Art Tours

Tour A1: The Gauteng and Mpumalanga art circuit (7 days)

The Kloof, Rustenburg (1935) by Henk Pierneef. From the Pretoria Art Museum permanent collection

Experience all facets of South African art - from the prehistoric Khoisan rock art, still practiced by present day San descendants, to the rich variety of major contemporary artists in public collections. Experience culture against the vibrant background of downtown Egoli - Place of Gold - and the scenic beauty of Mpumalanga. Feel the thrill of viewing game in the wild of the Kruger National Park and a private game park- during both day and night drives in the bush.

Day 1: Johannesburg's Art Galleries

Arrival in Johannesburg in the morning. You are met in person at the airport by your hosts and transferred to your hotel for refreshment and some time to rest. In the afternoon we visit exhibitions of contemporary South African art at the Goodman Gallery, Warren Siebrits Contemporary Art and Kim Sacks - which are within 100m from each other. Exhibits of the best South African artists of all local cultures will be on display. Evening at leisure. You may enjoy a dinner of South African cuisine and wine at one of the many good restaurants.

Day 2: The Johannesburg Arts and Crafts Scene

Today you are introduced to South African arts and crafts at the African Craft Market in Rosebank, followed by a visit to the extensive collection of the Johannesburg Art Gallery in the bustling downtown area. During the afternoon we visit Museum Africa close-by, also portraying vividly and visually early African city life. Evening at leisure to discover the Egoli nightlife.

Day 3: The Unique Culture and Art of Soweto

A visit to South Africa is not complete without experiencing the vibrant township life and art. We visit Soweto, the expansive and contrasting black city-within-a-city and learn about day-to-day black city life. We first visit important monuments of the Apartheid struggle period, such as the Apartheid Museum and the fascinating Hector Peterson museum, depicting scenes from the student uprising of 1976 and the eventual transition to democracy in South Africa. We also pass Nelson Mandela's and Winnie Mandela's (separate) houses and later visit some of the local residents, to see and hear how many thousands of South Africans live and make ends meet. We visit the Funda Community Art Centre to see how art is taken to heart by the black community, as well as a local gallery, Ma- Africa, where variety of Soweto artists' work is exhibited. Thereafter we enjoy a leisurely lunch and local beers in the friendly and social atmosphere of a Soweto "shebeen" before returning to Pretoria.

Day 4: Art and Heritage in the Capital

The trip of ± 55 km to Pretoria takes us firstly to the Voortrekker Monument, the ultimate Art Deco structure overlooking the capital. The monument was inaugurated in 1949 to commemorate the Great Trek of the Afrikaners from the Cape to the wild interior of Transvaal in the early 1800's. We view its impressive architecture and sculptured panels portraying stories around the Great Trek. We stop at the simple abode preferred by President Paul Kruger in 1883. A short stroll takes us to historical Church Square reflecting examples of architecture from Boer Republican times. We drive past the majestic Union Buildings, designed by Sir Herbert Baker and seat of the present Government and continue to the Pretoria Art Museum, specializing on South African art. Highlights include a number of paintings by pioneer artists depicting scenes of Pretoria dating from the foundation in 1855 to today as well as prime examples of contemporary SA art.

Day 5: Mpumalanga Scenery, Arts & Crafts - and the Kruger National Park

We depart for the Kruger National Park through vast open grassland and maize fields, followed by the spectacularly scenic routes through Mpumalanga. Along the way we visit an African silk weaving cottage industry and African craft shops and galleries in Graskop. We continue through the scenic and tropical lowveld and enter the Kruger Park at the new Phabeni gate, an example of contemporary African architecture, on our way to Skukuza. (Note: Should it be required, the visit to the Kruger Park can be upgraded to a Private Game Lodge in the Sabi Sand or one of the other Private Game Reserves).

Day 6: The Big Five

After a leisurely breakfast on the banks of the Sabie River, the day is spent viewing a wide variety of game in their natural African bush environment. This evening we go on an exciting night drive in open vehicles to view some of the more elusive of the Big Five and other shy, nocturnal animals

Day 7: Game and Ceramics

After breakfast we have our last, leisurely game viewing opportunity as we make our way back to Johannesburg again. On the way we visit the studio of the Bosch family, where a variety of ceramic art works are on display. You will then be taken directly to your terminal at the Johannesburg airport for the flight home, or fly out from the new Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport just outside the Park and continue on one of our other modules.

Included in the tour:
  • Transport in air-conditioned vehicles
  • Services of an accredited guide
  • All breakfasts
  • Accommodation in good Guest Houses, Guest Lodges and Country Hotels (The Guest Houses/Lodges are all quality establishments, offering private rooms with private bathrooms and full breakfasts)
  • All entrance fees and conservation fee for the Kruger National Park
  • The following excursions:
    • the Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg
    • the Warren Siebrits Gallery of Contemporary Art, Johannesburg
    • Kim Sacks Art Gallery, Johannesburg
    • African Craft Market, Rosebank
    • Museum Africa, Johannesburg
    • Soweto, including the Apartheid & Hector Petersen Museums, the Mandela houses, a community art center and a private art gallery
    • Voortrekker Monument, Pretoria
    • Pretoria City tour
    • Pretoria Art Museum
    • Silk weaving, Graskop
    • Kruger Park drives and night drive
    • the Bosch Ceramic Studio
Not included:
  • Meals not mentioned above
  • All alcoholic beverages
  • All items of a personal nature
  • Tips, e.g., the tips for your local guides and the customary 10% tip in restaurants
  • Porterage
  • Optional excursions
Previous | Home