Drakensberg Giants Castle Cave Art & Mandela Capture Site

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ID: GYG151436-226682
Category:
Country: South Africa

Duration: 10:00 hours


Description

This private day tour from Durban includes a visit to Drakensberg's Giants Castle Reserve to view the San and Khoekhoe Cave paintings as well as a visit to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and Apartheid Museum.
The tour starts off with a visit to Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal. Stop at Pietermaritzburg's City Hall, which claims to be the largest brick building in the southern hemisphere. Visit the Gandhi statue also before heading towards the Drakensberg mountains and Giants Castle Reserve. Giant's Castle is situated on a grassy plateau among the deep valleys running down from the face of the High Drakensberg, offering glorious views. At Giants Castle reserve, there is a large sandstone cave containing prehistoric San rock art. The San and Khoekhoe people were hunters and gatherers who roamed South Africa for thousands of years. This cave is one of the biggest and best-preserved painted sites in southern Africa. This cave is an easy 30 minutes’ walk from the camp office and regular guided tours are taken through this unique exhibition. A visit to Giant's Castle offers the privilege of entering the world of the San as well as the opportunity to study a varied and exciting range of habitats.

From there, head to the small town of Howick and visit its waterfall. Howick Falls is approximately 95m in height and lies on the Umgeni River. The Zulu people called the falls KwaNogqaza, which means "Place of the Tall One".  

Then visit the Nelson Mandela Capture Site Statue and Apartheid Museum. The Nelson Mandela sculpture comprises of 50 steel column constructions, each between 6.5m and 9.5m tall, set into the Midlands landscape. The approach to the site leads you down a path towards the sculpture where, at 35 meters, a portrait of Nelson Mandela, looking west, comes into focus. The 50 linear vertical units, line up to create the illusion of a flat image. The museum is dedicated to Nelson Mandela’s life and his struggle against Apartheid. After the tour, head back to Durban by late afternoon.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a leisurely nature trail up to the caves in the Drakensberg
  • Learn about the San and Khoekhoe people on a guided tour of the caves
  • Visit Howick falls and the Nelson Mandela Capture Site

Guiding languages

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• Please wear comfortable clothing, walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, jacket
• A 40-minute walk forms part of the tour
• German and Polish languages can be requested when booking
• If you are a wheelchair user, please inform the local partner prior to the start of the tour
All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
You must keep social distance while in vehicles
The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
You are required to bring and wear a mask
You must fill out a travel information form
You will receive a mandatory temperature check
Pickup from a hotel within a 5km radius of Tropicana Hotel or from the Durban Harbour passenger terminal
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED

When should I book?

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.


Cancellations

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 48 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 48 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.