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South Africa Responsible Travel
In the vast territory that is South Africa, 3.3% of the land is devoted to wildlife protection areas. South Africa's parks and reserves are endowed with preserved fauna and flora, which are the natural grounds of exceptional Safaris.
South Africa will awaken your five senses throughout your responsible trip !
Responsible Travel South Africa
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recently announced that the Fair Tourism Standard (FTT) in South Africa has achieved “recognized” status for the organization. The status awarded demonstrates its public commitment to promoting sustainable tourism products and services recognized by the GSTC.
FTT is committed to using the GSTC Criteria – the first and only global framework for defining a sustainable travel benchmark – as the benchmark for its Sustainable Travel Criteria. Rigorous review and clearance procedures have determined that FTT standards are considered equivalent to GSTC criteria; the global minimum requirement for tourism businesses of all sizes to address sustainability.
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VOLUNTEERING ON A FAMILY FARM
Places to visit
Prepare your responsible trip with our experts
The Khoïsan are the earliest known inhabitants of South Africa (40,000 BC. J.-C.). In Xe century, xhosas settled in the Fish River region.
Colonization in 1497 by the Portuguese navigator Vasco de Gama who skirted the Natal coast.
The definitive establishment of Europeans in South Africa dates from 1652 with the establishment, on behalf of the Dutch East India Company, of a supply station in Cape Town.
It was in 1770 that the first contacts between the Bantus and the Boers (free farmers of Franco-Dutch origin) were reported. In 1779, the first of the nine Kaffir wars began (1779-1878).
The Great Trek and the Boers
In 1835, the Boers left Cape Colony for the interior territories of South Africa to escape British administration. This is the Great Trek, strewn with tragedies and battles.
In 1866, the Cape Colony also extended its territory as the first diamonds were discovered in Kimberley, then gold deposits in the Witwatersrand in the Transvaal.
Motivated in part by these gold mines, the Second Boer War (1899-1902) and the annexation of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State established British rule over most of southern Africa, price of the internment and death of thousands of Boer civilians in British concentration camps.
The Union of South Africa
On May 31, 1910, eight years after the end of the Second Boer War and after four years of negotiations, the South Africa Act granted nominal independence, creating the Union of South Africa.
In 1912, a political party, the the National African Congress (ANC), was founded in Bloemfontein, claiming greater participation of black populations in the affairs of the country.
In 1915, engaged in the First World War, South African troops suffered heavy losses in the Somme (France).
In 1918, the Broederbond, a secret society was founded with the aim of promoting the political, social and economic development of the Afrikaners (the denomination that has become customary for the Boers).
Anthropologists and linguists from the University of Stellenbosch like Werner Max Eiselen forge a new social and political concept that will give rise to the ideology of apartheid : rejecting the idea of a single South African society, they propose to separate geographically, politically and economically the blacks and whites of South Africa as well as the different ethnic groups between them, in order to maintain and strengthen their ethnic and linguistic identities and to fight against the effects, which they consider acculturating, of urbanization and migrant labor on traditional African structures.
The Union of South Africa under apartheid (1948-1991)
In 1948, the national party won the general elections. The new Prime Minister, Daniel François Malan, puts in place the policy of apartheid.
In 1963, Nelson Mandela, one of the leaders of Umkhonto we Sizwe was sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorism and the other leaders of the ANC were imprisoned or exiled. In 1966, Hendrik Verwoerd, Prime Minister of South Africa and great architect of apartheid, was assassinated.
In 1976, riots in the township of Soweto against compulsory education in Afrikaans led the government to declare a state of emergency.
In 1990, the new South African President, Frederik de Klerk, legalizes the ANC, the South African Communist Party and all black movements. Nelson Mandela is released.
In June 1991, the government abolished the last laws of apartheid and began a process of constitutional transition (Codesa).
Post-apartheid in South Africa
This process of negotiations leads to an interim draft constitution in 1993 which reorganizes the South African State around the key values of freedom, equality, dignity and places at its summit a Constitutional Court and the first elections by universal suffrage without distinctions racial or censitaires of the history of the country on April 27, 1994. These elections are won by the African National Congress which allows Nelson Mandela to be elected by the new constituent assembly as the first black president of the country. At the same time, the country rejoined the Commonwealth.
