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Basket maker in KwaZulu-Natal |
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his journey through the northern and eastern areas of South Africa will offer a remarkable selection of arts and creativity, wild game parks, stunning scenery, multi-cultural diversity, fine cuisine and great shopping. Meet the local people in tribal villages, vibrant townships such as Soweto and cities (Johannesburg and Durban). We’ll be travelling in the provinces of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Experience the African wilderness in the iconic Kruger National Park with its abundant wildlife, birds and plants. Savor the thrill of viewing The Big Five in open safari vehicles with skilled rangers. Visit the impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites of Mapungubwe, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the Cradle of Humankind. Many of the places we visit will have specialist site guides who offer us enriching educational experiences. A registered South African tour guide also accompanies us for the whole tour.
In the rural areas we travel off the beaten track to experience the customs of amongst others, the Venda, Zulu, Ndebele and Tsonga tribes. Observe traditional crafts like basket weaving, pottery, wall-painting and beading that have been handed down through families for generations. Meet the woodcarvers of Limpopo and the Mapula and Kaross embroidery groups who have received wide praise and honours for their work. Wander around open markets and enjoy the music, the people, African fabrics and much more.
Meet artists in their studios and visit self-help projects creating innovative textiles, jewelry and other amazing articles which often combine traditional skills with contemporary style. Tour fascinating galleries and museums such as the Phansi Museum.
Fantastic baobab trees, tranquil bushveld, savannah grassland, the Indian Ocean coastline and scenic forest valleys provide some of the spectacular natural beauty on our journey. We’ll encounter diverse architectural styles such as colonial homesteads in beautiful cultivated gardens, thatched rondavels and colorful township homes. We will be staying in both the countryside and urban areas in carefully chosen hotels and lodges that often have a special quality.
Learn about the history and political developments that have shaped South Africa from the San-Bushman to the early colonial settlers and the miracle of the Nelson Mandela era and the transition to democracy.
Join us for a memorable journey in South Africa!
Itinerary
(B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
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Ceramic artist in Venda area |
Day 1 | Friday, April 6, 2012 (D) Johannesburg, Gauteng Note: Public holiday - Easter weekend
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Arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and transfer to our lovely hotel in the upmarket northern suburbs. In the evening we’ll get together with fellow travellers for our Welcome Dinner which includes introductions and an overview of our tour. Our accommodation in Johannesburg is the Hotel Balalaika.
Day 2 | Saturday, April 7, 2012 (B, L) Johannesburg, Gauteng
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Today we travel into the countryside to the Cradle of Humankind, a World Heritage Site. Our specialist guide will introduce us to fascinating ancient evidence of evolution and past cultures. See archaeological excavations and dolomite caves containing fossils from millions of years ago. Enjoy lunch surrounded by panoramic views of the savannah bushveld. In the afternoon we’ll visit some of the best galleries for contemporary and tribal arts, crafts and artifacts from across the African continent. Own arrangements for dinner – several good restaurants are near the hotel. Our accommodation in Johannesburg is the Hotel Balalaika.
Day 3 | Sunday, April 8, 2012 (B, D) Johannesburg, Gauteng & Centurion
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A coach tour through cosmopolitan Joburg, as it’s known, introduces us to this economic hub of the southern African region. It’s also a city with 6 million trees! Experience the quiet and leafy suburbs with shopping malls, the famous metropolis of Soweto (an acronym for South Western Township) which includes a visit to the former home of Nelson Mandela. Our next stop is the Apartheid Museum, combining a superb use of design, space and landscape to illustrate the rise and fall of apartheid in South Africa. Continue to the Rosebank Rooftop Market, voted as Joburg's Premier Market for eleven consecutive years! Wander around over 600 stalls offering quality handcrafted items from all over Africa and the International Food Court has a delicious selection to choose from for lunch. Our accommodation in Centurion is the Irene Country Lodge.
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Mapula embroidery project artist |
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Day 4 | Monday, April 9, 2012 (B, L, D) Winterveld, Middleburg Note: Public holiday - Family day
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This morning we drive to the highly successful Mapula embroidery project in Winterveld outside Pretoria to meet the Mapula women and see their remarkable, colorful cloths. Proceed to the Botshabelo Ndebele cultural village in Mpumalanga to see the striking, geometric wall-paintings and beadwork for which the Ndebele women are famous. Gain an insight into Ndebele life and art and learn about these unique art forms handed down from mother to daughter. Our accommodation in Middleburg is the Del Roza Guest House.
Day 5 | Tuesday, April 10, 2012 (B, L) White River
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In a farming area close to White River we’ll find The Artists' Press situated in a specially-built studio. It provides artists with the opportunity to collaborate with master printer Mark Attwood to produce original prints of the highest quality. The Artists' Press offers a variety of print processes (lithography, letterpress, intaglio, mono-printing and relief printing) to artists and also publishes and sells original prints and artists' books. Some of South Africa’s finest artists are represented here. We’ll also meet artist Tamar Mason who combines her community project work with large commissions. She works in various media including large embroidered textile pieces and clay sculpture. Our next stop is the ceramic studios of the Bosch family set in sub-tropical rural surroundings. A variety of contemporary ceramics are produced, both functional ware and sculptural forms, often decorated with images from the natural world depicted with joyful pattern, line and color. Own arrangements for dinner – there are several good restaurants situated near the hotel. Our accommodation in White River is the Casterbridge Hollow Hotel.
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Preparing for a morning game drive, white rhinos & giraffe |
Kruger Park
The next 3 days will be spent in the iconic Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves. It extends over nearly 2 million hectares and shares borders with Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The Kruger Park lies across both the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces of South Africa and it offers an outstanding wilderness experience. The diversity of fauna and flora in the Kruger is impressive: 147 mammals, 336 trees and 507 bird species.
Enjoy the thrill of game drives in open safari vehicles with skilled rangers, viewing The Big Five (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo) and many other animals including giraffe and zebra. A night drive gives an opportunity to spot nocturnal animals and a bush walk is a wonderful way to experience the animals and vegetation from another point of view. There will also be time to relax, take leisurely walks in the camp and enjoy the many trees, plants and birds with a well-informed guide. Throughout our time in the Kruger Park, the many different natural environments provide for abundant photo opportunities.
Day 6 | Wednesday, April 11, 2012 (B, L, D)
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Our accommodation in Kruger is Kapama River Lodge.
Day 7 | Thursday, April 12, 2012 (B, L, D)
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Our accommodation in Kruger is Kapama River Lodge.
Day 8 | Friday, April 13, 2012 (B, L, D)
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Free afternoon - no group activities arranged.
Our accommodation in Kruger is Kapama River Lodge.
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Kaross embroidery |
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Day 9 | Saturday, April 14, 2012 (B, L, D) Letsitele
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Our day will be spent at a tranquil yet dynamic haven of creativity located on a citrus farm. Our destination is Kaross a hand embroidery enterprise founded in 1989 with five Shangaan embroiders, by artist Irma van Rooyen as a job creation and upliftment initiative. Today this project has over 1000 participants from the local Letsitele / Giyani communities. Kaross produces embroidered artworks, wall-hangings and collector’s items as well as homeware and fashion items and is known for its excellent quality and design. Enjoy the day surrounded by the people of Kaross and their beautiful stitched textures and colors. Our accommodation in Tzaneen is Tzaneen Country Lodge.
Day 10 | Sunday, April 15, 2012 (B, L, D) Magoebaskloof, Tzaneen
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Drive to the secluded Magoebaskloof mountains, a lush landscape of dramatic scenery with forests, gardens and tropical fruits. Visit Barok, Merle Payne’s amazing textile venture specializing in unique hand-crafted handbags, skirts, flags, cushion covers and wall-panels. Funky, eclectic designs merge with a collage of fine textiles, embroidery and embellishments. At Kuhestan Farm we’ll see gorgeous kilim rugs which come directly from Iran as well as many organic farm products surrounded by beautiful scenery. Our accommodation in Tzaneen is Tzaneen Country Lodge.
Limpopo arts and crafts Makhado, Elim, Giyani, Thohoyandou
Limpopo Province is known for its arts, crafts and design with acclaimed artists and craftspeople, traditional storytellers, dancers and singers to be found in many traditional Shangaan / Tsonga and Venda villages. In the next three days (April 16, 17 and 18) we’ll visit some of these people in their studios and workshops as time and weather permits, in the districts of Makhado, Elim, Giyani, Thohoyandou: sculptor Noria Mabasa; woodcarver and drum-makers Albert Munyai, Thomas Kubayi and David Murati; painted wood sculpture by Phillip Rikhotso and Johannes Maswanganyi and sons; and master potter Rebecca Mathibe.
At the Mukhondeni Pottery Village, the 'pottery street' displays all kinds of traditional and contemporary pottery and the huts are traditionally decorated. Women at the textile projects Madi A Thavha, Twananani Textiles and Mtiti Magic use stitching, printing, dyeing, beadwork and embroidery to create home decor and fashion products including the traditional nceka. The projects provide employment for women in a region of high unemployment. A visit to the open air markets will give another insight into the culture and daily life in this region.
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Day 11 | Monday, April 16, 2012 (B, L, D)
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Visit artists and craftspeople. Our accommodations in Elim are Shiluvari Lodge & Mambedi Country Lodge.
Day 12 | Tuesday, April 17, 2012 (B, L, D)
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Visit artists and craftspeople. Our accommodations in Elim are Shiluvari Lodge & Mambedi Country Lodge.
