Tradition and beliefs

Outdoor Shembe service in rural Zululand.

The Shembe church

The founder of the Shembe church, Isaiah Shembe, was a vastly creative man of vision who dealt in hands-on healing, parables and straight-forward common sense.

Thohoyandou, the heart of the VhaVenda nation

Land of the Venda

Enter a land of hero chieftains and albino pythons. Take a journey to the Limpopo Province and explore the history of the Venda people.

Visit a sangoma

If your idea of tourism tends to the mystical or you're just culturally curious, pay a visit to a sangoma as an essential part of your trip to South Africa.

More about Tradition & beliefs

Faraday Muti Market

The wisdom of the ancestors can be revealed in all its visionary glory with a simple excursion to the Faraday Muti Market in Johannesburg.

Soul Journeys

Multi-cultural South Africa has many people with the gift to re-connect you to your soul or guide you with the help of ancestors and spiritual places worthy of pilgrimage.

Spiritualism and mysticism in South Africa

Multi-cultural South Africa offers visitors a smorgasbord of medicine for mind, body and soul. You can see a sangoma, go for a healing massage, visit a Muslim sacred site or explore your own ancestral history.

Sacred sites in South Africa

Ancient religions were brought to the country by slaves, sugar cane workers and merchants from the east. The many sacred sites in South Africa speak of this eclectic cultural heritage.

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You haven’t been to South Africa until you’ve danced with the locals

Explore Johannesburg’s thriving arts culture

Take part in drumming at a cultural village

Drumming circle - get into the groove of things in South Africa

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Top 10

Spiritual retreats

Buddhist Retreat Centre, Ixopo

Located in Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal overlooking rolling hills and indigenous valleys, this retreat offers something for everyone including creative workshops.
Boondocks Mountain Lodge

A retreat in Mpumalanga aimed at rejuvenating the mind, body and soul. Make sure you take a walk around the labyrinth…
Kurisa Moya Nature Lodge

This Limpopo retreat is situated in the beautiful Magoebaskloof forest region. On offer are a number of complementary therapies as well as nature walks, meditations and massages.
Temenos Retreat Centre

Situated in McGregor in the Western Cape, this retreat centre is named after an ancient Greek temple of healing and certainly lives up to its name.
Nan Hua Buddhist Temple

This Bronkhorstspruit temple is a little piece of Taiwan situated along the Dinokeng tourist route. Enjoy weekend retreats and learn all about Buddhism from those in-the-know.
Bodhi Khaya Country Retreat

This Western Cape farm retreat focuses on wellness and sustainability and is very laid-back in its philosophy. Being alone in nature is one of the key philosophies and participants are encouraged to...
Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat

Found in the gorgeous Cederberg, rock art walks as well as fantastic alternative therapies are all part of the deal.
Emoyeni Retreat Centre

Situated on the northern slopes of the Magaliesberg in the North West province, this retreat has simple facilities conducive to meditation and contemplation.
Celtis Lodge

In the Magaliesberg region offers the new-age traveller something beyond the usual crystal-ball gathering. Why not enjoy the horse labyrinth or enjoy some reflexology or reiki as part of the...
Shrink-on-Safari retreats

Psychologist Jeffrey Rink runs retreats into nature that help travellers go on an inward journey, so to speak. Rink uses the healing power of nature to get us humans back on track.