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December 17, 2009

It’s been a really busy three weeks since I last authored this introduction to our newsletter. I always love visiting the NYC area at holiday time, and we did that at Thanksgiving. One of the highlights in NYC, was a trip to see the Big Apple Circus, a fabulous non-profit alternative to traditional circuses, with no animals except horses and dogs (found at no-kill animal shelters and trained). What they DO have is excellent artists and lots of laughter. The kids really enjoyed it. Here’s a photo of my husband, Graham, with 2 of our 3 kids, outside the circus tent.

We were home less than a week, when we were treated with a wonderful rendition of the musical Seussical, by my daughter Lucy (who played The Cat in the Hat), my son Thomas (who played Mr. Mayor) and the rest of the Masterwork School of the Arts cast. It brings me to tears thinking about what an amazing production they created, considering it was a cast of 30 kids between the ages of 6 and 10. Here’s a great photo of the entire cast, just after their final performance. (Lucy is in the red and white striped hat, and Thomas is to the right of her, in the top hat and bow tie.) Aren't they all so cute?

Speaking of things that bring me to tears...a visit to Soweto in Johannesburg is another one of those experiences. To fully grasp the hardship, hurdles and courage of the black and colored population in South Africa for almost an entire century, you have to visit and speak to the people that have gone through it. We love adding in some interesting cultural experiences for our clients stopping in Johannesburg, and a bicycle tour through Soweto is one of the best. Check out this week’s article on Soweto.

Meredith Hill

How to Measure Success

I had an interesting "a-ha" moment this week. In order to achieve a specific goal, a crucial beginning step is to have clarity on your outcome, right? Well, I learned this week that this can be a slippery slope and take our eye off the real measure of success. Read the rest of this article to learn about a much better method to measuring your success for long term results that fill you up too. CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE

Soweto Tours: Where Culture and History Come To Life

Famous for its role in South Africa's rich historical heritage, the township of Soweto—located south west of Johannesburg—was once a segregated region for the black labor force in South Africa during the apartheid, and was home to a handful of famous anti-apartheid activists including Nelson Mandela.

Now, synonymous with the "new South Africa," Soweto's fresh notion of freedom and drive to overcome repression can be seen throughout their culture, lifestyle, modern amenities, and attractions including restaurants, museums, shops, and more.

Because Soweto is a growing cultural hub, tours throughout this township have become more and more popular in the past years. Some of Soweto’s most highly-acclaimed tours include:

The Soweto Bicycle Tour: This tour is one of the most famous in the area as it takes visitors through popular areas of Soweto where they can meet and socialize with the locals and enjoy the atmosphere of this beautiful township without the constraints of a vehicle. The tour is also Fair Trade In Tourism certified, which means that the profits from tour participants help to directly benefit the local economy, community, and environment in a humane and respectable manner.

Visitors can choose to bike ride for several hours, half of a day, or a full day. During the tour, participants enjoy a local lunch and cocktail at a shebeen (pub) where they can break from biking, cool down, and soak in the rhythm of local music.

Some of the sites visitors are taken to during the various bicycling tours include: Workers' hostel, Meadowlands, Site of the 1976 student uprising, Hector Pieterson Memorial, Mandela's former home, township lunch, local shebeen, Home of former ANC Women's League's Chair.

Kliptown Tours: Kliptown is an amazing place to visit via bicycle. Home to the signing of the Freedom Charter, which was signed in 1955 by anti-apartheid activists, Kliptown holds a primary place in South African history. Today, Kliptown still struggles from lack of water, electricity, and housing, but efforts to sustain the local community and bring joy into the lives of the locals is an ongoing venture. One of the most successful organizations in the area is the Soweto Kliptown Youth (SKY), which is working hard to bring happiness to the youth of Kliptown and Soweto by exposing local youths to theater, dance, education, and the arts.

The bicycle tour through Kliptown is a highly-rewarding experience for participants, as they are immersed in the local culture and learn from locals about their history and their strives for a new South Africa. The tour is also offered via vehicle.

Soweto Bicycle Tour City Tour: As an excellent way to experience Johannesburg, the city tour brings visitors to museums, historic sites, local markets, cafes, restaurants, and attractions. Specifically, participants are exposed to the vibrant culture of Johannesburg in Newtown, and visit MuseumAfrica, Constitutional Hill (former prison for political activists), and the Carlton Panorama—a place where visitors can see a panoramic view of the city of Johannesburg.

Other Off-The-Beaten Path Tours and Experiences: For those who want to discover various elements of Soweto culture, they can visit a local sangoma (traditional healer), visit a local church, witness community projects, visit local schools, and experience Soweto at night.

Hills of Africa Travel Recommends

Ride Kenya Safari - AUGUST 23- SEPTEMBER 2, 2010

Trip Name: Kenya Riding Safari
Length of travel: 11 days (August 2010)
Countries Visited: Kenya

Highlights: With access to over 1.4 million acres, including two national parks, Ride Kenya has one of the largest wilderness concessions in Africa today. From the vast dry lake beds of Amboseli to the east, to the majestic Chyulu Hills to the west, Ride Kenya horse safaris traverse a variety of quintessential and game rich East African landscapes. With Mount Kilimanjaro as the back drop, the rides meander amongst 38 species of large mammals, including the Big Five, making Ride Kenya horse safaris an unforgettable experience. Ride Kenya mobile safaris are reminiscent of the safaris of old. Rides tend to cover between 15 to 30 miles per day during which the luxury camp is moved ahead to the next destination.

Detailed description of itinerary (in PDF)

Contact us today, and utilize our detailed destination-planning services and expert advice to send you on a life-altering experience like none other.

If you are thinking of taking an African Safari, we encourage you to get your FREE guide " Safari Tips 101, Tips & Tricks for your African Safari" featuring Sandy Salle

Meredith Hill and Sandy Salle Hills of Africa Travel specializes in customized African safari tours.

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The Hills of Africa Travel Newsletter is written by Meredith Hill and Sandy Salle and Hillsofafrica.com. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to: hoainfo@hillsofafrica.com