UNDERGROUND ARTS & CULTURE TOUR Of South AFrica

Dates: March 21st–April 9th 2024
(One week in each city: Johannesburg, Durban, & Cape Town)

Are you ready to step off the beaten path for an unforgettable journey into the vibrant heart of South Africa’s arts and culture scene? Unveil the underground secrets of this captivating country as we embark with an intimate group of like-minded explorers from around the world on a tour unlike any other. Join us for an incredible adventure filled with creativity, diversity, and the rich heritage that defines this remarkable country.

DISCOVER VISIONARY ARTISTS & CULTURAL PIONEERS

Experience the thriving arts scene in all its glory, with a carefully curated itinerary that takes you off the beaten path. Our expert guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, where underground art movements are pushing boundaries and redefining the artistic landscape.

Prepare to go behind the scenes and meet the visionary artists & cultural pioneers shaping the face of South African art today. From intimate studio visits to interactive workshops, you’ll have the opportunity to engage and gain insights into their creative processes, & discovering the stories behind their works.

“Cydney and Costa hosted and toured me around Durban for a week in 2018 and it was one of the most memorable trips of my life. They knew all the cool restaurants and artists, the best beaches and more. We did a photoshoot at a friend’s home in the jungle and I met many of their cool friends. I highly recommend a tour with them if you want an uncommon and artsy experience that you couldn’t get on your own without the help of all their connections and local knowledge.” - Alyssa Burtt (Brave Narrative)

THE ITINERARY:

Week 1

Joburg: March 21st–27th 2024

Jozi is the biggest city in South Africa and its hub for arts and culture. It can be an intimidating place to travel by yourself and that is why we are so excited to share this vibrant and trend setting place with you! Cyd spent 2 months in Johannesburg in 2017 completing an artist residency in the district of New Town and Costa and Cyd have spent time in the city over the years, with a large group of artist friends living here it is going to be an epic start to our adventure. We are staying in the suburb of Kensington just outside of the city centre at a great accommodation run by a local fashion designer.

Joburg Tours and Excursions:

  • Thrift tour at the MTN Taxi Rank Piles with Vanessa Mojapelo

  • South African Dance Workshop with Delta The Leo

  • Tour of Soweto with Mbalemnyama Maat & attend a Seven Colours Sundays Event at the Soweto Theatre. 

  • Tour of the Cradle of Mankind with Delta the Leo 

  • Tour of Maboneng Precinct, Braamfontien and Melville 

  • Go out dancing at Kitcheners in Braamfontein & check out local events 

  • Visit Local Designers Wale Mandla and Dr. Pachanga at Rosebank Mall

Accommodations:

 

Week 2

Durban: March 27th–April 2nd

Durban is the warmest place to be, this thriving tropical city on the Indian ocean hosts the largest port in Southern Africa and although overlooked by many tourists it is a place we don’t want you to miss. Costa lived in Durban for over 10 years and Cyd for 2.5 years, We know and love this city and can’t wait to share it with you. In the province of KwaZulu Natal this beautiful city is rich with vibrant Zulu culture, Gqom Music, an epic thrift scene, stunning beaches and nature spots. We will be staying in Umhlanga the beautiful beach town outside of the city of Durban at a gorgeous beachside villa. We placed this week in the middle so you wouldn't miss it!

Durban Excursions and Activities:

  • Innercity Thift tour with Nipho and Yanga of @Tinz_clothing

  • Private group dinner at our villa with a selection of local artists & all our tour guides with Chef Blue Rock

  • Visit to North Beach and Ushaka Marine Durban Beach front district

  • Trip to Max’s Lifestyle shisanyama (Braii/BBQ) in Umlazi Township for an epic day of Amapiano, Gqom and House music drinks and food with the locals.

  • Visit the BAT Centre - Durban’s hub of Arts and Culture.

