Photos of South Africa

Culture, Creation & Reconciliation in South Africa

November 7–18, 2027

Pricing: $9,995 per person; For a single room add $1,375

*Internal flights are not included in the tour price but will be arranged for the group. An estimated cost of $550 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 provide meals, education, and shelter to the city’s youth. Immerse yourself completely in the glory of creation at Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves and home to the Big Five Cape Town. 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 a worship service at The People’s Cathedral and witness a spectacular story of reconciliation at the Amy Foundation, providing job training to vulnerable young adults. Your journey concludes at a retreat center near the coast for rest and reflection.

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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; 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 The People’s Cathedral; and at a boutique hotel retreat center.
  • 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 4-5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

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

At Home with Nelson Mandela

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. 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. Your day concludes 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. Return the hotel and enjoy an included dinner at your convenience.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Thaba Eco Hotel

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. Enjoy a home-style traditional South African buffet lunch at a local restaurant before visiting 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. Refresh at the hotel before an immersive culinary experience blending storytelling, culture, and contemporary African cooking with Chef Sanza.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Thaba Eco Hotel

Day 4-5

Scenic Safari

Depart the hotel late Wednesday morning for a brief (one-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: Kruger Gate Hotel

Day 6

Cape Town Arrival

Start your day with a final morning game drive in Kruger National Park before transferring to the airport for a (2.5-hour) flight* to Cape Town. Settle into your waterfront hotel this evening before enjoying dinner as a group.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodations: The Commodore Hotel

Day 7

Captivating Cape Town

Embark on a spectacular full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula. Drive along the coast to Hout Bay, a charming fishing community with magnificent mountain and beach views. 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 (weather permitting). 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: The Commodore Hotel

Day 8

Sacred Sites and Stories: From The People’s Cathedral to Robben Island

Start your day with a brief worship service at The People’s Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Southern Africa. Take a boat to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for eighteen years, and learn more about the struggle in the fight against apartheid. 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: The Commodore Hotel

Day 9

Reconciliation and Reflection

This morning, ascend by cable car (weather permitting) to the top of Table Mountain for panoramic views of the city, harbor, and peninsula below. After, visit the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, dedicated to preserving the legacy of Desmond Tutu, one of the most prominent and vocal critics of South Africa’s apartheid system. 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. Enjoy time at leisure this evening to explore Cape Town on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodations: The Commodore Hotel

Day 10

A Toast to South Africa

Travel to the beautiful Stellenbosch, known for its historic Cape Dutch architecture and renowned wine estates. Enjoy time exploring the charming town, followed by a wine and chocolate pairing at one of the region’s celebrated wine estates. This afternoon, travel along the scenic coast to the town of Hermanus with an opportunity to reflect on your experience at your retreat hotel with Bishop Sutton. Gather tonight for a teambuilding LEGO activity.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Wine Tasting, Dinner

Accommodations: Blue Gum Country Estate

Day 11

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 time at leisure to explore Hermanus on your own. Return to the hotel this afternoon and enjoy dinner as a group on site this evening.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodations: Blue Gum Country Estate

Day 12

A Toast to Creation

Conclude your journey 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, take a group transfer to the Cape Town airport for individual flights back to the United States this evening.

Included Meal: Brunch

What’s Included?

  • All accommodations for the duration of the tour
  • Ground transfers to and from airport
  • Meals, as noted in the itinerary
  • All sightseeing and visits as noted in the itinerary
  • Expertise of a Chautauqua expert, ATA-hired travel director, 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
  • Quietvox listening devices to facilitate audibility and social distancing on tour
  • 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. (3 Nights)

Kruger Gate Hotel
Set on the banks of the Sabie River, the Kruger Gate Hotel is directly opposite one of the main entrances to Kruger National Park. Designed in a classic safari-lodge architectural style, the hotel blends stone, timber, and thatch elements to harmonize with its natural surroundings. Public amenities include an infinity pool overlooking the river, a fullservice spa, fitness center, outdoor boma, and multiple dining terraces ideal for wildlife viewing. Guest rooms feature contemporary Africaninspired décor, natural textures, and private balconies that connect guests to the surrounding bush landscape. (2 Nights)

The Commodore Hotel
The Commodore Hotel enjoys a prime location at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, offering easy access to shops, restaurants, and harbor views with Table Mountain as a dramatic backdrop. Designed in a nautical-inspired architectural style, the hotel evokes a classic maritime theme with elegant finishes and subtle oceanic motifs throughout its public spaces. Amenities include a full-service spa, outdoor swimming pool, and well-equipped fitness center. On-site dining includes a stylish restaurant serving fresh, locally inspired cuisine, as well as a bar and terrace ideal for cocktails with harbor views. Guest rooms are tastefully decorated in a contemporary style with warm tones, wood accents, and maritime touches. (4 Nights)

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. (2 Nights)