Feb. 19-26, 2024 (extension available)
Early bird pricing still available
I Love Being Black & Traveling Black have teamed up again to curate another international tour centered around an authentic opportunity to Experience South Africa (space very limited).
After you submit your deposit we will assist you in booking a flight. All of our tours have a focus on authentic Black experiences, Black businesses and Black guides whenever possible. We’ve been able to experience South Africa over 15 times and the itinerary below has been curated to give you the best of the best experiences:
DAY 1. DURBAN PRE-TRIP EXTENSION
For many of you this will be your first time on African soil but we guarantee it will not be your last. We’ll meet you at the airport then take you to check into our beachfront hotel rooms. Today you will get to experience a Zulu museum with great history and art on display. At our meet & greet you’ll receive a swag bag and meet the other people who have chosen this extension that starts 2 days before the main tour. We’ll also talk about being responsible global citizens who have a thirst for knowledge & experiences while having a healthy respect for other cultures. Next up we will do some shopping for handmade items such as jewelry, apparel and other cultural items. Also, it’s Saturday so those who have energy will get their first taste of the bustling nightlife on Florida Road and really experience South Africa.
DAY 2. DURBAN PRE-TRIP EXTENSION
After watching the sunrise we will head straight to a cultural show in the Valley of a 1000 Hills where you will see the infamous #Indlamu dance. When visiting the “bush” we will sit inside of a handmade hut while we learn traditional Zulu customs including how to make umqombothi beer. After some free time you’ll get to participate in a live #flashmob! We will link with a South African acapella gospel group and surprise the excited onlookers with amazing music. At night you will experience a real treat, an authentic #shisa nyama. Picture yourself in VIP at an upscale open air venue that merges energetic South African Amapiano DJs, cabanas with bottle service and a butchery that allows you to select fresh meats to be barbecued and brought straight to your table. Yep.
DAY 3. LET’S EXPERIENCE SOUTH AFRICA
Today we fly to Johannesburg to meet up with the rest of the tour participants who did not book the pre-trip extension. After checking into the hotel we’ll have a meet & greet with everyone present and hand out more swag bags. Afterward we’ll walk through a trendy Arts & Crafts market where you can practice your bargaining skills. For dinner we will be going to an upscale Black-owned restaurant with live music. Afterward you can either go out or get some sleep because tomorrow we safari. Let the full Experience South Africa tour begin.
DAY 4. Safari
If you’ve never been on an African safari this just may be the highlight of your entire trip. We’ll start our search for the “Big 5” animals (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo) and all of the other cool plants and wildlife @ the Dinokeng preserve. We will have our own photographer onboard with us to document the animals and your experiences. Afterward you will have free time to relax or do something else in Johannesburg that is not on our itinerary.
DAY 5. SOWETO
We will start this day off by doing a city tour then head to the Apartheid museum to learn about the atrocities committed during that time. Next we will visit the largest township in South Africa, Soweto. Soweto was home to Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and many others. You’ll enjoy the street performers, the artwork and a world famous restaurant. We will also visit a local school to speak to the children there and work on an arts project.
DAY 6. hello cape town
Today we say goodbye to Johannesburg and hello to beautiful Cape Town. After landing we will head to our stylish condos where we will be staying together. We’ll do a city tour, some shopping and end up watching the sunset in the beautiful Camps Bay beach area. At night we will go to a Black-owned restaurant known for its gamey meats, excellent wine and vibrant live marimba band. Afterward there will be a popular cigar lounge option for the party animals in the group.
DAY 7. cape town driving tour
First up is breakfast, then we will take you along the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive. Next we will visit Boulder beach where you will get to see a real life penguin colony, on the beach, living their best life. Then we visit the colorful beach huts at Muizenberg Beach. After some free time we’ll freshen up and grab dinner at one of our favorite Black-owned restaurants in town. At night we will sample some of what Cape Town has to offer at one of the vibey-est hot spots!
DAY 8. cape town Free day
Today is a FREE day, we recommend: Lion’s Head Mountain hike, Table Mountain, Robben island, or Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. We’ll meet back up for a special private dinner in the home of some of our good friends. Here we get to have in-depth conversations about South African culture, sip (nearly) unlimited wine and dine on meats roasted just for us (vegan options also available).
DAY 9. wine tasting
We’ll start the day off in the Khayelitsha township to see a special performance put on for us by local kids. Afterward we’re off to the Stellenbosch area just outside of Cape Town for a privately hosted tasting by South Africa’s first Black-owned wine farm. Stellenbosch is known for it’s amazing wines which rival those in Napa, Santa Barbara, etc. We’ll sip wine, laugh and enjoy delectable bites such as South African biltong and local fruit. After the wine is done we will head by a famous shisa nyama for one last chance to soak up this unforgettable South African energy.
