Highlights
- 8 nights on Safari
- Cultural experience – Lesedi Cultural village
- Curios shopping – Cambanos and Son
- Daily game drives
- Luxury Tree house and Tented suite accommodation -Madikwe
- Daily guitar & songwriting workshop sessions with Keb’ Mo’
- Access to the ‘Terrapin’ photographic hide
- Includes all meals, accommodation and game drives.
- Big 5 game viewing
- Intimate concert by Keb’ Mo’ in the heart of the African bush
Departures
Dates: February 28, 2018 – March 8, 2018
Instructor: Keb’ Mo’
Guide: Wiam Otto
Cost: $7450 per participant sharing,
$6750 per non – participant
Single person supplement:$575 p.p.p.n.
Deposit: 50% to secure
Max number of Musicians: 12
Description
On this music safari we will be staying at two exceptional lodges. Our first night will be spent at the Lesedi Cultural Village which is located in the heart of the African bushveld amidst the rocky hills within the Cradle of Humankind – a World Heritage Site. We will discover the fascinating cultures and traditions of the people of Africa, visiting five traditional homesteads inhabited by Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele tribes who live according to tribal folklore and traditions of their ancestors. We will enjoy cultural dancing shows, delicious African cuisine and presentations on the tribes of South-Africa, their history, customs and traditions.
We will also visit Cambanos and Son – a curios shopper’s paradise, where you will be able to do curios shopping and purchase African arts and crafts, beads and gifts for friends and family. After breakfast on day two we will be departing for Jaci’s Tree and Safari Lodge, which is a luxury game lodge set within the canopy of the riverine forest on the banks of the Marico River, in beautiful Madikwe Game Reserve. Amongst many other wildlife species, this Malaria free reserve is home to the Wild Dog, Cheetah, and the Big 5. Madikwe is the perfect safari destination for your South-African Music Safari. During this Madikwe Blues Safari we will enjoy daily game drives in open air Safari vehicles, and spend the rest of the day getting instruction in Songwriting and Guitar playing from American music icon and Blues guitar legend –Keb’ Mo’.
We will also have 24hs a day access to the ‘Terrapin’ photographic hide. The Terrapin Hide is located in the middle of a waterhole, with easy access from Jaci’s Tree Lodge and within walking distance of Jaci’s Safari Lodge. The hide, which is accessed via a submerged tunnel and features a water-level viewing window, has established Jaci’s Lodges as a premium photographic safari destination, so please bring your camera along!
In addition to the workshop sessions, daily game drives and access to the the terrapin photographic hide, we will also have access to ‘walking safaris’, an outdoor gym, a river path walk, and a choice of swimming pools.
Itinerary
Day 1: Curios shopping at Cambanos and Son where you can enjoy a wide variety of African Arts and Crafts, followed by the Monati lunch and cultural exchange experience at Lesedi cultural village where you will spend the rest of the day and evening discovering the fascinating cultures, food and traditions of the people of South-Africa.
Day 2: Breakfast at Lesedi and depart for Madikwe. Arrival and lunch at Jaci’s Tree & Safari Lodge will be followed by our first session with Keb’ Mo’ and a relaxed afternoon Game drive which will officially kick off our Madikwe blues safari.
Day 3-7: Each day starts off with coffee and rusks which will be served. We will then head out on the game vehicle for our first early morning game drive. Breakfast and lunch will be served upon our return, followed by our Master class sessions with Keb’ Mo’. This will be followed by an evening game drive, after which dinner will be served.
Day 8: We will start the day off with an optional early morning game drive followed by breakfast at the lodge. Departure at 11:00 am.
For seven days we will be immersed in what could be described as the perfect music workshop environment. In a small group setting, with lots of individual attention, this Madikwe Blues safari with Keb’ Mo’ promises to be a highly rewarding and unforgettable musical experience.
During the workshop sessions, you can expect practical, hands on instruction in a small group setting providing a first hand musical encounter with Keb’ Mo’. You will get a rare up close and personal glimpse into the styles and techniques of this Blues guitar legend. Keb’ will share tips and pointers on what makes his Blues sound so authentic and unique. He will teach us Blues classics as well as share some of his insights on a contemporary approach to songwriting. On this music safari, each student will give a performance of a prepared song during the day. At night after dinner we will run through a constructive feedback session, where Keb’ will give each student personalised feedback on their performance before turning in for the night. This Madikwe Blues safari with Keb’ Mo’ is open to all levels. Upon arrival at the Thakadu River Camp we will spend time to tailor make our workshop sessions, to make sure that every student get’s the most out of the experience. All of this personalised and tailored instruction, an al fresco ‘Bush performance’ by Keb’ Mo’ and the added bonus of jamming alongside a Blues legend in the heart of one of the most beautiful settings Africa will make this an unforgettable, once in a lifetime music safari experience.
Join us as we embark on a soulful discovery of the Blues under African skies.
Keb’ will cover the following topics:
1. Makings of Blues Guitar
Fingerpicking technique, turnarounds, harmonised scale passages, licks and moveable chord shapes, all played with a strong rhythmic pulse.
2. Blues lead playing – Call and response
How to create authentic phrases and speak the Blues. Pentatonic, Blues scales and related modes. Blues improvising
3. 12 Bar Blues
Traditional 12 Bar Blues form and how to go beyond it. Add chords, change up the rhythm and form and explore the 12 Bar Blues as a musical foundation for traditional and modern songwriting.
4. Songwriting
Writing tips and techniques to take to a solo or group songwriting session. Learn how to craft a song.
Gallery
Your Music Safari Schedule
- Wakeup call: You will be woken by a knock on your door. Please feel free to make a cup of coffee/tea in your room, or enjoy tea, coffee and cereal at the Main Lodge before setting off on the morning drive.
- Departure: The morning drive leaves from the Main Lodge and includes a stop along the way for exceptionally good coffee and freshly baked rusks.
- Brunch: Enjoy a delicious continental or full-English breakfast selection, with additional lunch dishes and refreshments, on your return from the morning drive.
- Music workshop sessions: Enjoy your musical workshop sessions to be had from late morning until mid day.
- High tea: Refreshing homemade drinks and an assortment of savouries and pastries are served before you depart for your afternoon drive.
- Departure: The afternoon drive also leaves from the Main Lodge and includes a stop for your choice of sundowner as well as stargazing after sunset.
- Dinner: On returning from the drive, guests have time to freshen up before pre-dinner drinks at the Main Lodge bar, before being treated to a variety of South African-inspired, fire-cooked dishes, which we serve under the stars around the campfire as often as possible.
- Fire side jamming: Enjoy jamming new and old songs under African skies