The Herero tribe also known as Ovaherero are traditionally pastoralists and have homesteads in various parts of Namibia, mostly the eastern, central and the north-eastern areas of the country. The people apart of this tribe speak Otjiherero a language and there are about 211 700 that speak it. The Herero people today are known for their modernised fashion that was heavily influenced by the Germans during the colonial period. The Herero men wear military style outfits and the Herero women adopted floor length gowns from that time but have added vivid colours and patterns that are a true representative of the people. These dresses can incorporate up to 10 metres of fabric and the most distinctive feature of the women’s dress is their horizontal horned headdress, the otjikaiva, which is a symbol of respect, worn to pay respect to the cows that have sustained the Herero. The Herero people have a mix of modernised ways but still stick closely to their traditions. Having your clients take a visit to see the Herero people is not only a once in a life time experience but also a very rewarding one as they will have the opportunity to see first-hand their unique way of life.

Another are the Himba tribe who are semi-nomadic indigenous people that can be found living in the Kaokoland Region in Northern Namibia. The tribe speak OtjiHimba (which is a variation of Herero). The Herero and Himba people were originally one tribe before separation due to a drought that occurred in the area thus they have a few similarities but due to the need for adaption there are now more differences between them. Unlike the Herero the Himba men and women both wear traditional outfits made of calfskin and are easily identified due to their hair and skin being a distinct red/orange colour characteristics due to the otjize paste, a cosmetic mixture of butterfat and ochre pigment, to cleanse the skin over long periods due to water scarcity and protect themselves from the extremely hot and dry climate of the Kaokoland as well as against mosquito insect bites. The Himba people have become a well-known image of South Africa due to their distinct traditional ways. These people have a traditional approach to life and will allow your clients to see how they have used their natural environment necessary adaption.

The San also known as Bushmen are a part of various indigenous hunter gathers and are widely spread across Southern Africa. The San speak a variety of languages including all languages of the Khoe, Kx’a, and Tuu language families. Traditionally the San’s way of life and their levels of authority was an egalitarian society they had hereditary chiefs but their authority was limited. The San made decisions among themselves by consensus with women being highly respected and treated as equals. San economy was a gift economy, based on giving each other gifts regularly rather than on trading or purchasing goods and services. Due to their difficult and unpredictable environment they have adopted by using what is around them in order to sustain their life styles. The San are mainly known for their rock art and engravings that are scattered across Southern Africa and these act as a story teller that gives us insight into their past ways of life. Leisure is also something important to the San and your clients will be able to experience this time with the San people by watching their dances as well as hearing stories about their traditional lifestyle and how it has adapted throughout the years.

Namibia is a region full of beauty and diversity which can be clearly seen by its natural attractions but that is barely scraping the surface of what Namibia has to offer, why not let your clients experience Namibia in a different light, via its people the ones that know it best. Your clients have the opportunity to visit one of these tribes (itinerary dependent) when they experience the 10 Day Namibian Explorer Camping Tour,  the 9 Day Luxury Namibia Tour or the 7 Day Northern Namibian Highlights Tour. An opportunity not to be missed! Please contact us if you would like more information or sample packages showing how this destination can be incorporated into a package.

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Cape Town has no shortage of beautiful beaches, adventure activities, wine tasting, markets galore, shopping, wildlife safaris, day trip options and more. It is no wonder the Mother City has many awards and achievements to boast!

Here are a few of the top activities not to be missed by first time visitors to the Mother City.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens – Take a quite walk through Africa’s most beautiful garden. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. The garden contains over 7000 species of plants from southern Africa. Pack a picnic and enjoy the lawns surrounded by the beautiful gardens.

Cape Point – Is a spectacular sight with towering stone cliffs, endemic fynbos, breath-taking bays, beaches and rolling green hills, just 60km outside Cape Town. Explore spectacular scenery overlooking ocean currents colliding and enjoy a range of activities available at Cape Point such as the Flying Dutchman Funicular, the Two Oceans Restaurant, a walk of the Shipwreck Trail, tidal pools, wildlife, whale and bird watching and more. Be sure to pack your camera and comfortable walking shoes!

Table Mountain Ariel Cableway – This flat-topped majestic mountain forms a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa. For the best views of the city, take a trip up the Ariel Cableway with rotating floors offering 360° views. The cableway is a unique and 87-year- old method of seeing the wonders of the Cape Town. Once at the summit you will be astounded by vistas of the Mother City, Robben Island and the Peninsula.

Robben Island – Home to the prison that housed many political prisoners under apartheid, the most famous being Nelson Mandela. Explore the island that symbolises the triumph of the human spirit. Robben Island was used from the early days of the VOC (Dutch East India Company) right up until 1996, this Unesco World Heritage site is preserved as a memorial to those who spent many years incarcerated here. You can only go here on a tour, which lasts around four hours including ferry rides, departing from the Nelson Mandela Gateway beside the Clock Tower at the Waterfront.

