Down to earth holidays

Description

This is a very special holiday in the north of South Africa (Limpopo and Mpumalanga), taking in the culture, flora and fauna of this diverse area. It has variety, adventure, wildlife, cultural interaction, arts & crafts, relaxation … It is a truly superb African holiday which will suit all ages.

The three main tribes you will meet are the Ndebele, Venda and Tsonga. On the first day (if jet lag hasn't caught you too badly!) you have the option to include a visit to an Ndebele village and take a tour by bike (no special fitness level required, and you can walk if you prefer). Later there is also a fascinating tour of arts and crafts villages in northern Limpopo (mainly Venda and Tsonga tribes), and a stay in a lodge whose design was created by a renowned Limpopo artist, Noria Mabasa.

You can also take time to enjoy the wilderness and wildlife in two different areas – a lodge in a mountain environment in Limpopo, and a small reserve not far from Kruger, which also includes a tour of a wildlife rehabilitation centre. In Limpopo the lodge has zebra, giraffe, antelope, leopard, rhino, brown hyenas, and more. You can enjoy the nature and wildlife here on game drives, on foot or on horseback. You can also hike rocky gorges, visit ancient rock art sites, and enjoy hearing Venda drummers.

But it’s not all go, go,go – you also have time to relax and enjoy the lovely accommodation and great food, a sunset cruise on a lake, swimming pools, and nights by the fire under the African stars!

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrive in Johannesburg. You will be met on arrival, shown where to get your hire car and given a map and documents (including directions) for your journey. Travel about 25kms outside of Joburg to a comfortable country hotel (quite large but reasonably-priced).
If you are feeling fine after the overnight flight, we'd highly recommend taking a trip to the Ndebele village of Mapoch this afternoon. Here you can enjoy a fascinating 2-3 hour cycle (or walking) tour of the community. We’re sure you’ll find it fun! 

DAY 2: After breakfast, you’ve then got quite a long but interesting journey ahead of you. It will take you about 6 hours to drive from the village to the wilderness lodge in Limpopo (near-ish Louis Trichardt). But it’s worth it! You will be met at the base of the mountain where the lodge is located, and transfered by 4x4 up to the lodge itself. Then you can relax in the stunning surroundings. B,D

DAY 3: Enjoy your stay at the lodge which is built in the style of a Venda village, with whacky décor by a famous local artist. Here you can go hiking in gorges, take a game drive, see ancient rock art sites, walk in indigenous forest, go horse riding, even walk with rhinos! One activity is included in your stay but you can add others if you wish. If you just want to relax, there is a small pool, you can enjoy great meals and sundowners, sit by the campfire under the stars, and the views from here are incredible.  B,D

DAY 4: Enjoy a relaxed morning, then travel only about 1½ hours east from the mountains to your lakeside lodge. You have a comfortable thatched chalet, and this afternoon you can take an optional sunset cruise on the lake (with G&T and snacks of course). B,D

DAY 5: This morning you have a half day arts and crafts tour in the local villages of the area. A local guide (known and booked by the lodge) will accompany you in your car and show you the way to small houses and huts where some very talented crafts people and artists live and work. Our directors and their family have done this tour, and highly recommend it. This is a great chance to buy to some unique crafts direct from the maker, but there is no pressure to do so. Tell your guide what kind of crafts you’re interested in (pottery, carving, music, paper, fabric, beads etc) and they will take you to the most interesting places. The afternoon is for relaxing by the pool! B,D

DAY 6: After breakfast drive south towards Kruger. It will take you roughly 4 hours, but there’s no hurry and the scenery is lovely. Your destination is a small reserve about 60kms west of Kruger’s Orpen Gate. Here you’re staying at a lovely forest camp in an en-suite chalet or cabin. If you arrive before about 3pm you can take the afternoon game drive. B,D

DAY 7: This morning you take a tour of the wildlife rehabilitation centre. Get closer than you'd think to some very wonderful characters here!  In the afternoon you could take another game drive, or perhaps a walk in the reserve. B,L,D

DAY 8: Today you head back to Johannesburg after breakfast. We suggest you allow about 7 hours. Drop the car at the airport in time to catch your flight home. Alternative: if you wish to fly to Joburg from Hoedspruit (which is close to the rehab centre), we can arrange this, but there will of course be extra costs. Please ask.

