AUSTRALIAN CONVICTS – 2023 SOUTH AFRICA TOUR
Day 1: Thursday 5 October – Depart Melbourne
We will depart from Melbourne on our economy class flight to Johannesburg, travelling via Singapore.
Also known as Jozi, Joburg and the City of Gold, Johannesburg is the financial and business hub of South Africa.
Day 2: Friday 6 October – Joburg
Upon arrival in Joburg we will be met by our local guide and transferred to our accommodation. Our hotel is situated in the up-market area of Sandton, home of the famous Sandton City.
After a long flight, you will have the afternoon to rest and relax in the hotel.
Tonight will be a great night, where you will enjoy our official Convicts jumper presentation.
Day 3: Saturday 7 October – Klerksdorp – Convicts v South Africa
This morning we will board our coach and travel to Klerksdorp in the North West Province. Upon arrival, we will conduct a coaching clinic for children in Klerksdorp. The opportunity to teach the skills of Australian football to local kids is an extremely rewarding experience and one of the highlights of the trip!
In the afternoon we will play our first match against South Africa. Lining up in the green and gold for the first time while listening to the national anthem is an awesome experience and one that you will never forget! Following the game we will enjoy an after-match BBQ with the South African team.
Day 4: Sunday 8 October – Joburg to Kruger National Park
This morning our coach will collect us from the hotel and we will embark on our drive to the world-famous Kruger National Park.
The opportunity to see animals such as the Big 5 (Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Leopard), as well as zebras, giraffes, baboons and hippos in their natural habitat is an amazing experience!
In the evening we will be collected by our game rangers in open top game viewing vehicles and journey into the bush for an evening game drive.
Day 5: Monday 9 October – Kruger National Park
Today we will head into the bush for a full day game drive in Kruger National Park.
After the game drive we will return to our accommodation and you will have the rest of the day free to pursue your own activities. Options include visiting Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Lisbon Falls.
Day 6: Tuesday 10 October – Kruger National Park
This morning is your free time to do your own thing. Options include an early morning walk in the company of a qualified game ranger. This will be a great opportunity to see the animals up close.
In the afternoon we will head into the bush for another game drive in Kruger National Park.
Day 7: Wednesday 11 October – Kruger National Park to Joburg via Swaziland
In the morning we will travel back to Joburg via another country – the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland).
We will visit the Mantenga Cultural Village where you will appreciate the history and culture of the legendary Swazi nation. To the beat of echoing cowhide drums, traditional Swazi dancing is performed by dancers in a nearby boma. We will also visit Malandela’s Homestead and the Swazi Candle Factory.
Day 8: Thursday 12 October – Soweto
You will have the morning to relax and enjoy some free time. This afternoon we will embark on a guided tour of the famous Soweto Township. A highlight will be a visit to the simple township house in Orlando West where Nelson Mandela lived before he was incarcerated for 26 years.
Other highlights include many symbols from the apartheid era – Regina Mundi, Avalon Cemetery, Freedom Square, Oppenheimer Tower and Hector Peterson Memorial Square, named after the first casualty of the Soweto uprising in 1976.
Day 9: Friday 13 October – Pretoria
Today we will visit Pretoria, one of South Africa’s three capitals. Pretoria is known as the “Jacaranda City” for its beautiful purple lined streets when the jacarandas are in full bloom.
Highlights of our Pretoria tour will include Paul Kruger House, Church Square, Union Buildings and the Voortrekker Monument.
After the tour we will re-board our coach and head back to our hotel in Joburg.
Day 10: Saturday 14 October – Joburg – Convicts v South Africa
This morning we will conduct our second footy clinic for local kids in Joburg. As always, our development clinics are a great experience and a lot of fun!
In the afternoon we will play our second match of the tour against the South Africa Lions.
After the match we will enjoy a BBQ with our African friends.
Day 11: Sunday 15 October – Joburg to Sun City
This morning we will depart via our coach to the world-famous Sun City. On the way we will visit Rustenburg, one of the principal towns in the North-West Province. Founded in 1841, Rustenburg is a large and prosperous mining town which lies about 115km northwest of Joburg. Here we will conduct our third coaching clinic for local kids.
After the clinic we will transfer you to one of South Africa’s most famous attractions. Sun City lies in the middle of an extended savannah and is known as the Las Vegas of southern Africa. Magnificent golf courses, a massive water park and of course Casinos, are some of the attractions of this incredible oasis.
Day 12: Monday 16 October – Sun City
The morning and afternoon are free for you to enjoy the host of activities at Sun City, such as playing golf or relaxing on the beach at the Valley of the Waves.
This evening you will be taken on an open top game viewing vehicle to the adjacent Pilansburg Game Reserve for an exciting trek into the African Bush. After your drive you will enjoy our farewell dinner in the Reserve, reflecting on the great memories and friends we have made in South Africa.
Day 13: Tuesday 17 October – Sun City to Joburg
All good things must come to an end and unfortunately our tour of South Africa is no exception.
Today we will depart Sun City and board our coach for the drive to Johannesburg Airport, for our flight back to Australia.
Day 14: Wednesday 18 October – Australia
You will arrive back home with a bag full of great memories of your time in Africa!