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Home page Entertainment
Gauteng Province
Gauteng-based TAKE A TOUR offers the following day-long tours in Gauteng on a weekly basis, depending upon demand and availability.
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Head straight to Pretoria, the Jacaranda City, from Johannesburg, stopping off at the awesome Voortrekker Monument, on to Paul Kruger's House, on past the grand Union Buildings and on to lunch in Mamelodi, one of the largest townships in Pretoria. Then a chance to shop at Menlyn, one of the greatest shopping centres in the Southern Hemisphere!
On our way back from Pretoria, the Jacaranda City, to Johannesburg we stop off at Monte Casino in Fourways for a stunning taste of Italy. At your own leisure (2 v 3 hrs): A great chance to gamble at one of Gauteng's great casinos and to grab a bite to eat at anything from take-away joints to restaurants celebrating international cuisines. Drop-off at 9pm.
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We head on to Cullinan to the north of Pretoria where the largest diamond ever was discovered in 1902. Here we go down a live, working diamond mine, view the massive pit (larger than Kimberley's Big Hole!) where the 3106 carat Cullinan diamond was discovered. Thereafter we take a stroll through the historical town of Cullinan and end up for sundowners, dinner and a live show at Jan Harm se Agtergat beneath the African sky.
A tour at Premier Mine
Premier mine is situated at Cullinan, north-east of Pretoria, the Administrative Capital of South Africa, and little more than an hour from Johannesburg.
The Premier (Transvaal) Diamond Company was registered in 1902, with Thomas Cullinan as chairman. Premier is the source of some of the world's largest gemstones such as the Cullinan, Premier Rose, Niarchos, the Centenary and the Golden Jubilee.
INTERESTING FACTS
In 1905, one of the greatest events in diamond history took place when an enormous diamond, weighing 3 106 carats, was found. It was named after Thomas Cullinan and still remains the largest diamond ever found. The two stones cut from this diamond are now found in the British crown jewels.
The Centenary was found in 1986. It weighed 599 carats and was one of the largest top colour diamonds ever found. When polishing was completed, it weighed 273.85 carats and possessed 247 facets.
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Let us take you on a tour through the famous city in a city. Witness "Ghetto live" at its best. The tour will take approximately 5 hours. Site seeing includes informal markets, visit to a shibeen, locals in informal housing, the monument erected for all youths that gave their lives for the "struggle" and many other attractions.
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In the morning we visit Gold Reef City, starting with a tour through the internationally famous Apartheid Museum (so that you can understand the fascinating role that gold and diamonds played during the apartheid years) and then on to vibrant Gold Reef City where we explore the depths of a gold mine, watch gold being poured and step back into history to the 19th century world on which Johannesburg / Egoli (City of Gold) was built. The mine itself at one time held the distinction of being the world's richest producer of ore and in 1916 held the world's shaft sinking record. We also visit the new Music Hall of Fame and the Odion Bioscope and the Science Exploratory!
After lunch everyone heads for a quick round in the amusement park with its exhilarating rides - not to be missed!
We then head off to Rand Refinery, South Africa's largest gold refinery, on the East side of Johannesburg where we watch gold being smelt and poured. Not many people get the opportunity to visit Rand Refinery. From there we head for a jewellery store for cocktails to see diamonds and gold as finished products and the opportunity to purchase jewellery at affordable and tax exempt prices.
The earliest documented discoveries of gold were made in the river beds or shallow excavations in ancient Egypt, Russia and later during the gold rushes in California, Australia and Alaska. However, it was South Africa that became the scene of the greatest gold find of all, the gold-bearing Witwatersrand reefs which constitute the largest known deposits of gold in the world.
Here, the great mining houses of modern times were born, and they in turn founded the Chamber of Mines of South Africa in 1887. A private sector organisation, this body has traditionally performed a variety of advisory and service functions on behalf of its members, via originally affiliated companies, such as Rand Refinery which was established in 1920 to provide a gold refining service to the South African mining industry. Now a stand-alone company, Rand Refinery has developed into a fully integrated complex capable of refining all South African gold bullion and gold containing products and is by far the largest and most modern gold refinery in the world, capable of refining 1200 tonnes of gold per annum.
Rand Refinery has refined an estimated 40 000 tonnes of gold since its establishment. When one considers that 130 000 tonnes of gold are estimated to have been produced since antiquity, then in excess of 30% of all gold that has ever been produced on earth was refined at Rand Refinery. Furthermore, it has successfully diversified its operations and expertise to meet changing market needs, and considerable success has been obtained in this regard, as more foreign gold producers are realising that it is more cost efficient to have their gold refined in South Africa than to send it to other regions. Rand Refinery now refines gold from north, west, central and east Africa as well as South America.
