Shakaland, South Africa


Shakaland is a living museum showcasing traditional Zulu culture combined with luxury accommodation. Built on the movie sets of Shaka Zulu and John Ross it offers guests the opportunity to watch customs like the beer drinking ceremony and spear making in the Umuzi (Zulu homestead) and then stay in traditional beehive huts enjoying modern luxuries. There is also a great bar and restaurant to enjoy with views across the Entembeni hills before watching the Zulu dancing after dinner.

Location

Shakaland is approximately 1 ½ hours drive from Durban

Highlights

  • Sleeping in a traditional beehive hut but enjoying all the home comforts
  • Watching traditional Zulu dancing after dinner
  • Understanding more about the Zulu culture and way of life

Facilities

  • Swimming pool
  • Curio shop
  • Bar
  • Restaurant and the Umuzi cultural experience

Activities

The cultural tour showcases the beer drinking ceremony, fighting formations, the greeting of the home, the Sangoma, the Nyanga, social systems, bead making, spear throwing beer production and pottery making.

Meal Basis

Dinner, bed and breakfast plus cultural programme

Child Policy

Children are welcome. Shakaland can also host educational school trips.

Accommodation

At Shakaland there are 55 traditional beehive huts with en suite bathrooms and televisions.

Star Rating 2 reviews

Read Reviews of the Shakaland

Holiday to South Africa during January 2011

A poor man's Zulu Disneyland. The accommodation was not ready when we arrived. It did not have electricity or water when we arrived and was nothing like the photo in the brochure. After two hours we did get what we wanted but would not recommend to anyone. If there is such a thing as the opposite of a highlight, this was it. ( The pits ? )

Signed:

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Family Holiday to Zambia, Botswana and South Africa during September 2010

Would not recommend - was tired looking and staff were clearly bored. Food terrible.

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Customer Review

Holiday to South Africa during February 2011

South Africa Review

We have been to South Africa before in February/March when it is the depths of winter in the UK. Envigorating to get away from our dismal weather and the South Africans we have met have always made us welcome. Where we have been, we have alway felt safe although we have clearly avoided the townships...

Rated... 5stars

Signed:

Graham Finney

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South Africa Factfile

Timezone:
EAT (UTC+2)
Language:
English, local languages
Currency:
South African Rand
Best time:
Year round destination
Flights:
9 hours from Europe
Visas:
Not needed for many Europeans, call for info
Weather:
Click here for weather information