See more information : https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrique_du_Sud#Histoire
LANGUAGES
The official languages of South Africa are eleven according to the South African Constitution. These are two languages of European origin, Afrikaans (14%) and English (10%), and nine Bantu languages, namely Transvaal Ndebele (2%), Northern Sotho ( 9%), Southern Sotho (8%), Swati (2.5%), Tsonga (4.5%), Tswana (8%), Venda (2.4%), Xhosa ( 3%) and Zulu (23%).
Religions
South Africa is a predominantly christian country (80%). The other religions practiced are divided between Hinduism (1.5%), Islam (1.5%) and Buddhism (1.5%).
Traditional arts
Literature
Many black authors were educated by Anglican missionaries and most of them wrote either in English or in Afrikaans. One of the first known novels written by a black author in an African language is Mhudi by Solomon Plaatje (1930). South Africa's unique society and political history has given rise to many writers whose themes now go beyond apartheid.
These include: Alan Paton who drew international attention to the racial injustices of apartheid South Africa. Nadine Gordimer and J.M. Coetzee who each received the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Painting
Rock art : we can find paintings and engravings thousands of years old, made by the San people, the first inhabitants of southern Africa, who probably arrived in the region around 45,000 years ago.
The Ndbeles of the Transvaal have developed an internationally recognized art form. Each Ndebele house is decorated with brightly colored geometric patterns. In a society that has hitherto been polygamous, the priming and painting of the cob facades of Ndebele houses is the sole responsibility of the wives.
Music
South Africa is characterized by several musical styles according to its different ethnicities. Added to this are influences from various genres, from jazz, hip hop, kwaito and gospel to pop and alternative rock. Some examples:
The Isicathamiya is an a cappella style of singing, originating from the Zulus of South Africa. Isicathamiya focuses more on a harmonious blend of voices. The name also relates to the precise, choreographed toe-toe movements of these singers' dance style.
The Kwela, a style of South African music from the 1950s, characterized by the jazzy playing of a tin whistle. Of all genres of music using tin whistle. The kwela is the only one that is completely dominated by this instrument, the style having moreover been created from the sound of this flute.
The kwaito is a musical genre that emerged in Johannesburg during the 1990s. It is a variant of house music making use of sound samples from African music.
Dance
It was first a celebration of ancestors and warriors. Then, during apartheid, it was a form of cultural resistance.
The most famous South African dance is the zoulou dance.
It is practiced by men and women, dancing in separate groups. The dance is rhythmic through the use of string instruments, drums and whistles.
Theater
Athol Fugard's plays have been written and performed in South Africa, London and New York. Olive Schreiner's Story of an African Farm (1883) was a revelation in Victorian literature. The play is considered to introduce feminism into the novel form.
Handicrafts
Beadwork
Inherited from different tribes: Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Venda, Ndebele, all of whom have been making pearl accessories and jewelry for centuries.
Textile
The ShweShwe is the emblematic fabric of South Africa. It is a colorful textile, found everywhere: cushions, aprons, bags, clothes, and even soft toys for children.
Objects made from recycled materials
Local artisans are masters in the art of transforming scraps into incredible objects. They have developed surprising techniques: baskets and jewelry made from recycled telephone wire, bags made from recycled cement sacks or hessian originally used to transport coffee, recycled tea bags.
Gastronomy
South African cuisine is inspired by that of the indigenous peoples of South Africa such as the Khoisan, Xhosa, Zulus and Basotho. The different cuisines of the settlers and immigrants, but also that of the slaves, had a major impact on the cuisine of the country.
South Africans are known for their taste for barbecue, called braai in Afrikaans. Meat occupies a prominent position in South African cuisine.
Some emblematic dishes:
Le bobotie
It is made from minced meat sautéed in onions. Add curry, eggs, bread and milk. Once baked, it can be served with fruit chutney.
The sosaties
These are skewers marinated and spiced with curry, a blend of African ingredients and Asian culinary influences.
The chakalaka
It designates a kind of relish from South Africa made from vegetables and usually very spicy. It can be served with bread, pap, samp or with stews or curries.
The koeksisters
For dessert, very sweet donuts with honey comparable to oriental pastries.
NEIGBOURGOODS MARKET, CAPE TOWN
Marketreally great, it's only open on saturday mornings. Very typical, a mix of African market and souk, small stalls to discover in this old docks district very rich in regional products, crafts and fashion.
WINELANDS, WEST CAPE
Less than an hour by car from Cape Town, you can admire very beautiful mountainous landscapes. You will be able to discover splendid wine estates around Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, where you will be made to taste the best wines of South Africa.
