South Africa townships and wildlife tour
| country: | South Africa | ||||
| departures: | Daily departures are available throughout the year with a minimum of 2 people | ||||
| price: | From R 15,350 - R 23,820 (12 days) excluding flights. Price based on two people sharing
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| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
In Durban we visit the traditional “Muti” (medicine) market and two townships. One of these was where Mahatma Ghandi lived for many years. North into Zululand and we spend time with a local Zulu tribe at a cultural village, learning about the proud Zulu nation, their history and culture. This village is owned and managed by the local tribal community. Access to the village is on horseback, on foot or in an oxwagon. Visit a project centre where – thanks to tourism – a “forgotten” community is receiving help from sponsors abroad. In excess of 700 children receive regular food and support and you will meet some of these children and their carers.
Take a river safari on St Lucia estuary, good chance of seeing hippos; crocodiles and many bird species. At a community campsite close to the Mozambiqan border we spend time in true “Robinson Crusoe” style; snorkeling, canoeing and joining local tribal elders in spearing fish in their traditional fish-traps.
Finally, three days of “Big 5” safari experiences in Hluhluwe/Imfolozi National Park – the reserve where “Save the White Rhino” project took place, the success of this project can be seen by the numbers of White Rhino in this park, as well as hundreds of species of animals, reptiles, birds and other creatures.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrival in Durban. You will be met by our representative at the airport, and transferred to your hotel, located in a suburb of Durban called Umhlanga Rocks. Your hotel is adjacent to a large shopping and entertainment centre. A short distance away (10 minutes by taxi), the beaches of the Indian Ocean beckon. Overnight: City Lodge Umhlanga (or similar). |
| Day 2: | Full-day tour of Durban. You will be collected at your hotel for your full-day tour of Durban. This is a city where many various cultures exist side by side. We start with a panoramic tour of the city and the mile-long golden sandy beach-front areas. Here you will see the souvenir-sellers, one of the many job-opportunities which tourism has brought. We continue – on foot – and explore the bustling Victoria Street Market. An expert guide will then join you, as we will then visit the “Muti Market”. Sangomas (spiritual healers) use “muti” and herbs which form an integral part of the life of many South Africans; hence the Muti Market is forever teeming with men and women, in search of healing, of good luck and charms to drive away evil spirits. We then visit a township – Cato Manor. This sprawling township is close to Durban city centre. See the shacks and the new housing development and learn a little about the issues of urban settlement and the Government’s policy on housing for all. Overnight: City Lodge Umhlanga (or similar). |
| Day 3: | Inanda Township & Zulu village. This morning we visit one of the large townships on the outskirts of Durban. Inanda Township covers a large area on the northern side of the city. We first stop at the Ohlange Institute, founded by Rev. John Dube; the first president of the African National Congress (ANC) is the historic place where President Nelson Mandela cast his vote in South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994. Continue to the Phoenix settlement where Mahatma Gandhi developed his philosophy of passive resistance, which had such a profound impact on the world. Here Gandhi's restored home (“Ashram”), rededicated as a monument to peace and justice, is an experience to see. We then head north driving through green rolling hills with sugarcane. Once we cross the Tugela River we are in what is historically known as “Zululand”, this is the home of the proud Zulu people. We arrive at the starting point for our next adventure – a visit to a cultural Zulu village. What makes this village different is that it is a tourism project co-owned by black and white entrepreneurs, it generates employment in an area where there would otherwise not have been any, and it gives tourists the most authentic insight into the life of the traditional Zulu. Ride on an ox-wagon (or on horseback if you prefer this), through breathtaking scenery. The ride is approximately one hour and is the only access route to the village. In our normal lives where everything is governed by the clock and where “hurry” and “faster” are the two common refrains, it is refreshing to experience that in rural Zululand, when one doesn’t have good roads or a fast car, everything happens slower but also at a gentler pace. Once at the village, your Zulu hosts will introduce you to the traditions and customs of the Zulu tribe. The huts (rooms) are set along the river and amongst the local village huts. Dinner will be served and afterwards, Zulu dancing, drums and song around the open fire. Dinner and overnight: Simunye Zulu Village. |
