Whilst this schedule is relatively well structured, there is also an element of built in flexibility that enables us make adhoc stops as required to really absorb the atmosphere of particularly, the more off the beaten track areas.

This is a very special trip  which combines the experiences of visiting projects working with some of the most underprivileged communities together with an exciting tour of some of South Africa’s most beautiful places and landscapes with the time and opportunity for sketching and photography as well as for relaxation.

Please bring art materials and cameras with you so that you can do your own themed portfolio work. As with any of the other Arts trips, Oliver, as an experienced landscape printmaker and painter and university lecturer, will be available to provide tuition throughout the time encouraging the development of your individual portfolios.  

If you have a particular Arts interest please don’t hesitate in contacting Oliver to ask about this so that we can best facilitate your needs

Day 1 Arrivals at Cape town Airport

Met on arrival in Cape Town, and transferred to the Breakwater Lodge Hotel, ideally situated in the heart of the ever popular V&A Waterfont.  An overview of the schedule to be undertaken is provided by Mervyn Sparks, the local program arranger, and Guide for the duration. This will outline the objectives of the visit, as well as providing a forum for a “Question and Answer” session as necessary. This will be followed by an orientation tour of the City, including getting the “Birds eye view” of  the Peninsula from the top of Table Mountain.

Overnight:- Breakwater Lodge, Cape Town

Day 2

Down to “business”, and spend a motivating morning in the company of James Fernie, and visit some of his excellent, and forward thinking, “Uthando” (Love) projects. Please visit www.uthandosa.org to get a feel for the type of initiatives that form this well thought through concept. It is a privilege to witness, and interact, with the ordinary South Africans that are motivated to make something of their lives given the backgrounds that have formed their early lives.  In the afternoon there is an opportunity for some specific interaction with  members of the local community during an informal arts session with Charlene Maslamoney, an artist who is very involved with various creative initiatives to assist the development of Cape Town’ underprivileged.  The day will conclude with that most informal of South African past times – a Braai in the company of local Fisherman, where the Group will be encouraged to converse with these very genuine characters whilst cooking their own freshly caught Vis (Fish !)

Overnight:- Breakwater Lodge, Cape Town

Day 3

In the morning visit Blomvlei Primary School, situated in Hanover Park, one of the most socially, and economically deprived areas of Cape Town. View http://www.youtube.com/tcdtrust  which provides an excellent insight into the very real type of problems facing the Youth in areas such as this. Meet with the Principal, Teachers, and some of the TCD Trust members who are working against almost impossible odds to improve the learning, and social environments of the children caught, literally, in the crossfire !  In the afternoon, relax whilst visiting the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point, and other “icons” of the Peninsula.

Overnight:- Breakwater Lodge, Cape Town

Day 4

Leave Cape Town, and head over the Mountain Passes of DuToits Kloof, and the beautiful Hex River Valley into the southern areas of the Groot (Great) Karoo. End the day in them tranquil Karoo village of Prince Albert, named after the Consort of that well known Victorian Queen who was not very often “amused” !  Check into the relaxed ambience of the Karoo Lodge, and spend three very relaxed nights in the company of  the owners, George and Elsabe, and enjoy typical Karoo hospitality.

Overnight:- Karoo Lodge, Prince Albert

Day 5

After the travelling of the previous day spend time in the local area. In the morning meet up with Linda Fodor, principal of the Prince Albert primary School, together with some of her teaching colleagues, and hopefully a group of their pupils. This session will be designed to firstly listen to, and understand ,the specific problems that confront Linda, her colleagues, and particularly the children, within a rural community. The session will also incorporate a session on Oliver’s “Arts & Visual Thinking Techniques”.
This will be followed by lunch, and an opportunity to further continue the session in an informal surrounding, including an orientation of the pupils residential areas.  Remainder of the day will include visits to the local art gallery, and resident artist, an olive farm, for which the area is well known, and a visit to the entrepreneurial “Gays Dairy”, where a rustic wine and cheese tasting is an ideal combination. Dinner this evening is at local Karoo restaurant, with an ambience that is slightly quirky.

Overnight:- Karoo Lodge, Prince Albert

Day 6

Today is spent in the company of a local Guide who was a Geology lecturer in a previous career. The Karoo is one of the oldest regions in the world, with many fossils that strongly indicate Southern Africa was indeed the “Cradle of Mankind”. The route today takes in places not many South Africans   of ever heard of, never mind visited (!), and includes the distinctive Corbelled Houses of the Karoo, with lunch in an original Farmhouse so remote that architecture had not yet been invented !  Finish off with a visit to the local Fossil Museum in the isolated town of Fraserburg before returning to the welcoming civilisation of Prince Albert.

Overnight:- Karoo Lodge, Prince Albert

Day 7

Leave Prince Albert either via the magnificent Swartberg Pass, or if weather dictates, the equally impressive Meirings Poort, and head for the coastal areas of the Garden Route. Travel through to the Tsitsikamma Forest, and an opportunity to really relax for a bit, and / or take part in the many optional outdoor activities that are available in the area.  Check into the Armagh comfortable Guest House, owned by a local artist, and spend 2 nights in yet another different natural environment of this diverse region.

Overnight:- Armagh Guest Lodge, Storms River Village

Day 8

Enjoy optional activities in the area, such as sketching, walking, tree top canopy swinging, waterfall "sliding", mountain biking etc.  Visit the nearby Tsitsikamma National Park, and enjoy the spectacular coastline at Storms River Mouth. Here there is an opportunity for a short stroll through the forest to the suspension bridge at the river mouth, as well as an optional cruise into the river gorge itself. If time permits an informal session with local environmental experts might be arranged in order to gain a perspective into how Tourism in particular is helping the local communities to create employment within a natural environment.

Overnight:- Armagh Guest Lodge, Storms River Village

Day 9

First stop today is the Next is the highlight of many people’s visit to this region – those with one brain cell that is – a stop at the “World’s Highest Bungi Jump”, sited at the Bloukrans River Bridge.  After witnessing what Isaac Newton told the world about, in action (!), head for the off the beaten track area of Natures Valley, and it’s magnificent beach where time is available to relax, stroll, and generally soak up this wonderfully natural environment.  In the afternoon take a Game Drive at the Private Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve in the company of a qualified game Ranger before travelling the short distance to Knysna, and a further 2 nights at the well appointed River Club, situated on the shores of South Africa’s second largest Estuary.

Overnight:- Knysna River Club

Day 10

In the morning visit the local Knysna Township in the company of a community Guide, and “reinforce” the earlier experiences, needs, and above all the realities of daily life that confront the vast majority of the local residents. Enter into discussions with local community leaders, who will first hand, describe the issues, and difficulties that they are constantly facing.  In the afternoon, maybe visit the original site of South Africa’s first commercial Gold Mine at Millwood, complete with remnants of the original mine shafts, mining equipment, and historical tea room, which doubles as a fascinating museum depicting the life and times of the Mine, the Village, and it’s original inhabitants.

Overnight:- Knysna River Club

Day 11

Leave for Cape Town, and spend the day initially travelling through the coastal areas of the Garden Route, including Mossel Bay, before experiencing the vastness of the Overberg Crop farming region during the afternoon. Approach Cape Town via the Hottentots Holland Mountains, and check back into the Breakwater Lodge for one final night in the “Mother City”.

Overnight:- Breakwater Lodge, Cape Town

Day 12

At leisure until transfer to Cape Town International Airport, and return flight home.