The V&A Waterfront – Where the city meets the sea. The V&A Waterfront attracts roughly 24 million visitors each year and is South Africa’s most-visited destination. Shop, dine and enjoy entertainment in a spectacular working harbour. The V&A Waterfront is a mixture of hotels, stores, restaurants, leisure and entertainment facilities. Spanning 123 hectares the V&A Waterfront offers a space where you can work, live, eat and play. With so much on offer, there really is something for everyone on offer.

Groot Constantia – Experience South Africa’s oldest wine producing estate, established in 1685. Simon van der Stel’s manor house, a superb example of Cape Dutch architecture, is maintained as a museum at Groot Constantia. Set in beautiful grounds, there is a large tasting room as you enter the estate. Further on is the free orientation centre, which provides an overview of Groot Constantia’s history, and the beautifully restored homestead. Other activities in and around Constantia include the Constantia Valley Zip & Sip, the Constantia Cape Peninsula Tour and the Sunset Wine & Dine.

Zeitz MOCAA Museum – The Zeits Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is the largest art museum in Africa, and the largest museum in the world showcasing the art of Africa and its diaspora. The museum is dedicated to researching, collecting, and exhibiting this art, and houses an impressive collection of work from all over the continent and beyond. Opened on the 22^nd of September 2017 the exhibition space covers 6,000 square meters over nine floors, with 100 gallery space.

Boulders Penguin Colony – A serene spot where penguins party! Just a 40-minute drive from Cape Town lies the beautiful Boulders Beach – home to a colony of some 3000 delightful African penguins. This picturesque area has enormous boulders and small sandy coves. A boardwalk runs from the Boulders Visitor Centre at the Foxy Beach end of the protected area – part of the Table Mountain National Park – to Boulders Beach, where you can meet the penguins at one of the most visited beaches and one of the only places in the world where you get this close to African Penguins.

District Six Museum – It’s impossible not to be emotionally moved by this museum, which celebrates the once lively multiracial area that was destroyed during apartheid in the 1960s and 1970s, its 60,000 inhabitants forcibly removed. Inside the former Methodist Mission Church, home interiors have been recreated, alongside photographs, recordings and testimonials, all of which build an evocative picture of a shattered but not entirely broken community. The District Six Museum, established in December 1994, works with the memories of the District Six experience and with that of forced removals more generally.

Aquila Game Reserve – The Aquila Private Game Reserve is situated just a 2 hours’ drive from Cape Town, making it the closest private game reserve to the city and an ideal excursion for those who are not visiting one of South Africa’s famous wildlife reserves further away. Aqulia offers an unforgettable wildlife experience in a beautiful setting situated in a valley between the Langeberg and the Outeniqua Mountains. Aquila is home to the incredible Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) as well as hippo, giraffe, buck and over 170 different species of bird.

There is no shortage of activities on offer in Cape Town, explore all that this amazing city has to offer – scenic natural beauty, fine dining, adventure, night life and activities galore. Please contact us if you would like some more information on things to do in and around the Mother City or some sample packages showing how this destination can be incorporated into a package.

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Welcome to South Africa – where we can honestly say that you can have it all. Here are our Top 10 reasons to visit this phenomenal place:

Wildlife – Warning! Watching wildlife is addictive! Witness the Big 5 on a safari in the Kruger National Park, the most famous Big 5 destination in South Africa or search for the Big 7 at Addo Elephant Park in the malaria-free Eastern Cape, the only reserve in the world where you can see the Big 7 in one game park. 

Friendly people and local cultures – South African’s enjoy meeting new people and recommending their favourite places for you to go. The country is made up of a melting pot of many fascinating and interesting cultures, the Rainbow Nation celebrates all its African and immigrant cultures. Find out how friendly we are whilst you try your tongue at one of our 11 official languages. If you looking to meet some of Southern Africa’s many vibrant cultures, ancient rituals and sacred secrets then the Cultural Routes experiences are for you!

Favourable Weather – Did you know that Durban, Ballito and the beaches of the KwaZulu -Natal Coast average over 300 days of sunshine a year? The sunny days in South Africa invite you to enjoy the outdoors, play golf year-round and explore the nearly 3000km of coastline.

Diverse Experiences – You are spoilt for choice throughout South Africa with the opportunity to experience the ultimate combo of nature, wildlife, culture, adventure, heritage and vibe. Add an Eat, Stay, Explore immersive experience to your bucket list, step out of your comfort zone, create holiday memories that will last and gain a new perspective of life in South Africa!

Adventure Activities – South Africa is the adventure capital of the world. With an abundance of activities for adrenalin junkies from shark cage diving, 4×4 routes, abseiling, hiking and wildlife viewing, to relaxed walks on the beach and family safaris, there really is something for everyone.