| Day 4: | Eshowe. After breakfast you will have the chance of seeing more of the village, before heading up the hill again on your ox-wagon or on horse-back. Your guide will meet you and drive to Eshowe. Here we visit the museum which is housed in an old fort. Exhibits show the history of the Zulu, the interaction with white pioneers and missionaries, and the museum also houses the largest collection of Zulu basket-ware in the world. Continue to the “Boardwalk”, an eco-friendly raised walkway amongst the tree canopy in the Dlinza Forest. See a magical bird life, indigenous trees, busy insects and precious flowers. Take notice of the things like textures of bark, twisted vines, roots of strangler figs, Epiphytic Orchids and the odd bird's nest. The 20m high viewing platform, which emerges above the canopy of the trees offers a panoramic view toward the Indian Ocean, over the tops of magnificent Flat Crown, Giant Umzimbeet and Forest Iron plum, yet still smell sweet blossoms and watch butterflies sip nectar at close range. Dinner and overnight: B&B accommodation, Eshowe. |
| Day 5: | Visit community project. Today will be spent with the local community on the outskirts of Eshowe. We are actively involved with a project whereby children who are orphaned or vulnerable due to poverty, are assisted with food, clothing, schooling and get the chance of a better future. Through this project we have come to know many local personalities who are real pillars of strength for the community. We have also won the trust of the grandmothers in the district, as it is usually the grannies who have to care for their orphaned grandchildren – this is one of the harsh realities of AIDS and typical of the current situation in South Africa. We will visit one or more of the grand-mothers in their homestead, and have tea and something to eat. In another homestead we stop for a snack lunch – these visits brings the benefit of tourism to illiterate and unemployed people who otherwise would not benefit from mainstream tourism. The rest of the day’s programme will depend on what is happening in the area. If the children are at school, we will visit one of these schools. If the local mobile clinic is in the area, we will stop to see how medical care is brought into the countryside. Perhaps there is a local event, such as a “coming-of-age” ceremony – in which case we are invited to attend. We may also ask you to help with the preparation and serving of lunch for the children who are enrolled in our project. This is a day spent outside the tourism-route but we know that it will leave memories of kind and warm-hearted people, of smiling children and of a proud and resilient group of people. Late afternoon, drive to St. Lucia which is the hub of the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park – one of South Africa’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Overnight: Lidiko Lodge (or similar), St. Lucia. |
| Day 6: | St Lucia Estuary. St Lucia Estuary is one of the tourism focal points of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a recently declared World Heritage Site. The Park comprises a number of conservation areas, the oldest of which is the St Lucia Game Reserve, established in 1895. St. Lucia Estuary is the gateway to the Eastern Shores of Lake St Lucia. The region contains the highest vegetated dunes in the world, extensive and diverse wetland systems, as well as coastal grasslands with an associated fauna which includes the Africa's highest density of common reedbuck. Numerous waterfowl, grassland, forest and sea birds provide an attraction to birdwatchers from around the world. We will spend the day exploring the Eastern Shores, and we will stop for a light picnic lunch. Overnight: Lidiko Lodge (or similar), St. Lucia. |
| Day 7: | Maputaland. After a leisurely start, we head north. After a couple of hours we find ourselves in Maputaland, located in the very north-east of KwaZulu-Natal. The area is one of the few relatively wild and unspoilt areas of South Africa. It has tropical climate and it stretches from the border to Mozambique down to Sodwana Bay. Maputaland is only sparsely populated. The roads are usually untarred. Some destinations, like Kosi Bay, can only be reached with a four-wheel drive, particularly in the wet summer season. It is a vast remote and magical place of shimmering lakes, forests, bush and pristine seashore. We arrive at our campsite, which is owned by the local “Induna” (tribal head man). Dinner and overnight: Kosi Bay, community campsite (reed huts with private WC/shower). |
