Get to know the local communities in South Africa

There's no better way to discover a country than through talking to and learning from its inhabitants. These are the kinds of cultural immersions you can enjoy in South Africa, and which our local agencies can organize for you.

In Cape Town, tie your apron and take a cooking class in the Malaysian neighborhood of Bo Kaap. Your instructor will invite you into her house, teach you local recipes and share a meal with you.

Then, travel along the Wine Road from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek and visit local vineyards, where winemakers will share their expertise and passion. In Johannesburg, visit galleries and meet local artists who will gladly host studio tours and shine a light on some of their techniques.

Leave the big cities behind and head to the region of Kwazulu-Natal, where you can climb aboard Thonga fishing boats to discover the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve and learn about the fishermen's traditional methods. As well, near the Drakensberg mountains, you can spend a night in the homes of villagers in Lesotho.

Finally, in South Africa's northernmost Limpopo region, watch the healing rituals of tribal sorcerers, or sangoma, who are said to possess divine power.