named after Thomas Cullinan and still remains the largest diamond ever found.

After the horror of World War 2 came to an end in 1945, Premier was reopened but took 10 months to pump out around four billion litres of water that had accumulated in the mine's 189m-deep pit over it's 14 dormant years. At this time Premier began its foray into underground mining and a prosperous new period had begun.

In 1977 the Premier (Transvaal) Diamond Company was amalgamated into De Beers Consolidated and a breath of fresh air blew through the mine. More recently, in July 2008, the mine was bought by Petra Diamonds is still fully operational today.

Cullinan is one of the world's most celebrated diamond mines and is renowned for producing many of the most spectacular diamonds ever seen, such as the Cullinan, Premier Rose, Niarchos, the Centenary and the Golden Jubilee.

PLEASE NOTE:

Visitors to Sterkfontein Caves must please wear comfortable shoes and leave handbags and other luggage behind. There are a number of tight spots and pathways to negotiate in the caves and it is not advisable to do the tour if you are claustrophobic. It is also not advisable for visitors who suffer from acute asthma or chest problems to do the tour, as the entry and exit requires climbing up and down stairways. 

The Sterkfontein Caves were discovered in 1896 by an Italian gold prospector and are now regarded as one of the world's most important archeological sites. The caves lie in the Sterkfontein valley which, together with the nearby sites of Swartkrans, Drimolen and Kromdraai, make up the "Cradle of Humankind" World Heritage Site. Dr Robert Broom of the Transvaal Museum (Museum of Natural History) began excavations at the cave in 1936 and in 1947 discovered a well-preserved complete skull of a species of early man known as Plesianthropus Transvaalensis. This later became known as the famous "Mrs Ples".

Your tour will start at the newly opened 260m² exhibition. This scientific exhibition consists of four large show cases which include life like models of hominids, a sabre tooth cat, a reconstruction of a mined cave vs. a pristine cave, cave formations and geologies, early life forms, fossils in general (mammals and homo), specific finds (like Mrs. Ples, Taung Child, Little Foot), details of fossilization, paleo botany and landscapes...

From there you will make your way up to the limekilns, past the sundial and then underground into the depths of the caves. Beneath the dust of millions of years you'll see for yourself the resting place of some of the most important fossils ever found and you'll hear the magnitude of their significance to the world! After proceeding over the walkways to view the excavation which was Mrs. Ples's final resting place, the trip will continue past the fossil prep where scientists continue to investigate the clues to our past.

About 10 km away from the Sterkfontein Caves lies the world class visitor facility of MAROPENG, which opened to the public in December 2005. The focal point is the Tumulus building, designed to look like an ancient burial mound from the front. The architecture is symbolic of the journey through the evolution of life that is presented in the visitor attraction and upon exiting after the tour, one looks back on a very modern structure. Maropeng also offers restaurants and a market place.

The Tumulus contains a vast underground visitor attraction which tells the story of the Cradle of Humankind and brings to life the history of humankind in entertaining, educative and interactive ways. Within the visitor attraction lies an exciting 4-billion-year journey on an underground lake, through the elemental forces - water, air, fire and earth - dipping through waterfalls and real icebergs, into the eye of a storm, past erupting volcanoes and through the depths of the earth and emerging at the beginning of the world. From here, the journey continues through an experience highlighting the history of our world and humankind as a species, brought to life via audiovisual techniques, evocative sound effects, theme-park technology and theatrical displays. There are also real fossils on display at the visitor centre. Children will delight in the interactive elements of the exhibits, which encourage them to experience rather than just observe our development as a species and the underlying message of the unity of humankind.

Your visit to the Cradle of Humankind will include a guided tour of Sterkfontein. Maropeng is a self-guided tour.

Lesedi African Lodge is a multi cultural village set amongst the pristine bushveld and rocky hills less than an hour's drive north of Johannesburg. Live the experience - experience the vibrant and colourful traditions of the Basotho, Ndebele, Pedi, Xhosa and Zulu people on a short tour, be part of traditional Africa for just a short while. You will never forget it!

The morning program at 11:30 is known as the Monati experience and the late afternoon program at 16:30 is known as the Boma experience. Both experiences follow this programme:

* Arrive in the car park to a vibrant traditional African welcome and a refreshing welcome drink;

* Browse in the Ndebele village and African craft market where Ndebele murals decorate the walls and courtyard;

* Attend a multi-visual theatre presentation on the history and origin of our peoples;

* Guests are divided into smaller groups and taken on a guided tour of four homesteads - Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho and Pedi;

* After a few drinks in the bar, guests and the families meet back in the Boma for traditional song and dance of all the villages. The dance culminates in communal dancing with the guests around the fire.