Natural beauty and plenty of outdoor activities – From Table Mountain to God’s Window, South Africa’s forests, mountains, coasts, rivers and deserts are a feast for your eyes and will lift your spirits. Explore some of South Africa’s most scenic spots while you horse ride in the Drakensberg, whale watching in Hermanus, paraglide over Cape Town’s beaches, safari in the Kruger National Park and take a canopy tour in the beautiful Tsitsikamma rainforest.

Delicious food & wine – Sample award-winning wines in cool cellars, explore the beautiful estates and taste superb cuisine in the Cape Winelands region in the Western Cape. If you visiting KwaZulu-Natal, enjoy a hike in the magnificent Drakensberg Mountains and indulge in a gourmet getaway in the lush hills of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Explore craft beer, great coffee, inspiring restaurants and markets in Johannesburg. If you staying in Cape Town and are looking for restaurants that locals like to eat at, check out our Local Favourites listing for Cape Town’s favourite eateries.

Family-friendly destination – South Africa has plenty of child-friendly accommodation and loads of great options for a family holiday. The Garden Route in Cape Town is particularly popular for families looking to have a breach break. For loud, unrestrained whoops of joy, visit Sun City, children will love the Valley of Waves water park with a lazy river & thrill slides, plus a wave pool and children’s area with lifeguards. Kwa-Zulu Natal is the perfect holiday destination for a multi-cultural experience steeped in sensational beaches, soaring peaks, and everything in between!

Rich history – The Cradle of Humankind is where the 2.3-million-year-old fossil nicknamed Mrs Ples was found? More recent history includes the Battlefields in KwaZulu-Natal, where guides bring to life the world of 1875, when bravery, victory and defeat played out the bloody battles between British soldiers, Boer commandos and Zulu warriors. Discover South Africa’s modern history and a nation’s struggle for freedom whilst following in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, Hector Pieterson and other celebrated revolutionaries.

Value for money – Who doesn’t want an affordable holiday? Easily find a cosy guesthouse or family-run lodge that offers extra value for money. Eating out is generally affordable so you can enjoy a great meal and have spending money for shopping and other treats!

If you looking at soaking up the sunshine, meeting vibrant new cultures, enjoying delicious food, creating lasting holiday memories and more, South Africa has it all on offer for you! Please contact us if you would like some more information on visiting South Africa or some sample packages showing how this destination can be incorporated into a package.

The post Top 10 Reasons To Visit South Africa appeared first on Southern Africa 360.

Here is a list of 3 must-try local restaurants in Cape Town recommended by locals. Bon appetit!

Kalky’s Fish & Chips – Situated directly on the Kalk Bay Harbour, it’s all seafood at this beloved fish & chips mecca. Serving lunch, dinner, coffee and drinks, Kalky’s Fish & Chips restaurant is one of Cape Town’s most popular local eateries, the portions are large and the atmosphere is lively and unpretentious. From classic battered fish and chips to other local seafood favourites, this is a restaurant frequented by rich and poor alike. Enjoy a meal while watching the local fishermen bring their catches into the colourful Kalk Bay harbour, you may even spot a few seals playing in the water nearby.

Peacock Kitchen & Bar – An Indian restaurant and tapas spot situated in Observatory, a Bohemian-chic urban neighbourhood, the Peacock has a halaal friendly kitchen that caters to locals and visitors who fancy tasty food and drinks. The Peacock offers Indian inspired cuisine in tapas-sized portions making it possible to taste plenty of the dishes on their menu even when visiting in small groups, something most Indian cuisine restaurants do not offer. The fully stocked bar features wines from the Western Cape region, making it a perfect spot to stop by to try local wines or delicious Indian tapas food. 

Rare Grill – A small, hole-in-the-wall restaurant situated in Harfield Village in Kenilworth, Rare Grill offers some of the most incredible steaks in the Western Cape. This quaint, cosy eatery is warm and intimate with a candlelit dining room setting a romantic mood. The rustic wooden walls are reminiscent of a cabin. With a small and to the point menu, offering steak as the restaurant’s mainstay. Choose between superb cuts of sirloin, rump or fillet accompanied by your choice of starchy sides and sauces. There are other main options available such as spicy baby calamari, a whole peri-peri baby chicken or pork ribs. Booking is essential as they are popular and therefore regularly full.

If you looking for other local favourite restaurants in Cape Town offering anything from crispy battered fish & chips to healthy spinach based meals and delicious sweet treats, look no further then our list of Local Favourite restaurants to dine at on your next visit to the Mother City! Please contact us if you would like some more information on this unforgettable experience or some sample packages showing how this experience can be incorporated into a package.

The post 3 Must-Try Local Favourite Restaurants To Visit In Cape Town appeared first on Southern Africa 360.

