Northern South African: Local Healers / Hot Springs / World Heritage Site
This trip is a unique combination of : Ecology and Geography, Local Venda Culture, Nature and History. A botanist/ecologist who worked for 18 years in Botanical research, and lectured for 9 years at the University of Venda, leads this specially designed program. The location of this trip is in the ...
Read Full Description- Destination:
- Trip Length:
- 7 days
- Price Range:
- From $1000 to $2000 per person See what this includes and what this excludes
- Best Time to Go:
- Any time.
- Recommended for:
-
15 - 17, 18 - 20, 25 - 30, 31 - 35, 36 - 40, 41 - 50, 51 - 55
Family Trip, Group Retreat, Trip Around the World
Detailed Trip Description
This trip is a unique combination of : Ecology and Geography, Local Venda Culture, Nature and History. A botanist/ecologist who worked for 18 years in Botanical research, and lectured for 9 years at the University of Venda, leads this specially designed program. The location of this trip is in the far Northern portion of South Africa, of the Venda tribal group. This tribal group, is on the last tribes to migrate down from Central Africa. They came to South Africa, after the landing of the first whites in the South. The breakdown of the local Africa healer and prophets, who play different parts, will be made clear to you as you travel. The local healers understand that you have questions and that you may be skeptical of their knowledge and are quite open about that. Access to traditional tribal healers and to Sunday church services, African style, is due to the trust and connection of the tour guide. This aspect of local culture is usually closed off to the general public. However we have the permission to access the Sunday prayer service to experience the singing, dancing, drumming, and prayer of this small African based church, or place of worship.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Pretoria
Private Car Service
Arrive in to Pretoria (Tshwana).
Hotel
Overnight in Pretoria at a local guest house.
Relaxation
Late afternoon: Introduction to the trip/general outline.
Day 2 - Pretoria
Sightseeing
Brief tour of Pretoria including historical buildings, geography, unique plants, fauna, etc.
Spa/Wellness
Visit to a local African Herbal Muti Shop (Muti lis the local African word for Medicine). Explanation of traditional healing methods.
Spa/Wellness
Optional experience of a session with a local healer.
Sightseeing
Drive to Northern South Africa approx 5 hours with stops along the way to explain the geography, plants, rest stops, eating, etc.
Country Inn
Overnight Day 2 to Day 4 at a local guest house situated in the beautiful agricultural orchards of the Soutpanberg Mountains. These mountains are in a partly tropical weather belt, and they grow lots of mangos, avocados, passion fruit, and nuts in the area.
Food and Dining
Break fast and dinner at the guest house, lunch on our own.
Day 3 - South Africa
Sightseeing
We will drive to pick up the translator and visit the traditional healer, followed by a visit to Mission station. We will then have afternoon services and meet with Betty, the local prophet, traditional meal after services. Return to guest house.
Day 4 - South Africa
Safari
Drive to Kruger Park to visit the Thulamela excavations dating back to 1200 A.D. and experience a brief walking safari with an armed guard.
Arts, Crafts and Antiques
Drive to bead and pottery shop, to practice and watch local potters. The local Venda people are well known for their pottery.
Sightseeing
Part of the day is free for unexpected add ons, such as a brief walk in the mountains. Return to guest house for overnight.
Day 5 - South Africa
Spa/Wellness
Drive to Hot Springs, stopping off to visit a local rural clinic. We will spend the afternoon at Hot Springs to soak and relax, and to reflect on the past 2 days.
Day 6 - South Africa
Sightseeing
Drive to Mupangubwe, the United Nations' most recent world heritage site. We will also visit the wild dog project and possibly the diamond mine.
National Parks
Afternoon drive in the Mupangubwe Park with a sundowner by the 3 country border of Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Mupangubwe is a tribal area dating back to 1200 A.D. and is a new park with some wild game, and very different, scenic rock formations.
Day 7 - Johannesburg
Private Car Service
Drive back to Pretoria/Johannesburg for the next step in your travel plans.
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Accommodation for 6 nights. Meals: All breakfasts, some dinners, and lunches will be inlcuded. This gives you the freedom to experience some local restaurants as you travel, visit supermarkets, and see the country from a local perspective. Entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary. Transfers & sightseeing as per itinerary.
Budget Excludes:
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