Photos of South Africa

Culture, Creation & Reconciliation in South Africa

November 10–21, 2024

Pricing: $8,395 per person; For a single room add $1,275

*Internal flights on Days 4, 10 and 12 are not included in the tour price but will be arranged for the group. An estimated cost of $1,100 will be added to the preliminary invoice at booking, and the final cost will be updated no later than 3 months before departure.

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For more information, contact ATA at 877-298-9677 or Reservations@academic-travel.com

Overview

Join Chautauqua Travels for an extraordinary 12-day pilgrimage through the heart of beautiful South Africa, where culture, creation, and reconciliation converge. Chautauqua’s Senior Pastor Bishop Eugene Sutton will share meditations and insights to help renew your spiritual life and lead you in examining South Africa’s rich natural and cultural heritage alongside the triumphs and tribulations that have shaped its remarkable story. Your journey begins in Johannesburg, a city that epitomizes the paradoxes of South Africa’s past and present. Follow in the footsteps of Nobel Prize winners, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu on Vilakazi Street – the only street in the world where two Nobel Peace Prize laureates once lived; delve into the complicated history of apartheid at the world-class Apartheid Museum; and observe firsthand the challenges – and optimism – that remain in Kliptown, a sprawling settlement where volunteers with the Little Rose Center work tirelessly to provide meals, education, and shelter to the city’s youth. Continue to Cape Town, a bustling metropolis nestled between towering mountains and the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Explore the region’s stunning natural resources – from penguin colonies at Boulder’s Beach to the soaring peak of Table Mountain – as well as its complicated past, with a guided tour of Robben Island alongside Nelson Mandela’s former jailer and eventual friend. Experience hope and inspiration with services at St. George’s Cathedral and witness a spectacular story of reconciliation at the Amy Foundation, providing job training to vulnerable young adults. Continue along the coastline to a retreat center for rest and reflection in Hermanus before immersing yourself completely in the glory of creation at Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves and home to the Big Five.

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Questions?

Please contact ATA at:
Toll-Free Number: 877-298-9677
Reservations@academic-travel.com

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Trip Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in the glories of creation as you observe the penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach; embark on a boat tour to Seal Island; take a whale-watching cruise during peak migration; and experience a three-day safari in one of Africa’s largest game reserves.
  • Explore the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela on a tour of the Apartheid Museum; at lunch in his former home; and during a private tour of Robben Island with Christo Brand, his former jailer and long-time friend.
  • Witness stunning stories of forgiveness, hope, and reconciliation at the Little Rose Center, which provides shelter, food, and education to children in the Kliptown squatter camps and at the Amy Foundation where students in the center’s culinary program learn valuable career skills.
  • Reflect on the creation of the Earth and our place on it at the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; in prayer at St. George’s Cathedral; and at a restful retreat center with Benedictine monks.
  • Celebrate Africa’s diverse culture and natural beauty as you enjoy home-cooked meals, spirited dance performances, and an interactive drumming workshop.

Trip Expert: The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton

The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton is the senior pastor of the Chautauqua Institution. Formerly the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland and Canon Pastor of Washington National Cathedral, where he directed the Cathedral’s Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage. Sutton has also served as a college chaplain, parish priest, and professor of homiletics and liturgy at Vanderbilt University Divinity School. Sutton is a frequent leader of retreats focused on spirituality, nonviolence, and social justice, including multiple missions to South Africa. He co-founded Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and Washington, an ecumenical network of churches and individuals committed to centering prayer and renewing the contemplative gospel for daily living. He is a prolific writer, and has contributed to multiple books, including “The Diversity of Centering Prayer” and “Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace: Challenging the Epidemic of Gun Violence.” Bishop Sutton has been named by the Center for American Progress as one of “Fourteen Faith Leaders to Watch” for his faith-led efforts to promote nonviolent solutions to conflicts.

Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Days 10–11

Day 12

Day 1

Day 1: Welcome to Johannesburg 

Arrive on individual flights and transfer to your hotel, a surprising oasis on the outskirts of Johannesburg. Freshen up before gathering this evening for dinner and a welcome presentation from your expert, the Right Reverend Bishop Eugene Sutton, Senior Pastor at the Chautauqua Institution.

