I choose to take an Acacia Tour for 25 days in Africa for a number of reasons including great reputation, affordable cost, and activities included. Plus it would be virtually impossible to make the long drives yourself, the best way to travel across long areas of Africa is by tour!
Cape Town Township Tour
Day 1 of my African adventure started with a 2 hour township tour in Cape Town. We drove to Langa townships, one of many townships in Cape Town. For a little history, in 1913 the government passed the Natives Land Act later known as the Black Land Act. Under this law, black South Africans were no longer to own or rent homes outside of special reserve area. The reserve areas were approximately 8% of South Africa. Of course they were given the less desirable land which forced them into slums and to pay rent to the government for housing.
South Africa has come a long way and they are now building housing for the people that were forced from their homes but the wait time can be years. The government simply can’t build new housing quick enough to keep up with demand. We saw large plots of land that they need to build houses on.
We were taken around the Langa township where we viewed several different housing. There were shipping containers that we meant to be temporary housing while more permanent housing was built. But these shipping containers have been sitting there for a decade so they aren’t so temporary anymore. Around the shipping containers, I saw children playing with tires and just running around the streets. I didn’t see any parks at all in the area.
We also viewed some housing built for workers mainly men to come do manual labor in the city. When we walked inside, the room reminded me of my college dorm room except 4 people live in each room. They only have one bathroom and one kitchen for 4 rooms to share meaning that 16 people are sharing one bathroom. I don’t even understand how they can all get ready for work or school at one time? I don’t even liking sharing a bathroom with one person.
Further down the street, we were able to see the neighborhoods, where the new government housing is built. All of the sudden, the streets were clean and well taken care of. You can tell they take pride in their new houses. They are so happy to finally own their own home!
We asked our guide about the social divide between the different type of housing. He told us that they don’t segregate based on housing. Someone still living in the shipping container looks at the person with the house knowing that they were once living in shipping containers as well. It gives them hope for the future and a better life.
I was nervous that the residents of the township may resent our presence peeking into their homes. But I didn’t get that impression at all, the people were friendly saying hello or good morning with a smile on their face. The children smiled and waved. They didn’t seem bothered by the interruption.
I have seen plenty of basic housing in my trip around the world so far. But for some reason, the township really affected me. It made me sad to see what the Black South Africans were forced into living. I think that was the thing that really hit home. These people didn’t choose to live in these areas but forced into living in slums by the British. I felt angry and upset for them. It was hard to witness the effects of the Apartheid firsthand. Sometimes, I think these are the things that we are meant to see and be pushed out of our comfort zone to see while traveling. It builds up empathy for others and hopefully we learn from the mistakes of past generations so that we don’t commit the same sins. I guess everyone hopes that one day their can be world peace, right?
Wine Tasting:
After the tour, we drove several hours out to Western Cape to stay the night and enjoy some wine tasting. If you know me, then you probably know that I love wine! I am no wine expert but wine is always my drink of choice. I used to only drink white but I now have a fondness for white and red depending on my mood. South Africa is known for their wine and wine tours are a popular activity from Cape Town. There are tons of options to choose from including bike tours around the wineries, van, or overnight stays in the Stellanboch area.
We got to sample 6 wines from the region: Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Shiraz, Sweet Rose, Sparkling wine similar to a Champagne, and ended with sweet desert wine that was 16%. I truly liked all of them but my favorite was the Sweet Rose which I bought two bottles of for 110 Rand or ~$9 USD per bottle. I really like the last sweet desert wine but it was something that you could really only have a glass of at a time.
Along with our wines we got a cheese platter. The cheese platter was heaven to me. After traveling around Asia for 3 months, I miss cheese. The only cheese I had in those 3 months was when I treated myself to pizza. Back home, I probably don’t go a day without eating some sort of cheese so it is high on my list of foods that I miss from back home. So a couple of pieces of blue cheese, brie, and cheddar really hit the spot. Of course, I loved the wine tasting and it was the perfect way to end the day!!
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