| Day 8: | Kosi Bay. A day with unique experiences. The campsite is located close to “First Lake”, one of the 5 lakes at Kosi Bay. Lakes, lagoons, mangrove swamps, palm forests and dunes are just some of the attractions here. The coral reef of Kosi Bay is an ideal spot for diving and snorkeling. Because of the great variety of maritime species, this is a marine natural aquarium. To protect the highly sensitive ecosystem, the number of visitors is limited. The day will be filled with activities, such as kayaking, snorkeling, enjoying the beach, walking with Elmon (your host) to his fish-traps which have been in his family for generations. He will also show you how these traps function and you may have the chance of spearing tonight’s dinner! We may also visit the local “Sangoma”, the traditional healer of the village. Dinner and overnight: Kosi Bay – community campsite. |
| Day 9: | Hluhluwe/Imfolozi National Park. We leave Kosi Bay and head south, arriving at Hluhluwe/Imfolozi National Park. This is the oldest of the National Parks in South Africa, and is famous for being the park where the “Save the White Rhino from Extinction” programme was carried out. The abundance of white rhino, not only in this park but elsewhere in southern Africa, bears testimony to the success of this project. Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Park is the oldest game reserve in Africa proclaimed in 1895. The park covers some 96 000 ha and an immense diversity of fauna and flora occurs in this region. Larger mammals to be seen include buffalo, blue wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, elephant, and large numbers of impala, waterbuck, common and mountain reedbuck, nyala, kudu, bushbuck, steenbuck, duiker, warthog, black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and jackal. In excess of 300 species of birds have been recorded. Dinner and overnight: Mpila Camp, Hluhluwe/Imfolozi National Park. |
| Day 10-11: | Hluhluwe/Imfolozi National Park. Set off at sunrise, driving through the reserve on the look-out for Africa’s wildlife. Your guide will help interpret the sightings and explain the inter-connection, ecology, fauna and flora seen. We never know what will be seen – this is not a zoo. On some drives we have the most life-stopping sightings, other drives are not as exciting – this is wildlife roaming free and sightings are not staged for the benefit of the tourist! Dinner and overnight: Mpila Camp, Hluhluwe/Imfolozi National Park. |
| Day 12: | End of tour. After a last safari drive we head for Durban, either for flight departure or for an extension of your holiday. |
how this holiday makes a difference
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Our guides are locals who are trained and accredited as tourist guides. The aim is this tour is about learning and understanding South Africa’s apartheid legacy by visiting townships on the outskirts of Durban.
We learn the rich history and culture of the Zulu people by visiting a community owned and managed cultural village, your hosts are the local Zulu tribal community. This will also show how tourism can benefit communities living away from the “regular” tourist routes and also show how there is value in preserving tribal cultures and traditions. Accommodation is locally owned, either by tribal communities; by South African individuals or – in the case of your hotel in Durban – by a South African company with a strong environmental and empowerment philosophy. Visiting Zulufadder project we see how tourism can bring awareness and help to impoverished communities through aid project initiatives. This is truly a visit outside the tourist route, by visiting we show the local people that tourism can bring benefit to the grassroot level. Throughout the tour we are using local community guides thereby creating employment opportunities as well as an understanding for tourism as a means to earn an income. We teach all our guides that if you preserve the environment and offer a friendly and passionate service to your visitors, tourists will continue to arrive. This tour is available from 2 persons upwards – this is not a mass-tourism tour but rather an intimate and personal experience. In our office we train our own staff and if possible, always employ previously disadvantaged individuals. We spend a considerable amount of time and money on the training of our staff, thus equipping them for a career in tourism. We limit the amount of paper wastage, always re-using paper when possible. We actively encourage communication via e-mail and store all documents and data digitally instead of on paper. For our Southern African products we no longer print paper brochures but instead use digitally produced brochures. We encourage our guests to get “off the tourist track” and visit places of unique beauty and interest, not on the “mass tourism” trail. By adopting a pioneering spirit, unforgettable experiences and memories can be had. All accommodation venues are our “Responsible Tourism” partners, they are all operating according to sound Responsible Tourism practices in that they invest more than average in staff training and empowering the individual staff members; they are environmentally aware and have integrated sound environmental principles in their routines. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |