SA & Zimbabwe, 12 Days
ARCHAEO ACADEMIC TOURS & FIELD SCHOOL PROGRAMMES
SOUTH AFRICA & ZIMBABWE – SCULPTED BY MAN & NATURE
Rock Art, Iron Age & Stone Age sites
12 days / 11 nights
Pricing starting @ USD 2795 per person sharing
Valid until December 2024
To view our full collection of Archaeo Academic Tours, click here
It is believed that the key-elements of the transitions of the Zimbabwe culture , class distinction and sacred leadership chrystalised on the Mapungubwe Hill and K2, long before they emerged anywhere else. On this premise, your tour transcends accordingly, from South Africa’s Mapungubwe into the belly of Great Zimbabwe where the Zimbabwean culture was expressed.
A landmark sculptured both by nature and man, Zimbabwe displays not only the magnitude of its people but also the marvels of nature. The Khami Ruins, which developed after the capital of Great Zimbabwe had been abandoned in the mid-16th century, is of great archaeological interest. The discovery of objects from Europe and China also shows that Khami formed part of the major trade routes of old.
Zimbabwe’s natural wonders form part of some of the most impressive natural sites of the world, of course including the Vic Falls, but then also the less known, such as the Matopo Hills. A mass of granite hills formed by river erosion and weathered into fantastic shapes and deep valleys, the hills are associated with folklore and tradition, some being venerated as dwelling places of the spirits of departed Ndebele chiefs. The hills contain gigantic caves (notably Bambata, Nswatugi, and Silozwane) with Khoekhoe paintings, Stone and Iron Age archaeological sites. The name may have originated from Matombe or Madombe, meaning “the rocks,” or from Matobo“bald heads”.
INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE
- 11 Nights’ accommodation, sharing 2, 4 or 6 persons per unit.
- Daily breakfasts or breakfast packs.
- Daily lunches or lunch packs and dinners.
- Coach or overland vehicles for all scheduled travel and transfers.
- All entrances to museums, monuments, cultural and heritage sites as included in the programme.
- Specialist guides & tour leaders.
- Recreational and safari activities as indicated in the itinerary.
NOTES ON ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION
It is important to note that Safari Odyssey is not an accredited academic institution, however we do collaborate with, and enjoy the endorsements of, professional and accredited institutions. The primary role of Safari Odyssey and it’s representatives is to provide complete logistical support for a proposed field school or, if need be, to manage the entire programme, including all logistics, study contents and the execution thereof if the study group does not have representation of its own. The framework may be designed as archaeo field schools, visual or physical research programmes, in a single or over multiple destinations and including the entire academic programme or parts thereof depending on whether the group will be accompanied by their own “in-house” teacher or not. Safari Odyssey is able to source the relevant academic content as well as local field-specialists and leaders, all of whom are professionally trained or employed. The aim of our Archaeo Academic and Field School Programmes is to provide access to South and southern African archaeological and cultural sites as well as resources, without intervention, but under qualified supervision within the rules set out in our National Heritage Act, “Act 25 of 1999” as well as the academic requirements of the participating teaching institution. This product enables either the “student” or “tourist” to, at first hand, experience the specific archaeological, cultural and historical event/s that is of interest to him or her. Our products are open to tailor-making ie. the course content, academic leaders and presenters, route structure, field of study or interest, location and services can be adjusted and collectively decided upon.
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Destination
Tour Plan
Day 1: Johannesburg & The University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)
Days 2 & 3: Johannesburg to the Waterberg, Limpopo
Days 4 & 5: Waterberg to the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Days 6, 7 & 8: Mapungubwe National Park to Matabo Hills, Zimbabwe (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Day 9: Matapos National Park to Pafuri Rivercamp
Day 10: Pafuri Rivercamp via Thulamela to Punda Maria (Kruger National Park)
Day 11: Punda Maria to Letaba (Kruger National Park)
Day 12: Letaba to Johannesburg
- 11 Nights’ accommodation, sharing 2, 4 or 6 persons per unit.
- Daily breakfasts or breakfast packs.
- Daily lunches or lunch packs and dinners.
- Coach or overland vehicles for all scheduled travel and transfers.
- All entrances to museums, monuments, cultural and heritage sites as included in the programme.
- Specialist guides & tour leaders.
- Recreational and safari activities as indicated in the itinerary.
Tour Location
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.