Day 13 | Wednesday, April 18, 2012 (B, L, D)
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Visit artists and craftspeople. Our accommodations in Elim are Shiluvari Lodge & Mambedi Country Lodge.
Day 14 | Thursday, April 19, 2012 (B, L, D) Mapungubwe
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Today we travel to Mapungubwe National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on South Africa’s northern border with Botswana and Zimbabwe. This is the site of an ancient trading civilization who left behind a legacy of gold artefacts, beads, pottery and ornaments. Mapungubwe has great scenic beauty and is rich in biodiversity including baobab trees, fever and acacias trees, riverine forest, abundant bird species and a variety of animal life. In 2009 the Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre was awarded the World Building of the Year award. Our accommodation in Bandelierkop is Lalapanzi Hotel.
Day 15 | Friday, April 20, 2012 (B, L, D) Panorama Route, Nelspruit
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Rondavels overlooking the Drakensburg mountain range |
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Our journey today is one through spectacular geological scenery that gives the area its name, the Panorama Route, leading through the rugged northern Drakensberg mountain range. The names of the viewpoints give an idea of the breathtaking views: God’s Window, Wonder View, Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Blyde River Canyon (the Motlatse) - the third deepest canyon in the world. We’ll stop at the small town of Graskop which has a great collection of galleries and shops with fascinating African arts and crafts. Our accommodation in Nelspruit is the Protea Hotel Nelspruit.
Day 16 | Saturday, April 21, 2012 (B, L, D) Mkuze
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Departing from the city of Nelspruit, our drive today takes us through towns and villages of Mpumalanga Province. We’ll stop for lunch before continuing into Zululand and the northern areas of the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Our hotel is at the foot of the legendary Ghost Mountain in Mkuze. Our accommodation in Mkuze is the Ghost Mountain Inn.
Day 17 | Sunday, April 22, 2012 (B, L, D) Hlabisa, St. Lucia
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After breakfast our destination is the rural town of Hlabisa to visit the highly accomplished Zulu basket makers who live and work here. See the raw materials, the techniques and the skills used to make the beautiful woven baskets that are admired around the world. In the afternoon take a boat ride in Lake St. Lucia to enjoy part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This Zulu name means “marvel’ and indicates why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cruising along the estuary waters and islands we’ll see hippos, crocodiles, prolific bird life, large vegetated sand dunes and mangrove swamps. Our accommodation in Mtubatuba is Protea Hotel Umfolozi River.
Day 18 | Monday, April 23, 2012 (B, L, D) Eshowe, Rorke's Drift
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Zulu women in traditional clothing |
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As we proceed along the subtropical Zululand coast we stop at Eshowe and the unique Vukani Zulu Cultural Museum for a guided tour. This purpose-designed building houses a remarkable historical collection of traditional Zulu baskets as well as ceramics. We continue to Rorke's Drift where our accommodation overlooks wide open views of the Buffalo River and towards Isandlwana. Our accommodation in Rorke's Drift is the Rorke's Drift Hotel.
Day 19 | Tuesday, April 24, 2012 (B, L) Rorke's Drift, Durban
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Visit the ELC Art and Craft Centre, established in 1962, which holds a significant place in South African visual art history. The characteristic “Rorke's Drift style” is continued today by a community of artists who produce wonderful wool carpets and tapestries, hand printed fabrics, sewn textile products and ceramics. On departure we drive through some rural Zulu villages to our destination in Durban, on the coast of the warm Indian Ocean. Own dinner arrangements – there are several good restaurants near our hotel. Our accommodation in Durban is The Benjamin Hotel.
Day 20 | Wednesday, April 25, 2012 (B, L) Durban
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Woman selling fresh fruit |
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The Markets of Warwick is a walking tour on the edge of downtown Durban, through 9 distinct markets such as the Bead Market, Victoria Street Market and Herb Market. Hundreds of vendors sell a great variety of products including traditional medicine, beadwork, music and fabrics. Afterwards we’ll visit the fascinating Phansi Museum in a restored Victorian national monument. A guided tour takes us through this private collection of traditional and transitional art, crafts & artefacts from different regions and cultures of Southern Africa. Our next stop is the African Art Centre which has a fine selection of local baskets, textiles, beadwork, jewelry, wood carvings and art-prints. Own dinner arrangements – there are several good restaurants near our hotel. Our accommodation in Durban is The Benjamin Hotel.
Day 21 | Thursday, April 26, 2012 (B, L, D) Durban
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Ammazulu African Palace is located on the edge of Kloof Gorge, overlooking Krantzkloof Nature Reserve. This unique lodge is the vision of Durban artist Peter Amm, who has incorporated his collection of Zulu art and crafts as well as the work of other artists, into the elaborate décor and architecture. We’ll also visit the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust a multi-faceted and inspiring project that addresses the impact of the devastating HIV/AIDS pandemic in practical, uplifting and holistic ways. The afternoon is free for you to do as you wish. Tonight our special farewell dinner together will celebrate our wonderful South African adventure. Our accommodation in Durban is The Benjamin Hotel.
