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| Hotel pool |
For adventurous travelers who love art —and animals, too! Stay in one-of-kind hotels, visit mystical regions few tourists see, and hang out with the animals in a luxurious, eco-friendly safari camp. This is an unique opportunity to get to know local artists and visit with them in their studios - both in the city and in the country. Try your hand at sculpture, beading, or pot making. This trip is pure fun and also includes optional excursions to local villages and vaious service projects.
Here is just a glimpse of the itinerary:
Day 1
Welcome to Johannesburg, South Africa's most vibrant city -- steeped in history, art, and culture. Our representatives meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.
You have time to rest up from your international flight before dinner at a divine African restaurant, featuring local foods, African music and dance.
Our base in Jo'burg will be at one of the hippest hotels in Africa. This arty hotel is a first in Johannesburg -- chairs in the swimming pool, oversize flowerpots, funky art, classic sculptures, and designer furniture -- all making it very special. Great location, at Melrose Arch Precinct, next door to Obert Gallery and easy walking to restaurants and shops.
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| Rhino at Lesheba |
Day 2
We start with a history lesson. The tour of Johannesburg area includes downtown Johannesburg, the Constitutional Court at Constitution Hill, previously Fort Prison; the permanent interactive exhibition at the Apartheid Museum; and Museum Africa. We also visit the vibrant township of Soweto where Nelson and Winnie Mandela lived and stop at the Hector Peterson Museum and Memorial, and the famous Regina Mundi Church -- with a fun traditional lunch at a local Shebeen (shebeens used to be illegal drinking spots).
Day 3
Art lovers will enjoy Johannesburg’s world-class art galleries, and there is no limit to what is on display in the city: prints, sculptures, African crafts, tapestries, beadwork, ceramics, wirework and experimental art. The Johannesburg Art Gallery (spanning International and local artists), Standard Bank Gallery, Goodman Gallery, David Krut, Artist Proof Studio, Art on Paper, Visual Arts, and the Absa Collection in downtown Jo'burg, as the locals call it -- we will have one whole day to explore. There is an opportunity to meet with local artists in their studios.
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The most fabulous outdoor bath in all of Africa
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Day 4
Travel today from Johannesburg to the beautiful Limpopo Province, a region of extraordinary myths and legends, of great and ancient kingdoms. Our lodge is set in the heart of the Venda and Shangaan artists’ and crafters’ route showcasing some of the most artistic talent in the Limpopo area. Throughout this land of legends, people welcome you in the most traditionally, hospitable African manner.
Day 5
Today you will visit many local artists along the Venda route -- stop for a packed picnic lunch, and in the afternoon you may want to spend some time at the Childrens creche at the Twananani Batik Project, visit an AIDS Orphans Project, or spend time at the Youth Centre. In the late afternoon you might enjoy an evening stroll in the nature reserve or a cruise on the lake.
Day 6
Another full day in this extraordinary area getting to know the local people-- spend the afternoon with a famous local artist, watching her work, perhaps carving a sculpture. She is the only female wood-carver in the area, and her craft came to her through "dreams". You see her giant carvings at Lesheba, a unique lodge which she helped create.
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| Mwedzi luxury suite |
Day 7
Today you will stay at Mogalakwena River Lodge visting the Artist's Retreat, Mogalakwena Craft Art, the Research Centre and Mogalakwena Reserves.
Day 8
After breakfast you travel by road to Lesheba -- enjoy beautiful mountain walks in the area, with giraffe and zebra (even rhino) as your walking partners. Game drives are also offered, and here you will meet the local artists sponsored by Lesheba and enjoy an evening looking at the stars. This is pure relaxation.
No phones, no TV. And the most fabulous outdoor bathtub!
Day 9
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| Venda Village Lodge Courtyard |
And another day just for you! Hike, swim, relax, read, view game, or bird-watch. To complete the magic that Lesheba has to offer, guests can visit and participate in the newly completed non-profit "Centre of Indigenous Knowledge". This Centre, part of Lesheba's social responsibility program, is aimed at preserving and promoting the extensive indigenous knowledge of the Venda people. The program includes courses on arts and crafts
and traditional healing.
Day 10
Travel after breakfast from Lesheba to the Kruger National Park, entering through the Pafuri Gate, in the northern sector of the park.
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| "Friendly" elephants |
This area is the ancestral home of the Makuleke people, and is the most diverse and scenic area in Kruger. This is certainly the wildest and most remote part of the park, offering varied vegetation, great game viewing, best birding in all of Kruger, and folklore of the early explorers and ancient civilizations. The region is considered one of Kruger's biodiversity hotspots, with some of the largest herds of elephants, buffalos, leopards and lions, and extremely prolific birdlife.
Days 11-13
Enjoy the opportunity to get in touch with your wild side!
Spend the day on game drives and game walks, exploring Kruger National Park.
Accomodations are luxury tents overlooking the river with indoor/outdoor showers.
All of our travelers rave about Pufari.
Day 14
Enjoy a final game drive and breakfast, before we head back to Johannesburg.
Day 15
You will hate to leave, but it is departure day -- and a day to go back and get that fabulous piece of art you may have passed up the first day! Or visit the famous Melrose craft market.
Or take a last-day optional tour with one of our favorite guides.
Transfer to OR Tambo International afternoon/evening departures.
COST PER PERSON: $4,960.00 pp sharing
Single supplement: $1,250. (Single supplement is a bit high as many of the lodges are quite small and luxurious and charge more for a single).
Includes:
Meals (B, L, D) as specified. Transportation throughout in luxury vans or 4-wheel-drive vehicles, all hotel accommodations, all airport/hotel transfers, professional local guides throughout, entrance fees to all major museums and attractions.
Does not include:
International airfare, alcoholic beverages unless indicated, personal expenses (laundry, room service, tips) and personal transportation expenses separate from group activities. Tips for drivers/guides.
We recommend that you call our office at 415-387-1335 before signing up for one of ours trip. Our staff will describe the trip in detail, give you itinerary updates, important booking information, and answer any questions you may have. We feel it is important that you have as much information as possible and that you are well prepared with a realistic set of expectations before making a final decision to join us on one of our unique trips.
Please contact us for a detailed itinerary.
$600 to hold the reservation is due approximately 90 days before the trip start date. Full tour fee is due approximately 60 days prior to start date.
Your deposit, held in our trust account, will be fully refunded up to 30 days prior, if you need to cancel for any reason. If you cancel less than 30 days prior to start date of the trip, payment will be refunded except for a $400 cancellation fee. The cancellation fee is necessary due to our commitment to our South African partners.
We reserve the right to cancel or alter any trip due to political or civil instability, acts of terrorism, war, or man-made or l disasters. Your safety is a top priority for us. If we need to cancel for safety reasons, your money will be refunded in full. We also reserve the right to change the itinerary without notice due to safety issues or what we deem unreasonable risk
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