Is it for you?

This holiday is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. Adults and children alike should really enjoy the variety this trip offers. All the accommodation is very good quality.

Best times to go

You can take this trip at any time of year, but most people prefer to travel to this region in the drier months between about April and October.

Getting there

If you are taking this itinerary on its own (ie not combining with other services) you will need to arrive and depart from Johannesburg airport.

Responsible Travel

How this holiday helps:

The optional Ndebele community cycle tour is an award-winning community development initiative which brings much-needed funds into this local community.
Leshiba Wilderness is an FTTSA (Fair trade in tourism South Africa) accredited lodge. It supports the region’s rich culture and heritage through a non-profit Centre of Indigenous Knowledge. It helped the local Kutama community to grow indigenous aromatic plants for its oils. It is also at the forefront of local initiatives in biodiversity conservation.
Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge is also FTTSA-accredited. The owners have worked very hard to set up and promote the Ribolla Arts & Crafts route, which highlights the many superb craftsmen and women in this area. Taking the tour is a real insight and a privilege, and you’ll meet some incredible people.
The Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is a charity which works tirelessly to care for abandoned, poisoned and injured wildlife. The aim is to rehabilitate and set free wherever possible. They also run a successful breeding programme for the endangered Crowned Eagle and serval.

Carbon Offsetting :
For every client we take on holiday we plant 10 indigenous tree saplings. This is used as a poverty alleviation and biodiversity scheme as well as helping with carbon offsetting. Click for more details …

Giving to grassroots projects:
Our registered charity, The Tribes Foundation, is currently raising funds for a project in South Africa. The kindness of strangers can make a big difference, so if you’re a travel philanthropist considering donating to a worthwhile charity, please consider backing this excellent community project.

The Calabash Trust is a charity based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It works with poor communities based in the urban townships of Port Elizabeth. While the primary focus is nutrition and education, they also engage in job creation and skills training.

We will shortly have a page with photos of the school on www.the-tribes-foundation.org.

Shop ethically:
If you support buying fair trade, ethical and organic goods, please take a look at our online ethical shop for books, maps, travel gadgets, first aid kits etc before you travel. This is also a great place to find organic goodies and handmade crafts, many made in the countries and areas that we visit.

FOR MORE GENERAL DETAILS ABOUT OUR RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL PRINCIPLES, CLICK HERE.

Comments

The rehab centre was so cool. We got to see lots close up.
Dan M, age 10

I liked it when we visited David in his house and saw all his carvings. I liked making the pots too, and when we tried weaving.
Luke, age 7

Trip Code: SA7

Validity: 1-10-09 to 31-10-2010

Individual Trip Dates & Prices

2+ people can take this holiday on most days of the year, subject to availability. Please call us to check availability.

October - December 2009              £920 pp.
Jan - Feb 2010                               £935 pp
Mar-April 2010                              £955 pp
May - Oct 2010 (exc World Cup)  £925 pp

• Prices are based on twin share, excluding flights.
• Please ask about child rates (if available) and single supplements.
• Exchange rate fluctuations may affect these prices (see our Booking Conditions).

Duration: 8 days

Included
Airport meet & greet, 8 days car hire (group B, unlimited mileage, 1 driver), 1 night B&B in standard room in a country hotel just outside Joburg, 2 nights (half board & 1 game activity) in a wilderness lodge in Limpopo, 2 nights (half board) in lakeside lodge in Limpopo, arts and crafts tour guide (who will join you in your car for the tour),2 nights in a forest camp (full board, game activities and wildlife rehabilitation tour).

Not Included
Flights, tips, insurance, visas, items of a personal nature, Car hire contract fee of R40, Delivery and Collection fees of R200 within offices hours and 25km radius OR R380 outside of office hours and R7 per extra km, additional charges also apply for extra services booked (eg: additional driver, young driver, child/ baby seats etc) also payable locally.