Africa holds dear the story of life through the ages. It is displayed and described through the time-line of the existence, endurance and adaptation of her people to her landscape, plants, animals and ultimately her spirit. Of people and cultures there are many, but, of a deep-rooted history there is only one, and that tells the story of life, the African Way.

If we seek and explore, we’ll find a living tale of life that is scattered across our continent, rich in cultures, tradition, linguistics, music, dance and story-telling, colour in art, dress and homestead design, jewellery, trade, food and of course, landscape and wildlife. It is this variety in resources that has led to the creation of a fundamental culture – integral to the fabric of our being – it has shaped many facets of African life and has formed an understanding of the world around us. It is unique to where we are, but it is open to those who want to see and experience.

But perhaps, of all the stories that Africa tells, the most intriguing comes from the finds that lead us to believe that indeed she is home to not only the origins of mankind but to the first, and therefore, oldest living organisms on earth . Through the works of established academics and writers we are given the opportunity to delve into our rich trail of fossil finds through the diverse existence of archaeological, palaeontological and anthropological discoveries, that were ultimately left behind by these living beings.  Africa will share with you the ancient and the dead, but it will also show you the life of then, in the life of now. Traditions and cultural practices remain a thread of the African Way of Life in modern time.  Therefore the opportunity to experience is available to us, provided that our need to explore is met with the greatest of sensitivity toward the resources we explore, be it living or not.

Your visit to South, and the rest of Africa, can enjoy a richness that takes you beyond your exposure to, and understanding of, everyday routine-type travel. It is a destination that will satisfy every possible type of travelling mind, be it for studies and research, the mind which seeks special interest topics, the thrill seeking adventurer and the lover of nature, vast open spaces, remoteness and a special kind of quietness. It is a destination to fulfil a few, or all, of what a true enquiring mind and travelling spirit seeks.

There are many cultural heritage sites and living communities with traditional ways that can form part of a cultural tourism experience to South Africa. Safari Odyssey has teamed up with some of Africa’s leading researchers and teachers in order to take you through the ages and to share our rich cultural landscape.  For the recreationally enquiring mind, we have a selection of truly authentic cultural experiences which will take you off the tourist track under the guidance of specialist guides, researchers or teachers in your respective field of interest. Your visit to South Africa will lend as much insight into the biology of life, language, culture, societies, and material remains (anthropology) as it will to the history of life on earth through the discovery of our world-renowned fossil finds (palaeontology) and finally human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture consisting of artefacts, architecture and cultural landscapes as held in our rich iron and stone age sites (archaeology). Last but not least are the spirit images of San & Khoi rock art. Our rock art can be described as the overlooked heritage on our doorsteps and South Africa has been called “the richest storehouse of prehistoric mural decoration in the world.”  The time-line of life in Africa stretches into our modern ways, as cultural diversity, traditional practices and spirituality remain engraved in the fabric of our society.