Tourism Minister, Derek Hanekom, and Mayor of Mogale City, Patrick Lipudi, were present on the day to cut the ribbon across the giant granite stones which serve as an entrance to Stone Park and are designed as stone tools to symbolise human endeavor and industry.  Managing Director of Maropeng, Michael Worsnip, introduced the special occasion, as well as Minister Hanekom, Mayor Lipudi, and CEO of the Cradle of Humankind and Dinokeng Project, MakhukhuMampuru.

Heritage Day encourages South Africans across the spectrum to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions. After years of Apartheid the Heritage Day public holiday is an attempt by the government to bring South Africans together in mutual understanding of each others’ respective cultures.

The Stone Park was designed and com­plet­ed by award-win­ning land­scap­ing firm FSG late last year. A rolling green land­scape punc­tu­at­ed by strik­ing gran­ite pieces make the space con­tem­pla­tive and artis­tic. It was the ide­al set­ting for the Cra­dle Colour Fest, due to the event being held at the begin­ning of spring, one of the most beau­ti­ful times of year in the Cra­dle of Humankind.

The site is an important World Heritage Site as it represents the story of human development and how humans craft their environment to suit their needs. The park can be used for a variety of events such as picnics, concerts, weddings, gatherings or festivals. After the unveiling of the Human Impact picnic site, Maropeng hosted its first-ever festival event called the Cradle Colour Fest, inviting visitors to celebrate their shared history and heritage, or experience the local cultural history and celebrate the diverse cultures of the South African nation.

The colourful festival was a fun event for all ages to celebrate and hosted appearances and performances by a number of South African artists, musicians, fashion designers and dancers such as DJ Dino Bra­vo and The Fos­sils. The festival was a collaboration with a number of South African organisations including the SA Department of Arts and Culture, Gauteng Tourism and Go West!

The Cradle of Humankind is globally recognised as the world’s richest hominin site, home to around 40% of the world’s human ancestor fossils. It is also where the discovery of Homo naledi took place, fossils that scientists date from between 335 000 and 236 000 years ago.

The Maropeng Visitor Centre and Sterkfontein Caves give tourists the opportunity to explore the history of humanity, captured in preserved fossils in the museum, or explore the caves where many of the fossils were found.

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We are excited to announce the launch of our EAT, STAY, EXPLORE experiences. Guests have the opportunity to choose from several different options to create their ideal dining, exploring or holiday package.

You are invited to break bread with locals as part of the EAT Local experience. Share an authentic South African meal while mingling with the local folk of the Western Cape in their homes in either a township or suburbs location or you can select a local favourites restaurant in Cape Town, these restaurants are staples in their community, serving locally and internationally themed dishes or community favourites.

Relax, unwind and engage in the natural settings of local communities with the STAY Local experiences. Choose from Cultural Routes, Local Lifestyle, Coastal Beach, Wildlife Safari, Scenic Outdoor or Active Adventures, each offering a unique and unforgettable experience!

Break away from the ordinary and join us on one of our unique adventures that will leave you with long lasting memories and a desire to explore Southern Africa even further. We’ve put together a range of activities that will give you a deeper South African experience. All of these adventures are designed to show you a different side of Southern Africa than you may expect. Take the road less travelled and to explore the local settings, sites and vibrant cultures. Indulge, Behave, Understand and Explore LOCAL. Please contact us if you would like some more information on these unforgettable experiences or some sample packages showing how these experiences can be incorporated into a package.

The post Southern Africa 360 Launch of Unforgettable Experiences appeared first on Southern Africa 360.

1. Leopard Creek Country Club 

Nestled on the banks of Crocodile River, in the famous Kruger National Park, this 18 hole masterpiece embodies all the wonderful aspects of playing in South Africa. With plenty of elevation changes and water hazards, guests will be treated to a wonderfully challenging game while surrounded by the most incredible scenery and wildlife. Lucky visitors may even catch a glimpse of the course’s resident leopard! Leopard Creek is also one of the courses our guests will visit on their 13 Day Exclusive Safari, Golf and Cape Getaway package.

2. Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate

Needing little introduction, the Devonvale 18 hole Championship golf course has delighted local and international golfers for years and has received multiple improvements over the last 5 years, ensuring their standard of excellence never wavers. Located in Stellenbosch, South Africa’s wine Mecca, guests will not only get to experience world class golfing but world-class wine too!

3. Durban Country Club

Steeped in history and tradition, the Durban Country Club was one of the first South African golf courses to appear in the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World by Golf Digest. With a combination of the lush, coastal vegetation of the KwaZulu Natal coast and the beautiful ocean view, it’s little wonder why this course attracts so many competitive players. It is a challenging and beautiful course that will keep you coming back again and again.

With a great range of incredible course to choose from South Africa should undoubtedly be on any true golfer’s list of holiday destinations!

For more information on our South African Golf Tours contact collin@southernafrica360.com

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