Mapoch Ndebele Village & Lodge

Klipgat, North West Province

South Africa / 2012

The Ndebele village is relatively un-commercialised and YOU will have the opportunity to immerse yourself and experience life from a unique perspective. The authentic, living Ndebele Village of Mapoch (Mabokho), is situated 40 km outside Pretoria (Tshwane), and serves the rural community and the nearby traditional villages. The village inhabitants still live in a traditional manner and practice their time-old customs, despite the influence of modernisation. The houses and enclosures are painted with the colourful geometric patterns for which the Ndebele are famous, often incorporating modern aspects such as telephones and the SA flag.

 YOU can be accommodated in the Village Lodge in comfortable twin bed rooms and you will have the opportunity to sleep in the traditional huts as well. The Lodge has 8 electrified rooms with bathrooms en suite (showers), and TV’s. YOU may enjoy your meal either in the small conference centre/ restaurant or share it with a family in the traditional way. TV, tea & coffee making facilities are available.

* Room – twin or single occupation

** Group rates and longer stay rates available on request

*** All rates subject to change without prior notice

Run, Walk, Cycle……

Get off the bus … and feel the community?

Located just 40km north-west of Pretoria, near the authentic rural Ndebele village of Mapoch, this tour takes you back in time. Take in the local ambiance, enjoy our fauna and flora, stop off at a local tavern, see the impact of community projects in the area, or visit the nearby meteorite crater. During your tour you will be able to touch the communities whilst walking or cycling through them on one of our guided tours.

Why Community Travel?

More and more tourists are looking for something authentic. They want an enjoyable experience with meaningful connections with local people, thereby having a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues.

Entrance Fees, Guided Tours and Activities 2012  

1. Entrance Fee for Mapoch Ndebele Village Tribal Authority

·        Adults & children over 7 years                            R 35-00 per person over 7 years

·        Children under 7 years                                        R 25-00 per child under 7 years

2. Mapoch Ndebele Village Guided Walk Tour   R 85-00 per person (1-2 people)

Please note; Groups larger than 12 people will                 R 75-00 per person (3 -6 people)

be split into smaller groups with additional guides            R 65-00 per person (7-12 people)

(excludes entry fees)

3. Ndebele Beading lessons with Gogos             R 175-00 per person (approx 2 hours)

4. Guided tour of Greater community upliftment projects  (Incl a donation to the projects)

·        Cycling                                                                   R 345-00 (approx 2-3 hours) per person  

·        Walking                                                                 R 260-00 (approx 3 hours) per person

·        Tswaing Meteorite Crater - Cycle (min 2 pax)     R 690-00 (approx 6-7 hrs) per person

5. Ndebele Dance group performance -               Price on request, normally around R300-400

6. Visits to the local; Sangoma

·         Per person for a consultation                                      R 250-00

·         Per group up to 8 people, general information               R500 per group

Meals 2012 (Nett Rates)

·        Traditional Meal (as lunch or dinner)                              R 135-00 per person

·        Breakfast                                                                           R 55-00 per person

·        Light / packed Lunch (or light dinner)                             R 65-00 per person

Meal Descriptions:

·         Traditional Meal/ Dinner options:  Normally a mix of real traditional cuisine (mala mogodu, marogo, pap, chakalaka etc) with local meals (usually meat/chicken, rice/pap/potato, vegetables, and salad), a starter/soup/desert option plus a soft beverage.

·         Breakfast options:  Normally a choice of cereals / yoghurt / porridge / toast / bread / eggs / fruit. Included are selected condiments, tea/coffee and fruit juice.

·         Lunch options: Normally a choice of fruit, 2 x double sandwiches with fillings/salad, fruit juice /soft drink/bottled water.

*** All rates subject to change without prior notice

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Community, Ndebele (& Bicycle) Tour

For bookings call: Pastor Peter Mabasa – Bicycle project & St John’s Church Cel: 072 5108564

Go beyond the bus window …on foot or bicycle … experience life … at grass-root level … with meaningful connections and engagement with local people, gaining a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues. More and more tourists and families are looking for something authentic. 

Located 40 km from Pretoria, Mapoch is a “living” Ndebele village. It is not purpose built for tourists … but is a taste of authentic Ndebele life. This community was forcibly relocated under the Apartheid regime to its present site. Your guided tour will give you personalised insight into their valued culture and traditions where you will also learn the meaning behind their colourful, geometric mural paintings. You have the opportunity to meet some of the women who make their traditional beadwork and buy directly from the crafters, making your purchase more personal. You will enjoy a traditional meal in a unique Ndebele setting.

Experience the daily realities of the surrounding communities by participating in a personalised walk or bicycle tour. Your guides on the tour are benefactors of the bicycle volunteer project that provides important infra-structural, retail, small business and recreational support to the local rural community. The project has evolved into a sustainable tourism component. On your community tour you will visit various volunteer project initiated in the area by VOLUNTOURS as well as the opportunity to meet and talk with local people. Your fees include a financial contribution to all the projects / sites visited. This part of your tour starts at the Bokamoso Bicycle shop and includes an overview of the bicycle project, a visit to the local pre-school, charismatic African church, subsistence farmer, family home, local shebeen (tavern), and sandbag house built by volunteers and local community members, sampling traditional and local beer.

You will depart having learnt that “people here may be poor in terms of money and possessions but are rich in things like family values, welcome, love and happiness” (Bruce, UK). 

Overnight and responsible volunteer stays available on request.

Children welcome.

Inclusions:

Guided tour - Community walk / cycle tour

Community visits as per itinerary

Commentary available in English only (foreign languages on request at a fee)

Available:  Daily

Duration:   Approx 2 - 3 hours

Note:

Children welcome. Beverages, tips, and personal expenses are not included in the price of this tour. Reservation confirmation is required. You must contact the service provider at least 48 hours before your scheduled tour to arrange your hotel pick-up.

For bookings call: Pastor Peter Mabasa

Bicycle project Cel: +27 (0)72 5108564