  • We will treat you to a meal at the KZNSA art gallery Cafe, check out the amazing artisan shop and gallery in the Glenwood neighbourhood where Costa and Cyd have lived.

  • Go out Dancing with us! It’s easter weekend during when in Durban and the city is going to be turning up! Exact parties TBA closer to the tour dates but we always prioritize supporting LGBTQ2S+ spaces, supporting local artists, Black communities and female run events.

  • Explore the stunning nature of Umhlanga beach which is walking distance from our accomadations.


Accommodations:

 

week 3

Cape Town: April 2nd–9th 2024

Cape Town is a truly unique city with its own distinct culture and vibe. Costa and Cyd lived in Cape town for a year and half and absolutely love this city! There is so much arts, culture and fashion to explore that a week will hardly be enough time but we are excited about the activities and excursions that we have to offer you as it will show you many sides of the city while exploring nature and getting to know our amazing community. We are staying in downtown above the Wild Arts Gallery in the heart of the gallery district.

Cape Town Excursions and Activities:

  • Explore the township of Langa and it’s vibrant arts community with Masa Township Experience

  • Attend Cape Town first Thursday street party of gallery openings 

  • Day trip to the beach town of Muizenberg and visit to the Blue Priest Shop that stocks Pattern Nation alongside 80+ South African Designers 

  • Visit Green Point Park & Ride Bikes from Sea Point to Clifton along the sea wall, visiting stunning Atlantic Ocean Beaches

  • Dinner at V&A Waterfront Mozambique Restaurant

  • Check out the Bo Kapp neighborhood famous for it’s colourfully painted buildings 

  • Day trip to Woodstock and Observatory and check out Neighbourgoods weekendmarket at Old Biscuit Mill. 

  • Drive Chapmans peak, stunning cliff side and go for fish and chips at Fish on the Rocks in Hout Bay. 

  • Hike Newlands Forest and check out a beautiful look out spot. 

  • Go Dancing at a local event TBA closer to the tour dates

Accommodations:

Join us!

The first step is a quick application process to make sure you're a good fit.
Start the process here:

Who Are We?

We are the artists behind Pattern Nation, Cyd Eva & Costa Besta. Cyd is a queer visual artist and fashion designer from Coquitlam BC in So-called Canada who spent 2 months in Johannesburg completing an artist residency in 2017 when she met Costa and they joined forces as creative and life partners. She lived with Costa in Durban for 2.5 years and then they moved to Cape Town to study fashion for 1.5 years. She absolutely loved her time in South Africa and cannot wait to share with you many of the places and people that she has connected with during her time in the country. Costa Besta is Zulu South African and was born in the province of Kwazulu Natal, grew up in the Freestate and then lived in Durban for 10 years in his 20’s, after meeting Cyd he came to Vancouver and moved to Cape Town to study Fashion. He has an international diploma in Tourism and worked at a Backpackers in Durban and cannot wait to share his expertise, culture and community with you all!

If you choose to invest your time and money in travelling with us we will aim to make it an unforgettable experience in one of the most diverse and beautiful countries in the world!

“Time spent with Cyd and Costa in South Africa was a delight! Without having even gotten together until later dates they opened their home to me, offering a safe haven in Durban before our shared time together at AfroPunk in Joburg. It was also apparent the deeply fostered connections they nurtured in both Durban and Joburg - as artists and warm, heart-centered, humans. I personally call Cyd and Costa friends in our Canadian-centered lives as co-creators, dance-pals and life-lovers. The extension of this into South Africa only deepened our connections and I’m grateful for their artistry in this world and friendships in my world.”

- Kai Sunwater

Contact Us

Thank you for considering joining us for the trip of a lifetime and our first official international South African tour that is years in the making. We aim to make this an accessible, affordable, flexible, creative and positive experience for everyone involved including our local team of tour guides, chefs, videographers, Airbnb hosts, artists and designers. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us, we would love to have an email exchange, phone or zoom call with you to answer any questions you may have before applying to travel with us next year.

