The Segarona Heritage Experience is a new offering by Open Africa, a non-profit organisation that specialises in offering off-the-beaten track travel experiences across Southern Africa. The route is located in the North West province and links the 2 major game parks in the region, namely the Madikwe Game Reserve and the Pilanesberg National Park. The word ?segarona? means ?heritage? in Tswana and refers to the rich cultural heritage and history of the region.
The route connects the Pilanesberg to Madikwe, including the Bakgatla tribal lands, and the towns of Derdepoort, Zeerust and Groot Marico (and many others). The rural villages connected by this route offer insight into the struggle history of South Africa and the cultural heritage of the many African clans who still live in the area.
Claire Allison, Open Africa’s marketing co-ordinator, says, ‘The Segarona Heritage Experience was developed to link the local communities in the corridor between 2 of the most popular parks in the country and in the region, the Pilanesberg National Park and the Madikwe Nature Reserve. The route emphasises the heritage of the area with attractions such as the Kaditshwene Village ruins, proving that the Tswana people inhabited this area from the early 1800s, while the ruins of the Livingstone Mission Station in Lehurutshe pay tribute to 1 of Southern Africa?s most famous explorers.’
The aim is to introduce the traveller to the cultural attractions through interaction with people and local guides. Open Africa promotes sustainable tourism projects and routes that benefit local communities and create jobs in the long run.
Allison says, ‘The route is special to us because it is the 64th route to be developed by Open Africa and the 1st in the North West province, expanding our footprint even further. For the 1st time Open Africa routes now cover all 9 provinces in South Africa.’