| * What makes this different from any other tour experience is the personal contact with living history and the personal approach to learning abut the culture and not just sight-seeing. Our guides and facilitators are experts on South African Culture and the sites you will be visiting and can offer you insight and access to people and places not found on the average tour. We specialize in educating our participants not simply entertaining.... |
| We arrive in Cape Town in the early afternoon where we are met and depending on the program, transferred to our European style accommodations in the heart of town or we may stay in a quiant B&B or farm retriet. The hotel and B&B are 3 Star ranked with a majestic Table Mountain view so close you feel as if you can touch it from the hotel, or a. Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. An eclectic mix of cultures and architectural styles, Cape Dutch, English Tutor, brightly Coloured Muslim homes, with cobble stone streets and cultural diversity that enhances the cosmopolitan texture of the city. |
Photo Thank yous:
Adrienne Biesemeyer
Sarah Beth Cario
SATours
Adrienne Biesemeyer
Sarah Beth Cario
SATours
*Day two Today we experience the raw energy of
this ‘rainbow nation'. We start with a tour of the
vibrant Bo-Kaap (Malay Quarter) where bright colored
boxy houses contrast with the Cape Dutch & English
style architecture of downtown. Then on to the District
Six Museum, which dramatically documents the tragic
disintegration of this once-vibrant community by the
apartheid government. From here, we tour Langa, the
oldest apartheid housing scheme in the Western
Cape and visit the Tsoga Environmental Gardens,
which are an example of the entrepreneurship of the
township people of the new South Africa. Continue to
Guguletu, gaining invaluable insights into the cultures
and history of each township. Then sample a slice of
township life with a visit to an informal spaza shop, a
shebeen (pub) and hostels. Contemplate this land of
contrasts over lunch at a township restaurant for
aspiring young chefs and students of the tourist
industry. This tour is lead by members of the township
community.
You will also learn about how HIV/AIDS is affecting the
lives of all who live in the townships
this ‘rainbow nation'. We start with a tour of the
vibrant Bo-Kaap (Malay Quarter) where bright colored
boxy houses contrast with the Cape Dutch & English
style architecture of downtown. Then on to the District
Six Museum, which dramatically documents the tragic
disintegration of this once-vibrant community by the
apartheid government. From here, we tour Langa, the
oldest apartheid housing scheme in the Western
Cape and visit the Tsoga Environmental Gardens,
which are an example of the entrepreneurship of the
township people of the new South Africa. Continue to
Guguletu, gaining invaluable insights into the cultures
and history of each township. Then sample a slice of
township life with a visit to an informal spaza shop, a
shebeen (pub) and hostels. Contemplate this land of
contrasts over lunch at a township restaurant for
aspiring young chefs and students of the tourist
industry. This tour is lead by members of the township
community.
You will also learn about how HIV/AIDS is affecting the
lives of all who live in the townships
*Day one our first full day in the city will start with an
early morning lecture on South African culture then take
us to the Iziko Cultural Museum of Cape Town, one of
the finest cultural museums in the country. Here you will
learn about and acclimate yourself to not only the major
indigenous cultures of the area but also the topography
and ocean around it. Lunch will be either at the museum
or along historic Long Street.
In the afternoon you have the choice of either touring
the historic points of the central city; or visiting
Kirstenbosch Gardens.
Founded in 1913, Kirstenbosch grows only indigenous
South African plants. The estate covers 528 hectares
and supports a diverse fynbos flora and natural forest.
The cultivated garden (36 hectares) displays collections
of South African plants, particularly those from the winter
rainfall region of the country. People used Kirstenbosch
long before the arrival of the European settlers in the
17th Century. In 1660 a hedge of wild almond
(Brabejum stellatifolium) and brambles was planted to
form the boundary of the colony. Sections of this hedge,
known as van Riebeeck’s hedge still exist in
Kirstenbosch. The first part will be spent exploring the
vast array of endemic and endangered species. Then
for those interested in learning about plants which are
used for medical purposes, a special forum is arranged.
For those not interested in Healing Plants a trip to the
Victoria & Alfred waterfront for a bit of shopping can be
arranged.
In the evening dine at the famed Africa Café where you
will sample the food treasures of the continent.
early morning lecture on South African culture then take
us to the Iziko Cultural Museum of Cape Town, one of
the finest cultural museums in the country. Here you will
learn about and acclimate yourself to not only the major
indigenous cultures of the area but also the topography
and ocean around it. Lunch will be either at the museum
or along historic Long Street.
In the afternoon you have the choice of either touring
the historic points of the central city; or visiting
Kirstenbosch Gardens.
Founded in 1913, Kirstenbosch grows only indigenous
South African plants. The estate covers 528 hectares
and supports a diverse fynbos flora and natural forest.
The cultivated garden (36 hectares) displays collections
of South African plants, particularly those from the winter
rainfall region of the country. People used Kirstenbosch
long before the arrival of the European settlers in the
17th Century. In 1660 a hedge of wild almond
(Brabejum stellatifolium) and brambles was planted to
form the boundary of the colony. Sections of this hedge,
known as van Riebeeck’s hedge still exist in
Kirstenbosch. The first part will be spent exploring the
vast array of endemic and endangered species. Then
for those interested in learning about plants which are
used for medical purposes, a special forum is arranged.