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Depart from Johannesburg early and head straight for Pretoria Zoo where we will spend the entire morning. After lunch at the Zoo we head off for Hartebeespoort Dam where we take a cable car and then head on to the Snake Park. Afterwards we cross over the dam wall and get out at a bustling and immensely popular African-style market with everything available from beaded curios to biltong! Then back to Johannesburg. Drop-off at 19h00.
African Attractions has recently installed 20 cameras at the Pretoria Zoo. This is the largest live streaming image site on the Net! A camera has also been installed in the nursery where the public are able to view newborns being fed and taken care of. Also take a look at the view of Pretoria from the Zoo on the 'View Cam' page.
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Departing from Johannesburg we head out to (The Cradle of Civilisation? World heritage Site, Wondercave and the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve set in the beautiful Kromdraai Conservancy. This haven from the hustle and bustle of the city boasts White Rhino, Lion, Buffalo, Hippo, Cheetah, Wild Dog and more than 20 other species of game.
Thereafter we head off for the Lesedi Cultural Village for a wonderful introduction to African tribal customs of the Zulu, Ndebele, Sotho, Pedi and Xhosa people, followed by a vibrant display of dancing.
We will remain at the Lesedi Cultural Village for a right royal traditional African meal. The gastronomically adventurous will be able to sample the likes of Ostrich Goulash, Roast Leg of Warthog, Kudu, Impala, Wildebeest and Zebra meat to name but a few. Drop-off at 23h00.
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We visit Gold Reef City and Casino. During the first half of the day we take a tour through the internationally famous Apartheid Museum and vibrant Gold Reef City: explore the depths of a gold mine, watch gold being poured and step back into history to the 19th century world on which Johannesburg / Egoli (City of Gold) was built. The mine itself at one time held the distinction of being the world's richest producer of ore and in 1916 held the world's shaft sinking record. We also visit the new Music Hall of Fame and the Odion Bioscope and the Science Exploratory!
After lunch everyone heads for the amusement park with its exhilarating rides - not to be missed!
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Head out of Johannesburg early in the morning for a three-hour drive (breakfast, coffee and cold drinks served!) via Rustenburg to Sun City. At Rustenburg we stop at a jewellery store for morning coffee and to see diamonds and gold as finished products and the opportunity to purchase jewellery at affordable and tax exempt prices.
Once at Sun City and weather permitting, we all head off for the Valley of Waves before exploring the world famous and exotic Sun City! Late afternoon we gather our Safari gear, binoculars and camera to hunt the wild on a guided Game Drive in open safari vehicles through the nearby Pilansberg National Park.
Situated in the North West Province, the 55,000ha National Park was proclaimed in 1979 and has been restocked with most of the species that inhabited this area previously, including all of the (Big Five?. Pilansberg is situated on the eroded remains of an extinct alkaline volcanic crater v one of only three in the world. Afterwards we enjoy a bush barbeque beneath the African skies. Drop-off time in Johannesburg is 00h30.
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Join TAKE A TOUR on a Friday or Saturday night for a good and solid mix of some of the hottest nightlife destinations Gauteng has to offer. From the vibiest and funkiest shebeen in one of Johannesburg's so-called townships to the lesbian & gay scene in Braamfontein's Heartland (and you don't have to be gay to enjoy this vibe!) to an upmarket cocktail scene at one of the province's top casinos, namely Monsoon Lagoon at Caesar's Palace.
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Johannesburg and Pretoria rock at night, particularly late in the week and on the weekends. Every taste imaginable in terms of nightlife is catered for in this, the biggest metropolis on the African continent. We cater for Special Requests just let us know what you're into, and if we don't know of a place that caters to your needs, we will find it (or start one specially up!) for you. Clubs, gigs, jazz, the less auspicious side of things, Lesbian & Gay+ you just let us know.
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Take A Tour offers tours throughout Southern Africa, anything imaginable under the sun:
- Whale-watching off the southern most coast of the African continent
- Winelands tours through some of the finest and most historical wine lands in the world
- Exploring the battlefields of KwaZulu Natal and the Northern Cape
- Watching the miracle of flowers in Namaqualand when the first rains come, listening the roar of the mighty Augrabies Falls on the mighty Orange River, looking over the magnificent Richtersveld and exploring the forbidden Skeleton coast off the Atlantic ocean
- The diamonds and ghosts of historical and modern-day Kimberley, as well as getting face-to-face with the world famous De Beers mining company at their headquarters.
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| For more information, please contact us at one of the following: |
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| E mail: |
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mail@placetostay.info |
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| Tel: |
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+27 82 492-0055 |
| Fax: |
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+27 11 614-8938 |
| Mobile: |
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+27 83 477 8775 |
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| Physical address: |
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36 Doris street, Kensington, Johannesburg, South Africa |
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