www.southernjourneyscc.blogspot.com
itineraries posted in this site.
For discounts and specials contact us directly on: info@southernjourneys.co.za This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or +27 (0)79 529 4468.
DAY TOURS AND TRANSFERS
Bill Harrop's "Original" Balloon Safaris.
........."If you're going to do it - do it in unassailable style"……….
It's sunrise. The silence of flight is punctuated only by the occasional blast of the powerful burners and the faint call of a bird or animal far beneath. The thrill is indescribable......
Professional pilots, attentive crew, immaculately maintained equipment, 5 aviation safety awards; make this longest established licensed Balloon Airline in southern Africa the choice of the well informed discerning individual traveler or corporate group.
Internationally hailed as Southern Africa's best value, best quality tour operator to be appraised as the winner of the South African Tourism "Welcome Awards 2006"
Bill Harrop's "Original" Balloon Safaris has been operating as a legally licensed balloon Air Transport Service since 1981. It is a family business run by Bill Harrop, his wife Mary, son Sam and daughter Sarah working in partnership with over 60 full time, part time, contract and casual staff.
Bill Harrop's runs a fleet of six large hot air balloons which can carry between six and eighteen passengers each. So whether it is a romantic balloon flight for 2, or a party for 18 adventurers in one of the biggest balloons in the world, or a corporate adventure for 142, Bill Harrop's "Original" Balloon Safaris is the preferred choice for safe, reliable, quality ballooning.
Crocodile Farm
Croc City crocodile farm is home to more than 800 crocodiles ranging from hatchlings, to large adults of over four meters in length.
While visiting Croc City you will see this large voracious aquatic reptile and will have the opportunity to observe one of the world's most spectacular predators at close range.
A guided tour through the park will answers questions relevant to crocodiles and their behavior are addressed. Informative guided tours are given in English and Afrikaans.
You are also given the chance to hold a hatchling. There are croc hatchlings to large adults on display. The main feeding sessions are on Saturdays and Sundays @ 14:00 weather permitting.
Croc City Crocodile Farm is situated 50 kilometers north of Johannesburg Central and is close to game parks, the Lanseria International Airport, the Cradle of Humankind and the Hartbeespoort Dam.
Educational posters and other interesting crocodile related objects are on display, e.g. crocodile eggs, hatchling crocodiles, stuffed crocodiles, crocodile skeletons etc.
Cradle of Humankind
The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site named Maropeng: meaning "returning to the place of our origins" is located on 100 hectares, within easy reach of Johannesburg and Pretoria, Maropeng overlooks the magnificent Magaliesberg and Witwatersberg mountain ranges and is en route to the popular resort of Sun City.
Upon arrival, a huge ancient burial mound (the Tumulus) comes into sight and from there on it’s one thrilling experience after another as the secret to our ancestry is revealed. Along the pathway to the Tumulus stop to have a look at an excavation site.
The tools found in this excavation belong to the Acheulean period and include handaxes and cleavers.
The underground boat ride leads to 2500m² of underground exhibition space that brings the history of humankind alive by way of exciting exhibits that are entertaining, educational and interactive.
The caves in this vicinity have produced nearly half of the world’s hominid fossil discoveries dating back some 3,5 million years. The Maropeng Visitors' Centre will take you on a journey to follow in the footsteps of ancient man. Within the Cradle area are the Kromdraai Wonder Cave and the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve.
Elephant Sanctuary.
Situated in the Magaliesberg Mountains, at only one hour from Johannesburg and Pretoria, The Elephant Sanctuary at Hartbeespoort Dam lies in a malaria-free area 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, four magnificent African Elephants.
The Elephant Sanctuary provides a “halfway house” for young African elephants in need of a temporary home. It is the only operation in South Africa that provides for elephants in this way. The vision of the sanctuary is to release all the elephants into an environment where they can be more independent once they are older.
The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre.
The Centre was established in 1971, in the past known as the De Wildt Cheetah Centre it has recently been changed to The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre as a tribute to the woman who has devoted her life to the survival of the cheetah species.
Today the Centre can look back with satisfaction on a job well done in ensuring the survival of Acinonyx jubatus, successfully breeding the king cheetah in captivity for the first time in the world. While the cheetah project was the base from which Ann launched her conservation ethic, it soon widened to include other endangered animal species, such as the African wild dog, brown hyena, servals, suni antelope, and riverine rabbits.
Lesedi Cultural Village.
Situated within the Cradle of Humankind, a visit to South Africa is incomplete without a visit to Lesedi - the cradle of living African culture. In an informative and entertaining way, Lesedi provides the visitor with a better understanding of the rich cultural background of the traditional peoples of South Africa.
With a visit to Lesedi African Lodge and Cultural village you will be able to participate in an adventure that reveals the mystical cultures and traditions of the people of Africa, steeped in tribal folklore and ancestral traditions. Our culture is the light of our nation – whoever walks here amongst our cultures at Lesedi can also see the light.
Soweto.
Take an organized tour of SOWETO (South Western Townships), one of the 33 townships originally established as temporary dormitories for workers. Soweto is a sprawling black township with a complicated history.
Soweto Towers in Orlando, this are cooling tower for one of the power stations. The community have painted them to be more appealing in their skyline.
Soweto hosts reputedly the world's largest hospital; Baragwanath, built during World Word II.
In 1997 another name change followed, with the sprawling facility now known as Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital in honour of the South African Communist Party leder assassinated in 1993.
The township came to the world's attention on June 16, 1976 with the uprising when mass protests erupted over the goverments policy to enforce the schools to teach in Afrikaans instead than in English.During the first day of the uprising 23 people died, including two white people as the police opened fire upon the 10000 students marching from Naledi High School to the Orlando Stadium.
