In the footsteps of Gandhi: Johannesburg and the Cradle of Humankind

When you arrive, you’ll be greeted at the airport and escorted by private transfer to the peaceful residential district of Orchards, where you’ll spend three nights in Satyagraha House, commonly known as Gandhi House. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was under this same thatched roof that the wise Mahatma Gandhi lived and worked on his concept of non-violent resistance. The atmosphere is tranquil, the space is filled with antique furniture and the food served is all vegetarian and centred around organic vegetables grown in the garden.

Your first day here is your opportunity to explore every corner of the house. Enjoy a leisurely lunch before visiting the museum. Accompanied by a knowledgeable member of staff, walk through each room discovering the house’s history through period photographs, drawings, notebooks, speeches and letters along with press articles, books and objects brought from India. Later in the day, unwind with a massage before sitting down to enjoy a delicious dinner made from the region’s best produce. Your meal will be prepared by talented chefs, and you’ll be offered a different tea to enjoy with each of the five courses.

Today, you’ll explore Johannesburg in the company of a local guide. Discover the city by first following in Mandela’s footsteps and then venturing into the newer, trendy districts of the city. First stop: Soweto, a township with an incredible energy that was at the heart of the struggle against apartheid. In its contemporary and powerful Apartheid Museum, learn the story of the cruel regime that was abolished not so long ago. You’ll then get acquainted with a thriving creative neighbourhood known as the Maboneng Precinct. This area is full of coffee shops, boutiques and galleries along with industrial warehouses that have been restored and transformed into cultural spaces and exhibition centres.

You have more time to see Johannesburg today, this time with a private guide who will immerse you in the city’s past through its most significant historical places. You’ll begin with the sites linked to the first struggles against apartheid, which includes another visit to Soweto. This former ghetto has changed a lot since apartheid, and it’s here that you’ll find the museum and memorial dedicated to Hector Pieterson, a 12-year-old boy killed by police during the 1976 student riots. At the museum, learn about the events that led to the uprising and, according to some historians, the eventual abolition of apartheid. You’ll also have the option of going on a private cycling tour of this important area. In the rapidly expanding Central Business District, you’ll discover a completely different South Africa, almost entirely geared towards the future. You’ll then move on to Newtown, the vibrant centre of major events such as the jazz festival and Fashion Week. Throughout your walk, your guide will help you to unlock the secrets of each historical district.

This morning, pick up your rental car and drive to Cradle of Humankind, around an hour away. You’ll spend three nights in an accommodation centred around artistic creation, wellbeing and nature. When you arrive, enjoy a spot of yoga or meditation in the garden or take a long walk before sitting down to a meal of seasonal dishes prepared with produce grown on site. If you like, we can also arrange for a private visit to the contemporary Nirox Art Sculpture Park with lunch at their onsite restaurant.

You have the next two days to visit and enjoy the famous Cradle of Humankind. Unfold the secrets of the origin of our species as you wander around this UNESCO World Heritage site, home to the largest concentration of human ancestral remains in the world. You’ll also explore the limestone caves that contain fossils documenting millennia of evolution. While this site is predominantly about human evolution, its richness and intrigue also extend to the variety of animal and plant species you’ll find here, many of which are endangered. The Cradle of Humankind covers around 180 square miles and contains 13 major fossil sites, so there’s plenty to discover here. When you’re not marvelling at three-million-year-old fossils, spend some time at your accommodation recharging your batteries and making the most of your peaceful surroundings.