Tour Pricing:

ONLY 4 SPOTS LEFT! Tour Application Closing on Jan 15th

Pay in 2 installments (credit card only)

Payments due in 2 consecutive monthly installments

$3300 total = 2 $1650 CAD Installments for a single bed in a shared room

$3,850 total = 2 $1,925 CAD Installments per person for a couple to share a double/ queen bed in a private room (couples)

$4,520 total = 2 $2,260 CAD Installments for your own double/queen/single bed in a private room (solo traveler)

Pay in full & save $100 (pay with debit or credit)

$3200 CAD for a single bed in a shared room

$3700CAD per person for a couple to share a double/ queen bed in a private room (couples)

$4400 CAD for your own double/queen/single bed in a private room (solo traveler)

“Meeting Cyd and Costa felt like being reunited with long lost friends. I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing South Africa through their eyes and art.” - Kava Vasques

Videography:

We will have local Videographer Cebo Nxumalo join us on our trip to document this awesome experience. He will join us on our excursions, nights out and group meals to capture the beautiful memories that will be shared by all on our 3 week adventure. Your engagement in the video and photo content is entirely up to you, if you wish to stay out of the majority of photos and video taken we can accommodate you. We will also have the opportunity to have fantastic photos of you taken during this experience if you love the lense. We have been working with Cebo since 2018 on countless film and photography projects and are overjoyed to have him joining us.

Safety:

We often get asked about safety while travelling in South Africa and this is a major consideration for us as we want everyone involved to stay safe and supported throughout this experience. If you are coming from the northern hemisphere/western world and are accustomed to the relative safety of daily life in a city such as Vancouver Canada, we will be with you every step of the way to ensure you are safe and prepared throughout the trip.

We ask that you take extra precautionary measures with your belongings such as:

  • Cell phone

  • Passport

  • Wallet

  • Computer or electronics

  • Expensive Jewelry and valuable possessions.

Do:

  • Travel with a buddy or small group

  • Use uber to get around and check the liscense plate and drivers name before getting in the car.

  • Keep your valuables in a fanny pack or body bag on the front of your person when in public.

  • Memorize our phone number, and address of accommodations.

  • Tell us where you're going and for how long and check in if you stay out longer.

  • Bring a portable charging bank

Don’t:

  • Walk alone at night

  • Walk with your cell phone or money out

  • Wear expensive jewelry

  • Pick up money on the ground

  • Leave your cell phone out on the table at a restaurant

  • Leave your belongings unattended

  • Walk with headphones in

  • Take public transit by yourself


What's Included:

  • Flights between Joburg, Durban and Cape Town

  • Accommodations for 19 Days

  • Scheduled excursions & workshops

  • Breakfast & 3 group meals a week

  • Transportation to all excursions & workshops

  • Personalized Swag Bag of clothing and accesories from Pattern Nation & Local South African Designers and makers

Not Included:

  • Flights to and from South Africa 

  • Travel and Liability Insurance (required) 

  • Alcohol 

Participation:

Participation in our excursions and activities is entirely optional. We have curated a wonderful line up of things for you to do while on the trip but we understand that not everyone will be interested or feel up to attending every group tour, workshop, and meal. You may have a special interest and want to spend more time in nature, or immersed in the dance, music, fashion or art communities etc. We will do our best to accommodate your individual needs, give you our best suggestions of nature spots and/or connect you with the communities that align with you. Please note we have budgeted for fees and transportation for the activities listed in our itinerary and any additional experiences you wish to have will be up to you and not included in the fees paid.

Community Guidelines:

We aim to create a safe space for all who travel with us and that is one of the main reason why we are choosing to vet everyone who joins us through the application form. We will not tolerate harassment, bullying, profiling, homophobia, fatphobia, ageism, ableism, classism, sexism, racism, or any acts of aggression.

Join Us!

The first step is a quick application process:

Meet our team