Included Meal: Dinner 

Accommodations: Thaba Eco Hotel 

Day 2

Day 2: At Home with Nelson Mandela 

Your day begins with a tour of Constitution Hill, home of South Africa’s Constitutional Court, powerfully set at the site of Johannesburg’s Old Fort Prison, where Nelson and Winnie Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi once served time. After, continue to Sanctuary Mandela, once the former president’s primary residence in Johannesburg and now headquarters of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Sit down to a home-cooked meal on site featuring some of Mandela’s favorite recipes prepared by his long-time personal chef. Tour the property and learn about the troubled yet inspiring life of the human rights activist, former president, and global icon. This evening, enjoy a pan-African feast with the spirited and entertaining self-trained chef, Sanza Sandile at the Yeoville Dinner Club, regarded by many to be South Africa’s best dining experience.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Accommodations: Thaba Eco Hotel 

Day 3

Day 3: Soweto’s Struggles 

Soweto – an acronym for the South Western Township – is a sprawling township and the largest black residential area in the heart of Johannesburg. Your day begins with an overview of some of its most noteworthy sites, including the Hector Pieterson Memorial, which commemorates the dozens of student protestors who were shot by police during the Soweto uprising in 1976. After, meet with volunteers at the Little Rose Center in Kliptown, who work tirelessly to provide food, shelter, and education to children in the community. Meet with the children who live and learn on site and hear firsthand from the Center’s founders about their stories of compassion and commitment. Then, continue to the Apartheid Museum, a world-class museum that explores the complicated history of apartheid in South Africa through the nation’s first democratic elections in 1994. Return to the hotel for dinner this evening.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Accommodations: Thaba Eco Hotel 

Day 4

Day 4: Cradle of Humankind 

Travel to the Cradle of Humankind this morning – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has produced some of the oldest human fossils in the world – dating back 3.5-million years ago. Learn about these discoveries while contemplating the origin of the Earth and our role on it. After, return to Johannesburg for a two-hour flight to Cape Town. Settle into your waterfront hotel this evening before enjoying dinner as a group.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Accommodations: Table Bay Hotel 

Day 5

Day 5: Captivating Cape Town 

Ascend by cable car (weather permitting) to the top of Table Mountain for panoramic views of the city, harbor, and peninsula below. After, drive along the coast to Hout Bay, a charming fishing community with magnificent mountain and beach views. Weather permitting, embark on a boat tour to Seal Island to see the local seal colony. Continue via Chapman’s Peak to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, the rocky promontory at the southern tip of the peninsula where the Indian and Atlantic Ocean converge. Take the famed Flying Dutchman Funicular railway to the lighthouse for an aerial view of the rocky shoreline below. Visit the penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach before returning to the hotel this afternoon. Tonight, enjoy time at leisure to explore some of the many shops and restaurants along the Waterfront on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Accommodations: Table Bay Hotel 

Day 6

Day 6: Sacred Sites and Stories: From Saint George’s to Robben Island 

Start your day in sacred prayer at Saint George’s Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Southern Africa. Saint George’s is known as the “People’s Cathedral” in recognition of its role in the fight against apartheid. Learn more about this struggle at Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for eighteen years. Join Christo Brand, Mandela’s former jailer and eventual friend, for a private tour. Brand will share personal reflections about Mandela’s struggle, his legacy, and their enduring friendship. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for an interactive drumming session, dance, song, and an invigorating dining experience at Gold Restaurant.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Accommodations: Table Bay Hotel 

Day 7

Day 7: Reconciliation and Reflection 

In the 1970s, more than 60,000 black residents were forcibly removed from Cape Town’s District Six to make way for new development. Today, join a former resident of the neighborhood to learn more about this tragic history. After, meet with students and leaders at the Amy Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides job-training and life skills to young adults from vulnerable communities. Founded in the wake of the tragic murder of Amy Biehl, an anti-apartheid activist, the Foundation provides an extraordinary example of reconciliation and forgiveness. This afternoon, students in the Foundation’s culinary program will prepare lunch for the group on site. After, travel along the scenic coast to the town of Hermanus with an opportunity to reflect on your experience at your retreat hotel. Gather tonight for a team-building Lego exercise.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Accommodations: Blue Gum Country Estate 

