Day 1: Thursday 8 October – Depart Melbourne
We will depart from Melbourne on our economy class flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival in Joburg (morning of Friday 9 October) 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.
In the afternoon we will enjoy an afternoon city tour of Joburg. The financial and business hub of southern Africa, Joburg is a fast paced and vibrant city.
Day 3: Saturday 10 October – Joburg to Polokwane
This morning we will depart Joburg and board our air conditioned coach for our drive to Polokwane, the capital of the Limpopo Province. Polokwane is South Africa’s largest urban centre north of Gauteng and was one of the host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
On the way to Polokwane we will stop for a traditional African greeting and cultural celebration at the village of Ga Mmela. This will be a fantastic experience, with incredible food, dancing and singing.
Day 4: Sunday 11 October – Polokwane
In the morning we will enjoy a guided walking tour of Polokwane. Highlights include the Civic Centre, Gun Memorial, Bakone Malapa Open Air Museum and the Irish House.
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 5: Monday 12 October – Polokwane
This morning we will conduct a coaching clinic for children in Polokwane. 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 visit the Polokwane Game Reserve, where you will get your first look at African wildlife, including white rhino, sable antelope and giraffe.
Day 6: Tuesday 13 October – Polokwane
This morning we will conduct our second footy clinic for local kids in Polokwane. As always our development clinics are a great experience for everyone involved.
The rest of the day is free to wander and explore Polokwane. If you’re keen for a hit of golf, the Polokwane Golf Club is rated one of the best in South Africa.
Day 7: Wednesday 14 October – Polokwane 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 8: Thursday 15 October – Kruger National Park
Today we will head into the bush for a morning 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.
Day 9: Friday 16 October – Kruger National Park
This morning we will experience 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 drive back to Polokwane to prepare for our second match of the tour.
Day 10: Saturday 17 October – Polokwane
This morning we will conduct our third footy clinic for local kids in Polokwane. As always our development clinics are a great experience for everyone involved.
In the afternoon we will play our second match of the tour against South Africa. After the match we will enjoy a BBQ with our African friends.
Day 11: Sunday 18 October – Polokwane to Swaziland
This morning we will depart Polokwane and journey to Swaziland. The nation, as well as its people, are named after the 19th century king Mswati II.
In the afternoon 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 famous Swazi Candle Factory.
Day 12: Monday 19 October – Swaziland
In the morning we will hold our fourth footy clinic, this time for kids in Mbabane, the capital city. This will be a great opportunity to be a part of history as we seek to expand the game in Africa.
The rest of the day is free to do some additional sightseeing or relax with a few beers by the hotel pool.
Day 13: Tuesday 20 October – Swaziland to Joburg (via Pretoria)
In the morning we will bid farewell to Swaziland and travel back to Joburg. On the way 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 14: Wednesday 21 October – Joburg & Soweto
This morning 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.
Tonight we will enjoy our farewell function at the hotel, reflecting on the great memories and friends we have made in Africa.
Day 15: Thursday 22 October – Depart Joburg
All good things must come to an end and unfortunately our tour of Africa is no exception.
The morning is free to enjoy your last day in Joburg.
In the afternoon we will depart from Johannesburg Airport for our flight back to Australia.