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Zululand Weekend Package

Top level

Zulu Tours

Author: Graham Chennells

Publishing date: 13.11.2004 12:24

Walters Home

Valley of the Zulu Kings Weekend Adventure.Three day tour of Zulu traditional culture, contemporary Zulu life and Zulu ceremonies.Rural & Urban Zululand. Zulu Upliftment Projects.
Tours fit in with the Baz Bus schedule from Swaziland, St Lucia & Durban. The bus arrives Thursday afternoon from Swaziland / St Lucia and Friday morning from Durban.

All Inclusive Cost R1995 pp

Day 1.From Friday 11.00 am.

Contemporary Zulu Life.

Tugela Valley Huts

Day to day Life in Rural Zululand. ( 11.00 am) with Walter Cele & Victor Mdluli in a Zulu Village. If you are travelling through our country and feel you have missed Africa, you are at the right place. Here you personally engage with local people during your walking tours through the rolling hills of Zululand right near King Shakas military stronghold where Zulu and King Shaka were born.Get to know the zulu people, zulu culture and zulu nation.Visit a Zulu School / Creche or Aids Foster Home.
Spend an hour in an Zulu Urban environment meeting traders & shopkeepers. Visit the local Radio station and hear about their projects for the community.

Collecting Firewood

This is their country and we give you an insight into contemporary Zulu life. This laid back tour is a great leveller for anyone living in the first world. You meet fantastic people who have almost none of the material things that you possess but can show you things about life which you have probably forgotten. Meet Walter and Victors families and enjoy a light lunch with cows and goats roaming the hillsides around you. Old ladies doing crafts, children doing daily chores, women working the vegetable gardens, schools, church services.Whatever is happening at the time. Remember with us no one is waiting for your arrival to perform. This is how it is.

The Great Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk.

Canopy Boardwalk

First of its kind in Southern Africa. The boardwalk winds through the Forest canopy and ends up on a tower overlooking the Dlinza Forest. This subtropical forest of rare birds, chameleons, snails, butterflies, moths, frogs and beetles not to mention the flora and fauna.

Clivia

Your guides will reveal secrets of the forest and the ecosystem that keep the forest alive. They will give you Zulu interpretations of bird and tree names as well as the healing qualities of the various trees and shrubs.
You can then do your own hike in this tranquil natural environment .Its another world out there, far from the crowds and concrete where you can gather you thoughts and look at life from a different angle. Dlinza forest is one of five natural forests running in a 100 km line running northwest from the coast. They are the most important forests in southern Africa from the aspect of unique biodiversity.
You can also fit in a hike through the Forest. Your guides will tell you more.

Traditional Zulu meal.

Colourful Beaded Skirt

Music and meal around campfire.
Gladys sumptious traditional campfire meals with music from Ma Ngema, if available, playing her umtshingo.Penny whistle. imfiligi. Harmonica.and umakhweyana. Rustic violin. Zulu beer optional.

Shebeen Tour.

An evening visiting alternative drinking and eating places in Eshowe.Music and people experience. Alternative evening pubcrawl to pre apartheid illegal bars. Meet a cross section of South Africans.

Day 2. Saturday Eshowe Tour.

Fort Nongqayi

Zululand Brewery Co Tour.

Smallest family owned microbrewey on KZN Brew Route.The only Backpackers in the world with its own brewey. Beer made in the traditional “Reinheitsgebot” German way using Barley Malt, hops, yeast and water only. Our brand names reflect our commitment to the Zulu’s and our rich historical interest in Zululand. Names like Assegai, Bullhorn, Jantoni (John Dunn’s nickname), Ultimatum 1878, and Chelmsford. We have an association with a rural brewery - Thothoto Brewery.
“A good beer is hard to find you just have no know where to find it”

Graham in Brewery

Visit Martyrs Cross overlooking the birthplaces of Zulu and King Shaka. Also kwa Bulawayo, King Shakas stronghold from whence the mighty Zulus rose to create a dynasty to equal that of other world renowned nation builders. The rise and fall of Shaka, life in rural Zululand, pre and post apartheid South Africa, the Norwegian missionaries and the first Zulu to die for his religious convictions.Hear tales of the legendary Scotsman John Dunn the great white chief, confidant of King Ceteshwayo, explorer, soldier, statesman, hunter, trader. Married 48 Zulu wives and sired over 135 children. Hear tales of this legendary man whose family plays an important roll in this part of Zululand.

Vukani Museum display

Dunn was a great inspiration to the hippie movement in the 1960s and was first to coin the phrase Make Love, Not War. Visit Nelson Mandelas one million houses for the underprivileged. housing project.
Then we get a close up of a rural school and skills centre where you can see educational projects to improve the future of our country. A Rotary class room building project where over 2500 classes have been with worldwide help. We then have a look at some of the many upliftment projects that are going on in the town.Eshowe has a Museum complex consosting of the British built Fort Nongqayi now the Zululand Historical museum.
The Vukani Craft Collection Museum and Norwegian Missionary museum.

Guests at a Zulu Wedding

At this complex a lot of other tourist attractions are being built to promote Zulu rural enterprizes such as the Paper from sugarcane leaves upliftment project. A successful project educating and empowering local people to own their own businesses and using natural resources.In this instance sugar cane leaves. Do a tour of their factory and hear their story.
Mpushini Falls. Short hike to a beautiful secluded waterfall in the heart of subtropical Dlinza Forest. Tranquility of the forest interspersed with myriad bird song, the sound of cicadas and crisp falling waters of the Dlinza. Good for a skinny dip.

