Cultural Experiences
 

Hi

I will be in South Africa during Dec/Jan and I am eager to take in some cultural experiences.

I will be in Johannesburg, Hazyview, Ramsgate and the Western Cape (starting off in Cape Town and ending up in Port Elizabeth).

Can anyone recommend any cultural experiences that I and my Canadian born partner could take in?

I have noted the following in Johannesburg. Heia Safari and Lesedi.

Does anyone have any comments to make regarding these or others?

Your input is appreciated.

Marion
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Stay away from tourist related experiences and get out and talk to people and hang out where normal South Africans hang out.

You might be interested in this.
http://www.khwattu.org/

If in Joburg, you can go to Soweto. Township tours are spoken of highly by almost everyone who goes.

Just wondering what a "cultural experience" is exactly.

Hi Marion

In and around Kruger NP (including near Hazyview) there are a number of experiences that might interest you from art to farming to conservation to music to cuisine and more. Check out http://afrikatourism.blogspot.com/20...d-culture.html for a more detailed posting on options with descriptions and links that may be helpful.

There are dozens of options in and around Cape Town - what kind of experiences do you prefer? Cooking lessons? Music? Galleries? Home stays? History? Theatre? Contemporary or traditional? Hands-on participation or less active observation? Cape Malay cuisine, fishing traditions, Cape Dutch architecture, goema music and rock art are just some of the more distinctive local flavours.

Joburg also has some great experiences, from high-rolling casinos at Gold Reef City to the Apartheid Museum to the Goodman Gallery (and Constitution Hill) to dinner at Nambitha in Orlando West (Soweto) and much more.

Dinosaurs? Giant telescopes for Southern Hemisphere star gazing? World Heritage Sites? Lots to choose from.

Tell us more about what appeals and we can be more specific.

HTH

Kurt

Hi Marion! Check out the summer concert series at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in CT - I believe the concerts are held every Sunday. We went to many during our 2004-2005 CT sabbatical and they were always wonderful.

If you're in CT at Christmas, definitely go to the candleight concert in the gardens - incredible experience - carol singing by candlelight on the side of Table Mountain while overlooking the lights of CT - unforgettable.

I would also recommend a township tour - we went with www.inkululekotours.co.za and they were excellent.

Since I am a fellow Calgarian, you are welcome to call me if you have any questions. You can reach me during the day at 239-7526. I coach in the evenings. Robin