DAY 10. tour CONCLUSION
Today is the sad day that the Experience South Africa tour has to end. We’ll drop you off at the airport in the morning to make sure you are on time for your flights home. As you head back to the grind you will go forth with memories that will last a lifetime.
AFTER YOU BOOK the tour:
- After you submit your deposit/payment we will schedule a time to call you within 48hrs to answer any remaining questions and to assist you in finding a good flight
- If you ARE doing the pre-trip extension
- Book your flight to land in Durban (DUR airport) by 2pm on February 17th, 2024
- Book your flight to leave to go home from Cape Town (CPT airport) at any time on February 26th, 2024
- If you are NOT doing the pre-trip extension
- Book your flight to land in Johannesburg (JNB airport) by 2pm on February 19th, 2024
- Book your flight to leave to go home from Cape Town (CPT airport) at any time on February 26th, 2024
INCLUDED:
- Accommodations Mentioned Below
- Air-Conditioned Ground Transportation (including airport transfers)
- Excursions Listed Above
- Open-Air Safari Experience
- Home Dinner Experience
- Guided Shopping Tour
- Professional Photographer
- VIP Nightlife Outing (Pre-Trip Extension Only)
- Acappella Gospel Flashmob Experience (Pre-Trip Extension Only)
- Fly Swag Bag
- Handmade jewelry included (Pre-Trip Extension Only)
- Experienced South African Guides
NOT INCLUDED:
- International Flight To/From South Africa
- Domestic One-Way Flight From Durban -> Johannesburg (Pre-Trip Extension Only) ~$50
- Domestic One-Way Flight From Johannesburg -> Cape Town ~$70
- Gratuities
- Travel Insurance (Mandatory)
OTHER INFO:
- As of today there are no required shots to enter South Africa, but you should read the info on CDC recommendations, and please consult your doctor as well.
- This tour will create a safe space for Black people to enjoy themselves, learn about and experience South Africa
- You must have a valid passport with 2+ blank pages
- The stated itinerary may change at any time due to weather, or any other unforeseen issues.
- Check out the South Africa in 360º panorama photos from our last trip
accommodations:
- Durban (pre-trip extension only): 4-5 star beachfront hotel
- Johannesburg: 4-5 star hotel accommodations
- Cape Town: We’ll stay together in a few luxury condos near the Waterfront or Green Point areas
PRICING:
Early Bird pricing is still available
The following prices are for days 3-10 above:
$2699 $2497: SHARED OCCUPANCY
You will be paired with 1 other person in the room
If you have a friend taking the trip you can choose each other as roommates
**Price is per person
$3199 $2997: SINGLE OCCUPANCY
A single occupancy room
$3899 $3697: VIP OCCUPANCY
Upgraded rooms in Johannesburg/Durban, VIP condo in Cape Town
You can choose from several bottles of wine
Winery photo shoot starring you
Extra swag such as an TB tanktop, sunglasses, etc
$1897: COMPANION
If you are joining as a companion of someone who has an existing single or VIP booking you may join as a companion for a reduced rate. You will share a bed.
+$500: PRE-TRIP EXTENSION
This extension adds days 1 and 2 in the above itinerary in Durban
CONTACT US FOR GROUP RATES
A group is 3 or more friends/family who all book their trips within 24hrs of each other. Each person would receive $200 off current rates (early bird/standard/last minute).
Sign Up Form
You need a valid passport with 2+ consecutive blank pages & 6 months validity left. US citizens do not need a visa to enter South Africa on trips of 90 days or less. Visit this page for more info.
Consequently, we do allow some youth on our trips but we will first need to meet (video call) with the parent/guardian and the proposed youngster to determine if this trip is a good fit.
For shared occupancy we will place you with someone of the same sex in the room with separate beds. If you have a friend going on the trip you can request to share with them.
Well, yes. If you are a party animal there will be daily options for you to get down. Fun, music and nighttime libations are at the forefront of the entertainment scene.
Yes, we make sure to have different dietary options at every place we go for meals, excursions, etc.
Yes we also accept venmo, cash app, or zelle. If you would like to pay this way please contact us.
Yes. We now require that everyone has travel insurance. After you book the trip an automated email will be sent to you with options or you may opt to find your own.
We plan to take no more than 25 people on this tour. Keeping the numbers low ensures that the quality of the trip is high, everyone can get to know each other and the overall experience is more intimate. We will hit capacity, book now if interested.
SA is doing markedly better than the U.S. As of June 22, 2022 mask wearing is no longer required for most spaces, but we encourage you to be safe in all spaces and use your discretion.
You do not need to be vaccinated.
South Africa does not require specific immunizations for visitors coming from the US. In the past 15 trips to South Africa we have never taken any immunizations, pills, etc and have been fine, but please consult your medical professional for advice that pertains to you.
The 2024 Cape Town Jazz festival has been cancelled. We will be finding a new way to enjoy our nighttime activities.