* A Pan African Feast is served in the Nyama Choma restaurant with delicacies from North, East and Southern Africa.

SPECIAL NOTES:
* This tour is recommended for families with young children
* Game viewing is conducted in the Wilro Tours vehicle.

The Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve is a privately owned, unsubsidised game reserve situated on the north western outskirts of the Johannesburg metropolitan area. Founded in 1985 and opened to the public in 1990, the reserve covers some 1 600 hectares on typical Highveld ground. The reserve now boasts 600 head of game representing 25 different species, including rhino, wildebeest, hippo and a variety of antelope, such as gemsbok, eland and springbok. The reserve falls within the Sterkfontein Valley World Heritage Site, which is world renowned in archaeological circles as the "Cradle of Humankind".

The tour includes access to the Lion and Predator Camp - where cheetah, lion and the endangered wild dog may be seen - as well as the crocodile enclosure. The unique Animal Creche has animals available to touch and have a photograph taken with (optional extra). These include Lion and Tiger cubs & Zebra foals, subject to availability at the time of your visit.

In the early 1900's, the Magaliesberg were rich in wildlife and home to abundant elephants. As a result of pressure by man, this sensitive animal disappeared from the landscape. One hundred years later the elephants have returned to this area, to a special place in the heart of the beautiful African bushveld. Nestled in the Magaliesberg Mountains only one hour from Johannesburg and Pretoria, the Elephant Sanctuary lies in a malaria-free area - the greater part within the Magaliesberg Nature Reserve. It is surrounded by natural indigenous bush and is home to impala, klipspringer, baboons, porcupine, caracal, leopard, a host of other small mammals, 350 bird species and of course, six magnificent African Elephants. Your visit will bring you close to these magnificent animals, an experience to cherish and remember forever!

Guests are guided in small groups on foot through The Elephant Sanctuary. The guide will provide in-depth information and insight into African elephants. You will be introduced to the elephants in the mountain area, uphill walk approximately 200m, and here you will be able to touch and interact with the elephants. You will see the special relationship that the elephant handlers share with their elephants and become a part of it. Short walk with the elephants trunk-in-hand. See where the elephant sleep at night in their stables. Feed the elephants. On some hot days you may even see the elephants swimming.

MORNING TOUR only (WELS-1)…………After the tour, enjoy lunch on the main deck overlooking the elephants.

SPECIAL NOTES: 
* Transfers to and from the Cheetah Centre are on a private basis, but on arrival visitors join a public tour commencing at either 8:00am, 8:30am or 1:30pm
* Children under 6 years are not permitted on these tours                                    
The De Wildt Cheetah Centre was established by Ann Van Dyk and brother Godfrey in 1971 with the aim of breeding endangered species. Since that time the Centre's efforts have resulted in the major achievement of breeding what was once a threatened species, the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). Over the years, over 750 cheetah cubs have been born at De Wildt - a dramatic contrast to the days when the cheetah population of South Africa was estimated at a mere 700.
While the cheetah project was the base from which the Centre launched its conservation ethic, it soon widened to include other rare and endangered animals such as the wild dog, brown hyaena, serval, suni antelope, blue and red duiker, bontebok, riverine rabbit and vultures - including the very rare Egyptian vulture. Many of these have been successfully bred for later reintroduction into the wild, thus helping to repopulate areas where such species have disappeared or are no longer abundant.

During 2000, as a reaction to the declining numbers of cheetah in the wild, De Wildt spearheaded the formation of the National Cheetah Management Forum which developed a national strategy for the protection of free-roaming cheetah. One action to come from the group, was the realization of the need for a national census of free-roaming cheetah. This census was begun in 2003 and continued for three years.

The country of South Africa has awakened to the success of the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust. In 2002, its founder and director, Ann van Dyk, received the gold medal from the Wildlife and Environment Society; and that was followed, in 2003, by Ann being awarded the Chancellors Award from the University of Pretoria.

Nestled in the foothills of the Magaliesberg in North West Province, the Centre is situated about one hour from Johannesburg and forty-five minutes from Pretoria. It is close to the Hartbeespoort Dam, a popular destination for day excursions from Pretoria and Johannesburg. During 2009 the centre was renamed the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre. This is an exceptionally interesting tour, providing the visitor with a unique opportunity to learn more about South Africa's fascinating wildlife - and the efforts to preserve it for future generations.