HIKE IN TABLE MOUTAIN NATIONAL PARK, CAPE CAPE
Il faut vous munir de bonnes chaussures lors d’un séjour au Cap. Même si vous n’avez pas le temps de faire la randonnée complète de six jours et cinq nuits le long du Hoerikwaggo Trail reliant Cape Point à la station de téléphérique de Table Mountain , empruntez largement les sentiers qui sillonnent le parc national pour vous permettre de côtoyer au plus près ce splendide environnement naturel.
OBSERVATION DES BALEINES, HERMANUS
If there's one place that stands out from the rest, it'sHermanus, considered the capital of whales in South Africa, and one of the best spots in the world to observe them from land.
Hermanus is a charming little seaside resort which is located in the Western Cape Province, just 140km from Cape Town via an exceptional coastal road that is worth the trip all on its own. Follow the "whale crier" and listen for the sound of a horn: this is the whale crier who monitors the area and warns you when one is spotted, up to the viewpoints, on the trail along the bluff overlooking Walker Bay.
GRAHAMSTOWN
The charming town is steeped in colonial history, hosting the country's oldest arts festival every July. Considered the heart of the tourist route known as Frontier Country, Grahamstown, along with towns such as Alicedale, Sidbury, Riebeeck East, Hogsback, is part of one of South Africa's most diverse ecological regions, with thousands of hectares dedicated to nature and game conservation.
An added charm, the city is located at the intersection of four different climatic zones and its weather is unpredictable!
WILD COAST
Travel the hills of the Wild Coast, 300km long, the magnificent coastal landscapes are only interrupted by the presence of a few Xhosa villages. The Xhosa come from populations originating from the region of the Great Lakes (Africa) gradually migrating south.
This rugged rural area is dotted with round thatched-roof huts along the Indian Ocean. It is a rural region that has kept a very strong tribal tradition, with wild beaches bordered by dense jungle.
SOWETO, Johannesburg
Far from its sulphurous reputation, the city surprises with its art displayed in its streets, with the history of its walls, it reassures with the smiles of its inhabitants. To fully discover the city, spend a night there and experience a memorable evening. Drink Chibuku, a sorghum-based beer based on traditional craft beer at a tin-roofed bar, eat mogodu a combination of minced serobe (tripe) and mala (intestinal) served as a stew often with hot porridge or dumplings. But above all, listen to jazz musicians in a typical neighborhood restaurant.
BLYDE RIVER CANYON
Like a huge ribbon crossing the green landscapes of Mpumalanga, this canyon is one of the most impressive landscapes in South Africa. Follow the winding path up high and you'll find dazzling views: rock formations similar to traditional huts, red stone caverns, whirlpools of water and endless vistas over the valley.
DRAKENSBERG CHAIN
A veritable Mecca for climbers, Waterval Boven is hidden within the majestic Drakensberg range. Bold travelers will brave the dizzying heights to see the meandering Elands River below or the jagged red rocks of the Drakensberg Escarpment in the distance.
VENDA REGION
This territory of Limpopo is renowned for its tradition of woodcarving. The red earth paths and the green hills materialize the dreams of Africa, far from the urban madness of Jo'burg or the provincial capital, Polokwane. A python god lives in Lake Fundudzi, and artists produce original works using venda and tsonga-shangaan motifs.
KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK
After an exhausting journey, in the heat, on a dusty red dirt track, we reach the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, the first multinational park in Africa. Kgalagadi is an arid land of extreme conditions, where red and white sands mingle with thorny shrubs. This “desert” expanse is home to many animals, including more than a thousand predators! You will discover the Africa of tales: incredible sunsets, ebony skies studded with a myriad of sparkling stars.
NELSON MANDELA MUSEUM
The excellent museum which is dedicated to Nelson Mandela near the vibrant town of Mthatha is a real source of inspiration. The South African icon was born in the nearby village of Mveso, on the banks of the Mbashe River, and spent her childhood in Qunu, 31 km south of Mthatha, where the museum is located. The two villages are now part of the route that pays tribute to this emblematic personality.
LESOTHO
The Lesotho gives full meaning to the word "kingdom": you will discover a "monarchy", but also the magic of the splendid mountain peaks succeeding the plains and the ravines, the pony-back transport and the welcoming and generous inhabitants, often dressed in the traditional Basotho blanket.