Traditional Zulu Ceremony.

Coming of Age. Nkwalini

Wedding, Coming of Age or Sangomas initiations or healings. We have the privilege of being invited to these ceremonies on a very regular basis. The Zulus are very enthusiastic about sharing their traditions with their neighbours and especially overseas visitors. Get to know the zulu people, zulu culture and the zulu nation.
Once you have been introduced you are regarded as one of the family and you will be surely transformed into a new world where sharing and generosity of spirit will overwhelm you Vibrant colourful and joyous ceremonies that will leave an everlasting impression on you.

Maidens at a Zulu Ceremony

Optional Extra. Shakaland Zulu Dancing.Starts between 8.00 - 8.30 pm.This is the best exhibition of Zulu dance you are going to see in this country. Excellent choreography and the history of Zulu and African dance. Set in a dream world African Village and one of South Africas top ten prime tourist attractions. R125 pp

Sunday

Mpushini Falls

Mpushini Falls.

Short hike to a beautiful secluded waterfall in the heart of subtropical Dlinza Forest. Tranquility of the forest interspersed with myriad bird song, the sound of cicada’s and crisp falling waters of the Dlinza. Good for a skinny dip.

Martyr's Cross

Gospel Church & Martyrs Cross.

Short Sunday morning tour to experience the vibrancy of Zulu praise and worship. Dont be surprised if you dont find yourself dancing and clapping with all in the aisles. This will knock your socks off as your mind goes back to your hometown experience of a more sombre setting. Your guides will explain traditional beliefs and the influence of the first world churches. The role of the sangoma in traditional life. You will visit the Cross of the first Zulu Martyr and hear about his beliefs and death.

kwa Makethleni Sangoma Healing.

kwa Makethleni Zulu Church.

A fairly new church in KZN. Very vibrant colourful with a Woman priest. Beer is served by her in place of wine.Talking in tongues, drums, music and great chanting.An interesting new experience.These unique ceremonies take place in the beautiful Zululand countryside surrounded by rolling hills and Zulu villages.Usually take place in traditional kraal and one can also experience day to day life in rural Zululand while the ceremonies are taking place.Get to understand the role of the forefathers in society and the religious beliefs of the Zulu. The history of the Zionists and Shembe religions.

Optional Extra. Amatikulu Beach Zulu prawn braai.

Zulu Warrior at Ceremony

A Zulu culinary experience at the Prawn Shack at Amatikulu Beach. The beach venue is a rustic shack and huge deck , overlooking the warm Indian ocean. Use your fingers, plenty of fresh hot food, relax, snack and socialize. This is not just a meal. It’s an experience. Enjoy Amatikulu premier prawns, wander the dunes and chill on the beach. The Caiparinhia bar is open. The menu:Prawn skewers with dipping sauces, caprese salad , prawn bunnies, grilled linefish with pesto sauce , Zulu sushi a rare fillet with soya and wasabi thyme butter, grilled prawns, baked brie topped with caramelized sugar. Caipariniha Cocktail - local cane spirit with crushed limes and sugar

Zululand Eco-Adventures.
Eshowe. Zululand.
KwaZulu Natal. South Africa.
info@eshowe.com
035 4744919.

No need for an appointment we can feel you coming.

Tour Information.

Rural Brewpub

The BAZ BUS arrives from Durban at 10.30 am on Friday and 3.15 pm from Swaziland / St Lucia on Thursday afternoon.There are no minimum numbers for the tour. You need to purchase your own Baz Bus ticket to Zululand Backpackers, Eshowe, where you will be based. The tour timetable is such that the Baz Bus arrives in time to start your tour. Tours from Swaziland, St Lucia finish in time to take the Baz Bus onto Durban on Sunday afternoon.

Rural Class

Whats included in your price.
English and Zulu speaking guides, all accommodation, meals, entrance fees from your arrival to the end of the tour. Refreshments excluded. Payment on arrival. Credit cards accepted.
Accommodation.- Zululand Backpackers or The George Hotel.
Zululand Backpackers. Very comfortable lodge in forest setting. Dorm accommodation with full linen except towels provided. Laundry facilities for your use, TV sports channel, internet café, large swimming pool and pool deck. Only backpackers in the world with its own brewery. An extra fee for singles rooms ( R50 pp per night) or doubles rooms ( R30 pp per night). Hotel accommodation at The George Hotel also available for an extra R80 pp. per night single and R50 pp per night double.

Vegetable Farmers

Meals. We pride ourselves in having an excellent restaurant. Full English breakfast, light picnic lunches on tour. For dinner a variety of traditional Zulu, Indian and typical South African dishes. Vegetarians catered for. Refreshments. Cold water available at all times. Other refreshments for your own account.
What to bring. Walking shoes, hat, sunblock, costume, towel, warm clothes for a change in weather, camera, spending money for refreshments, curios etc.

Eshowe Goal

Important Details. Travel insurance is not included and full coverage is recommended. Insect repellent Tabard is recommended. Malaria precautions especially summer. This is not a malaria area. Consult a doctor or chemist. Tour prices are subject to minor changes. Cameras welcome but listen to guides instructions.
Our schedule is subject to change. Weather and other factors can change plans. Our discretion and decision must be accepted.You are guaranteed at least one traditional ceremony but you are more likely to get two.

Eshowe Logo

Zululand Eco-Adventures.
Eshowe. Zululand.
KwaZulu Natal. South Africa.
info@eshowe.com
035 4744919.

101 German Backpacker

Your Guides:
Graham Chennells.Victor Mdluli. Walter Cele.

Tugela Valley Huts

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