TOUR WDWC-1
AVAILABILITY: Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, daily in the afternoon
PICK-UP TIME: 07:00 or 12:00

TOUR WDWC-2
AVAILABILITY: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings
PICK-UP TIME: 06:30
SPECIAL NOTES: This option is the same as tour WDWC-1 above, except that the cheetah run is added and the tour commences half an hour earlier.

"The Volcano that gave birth to a game reserve"

The Pilanesberg National Park lies 160 km (100 miles) from Johannesburg in the Bojanala Region of North West - the "Platinum province" - and is the fourth largest National Park in South Africa, covering an area of some 57 000 hectares. The crater of a long extinct volcano is the setting of Pilanesberg National Park - a fascinating alkaline complex produced by volcanic eruptions some 1300 million years ago. Pilanesberg is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world and has survived ages of erosion and stands high above the surrounding bushveld plains.

The early presence of man can be seen in the numerous Stone and Iron Age sites that are scattered throughout the park. Its rare rock types and structure make it a unique geological feature and the topography makes the area a feast for the eye. Here are syenite koppies, thickly forested ravines, typical bushveld and also rolling grasslands and lightly wooded areas. Off the centre of the park is Thabayadiotso, "the Proud Mountain". The beauty of Pilanesberg is reflected in a large central lake, the Mankwe Dam.

The Park was established in 1979 and game was reintroduced thanks to Operation Genesis, which at the time was the largest game translocation ever undertaken anywhere. The Park offers the visitor a wide diversity of 35 animal species, including the "Big Five", 350 bird species and 65 reptile species - all in a malaria free area.

We enter the Park at Manyane Gate in the east and make our way westwards, eventually reaching our lunch stop at Bakubung - 'people of the hippo'. The afternoon is spent in search of more game as we make our way back to Manyane Gate, stopping off at one of the game viewing hides en route. We return to Johanneburg in the late afternoon.

The Go-as-you-Please tour gives visitors complete freedom to explore Gauteng at their leisure, whether it be sightseeing, shopping, museums, art galleries, casinos - as much as time allows! This is also an ideal option for those with time to kill between flights. Our guide will meet you off your inbound flight and utilise the time available for shopping or sightseeing, returning to the airport in time to check-in for your onward flight.

Choose the option best suited to how much time you have available - 3, 5, 7, 9 or 12 hours. No entrance fees, refreshments or meals are included - guests are to settle all extras direct.

SPECIAL NOTES:
* At the Elephant Sanctuary, guests will join a public tour.
* On the Canopy Tour, guests might join up with other participants.
* Comfortable closed walking or hiking shoes and sun hats and / or sunscreen are strongly recommended!
* Children under 7 years are not accepted on the Canopy Tour.

In the early 1900's, the Magaliesberg mountains were rich in wildlife and home to abundant elephants. As a result of pressure by man, this sensitive animal disappeared from the landscape. One hundred years later the elephants have returned to this area, to a special place in the heart of the beautiful African bushveld. Nestled in the Magaliesberg Mountains only one hour from Johannesburg and Pretoria, the Elephant Sanctuary lies in a malaria-free area - the greater part within the Magaliesberg Nature Reserve. It is surrounded by natural indigenous bush and is home to impala, klipspringer, baboons, porcupine, caracal, leopard, a host of other small mammals, 350 bird species and of course, six magnificent African Elephants. Your visit will bring you close to these magnificent animals, an experience to cherish and remember forever!

Guests are guided in small groups on foot through The Elephant Sanctuary, with your guide providing information and insight into African elephants. You will be introduced to the elephants in the mountain area, an uphill walk of approximately 200m, and here you will be able to touch and interact with the elephants. You will see the special relationship that the elephant handlers share with their elephants and become a part of it. Short walk with the elephants trunk-in-hand. See where the elephant sleep at night in their stables. Feed the elephants. On some hot days you may even see the elephants swimming. After the tour, enjoy a light lunch on the main deck overlooking the elephants.

Having walked with the elephants, you will now have the opportunity to fly with the birds! Your guide will drive you to the Sparkling Waters Hotel, which is the base for the Magaliesberg Canopy Tour. After a tour briefing you will be transported a short distance to the Ysterhout (Ironwood) Gorge in the company of two guides, where the adventure begins. Eleven platforms have been constructed high up on the rock faces of the gorge, joined by 10 cable slides, each up to 140m (460 feet) long, and up to 100 feet above the valley floor. From these vantage points you can explore the magnificence of the Magaliesberg mountains and, after ten adrenalin charged slides down the gorge, you reach your destination at the bottom of the gorge. A short uphill walk will bring you back to the vehicle which will return you to the hotel.

There will be time to freshen up and perhaps enjoy a drink or a quick swim, before returning to Johannesburg.