SWAZILAND
The Swaziland is a revelation. After browsing a few craft markets in Mbabane, head to a nearby farm for an afternoon of horseback riding. A dream landscape for riding: arid hills, endless skies, the sun slowly setting on the horizon, and a mount always ready to gallop off. A mind-blowingly serene setting, Swaziland is renowned for its incredible, beautiful and varied topography and the warm welcome of the locals.
The most known park is the Kruger National Park, which is also the oldest and the largest, with nearly 20,000 km2. Kruger National Park and the Table Mountain National Park are two of the most visited tourist attractions in South Africa.
National parks, with their affordable rates, are popular with travelers.
You are allowed to go on safari with your own vehicle.
You are free to conduct your safari as you wish, while respecting the rules of conduct of the park.
The choice of accommodation is quite varied, ranging from camping to very comfortable lodges.
Private reserves are often located on the edge of national parks.
To visit a reserve, you must stay inside the park for a certain number of nights, at least 2 or 3 in general.
Safaris are only carried out on board a vehicle driven by a guide or a ranger from the reserve.
You often share the vehicle with other travelers from the same lodge, unless you opt for a private safari.
Le hors piste est autorisé et nombreux sont les lodges qui proposent des safaris de nuit, à pied, à dos de cheval… De même, des activités atypiques peuvent être réservées comme un safari en montgolfière, une nuit à la belle étoile …
L’expérience peut donc s’avérer très différente entre un safari dans un parc national ou dans une réserve privée.
South Africa is an ideal destination for lovers of hiking or trekking.
The Kruger National Park is certainly the most famous park in the country. Many hikes are arranged there.
There are many organized treks like Amathole Trail which offers 121 kilometers of fantastic landscapes.
We can also talk about the Greyton McGregor Trail over 14 kilometers in the Riviersonderend mountains.
Ifyou have an adventurous heart, train travel will offer you a way to soak up the beauty of South African landscapes without having to drive yourself.
So sit back and relax, and let the beautiful scenery roll by with wonderful stops along the way.
Options include economy class and luxury cars, as well as the ultimate opulent Blue Train or Rovos Rail safari.
Steam lovers will also appreciate the journeys on the rails with the restored old steam trains.
Rail travel in South Africa covers the most stunning parts of the country, taking visitors from cities like Johannesburg and Bloemfontein to prime destinations like Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
For small budgets: The Shosholoza Meyl is a passenger train that connects all major cities.
An economy class ticket will get you a reclining seat with plenty of legroom on routes that include the country's 11 major cities, but be prepared for the unconventional.
The energy on the train is always electrifying, especially in the summer (December to February) as people from different parts of the country travel.
You can purchase a reclassified ticket that will allow you to have a two-bed or four-bed cutaway compartment.
They are transformed into suites during the day and rooms during the night.
Each Shosholoza Meyl train has several communal showers and rooms for passengers to freshen up.
Midrange: The Premier Classe is a luxurious passenger line train that accommodates guests in spacious single, double or family compartments.
They are complete with beautifully designed bathrooms and complimentary toiletries, dressing gowns and room service.
Yes, that's right, room service on the train.
The Premier Class line connects Johannesburg and Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town, and Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
Luxurious: The most magnificent train in South Africa is undoubtedly the Blue Train.
The Blue Train will make all the stops to guarantee you a state-of-the-art South African rail safari.
It includes a luggage car, a personal car, a club car for smokers, luxury suites, a kitchen, a restaurant car and a lounge.
The Blue Train connects Pretoria and Cape Town, and Pretoria and Durban. A special route to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve is also available.
Travel along the splendid road from Cape Gardens to Port Elizabeth.
Its rolling landscapes of the Stellenbosch vineyard region, the desert expanses of Little Karoo and its ostriches, the seaside towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, the wildlife parks of the Eastern Cape near Addo Elephant National Park.
Its name comes from the lush and ecologically rich vegetation found there.
The Garden Road is a concentration of the diversity of South Africa on 800 kilometers of coastline along the Atlantic and then Indian oceans.
Many estuaries and lakes dot along this coast.
Volunteer on a family farm.
Help in a dairy in Africa.
Learn more about managing dairy production on an organic farm in South Africa and support local farmers!
https://www.globalong.com/sejour-benevolat/benevolat-afrique-du-sud/Agriculture-ferme-biologique-afrique-stage-volontariat-gap-tear.html
