Rastafarian Township Tour

Brother Zeb of the Rastafarians in Knysna.

© Chris Marais

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Knysna has the largest Rastafarian community in South Africa, consisting of around 30 Rasta families living peacefully and very colourfully!

In this community all nationalities live in harmony, with a specific focus on family life and community building.

Take a tour to Judah Square, the Rasta section within Khayalethu township, and marvel at their brightly painted houses and their eco-friendly ways which preserve their idyllic location facing onto lagoon, river and forest.

On Knysna's Rastafarian township tour you'll visit a tabernacle and learn about Rasta culture, their beliefs around materialism and spiritualism and their chilled way of life through expert guides, Zebs and his brother Maxie. It is interesting to hear how this religion found its way from Ethiopia to the furthest reaches around the world.

Judah Square is also the venue for the annual Rastafarian Earth festival, which kicks off with a big celebration every July 23 and involves live bands, ceremonies and plenty of activities.

This Knysna cultural tour will also take you on a 1km ramble alongside Khayalethu River, the site of an inspired rehabilitation project which the Rasta community is proudly involved in, entailing the re-introduction of indigenous animal species including sunbirds and small duiker (antelope).

Their duties include removing alien invasive flora species, planting indigenous species, mending paths and walkways and clearing river debris.

Previously this piece of land was overgrown with alien vegetation, but the community mobilised themselves and turned this into a sustainable and profitable community experience that can be enjoyed by all.

The inhabitants of Judah Square have a vision for their unique community, and on the Rastafarian township tour you'll hear about its plans for a holistic homeopathic clinic,  wellness centre and vegetarian restaurant.

If you like, you can spend the night with a Rastafarian family, share a vegetarian meal and strike a lasting friendship. This is one of the world's most unique Rastafarian tours.