Soul Safari Sangoma..™
Vacationtechnician personalized luxury adventure travel transports you to the most exquisite wilderness and chill out retreats on Earth. Conserving rare biodiversity through low volume tourism; our aim is your indulgence -at no one's expense. Plan now to be assured a rejuvenating escape at a restful pace -to an unspoilt gem in the purest sense.
" best guides = best safaris ~ a bad guide in the best camp will ruin your safari."
SOUL SAFARI SANGOMA :: CHRIS STORMER
9 – 20 OCTOBER 2005
Join vacationtechnician.com for the journey of a lifetime into the rich and diverse cultures of Africa. An adventure for the soul awaits you beneath the warm African sun and delivers the opportunity to connect with the land, the people and the creatures that call this powerful continent their home.
‘It is not just about dreams coming true,
but also about being true to our dreams’ - Skyros
vacationtechnician.com Soul Safari through South Africa offers an intimate look at African culture and spirituality. Our objective is for our guests to integrate and interact, rather than remain simply tourist-spectators.
Guided & facilitated by Chris Stormer, this journey offers you a wonderful opportunity to gain a new perspective on life and an increased awareness of what it means to feel fully alive. Chris, the 'Universal Foot Lady,' is a recognized world authority on natural health and healing and foot reflexology.
While enjoying a well-deserved holiday, you can also taste something totally new, while developing skills and interests that expand your personal horizons. We invite you to relax, grow, share, laugh, enlighten and truly experience an AMAZING getaway!
Sketch Itinerary:
09 Oct: Land and orientate with accommodation arranged at a tranquil guesthouse in Johannesburg.
10 Oct: Morning Tour of Soweto. See the best of the sights after which a visit the the Hartebeestpoort African craft market. Meet VASAMAZULU CREDO MUTWA, our High Sanusi, who is the highest ranking Zulu Sangoma in the land, and overnight at Naledi House, which means ‘House of Enlightenment’
11 Oct: Travel to White Elephant Lodge
11 – 13 Oct: Enjoy the Wisdom of Elephants Ecotherapy experience with Mandy Young – An introspective game experience with wild elephants at White Elephant Bush Camp
14 – 16 Oct: Onto the Holistic Dolphin-Swim delight with Chris Stormer in Southern Mozambique
17 & 18 Oct: Visit Milimani Game Sanctuary, a haven for distressed or injured wildlife and visit the local village, an Inyanga (herbalist) and an African crèche
19 Oct: Return to Johannesburg for an extra-ordinary night at the theatre with AFRICAN FOOTPRINTS then overnight at your guesthouse in Johannesburg
20 Oct: Breakfast & transfer to airport for your return flight
Detailed Itinerary:
09 Oct: Johannesburg International Apt – Guesthouse
You will be met on arrival at the Johannesburg International Airport and transferred to the guesthouse in Rivonia, Johannesburg.
This evening a welcome and introductions circle will be arranged to give everybody a change to meet and connect with Chris Stormer and the vacationtechnician team of co-facilitators.
Enjoy a relaxed dinner at Chris’s home, which is near your guesthouse.
Find out more about Chris Stormer.
10 Oct: Soweto, Hartebeest Craft Market & Naledi House
A guided morning tour of Soweto, visiting some of the most interesting sites, including Credo Mutwa’s ‘kraal’ and Madiba’s house during the struggling apartheid years. A traditional lunch at a private house included.
Afterwards we drive to the Hartebeestpoort dam Craft Market, approximately 50 minutes away to one of the biggest craft markets in Southern Africa giving you the opportunity to collect arts and craft from all the regions and tribes of Africa.
Later in the afternoon, we relax and enjoy sundowners at Naledi House, a beautiful guesthouse not far from Hartebeestpoort. Nestled between a range of mountains that have witnessed the passage of unimaginable ages and with the Hennops River flowing nearby and abundant bird life, Naledi is a lush oasis in serene, rocky surroundings.
Here you will also have the honour of meeting VASAMAZULU CREDO MUTWA, our High Sanusi, the highest ranking Zulu Sangoma in the land, who is a highly regarded healer, shaman, spiritual leader and author, well known for one of his many books, “Indaba my Children”.
