Shack Maze: Informal Settlement Walking Hope Tour
Cape Town, ZA
Highlights
- "Immerse in a short tour led by a local changemaker"
- "Escape the tourist trap, live like a local"
- "Make an impact with every booking"
- "Get a 'blend' of favorite experiences"
- "Try local dance moves and break a sweat"
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Duration 2 hours
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Small Group Tour
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Charitable Pledge 10%
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Local Changemaker Guide
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Optional Meal Add-On
Experience the thrill of the Shack Maze: Informal Settlement Walking Hope Tour, led by a local changemaker. Step off the beaten path and escape the tourist traps as you immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of an informal settlement. Not only will you gain a unique perspective on local life, but you'll also make a direct impact. With a percentage of every booking going back to the changemakers we've partnered with, you'll be contributing to their ongoing projects and initiatives. Your SbS guide will be there every step of the way, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. Plus, you have the option to add on a photoshoot to capture your adventure and even share a meal with the changemaker who led your tour. Don't miss out on this unforgettable opportunity to explore and make a difference.
At a Glance
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Free cancellation
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2 hours
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Instant Confirmation
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Available in English
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Wheelchair accessible
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Mobile voucher
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Small Group tour
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Guided
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Family friendly
Explore Cape Town's townships with a local guide and make a positive impact while learning about the community's vibrant culture.
Included
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Tour Guide (facilitator) -
Admission to Changemaker-led Tour
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10% Charitable Pledge
Excluded
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Bottled water -
Add-ons — excl. in "bare-bones" option; incl. in options w/ hotel pickup, meal, photoshoot, etc.
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Gratuities
Meeting Point
Upon booking we'll send you detailed instructions with supporting Google Maps street view images to ensure you don't get lost.
Darling St, CBD, Cape Town, 8001 , South Africa
End Point
Upon booking we'll send you detailed instructions with supporting Google Maps street view images to ensure you don't get lost.
Darling St, CBD, Cape Town, 8001 , South Africa
Pickup
Check if pick-up is available from your location, you will select during checkout (providers may allow other pickup locations)
What to expect
Cape Town
'BLEND THE CITY' Tour Overview The tour you'll be taking is called 'Blend the City.' By traveling, you meet and support entrepreneurs in Cape Town's very first township called Langa. The legacy of segregation during Apartheid has the left the city divided along racial lines to this day. By economically empowering townships and stepping into them, we integrate the city. And you also get a 'blend' of our favourite experiences. TIMING NOTE: If you only have the morning available and therefore need a half-day AM tour, please book a start time between 7-9am, and we will truncate the experiences to ensure you're dropped back off at your requested location within 4 hours after pick-up or meeting at Guga S'thebe centre in Langa. — DISCLAIMER: Half-day AM tours exclude kids from the African Zumba experience, as they are busy schooling during the day.
Guga S'thebe
PRE-DEPARTURE: Orientation Your tour starts off in an unconventional way... You partake in a very interactive orientation led by your guide, instead of rushing off right away. This is done right at the Langa's famous arts & culture community centre, Guga S'thebe. Rest assured, we also put aside a little time to see the facilities and buy souvenirs from the centre's vendors. The orientation sets expectations and the vibe for the day, covers safety & conduct, teaches handshakes and greetings, and does a check-in to sense where the guests' thinking and feeling is at. TIMING NOTE: If time is very limited, or you simply prefer, a good deal of the orientation can—albeit less comfortably—be done over the course of the drive into Langa, instead of before that drive. We do, however, recommend keeping the orientation in for the optimum tour.
30 minutes
Langa
PART 1: 'Walk Down Memory Lane' Personal Journey Walking Neighborhood Tour experience Seeing is believing. Visiting the sites where a township entrepreneur’s personal transformation took place and hearing their stories is a powerful act. A walkabout through a neighborhood is, furthermore, a great way to start gaining an understanding of a contemporary township entrepreneur’s milieu and lifeworld, the challenges and the opportunities alike. EXAMPLE: Visits include his family home, the coding academy he founded, restaurants and taverns he frequented growing up, primary and secondary schools he attended (no entrance inside), and more. Through his storytelling, he takes you on a journey from his lows as a gangster, to his current highs as a role model and inspiration for Langa and the world. TIMING NOTE: If you'd prefer to start your tour with lunch, please book a midday start time, and we will automatically move this experience to the end of the tour.