Day 8

Day 8: A Day of Wonder and Whales 

Hermanus is known as one of the world’s best whale-watching destinations. This morning, you will embark on an unforgettable whale-watching tour with an opportunity to observe Southern Right and Humpback whales during their peak migration season. After your marine safari, enjoy lunch at Bientang’s Cave Restaurant, with stunning views of the ocean and tide pools, and continued opportunities to observe whales from land. After lunch, continue to Volmoed, an expansive retreat center, meaning “full of courage and hope.” Volmoed is home to the brothers of St. Benedict’s Priory. Today, we will join in prayer and reflection with the brothers who call Volmoed home and reflect on South Africa’s complicated history and tremendous promise.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Accommodations: Blue Gum Country Estate 

Day 9

Day 9: A Toast to Creation 

Begin your day with an innovative wine paring brunch at Creation Wines, repeatedly voted one of the world’s 50 best vineyards and the number one winery in Africa. Learn about Creation’s commitment to sustainable winemaking during a multi-sensory tasting experience. After, return to Cape Town for an evening at leisure as you prepare for safari tomorrow.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Accommodations: Table Bay Hotel 

Days 10–11

Days 10-11: Scenic Safari 

Depart Cape Town this morning for an in-country (2.5-hour) flight to Skukuza Airport, the gateway to the iconic Kruger National Park. During the next two days, immerse yourself in the African savannah on afternoon and morning game drives. Throughout your stay, skilled naturalists will lead you through one of Africa’s largest game reserves, with opportunities to witness the Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos) in their natural habitat, along with hundreds of other mammals and birds that call the region home.

Included Meals: Breakfast (2), Dinner (2) 

Accommodations: Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel (or similar) 

Day 12

Day 12: Departure 

Awaken early this morning for a final game drive before returning to Cape Town and individual flights back to the United States.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

What’s Included?

  • All accommodations for the duration of the tour
  • Meals, as noted in the itinerary (B-breakfast; L-lunch; D-dinner; R-reception)
  • All sightseeing and visits as noted in the itinerary
  • Expertise of a Chautauqua expert, ATA-hired tour manager, and local guides throughout the tour
  • All gratuities for on-tour guides, drivers, hotel, and restaurant staff as part of the group program
  • All on-tour transportation, unless otherwise noted
  • A group transfer from the airport for those arriving according to the designated itinerary
  • Quietvox listening devices to facilitate audibility and social distancing on tour
  • Fully vetted program that meets COVID-19 health and safety protocols
  • The assistance of an ATA professional travel team to assist with pre-trip questions, travel arrangements, including flights, extra hotel nights and other services
  • Comprehensive pre-departure mailings and materials with information about the destination and what to expect on tour, including a suggested reading list
  • Emergency evacuation insurance

Accommodations

Thaba Eco Hotel 
The Thaba Eco Hotel offers an oasis in the bustling city of Johannesburg, a short drive from the city’s key sites. Nestled in a serene nature reserve, this eco-friendly hotel offers a unique blend of luxury and sustainability. Immerse yourself in nature with breathtaking panoramic views and lush green surroundings. Stylish rooms provide modern comforts while showcasing the beauty of the natural environment. The on-site restaurant offers farm-to-table dining with local, organic ingredients. The property also features a full-service spa and wellness center and guided nature walks.

Table Bay
This five-star luxury hotel is conveniently located on the vibrant V&A Waterfront, with beautiful views of the working harbor, the majestic Table Mountain, and the Atlantic Ocean. Cape Town’s many shops and restaurants are mere footsteps from the hotel’s front door. First opened 25 years ago by Nelson Mandela, this historic property offers luxury, history, and convenience. Tastefully designed rooms blend contemporary style and classic charm. The property also features an outdoor infinity pool, spa, on-site dining, and a gym.

Blue Gum Country Estate 
This four-star boutique bed and breakfast provides the perfect setting for rest and reflection. A working wine farm set on 130 acres outside Hermanus, the estate is nestled among ancient Blue Gum Trees, overlooking the banks of a river. Elegant, spacious cottages are spread throughout the property, each thoughtfully designed to provide comfort and style. The property also offers multiple gathering spaces to relax and unwind.

Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel 
Perry’s Bridge Hollow offers a tranquil haven, nestled among indigenous gardens and a short drive from the legendary Kruger National Park. The property provides a charming fusion of African warmth and modern comfort. Well-appointed, spacious rooms feature high ceilings; air conditioning; and both indoor and outdoor showers, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the beautiful night skies and African sunrises.