Africa Travel Week

Uthando

Uthando (Love) South Africa offers authentic, uplifting, fun, inspirational, interactive and meaningful tours for FIT (individual) travellers as well as groups of any size visiting the community projects with which Uthando is working and supporting.

INSPIRING COMMUNITY PROJECTS

The Uthando Tour covers an extensive discussion on South African history, the legacy of Apartheid as well as indepth information on the political, social, economic, cultural and local issues confronting South Africa today. The core focus of the tour however is visiting interesting, innovative and inspiring community development projects and the incredible people driving these projects. We shine a light on the good work being done by so many good people, and at the same time help these wonderful individuals to continue with their efforts.

THE TOURS

The tours run as daily scheduled tours or private tours for groups of any size. On any given tour three or four diverse community projects are visited. Projects visited include urban agriculture; animal welfare; youth development through the medium of art, dance, choir singing, classical music, drumming or sport; special needs education; assistance to refugees; the environment; economic empowerment through skills development; arts and crafts; prisoner rehabilitation; care and protection for children, women and the elderly and much more. People can request to visit a specific project or projects but this is subject to availability and logistical possibility.

The townships are as safe as anywhere else in South Africa. SA does unfortunately experience high crime levels thus vigilance and caution are advised. To minimise any risk, it is better to leave any unnecessary valuables like expensive jewellery, wallets with credit cards, expensive mobile phones etc in the hotel. Certainly, you can bring some money for any purchases of handmade products in the township. There are many operators taking tourists everyday into the townships without incident, but that doesn’t mean that we should not be vigilant to ensure the safety and security of our guests.

Uthando only runs one tour per day. They are not a mass market tour company and thus booking is subject to availability. Tours run Monday to Saturday and generally in the morning.

For more info: www.uthandosa.org

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Uthando has been certified by Fair Trade In Tourism since 2011 meaning that our tours are conducted in a manner that is deeply respectful and sensitive to the manner in which we engage local communities. Please read below our Guest Code of Conduct.

QUICK CHAT WITH JAMES FERNIE,
FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF UTHANDO

  1. Why do you think responsible tourism is important? For the survival and thriving of people, animals and the planet itself.
  2. What makes Uthando unique? Uthando means love in Xhosa and Zulu. Our mission and vision are to bring the tourism industry together with common purpose and connect tourism with community development in this spirit. Uthando is connecting people from all countries, cultures and backgrounds in profound, meaningful and beneficial ways.
  3. Why should people visit Africa?  The spirit of humanity and kindness found in Africa resonates deeply with Uthando guests

Uthando won the Gold Benefiting Local People Award at the 2020 Inspirational Africa Responsible Tourism Awards. Read the Judges’ reason here.

Africa Travel Week

Africa Travel Week (ATW) focuses on inbound and outbound markets for general leisure tourism, luxury travel, LGBTQ+ travel and the MICE/business travel sector as well as travel technology. Shows include: ILTM Africa, WTM Africa, EQUAL Africa, ibtm AFRICA, Travel Forward, Sports & Events Tourism Exchange and African Tourism Investment Summit.