Johannesburg – Durban – Cape Town
There is nothing quite like the spending the night in a traditional hut in the heart of a South African village. You’ll wake up to the sounds of a crowing cock, bleating sheep and smell of samp cooking on an open fire.
The best way to experience South African cultures is to stay in traditional accommodation in one of the many cultural villages that can be found around the country.
At the Basotho Cultural Village in the Golden Gate National Park you can enjoy traditional dancing and see how the village women weave baskets and grind maize. A different period of the Basotho’s history is depicted by each hut. Guests can stay overnight in the Basotho Cultural Village Rest Camp which is fashioned after an 18th-century Basotho village. It offers comfortable self-catering accommodation.
At aha Lesedi near Johannesburg you can explore five different South African tribal cultures and stay overnight in traditional accommodation in Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele tribal homesteads. Each of the 38 luxury huts with modern amenities have been decorated in the style of a different tribal culture.
The aha Shakaland Hotel & Zulu Cultural Village, a cultural village in the heart of Zululand, offers insight into Zulu culture through an immersive experience. It harks back to the days of King Shaka, the powerful king of the Zulu nation. The Nandi Experience is a 3 hour tour which includes a beer drinking ceremony, a visit to a sangoma and traditional spear throwing.
At Gooderson DumaZulu Lodge and Traditional Village in Hluhluwe you can stay in one of 31 rounded huts, decorated to represent the different tribes of Southern Africa, namely: Zulu, Swazi, North Sotho, Xhosa, Venda, Tsonga and Ndebele. This is South Africa’s largest cultural village where visitors can observe the art of spear and drum making, beadwork, basketry, pottery and weaving. The village also offers the opportunity for a one on one reading with a Sangoma (traditional healer).
Cata Cultural Village in the Eastern Cape gives visitors the opportunity of staying with a Xhosa family in a traditional Xhosa village. You’ll be invited to share a meal with village families, visit a shebeen with your host, play football with the local team, and learn about Xhosa arts, crafts and culture surrounded by the magnificent Amatole Mountains. Another fascinating Xhosa cultural village is Khaya La Bantu Cultural Village where visitors can immerse themselves in Xhosa culture.
Day One
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by your guide who will transfer you to the hotel. Overnight at Balalaika Hotel.
Day Two
After breakfast, explore the history of South Africa and its apartheid years. Visit the Soweto, Freedom Square, Regina Mundi Church, the Hector Pieterson Memorial. Apartheid Museum and other famous freedom sites. Overnight at Balalaika Hotel.
Day Three
Fly to Durban after your breakfast. On arrival in Durban, you will be welcomed by your guide who will transfer you the hotel situated on the famous Golden Mile. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Holiday Inn Elangeni.
Day Four
After your breakfast, drive to the Zululand passing through the rolling hills of sugar cane plantations and forests. Visit the Shakaland, a Zulu Kraal, near Eshowe, in the Nkwalini valley. You will experience the cultural traditions of the Zulu like beer brewing, spear making, hut building, pottery, weaving, traditional dress, Zulu etiquette and the layout and the social structure of the Kraal. Enjoy the traditional dancing and the meals. . Overnight at Holiday Inn Elangeni.
Day Five
Have the early breakfast and drive to Inanda which was the home to the Natal Native Congress, which then became the home of the African National Congress. You will also visit the Gandhi Settlement, where Mahatma Gandhi developed the philosophy of passive resistance, which had a profound impact on the history of both South Africa and India. Nearby is Ohlange, the school founded by John Dube, the founding father and the first president of the African National Congress. It is here where ex-president Nelson Madibe Mandela cast his first vote in the new South Africa. You will also cover the various Shembe churches, founded by the prophet Isaiah Shembe and now are the largest Churches in South Africa. Overnight at Holiday Inn Elangeni.
Day Six
After the breakfast, fly to Cape Town and in the afternoon, explore the historical Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Overnight at City Lodge Waterfront.
Day Seven
Take a tour of District six after your breakfast which shows the harsh reality of the past. Then proceed to Langa and Gugulethe and experience the spirit of hope and reconstruction of the present South Africa. Later in the afternoon, take a cruise to Robben Island, where former inmates bring to life the history of this prison. . Overnight at City Lodge Waterfront.
Day Eight
After breakfast, depart for the full day experience of the famous Cape Winelands. During the tour, you can have the opportunity to taste some of the wines produces in this region. . Overnight at City Lodge Waterfront.
Day Nine
After breakfast, go for the crafts and then fly to Johannesburg to connect with your flight back home.