120 minutes
Langa
PART 2: African Fusion Lunch with a Restaurant Founder experience The most tender and zesty stories get shared over a meal. You’ll be floored by some of the stories our Food Business entrepreneurs have to tell. EXAMPLE: The founder has built a strong family business providing high quality take-away food and catering with exceptional customer service and professionalism. Her daughter is the namesake of the business. She and her children cook from their home kitchen, but don’t underestimate this establishment: It’s some of the best and freshest food you’ll find in all of Cape Town. She is a wonderful and joyous human being with a storied history—chatting with her feels like chatting to a best friend. TIMING NOTE: If you'd prefer to start your tour with lunch, please book a start time between 11:30am-2pm. If you prefer to convert the lunch to a dinner, please book a start time between 1:30-3:30pm, and we will automatically move this experience to the end of the tour.
120 minutes
Langa
PART 3: African Zumba Class w/ Kids experience No where else can you experience this. Try your hand (and foot) at some of the local styles. Prepare to break a sweat in this exhilarating aerobic experience. But no worries if dancing isn't your thing—you can jam out with some of the kids on our djembe drums! EXAMPLE: The lead Zumba entrepreneur has a one-of-a-kind flare and personality that makes you come alive. On one of your water breaks, he will tell you his inspiring story of how dance and exercise got him out of a life as a gangster. The kids from Example Group—the community-based org offering girls after-school dance programming—have so much talent, and such a desire to learn and connect. It’s a reflection of its founder's soft skills she's transferring onto the girls—in addition to the insanely cool Afro-centric dance moves! TIMING NOTE: The kids are busy schooling in the day, so this experience can only run between 3-6pm daily, except weekends (subject to availability).
120 minutes
The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.
Additional Information
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All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible -
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
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Not recommended for pregnant travelers
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Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
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Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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Wheelchair accessible
What our experts say
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Visit the Guga S'thebe center first. -
Try the local cuisine after your tour.
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Bring cash for souvenirs at the center.
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Wear comfortable shoes for walking.
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Join the Zumba class for fun and fitness.
More About this Experience
Introduction:
Immerse yourself in the Shack Maze: Informal Settlement Walking Hope Tour, a unique and impactful experience led by a local changemaker. Escape the tourist traps and discover the heart and soul of Cape Town's very first township, Langa. This tour not only offers an authentic glimpse into the local community but also gives back to the changemakers through direct contributions. By booking this tour, you not only get to explore hidden gems but also make a positive impact on the lives of those you meet along the way.What to expect?
During this 120-minute tour, you can expect a blend of experiences that take you on a journey of personal transformation. You'll visit the sites where township entrepreneurs' stories unfolded, gaining a deeper understanding of their challenges, successes, and the vibrant community they call home. Be prepared to be inspired and motivated by their resilience and determination. The tour also includes an African Fusion Lunch, where you'll have the opportunity to hear more stories over a delicious meal. End the day with an African Zumba Class, an exhilarating and sweat-inducing experience that connects you with the lively rhythms of the local dance culture.Who is this for?
The Shack Maze tour is for the curious traveler who seeks more than just surface-level experiences. It is for those who want to understand the local culture, support changemakers, and make a positive impact on the communities they visit. Whether you are a solo traveler, a group of friends, or a family, this tour welcomes anyone with an open mind and a desire to immerse themselves in the heart of Cape Town.Why book this?
By booking the Shack Maze tour, you are not only gaining an eye-opening and memorable experience, but you are also directly contributing to the empowerment of township entrepreneurs. A percentage of every booking goes back to these changemakers in the form of year-end gifts, supporting their equipment, bursaries, and cash grants. This tour goes beyond the typical tourist attractions, providing an opportunity to truly connect with locals, hear their stories, and support their businesses. It's a chance to create a positive impact while gaining a deeper understanding of the diverse cultures that make Cape Town so special.Good to know:
To ensure a seamless experience, an experienced SbS guide will be with you throughout the entire tour, taking care of all the logistics and settling admission fees on your behalf. Additionally, you have the option to enhance your experience with add-ons such as a personalized photoshoot capturing your moments in action or a prepaid meal where you can share a meal with the changemaker who led your tour. Please note that the tour has a duration of 120 minutes and specific timing restrictions apply for certain activities, so be sure to plan accordingly.Reviews:
Feedback from individuals who have taken the Shack Maze tour highlights the incredible impact it has had on their understanding of Cape Town's townships and the opportunity to connect with inspiring changemakers. Travelers often express their appreciation for the authentic experiences and the positive contributions made by booking this tour. They emphasize the personal growth and eye-opening perspectives gained from hearing the stories of local entrepreneurs and participating in activities like the African Zumba Class. Overall, reviews praise the Shack Maze tour for its unique approach to tourism and the chance to make a meaningful difference.
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