Art Tours

Tour A2: The Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Cape Art Escape (12 days)

Rock art

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. Make contact with local residents in Soweto and have lunch in a shebeen. 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. View the combination of old culture and art galleries of Cape Town and Stellenbosch and visit local artists in their workshops. In addition, enjoy the scenery, floral richness and good wines of this beautiful part of the country.

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 SA 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: 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 in 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 4: 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 a variety of black 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 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. Tonight we experience a typical South African dinner in the Park.

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 out of the Park to the new Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. 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 for the flight to Cape Town.

Day 8: The Cape Town Art and Crafts Route

Today we visit the well-known Michaelis art collection in the original Cape Town City Hall on Greenmarket Square. At the same time, view and buy some of the local textiles, arts and crafts exhibited on the square by local craftspeople. We then visit the SA National Art Gallery, situated at the top of the historical Gardens - with trees planted by the early Dutch settlers in the 1650's. This is followed by the interesting cultural experience of the District Six Museum. This evening we see more arts and crafts at the famous Cape Town Water Front.

Day 9: The Fairest Cape

Table mountain Time to experience Mother Nature's art when we follow one of the most scenic routes in the country to Cape Point through the Cape Point Nature Reserve. On the way we visit the Natale Labia Art Galley and an African Gallery, and stop at one of the most northern penguin colonies in the southern hemisphere. From the heights of Cape Point you will see where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet from these impressive cliffs - with the Cape baboons watching close-by. This evening is spent at leisure - maybe to enjoy some traditional Cape Malay food and the Cape Town nightlife (for own account).

Day 10: Art and Wine

We depart for Stellenbosch, the heart of the winelands of South Africa. On the way we stop for a wine tasting at one of the many charming cellars, housed in stately Cape Dutch buildings from the 18th century. In Stellenbosch, with its old Cape Dutch atmosphere, we visit three period houses from the times of the first Settlers to the more affluent 19th century inhabitants. In the afternoon we visit the SASOL Art Museum, after which you will have some leisure time to browse around the quaint art, antiques and arts & crafts shops in town.

Day 11: Cape Dutch and French Heritage

After breakfast we visit the Stellenbosch Art Gallery, housing some excellent local artists' work, after which we depart through the winelands for the French Huguenot town of Franschhoek. On the way we stop at Boschendal, one of the most beautiful Cape Dutch homesteads. At Franschhoek we visit the French Huguenot monument and museum and enjoy the local arts and crafts shops. We pay a visit to the studio and workshop of David Walters, one of the award-winning potters of South Africa.

Day 12: Local Artists

Today we end our tour on a high note and enjoy the opportunity of visiting the studio and gallery of one of the better-known local artists in the Cape to experience how they create their art. Depending on their availability, either of Pieter van der Westhuizen, Derick van Rensburg or Jan Vermeijeren will be visited. You will then be transported to Cape Town International for your flight back home.

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
  • 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, Witrivier
    • the Michaelis Art Collection, Cape Town
    • the South African National Art Gallery, Cape Town
    • District Six Heritage Museum, Cape Town
    • Cape Town Water Front
    • Cape Point and Cape Point Nature Reserve
    • Natale Labia and African Art Gallery, Kalkbaai
    • Two Cape Dutch Farmsteads and wine tastings
    • Stellenbosch Dutch and English period houses tour
    • SASOL Art Museum, Stellenbosch
    • Stellenbosch Art Museum
    • French Huguenot heritage Monument and Museum
    • Visit to at least two working local artists
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
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