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The true travel experience is a real trend today, but how many South Africans have they experienced this in their own country? Here's how to bring "local is lekker" to new heights over the next vacation.
Ask ten different South Africans what would make an authentic and authentic travel experience, and you might get ten different answers. For some, it will be a culinary exploration through unknown crops to this day, perhaps by neighborhood exploration, while for others, it may be something to do. a link with nature in a landscape where they have never ventured before: think of diving with sharks, zip line or rafting. Or, for others, a trip back in time to discover the heritage and history, a visit to Cape Castle in the cradle of humanity.
Of course, an "authentic" experience can be very subjective, open to many different interpretations and, therefore, especially for beginners on the authentic journey scene, a hard choice to choose in terms of destination and things to look forward to . meet.
"The most important concept that many South Africans need to be understood, especially the more experienced travelers," says Siphesihle Penny Ndlela of the local tour company Soul Traveler, "is to understand that local travel can be as exciting and exhilarating as traveling. to an exotic destination abroad.
As a seasoned globe-trotter, Penny (and that's how she's introduced herself) has turned her love for authentic travel into a company dedicated to creating experiences for South Africans in their own "worlds". garden".
"What is fascinating is that overseas travelers often arrive in our country with a well-researched idea of what they want to live, especially authentic things." But South Africans themselves do not know much or know where to start. A company like ours can target the decision process on specific topics. "
Penny launched Soul Traveler in 2017, in collaboration with Thebe Tourism Group, to promote domestic travel in South Africa, with the specific goal of enabling group travel to South Africa and creating economic growth in the South African region. country. "Many of us travel with pleasure to South Africa to visit family and friends, but we do not think about immersing ourselves in local experiences, even when overseas travelers come here, exactly for that."
Penny's themes on the Soul Traveler routes coincide with the colors of the South African flag: "Green and gold are sporting events, red is urban culture and local cuisine, white is heritage, Green connects travelers to the natural wonders of our amazing country, the black is a matter of adventure, blue is meant for those who want to discover our beaches and the yellow is an experience of the soul where we really discover an experience local in a few hours. "
According to Penny, the key to authentic local experience is knowing what local experts do in their field. On her culinary tours to Johannesburg, for example, she regularly takes travelers to the Yeoville Dinner Club on Rocky Street. It is here that the gourmet Sanza Sandile introduces the guests to what he calls an experience of pan-Afrikan plate. In one evening, guests are invited to a combined treat for all the senses, from West Africa to South Africa.
Similar experiences in Cape Town, for example, would include Mama Africa, Marco's African Place, Bo-Kaap Kombuis and Africa Coffee in Cape Town's central city, Spinach King in Khayelitsha or beer tasting at Darling Brewery and tasting. gin in Woodstock. Beauty is the link between these two places since one of the ingredients of making Woodstock gin comes from Darling Brewery.
As a local tourist, it's very simple to know what might appeal to an overseas tourist, says Penny: "If you're planning to go to Durban, search Google for the best things to do in Durban. . Immediately, you will see options from the Durban Botanical Gardens, Moses Mabhida Stadium and the Temple of Hare Krishna Understanding to the Battlefields of Isandlwana or a visit to the Mandela Capture Site.
"What always fascinates me is how many people who live in a beautiful city like Cape Town have never been tourists in their own city. They never went up Table Mountain. Or take a tour of local neighborhood.
Another idea is to search for festivals and musical events. Last year, in December, Johannesburg hosted everything from the Soweto Ink Festival celebrating the art of tattooing to the annual Afropunk Music Festival which is held at Constitution Hill.
Turning South Africans to the idea of exploring their own country also creates important ambassadors for the travel industry in the country, Penny believes: "We want South Africans connect with their own history and collective heritage. It's part of who we are: just think of the collective pride we develop each time we engage in an international sporting event in which we participate. Imagine if we could turn this pride of an event into a place of choice for the local experiences we experienced ourselves.
"We are a nation of storytellers. Imagine the wealth of stories that we should tell. "
For more information on how to travel as a local, visit www.soultraveller.co.za
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