What is a better way to learn about South Africa's vast culture than by visiting the cultural villages that are available to the public?
Cultural villages are a great way to learn about the various cultures that exist in the country, and their influence on South African society.
Taking a guided tour of these villages is essential, as the guide is able to enlarge on the experience, informing you of the history and culture of each specific attraction.
Some villages also offer overnight accommodation and restaurants, inviting tourists to be their personal guests.
Plus, visiting the cultural villages means getting great pictures and souvenirs.
Eastern Cape
Isinamuva Cultural Village (Mount Frere)
An authentic inhabited Xhosa village, where visitors spend a day with the people. Storytelling, visiting healers and development projects, doing daily household chores and more.
KwaZulu Natal
DumaZulu Lodge & Traditional Village (Hluhluwe)
A unique cross-cultural experience in the authentic Zulu Village and Hotel. Traditional Zulu customs, tribal dancing, tales of ancient lore and much more. Watch spear throwing and stick fighting, or learn to make a clay pot.
Dumazulu cultural village. Picture: Supplied
Western Cape
Kleinplasie Living Open Air Museum (Worcester)
The lifestyle of the early pioneer farmers is depicted - not only does it preserve the architecture and articles, but also keeps these activities and industries alive - bread baking, candle making, tobacco twisting, wheat milling and plucking of geese.
Kleinplasie Living Open Air Museum. Picture: SA Venues
Mpumalanga
Shangana Cultural Village (Hazyview)
The residents of the traditional villages of Shangana invite guests to share in the way of life of the Shangaan people.
Shangana Cultural Village. Picture: Supplied
Botshabelo (Middelburg)
Botshabelo provides a fair representation of the mission station of a century ago and also incorporates a Ndebele village - an open-air museum established to preserve the tribal culture.
Free State
Basotho Cultural Village (Witsieshoek)
The Basotho Cultural Village, situated about 50km east of Harrismith, offers traditional music including marabaraba rural rhythms, a museum, storytellers, oral historians, a gallery of traditional art and a restaurant that serves a range of Sotho dishes along with traditional beer from a calabash.
Visitors can also learn about the Basotho royal families.
Basotho Cultural Village. Picture: SA venues
North West
Lesedi Cultural Village (Hartbeespoort)
A multi-cultural African Village set among pristine bushveld and rocky hills - the Xhosa with their beautiful thatched homes and red blankets, the Zulu with their fighting shields, the Pedi courtyards and drums and the straw hats and ponies of Basotho.
Lesedi Cultural Village (Hartbeespoort). Picture: SA Venues