Ecology and Geography
Local Venda Culture
Nature
History
A Botanist/ecologist who worked for 18 years in Botanical research, and lectured for 9 years at the University of Venda leads this specially designed program.
The location of this trip is in the far Northern portion of South Africa....it is the home of the Venda tribal group. This tribal group, is on the last tribes to migrate down from Central Africa. They came to South Africa, after the landing of the first whites in the South.
The breakdown of the local Africa healer and prophets, who play different parts, will be made clear to you as you travel. The local healers understand that you have questions and that you may be skeptical of there knowledge.. they are quite open about that.
Group Size:
While larger groups of up to 10 person may be possible, this type of trip is best suited for smaller groups or 2 to 4 persons.
Please note..this package is not designed to meet any travelers specific needs....the people visited are real, who live this lifestyle......if you cannot adjust to changing conditions of hygiene ie outside toilets when visiting some of the healers, local food, then this is not for you. The aim of the this package is people, culture, and nature. This is not a cultural tourist village. While they have there place, this is real people living out there lives.
Access to traditional tribal healers and to Sunday church services, African style, is due to the trust and connection of the tour guide. This aspect of local culture is usually closed of to the general public. However we have the permission to access the Sunday prayer service to experience the singing, dancing, drumming and prayer of this small African based church, or place of worship.
This tour is best done over 4 nights at a minimum....the distances covered make it to rushed to try and do 3 nights. See below in the notes section of different ways to package this trip.
Below is a synopsis of what is and could be covered....these are totally subject to change according to what happens as the trip unfolds. This means even if we agree to meet a healer..they may choose to do something else, and we go to option # 2.
Meals...All breakfasts, some dinners, and lunches will be inlcuded.. this gives you the freedom to experience some local restaurants as you travel, visit supermarkets....see and experience the country from a local perspective.
Driving...Distances are long, dirt roads are part of the trip.....Please be aware of this....
Lodging:
There is a possiblity that for one of the nights in Venda, you could stay in of the huts of a local healer.
Also for the last night at Mupangupwe, you can choose between a moderate lodge, that has the sacred rock of the Venda people on it( we usually take a walk/climb on it..not very strenuous) or stay at a more luxury newer lodge closer to the park.. the latter includes all your meals.