Credo Mutwa will hold you spellbound with legends, tales and anecdotes of Africa, as he shares sacred information and leads a traditional African ceremony, at his Indaba Kraal at Naledi House, which only a few privileged novices have ever experienced.
A wholesome dinner follows these inspirational proceedings.
11, 12 & 13 Oct: Naledi House – WHITE Elephant Bush Camp
After a nourishing breakfast and we travel for approximately six hours to the White Elephant Bush Camp, in the Pongola Game Reserve.
White Elephant Bush Camp offers a tranquil retreat for those seeking an authentic bush experience. Set in a shady thicket of Knobthorn trees, the Bush Camp is completely at one with nature and the landscape. We stay in spacious thatched chalets, which are stylishly yet simply decorated in African hues to complement the spectacular views of the Lebombo Mountains and Lake Jozini Traditional bush comforts, uncomplicated dining beside an open fire, moonlit night skies and flickering shadows all add to the serenity and harmony with nature.
During your stay you are invited to participate in the 3-day ‘Wisdom of Elephants’ experience facilitated by Mandy Young.
BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE PROGRAM:
Each game drive, facilitated by Mandy Young, offers an introspective experience while observing the wild elephants, whose whereabouts is not always predictable.
The eco-therapy group sessions provide an ideal opportunity to rest fraught psyches, whilst learning more instinctual ways of just being. The sessions assist in reconnecting to one’s true spirit through the interconnectedness with other species and the earth we all share.
MEET THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR:
Mandy Young, a Theta accredited Field Guide, has been actively involved as a psychotherapist, researcher, tutor and lecturer at the University of Cape Town since 1979. She assists children, adults, teenagers and students with depressive, abuse, addictive tendancies and counsels others through grief and trauma.
For the last 7 years she has studied the African Wild Dogs at wildlife reserves throughout South Africa and Zimbabwe, and more recently she has specifically focused on mothering behavior in elephants. Mandy finds that her wilderness experiences and research provide important understandings in assisting others overcome personal difficulties and challenges.
14, 15 & 16 Oct: White Elephant to Ponta d’Ouro
After an early breakfast, we take a short trip to Mozambique, where we stay
at Ponta d’Ouro, Point of Gold. Here resident pods of over a hundred
dolphins can be seen frolicking in the surf.
This is where there are several opportunities to encounter these playful, curious and highly intelligent mammals on their own terms - in the Big Blue. Dolphins seem to possess an extraordinary ability to trigger an often incomprehensible healing process and just being in their presence seems to evoke a feeling of profound inner peace and joy.
During the 3-day dolphin experience, Chris takes us on a journey of "What is a Foot" in a playful and creative way. Through studying the characteristics of your own feet you will receive fascinating insights about your character, your potential and challenges.
Drum circles facilitated by our professional musician, Vaughan Harris, and a sound journey, also form part of this wonderful program. During a sound journey you simply lie down and close your eyes to be massaged and mesmerized by a variety of soothing, harmonious sounds, produced completely by Vaughan and his experienced assistant. These powerful and evocative sounds are guaranteed to create ‘an energized calmness’. The use of many of the world’s indigenous instruments, with a range of birdcalls and an overtone of voices, crease a personal and totally rejuvenating experience, which is cherished as one of the highlights.
Please take a look at additional details on our dolphin research, our dolphin swim programs and facilities.
17 & 18 Oct: Ponta d’Ouro to Milimani
After an early morning swim with the dolphins and a tasty brunch we travel for approximately four hours to the Milimani Wildlife Sanctuary, nestled in the Rooirante mountain range of northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. Milimani is a safe-haven for distressed or injured wildlife and depending on timing, it may be possible to witness the delivery or the release of these animals.
Here a Sangoma will share his extensive knowledge of, amongst other things, the use of trees and shrubs for medicinal purposes. Around a campfire at night Zulu traditions and rituals frequently practiced by local Sangomas are shared whilst local children sing and dance with their abundant enthusiasm.