Day 22 | Friday, April 27, 2012 (B) Durban Note: Public holiday - Freedom Day
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Departure day. Transfer from hotel to Durban’s King Shaka International Airport to depart for home.
• Note: This itinerary is carefully prepared many months ahead of the actual trip. There may be some slight changes in the itinerary to take advantage of new opportunities.
Several of the hotels/lodges we stay at have a wellness center/spa where treatments are available by appointment.
• South Africa's infrastructure is excellent. Roads are in good condition and hotels are world class. The water is safe to drink and the food is superb! The exchange rate is favorable for U.S. dollars. ATM machines are widely available.
Coordinators
Nancy Crow
Nancy is an artist who has been creating contemporary quilts for over 28 years and maintains a large studio on her farm east of Columbus, Ohio. Her work has appeared on the covers of two of Maya Angelou’s books and is in the collections of the Museum of Arts & Design, Smithsonian American Art Museum and The Museum of American Folk Art. She teaches worldwide and offers in-depth workshops on her farm in a recently renovated 1850s timber frame barn. Nancy was named a Fellow of the American Craft Council.
Odette Tolksdorf
Odette has a long abiding passion for arts and crafts and the people who create them and is enthusiastic about promoting the vibrant work being made in South Africa today. Her childhood was spent in Australia and she has lived in Namibia and in four of South Africa's provinces. Odette now lives in Durban and has travelled widely in South Africa and organized tours focusing on arts, crafts and culture. She is a graduate in graphic design and has been making art quilts and teaching for over 20 years, which has taken her to many parts of southern Africa and other parts of the world including several visits to the USA. Odette's web site
Jurgen Tolksdorf
Jurgen is a keen bird-watcher, photographer, woodworker, nature-lover and philosopher. He grew up in Germany and Namibia and has travelled in many parts of southern Africa learning about the landscape, animals, plants and people of each place he visits. Jurgen came to Durban in 1982 to lecture in Optometry at the University of Durban-Westville. He taught there for 9 years before returning to private practice which he continues today on a part-time basis.
Nathaniel Stitzlein
Nathaniel is an artist who works with Nancy Crow on coordinating art trips to France, Mexico, South Africa, Peru, Bolivia and Guatemala. They also work together to produce art workshops at the Crow Timber Frame Barn. Prior to organizing tours and classes, he was an admissions counselor for The Ohio State University. In addition, he studied ceramics in South Africa for a year and is a free-lance graphic designer. Nathaniel's web site
Fees Tour is full!
• TRAVEL FEE: $6985 (twin) U.S. Funds Only
• Note: Additional $1380 for single supplement
• The travel fee does not include airfare, etc. - please view below
• Sorry, credit cards are not accepted
• Prices are subject to change due to unpredictable dollar/rand exchange rates, however every effort will be made to keep to the published prices.
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Travel fee includes:
• All accommodations (21 nights)
• All meals as indicated (57 meals - 21 breakfasts, 19 lunches, 17 dinners)
• All tips for meals, baggage, and bellmen
• Land transportation in luxury air-conditioned coaches
• Daily bottled water on coach
• Game viewing activities in safari vehicles
• Admission fees
• Professional tour guide plus specialist site guides -
This travel fee does NOT include:
• Round-trip airfare to South Africa
• Airfare in South Africa
• Departure tax and travel insurance
• Meals not included on the itinerary (1 lunch, 4 dinners)
• Tip for bus driver
• Personal expenses
Deadlines
Deadline for reservation and deposit of $1200 (per person): As soon as possible!
• Deposit must be made by check.
• Full deposit is refundable up to May 10, 2011
• $800 is refundable up to June 1, 2011 • $400 is non-refundable unless trip is cancelled.
• None of the deposit is refundable after June 1, 2011, unless trip is cancelled.
Deadline for remaining payment of $5785: August 1, 2011 (add $100 if paid after due date)
(add $1380 for single supplement)
• Final payment is non-refundable, unless trip is cancelled.
All payments must be in US FUNDS ONLY! No credit cards
Please complete the form below & mail with your deposit.
Flight Information
All participants are responsible for making their own flight travel plans. We are not arranging for a group flight since people are coming from all over the United States/Canada/other countries and many use frequent flyer miles. We can assist you in coordinating your flights but information is not yet available. As we get closer to the dates of the trip, we will have more information about available flights. Participants should take the least expensive and easiest flights.
Please wait to make flight arrangements until the trip is confirmed.
Travel insurance is recommended.
No special visas are required, but a valid passport is necessary.
Additional Information
We will send information about weather, clothing recommendations, etc.
Questions? Please click here to send an e-mail
