Midway between the Blyde River Canyon and the southern Kruger National Park, the residents of the traditional villages of Shangana invite guests to share in the way of life of the Shangaan people.
The picturesque villages are set in the shade of ancient trees in a reserve of forest and grassland, and are open every day.
A bustling African market village forms the centre of Shangana, where local craftspeople make and trade their craft. From here, trained guides lead guests down to villages on daytime tours, midday tours with lunch, and the famed Evening Festival in the Chief's Kraal.
Shangana has been created and built by local Shangaan people, and forms a place of great pride and a way of preserving a rich heritage for us, and an example of South Africa's great cultural diversity.
The Marula Market is picturesque market has been described by many visitors as the most beautiful in Africa. It is the central village at Shangana, and is open all day to visitors. The market is a gathering place for craftspeople from all over the region, and has a variety of traditional handcrafted art unmatched in the area.
During the day, small groups of visitors are led from the Marula Market, down through the bush and past fields, where the trained guide shows how the Shangaan people collect food from their environment, and explains a little about traditional farming, life style, traditions and more.