A guided visit to the local KwaDlakuse village is an exceptional and truly humbling experience. The residents greet guests with their embracing warmth and are extremely grateful for the interest in their lives. The children of the crèche eagerly share their inherit love of music and dance, and we love to entertain visitors with their chaotic singing, so endearing of young people. Lois, our hostess, says ‘I am continually seduced by the warmth and friendship of this village, and it is Milimani’s privilege to be able to share it with visitors’,
19 Oct: Milimani to JHB Guesthouse
After a scrumptious breakfast, we take about six hours to drive back to Johannesburg to spend your last night in South Africa at the Kingsway Guesthouse in Rivonia.
This vacationtechnician.com Soul Safari ends on a high note with the spectacular performance of AFRICAN FOOTPRINTS, which is Richard Loring's dream being fulfilled as South African youth, especially talented young black dancers, become empowered through theatre. His vision is a high energy, awesome song and dance of emerging talents, known as an "Explosive Stampede of Song and Dance" a truly uplifting and emotional finale to this incredible Journey of the Soul.
Dinner will be enjoyed at a restaurant at Gold Reef City before the show – own account.
20 Oct: Guesthouse to JHB International Airport
Arrangements for an airport transfer will ensure that you get to the airport in good time your return flight.
* * *
(An optional add-on to Cape Town can be arranged for those interested to visit the ‘Mother City’).
‘Words fail miserably to describe this experience. You owe it to yourself and the universe to take this moving journey, which explodes your senses and sets your soul soaring’ - Biff Fraser, Scotland
RATE:
2,702.87 USD per person sharing.
INCLUDED:
• Two nights at the guesthouse in Johannesburg on a bed & breakfast
basis
• Dinner at Chris Stormer’s house on first night of arrival
• One night at Naledi House on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis
• Morning city tour of Soweto, including lunch and excursion to the
Hartebeestpoort arts & craft market
• Three nights at the White Elephant Bush Camp on a dinner, bed &
brunch basis.
• Wisdom of Elephant program facilitated by Mandy Young, including 4
game drives to observe the elephants
• Three nights at Dolphin Encountours on a Dinner, Bed & Brunch
basis
• Full comprehensive snorkeling course & educational code of conduct
slide show regarding the dolphin encounters
• Three launches to swim with the dolphins
• Full holistic program during the dolphin package, including a facilitated
drum circle and sound journey
• Two nights at Milimani Game Sanctuary on a fully inclusive basis,
including all activities and game drives
• Excursion to watch the AFRICAN FOOTPRINTS dance & music show
• All transfers and transport from and to the JHB International Airport
as per itinerary.
• Full itinerary guided and facilitated by CHRIS
STORMER
EXCLUDED:
• International Airfare• Items of personal nature
• Drinks
• Lunches unless otherwise stated as per itinerary
• Dinner at Gold Reef City (prior to African Footprint performance)
• Fees & gratuity to Credo Mutwa for ceremonies & storytelling events
• Visa to enter Mozambique (30 USD per person)
• All other gratuities to staff members and game personnel (optional)
• Donation the the African village (optional)
• Travel insurance & medical insurance
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
DUE TO CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS AND UNFORSEEN INCREASES RATE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
.
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more about vacationtechnician Soul Safaris™
..Inspired
Naturally..™
Dolphin Experience Soul Safari™
South
African Sangoma with Chris Stormer™
‘I felt very calm and peaceful amongst the
dolphins. As animals they seem incredibly elegant, sophisticated
and friendly, and as a human I felt like a fortunate visitor. I find it difficult
to explain more about this
experience, but it surely has been an unique and beautiful one in my life,
which makes me feel somehow
much more centred’. -Jean Louis Bosc :: Lyon, France
South Africa Reading
South Africa's Biotic
Wealth
South Africa:
Kruger National Park
Garden Route Activities
The Garden Route
Wild Frontier -Eastern Cape
The Wild Coast
Namaqualand
Namaqualand and more
Greater Addo National Park
Ndumo Game Reserve
HLUHLUWE-UMFOLOZI PARK
The Lowveld –Birding
ADDO ELEPHANTS
Drakensburg UNESCO World
Heritage Site
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