For those not interested in Healing Plants a trip to the
Victoria & Alfred waterfront for a bit of shopping can be
arranged.
In the evening dine at the famed Africa Café where you
will sample the food treasures of the continent.
*Day three The morning starts with a visit to Robben
Island which is situated 11km from Cape Town, in the middle
of Table Bay. Here Nelson Mandela was held for 18 of his 27
years in prison, much of it under hard labor. The island is
now a museum and conservation area and was declared a
World Heritage site in 1999. Former inmates lead the tours
and there is also wildlife viewing, with antelopes such as
springbok and bontebok, and a diverse selection of birds,
including ostriches and an African penguin colony, Cape Fur
Seals play in the cold Atlantic waters and are food for great
white sharks; who along with the cold water and strong
currents deterred prisoners from attempting to swim to the
mainland.
In the Afternoon you are free to explore on your own, rest,
shop at the craft market or the mall...
Island which is situated 11km from Cape Town, in the middle
of Table Bay. Here Nelson Mandela was held for 18 of his 27
years in prison, much of it under hard labor. The island is
now a museum and conservation area and was declared a
World Heritage site in 1999. Former inmates lead the tours
and there is also wildlife viewing, with antelopes such as
springbok and bontebok, and a diverse selection of birds,
including ostriches and an African penguin colony, Cape Fur
Seals play in the cold Atlantic waters and are food for great
white sharks; who along with the cold water and strong
currents deterred prisoners from attempting to swim to the
mainland.
In the Afternoon you are free to explore on your own, rest,
shop at the craft market or the mall...
*Day four Starts with a forum discussion on HIV/AIDS in South
Africa. The leaders of this forum are local educators and specialist on
the subject. As time allows, this Experience will include visits to local
orphan homes, clinics and the Red Cross Children's Hospital.
Africa. The leaders of this forum are local educators and specialist on
the subject. As time allows, this Experience will include visits to local
orphan homes, clinics and the Red Cross Children's Hospital.
*Day Five we tour the spectacular Cape Peninsula
and you will learn why Cape Town is considered one of
the most beautiful cities in the world; in addition we visit
the coastal towns of Fish Hoek, Muizenberg and the
penguin colony at Simon’s Town as well Cape Point.
The Cape Peninsula is the thin finger of land in the
south-western most corner of Africa with the city of
Cape Town at its head. As we travel south towards
Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, the land gets
narrower until the continent ends with nothing beyond
except Antarctica. In 1578 Sir Francis Drake described
it as “The fairest cape in the whole circumference of
the globe”. The rugged Table Mountain range
meanders down the centre of the peninsula, and long
white soft sandy beaches and little rocky coves, line the
edges. The flora and fauna is unique to the area and
brightly coloured bird life is prolific.
and you will learn why Cape Town is considered one of
the most beautiful cities in the world; in addition we visit
the coastal towns of Fish Hoek, Muizenberg and the
penguin colony at Simon’s Town as well Cape Point.
The Cape Peninsula is the thin finger of land in the
south-western most corner of Africa with the city of
Cape Town at its head. As we travel south towards
Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, the land gets
narrower until the continent ends with nothing beyond
except Antarctica. In 1578 Sir Francis Drake described
it as “The fairest cape in the whole circumference of
the globe”. The rugged Table Mountain range
meanders down the centre of the peninsula, and long
white soft sandy beaches and little rocky coves, line the
edges. The flora and fauna is unique to the area and
brightly coloured bird life is prolific.
*Day Six you are free to rest, explore the city on your own and to shop at
the oldest market location in South Africa. Greenmarket Square has been
a market site since the late 1700’s and now is home to a variety of African
vendors from all over the continent. And then contrast it with a visit to the
very glamorous Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront Mall; or spend the day
on a hike or tram ride up to the top of Table Mountain. The hike will allow
you a chance to inspect mountain wildflowers. The tram ride gives you a
birds-eye-view of Table Bay. Or indulge on a full day tour visiting the
Cape Winelands consisting of several towns including Stellenbosch,
Paarl, and Franschhoek. Gracious Cape Dutch homesteads set against a
backdrop of mountains, forests, and rolling vineyards provide an
unforgettable landscape. You will have the opportunity to sample and
purchase noble vintages, to explore the realm of the wine maker and
experience a rich historical and architectural tradition while you learn first-
hand how this picturesque part of South Africa produces some of the
world’s finest wines.
the oldest market location in South Africa. Greenmarket Square has been
a market site since the late 1700’s and now is home to a variety of African
vendors from all over the continent. And then contrast it with a visit to the
very glamorous Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront Mall; or spend the day
on a hike or tram ride up to the top of Table Mountain. The hike will allow
you a chance to inspect mountain wildflowers. The tram ride gives you a
birds-eye-view of Table Bay. Or indulge on a full day tour visiting the
Cape Winelands consisting of several towns including Stellenbosch,
Paarl, and Franschhoek. Gracious Cape Dutch homesteads set against a
backdrop of mountains, forests, and rolling vineyards provide an
unforgettable landscape. You will have the opportunity to sample and
purchase noble vintages, to explore the realm of the wine maker and
experience a rich historical and architectural tradition while you learn first-
hand how this picturesque part of South Africa produces some of the
world’s finest wines.
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