Lesedi Cultural Village

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Traditional Ndebele house designs

A kaleidoscope of African cultural experiences awaits you at Lesedi Cultural Village, an authentic showcase of  the most prominent South African tribes, the Pedi, Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho and Ndebele.

Located less than an hour's drive from Johannesburg, Lesedi (a SeSotho word meaning ‘light') is one of South Africa's most outstanding cultural villages, featuring 5 traditional homesteads where you're immersed in the everyday activities of the tribes represented, as well as 38 different African-themed guest rooms to accommodate you in first class comfort.

On arrival, you're welcomed to the Ndebele village before settling down to a multi-media presentation on the history of South Africa's ‘Rainbow Nation'. Then you go on a guided tour of the other four homesteads - Zulu, Basotho, Xhosa and Pedi - where you will learn of the different traditions, rituals and folklore that define them.

The day ends off with traditional song and dance entertainment and a Pan African buffet, in the 200-seater Nyama Choma restaurant, where you can taste impala, ostrich or crocodile meat. The newer restaurant, the Nile Room, serves delectable cuisine from North Africa. At the end of the evening, you can either gather around the open fire, or be escorted back to your cosy hut by members of your host family.

Lesedi Village in South Africa is ideal for a stay-over, because the following morning you wake to the sounds of traditional maskande guitar or squash box before being treated to a full English breakfast.

Lesedi was co-founded by National Geographic explorer Kingsley Holgate, who ensured that every attraction is as alluring and enriching as the next. People representing these tribes facilitated the design, and many live at Lesedi Cultural Village. This cultural village near Johannesburg is also tastefully incorporated into the surrounding bushveld and hills.

Day tours start at 11.30am and at 4.30pm and last about 5 hours.