!Khwa ttu Cultural Village in Yzerfontein, West Coast, South Africa | Eco Tourism | Guest House | Heritage Village | Country house | Ethnic Heritage | Guided tours | Bush Camp | Cultural Shows

!Khwa ttu Cultural Village located in Yzerfontein on the Western Cape West Coast of South African offer a fascinating insight into the culture, heritage, knowledge and modern-day life of the San of Southern Africa. Accompanying a group of our qualified San guides, who will lead you through a truly exceptional experience!

During a three-hour tour the San will demonstrate their skills, share their ancient knowledge about oral history, tracking animals and identifying plants with you. They will also teach you words in some of their languages and enlighten you about recent achievements in obtaining their rights to land and intellectual property. The San-guided experience provides a unique opportunity for you to listen to accurate accounts of the past and present lives of the San.

Take pleasure in a slow drive on our trailer through the hilly landscape of !Khwa ttu Cultural Village. The 850ha nature reserve is home to both hundreds of plant species of the indigenous fynbos flora and a wide array of indigenous fauna. As you drive up and down the hills the San guides will point out some of the many game species such as Eland, Zebra, Oryx, Bontebok and Springbok. You will be privileged to hear some of the stories about animals which form an important part of the vast San oral history.

Leave the vehicle behind and follow your guides on an easy nature walk. You will be surprised by the wealth of knowledge the San will share with you about hunting, gathering and tracking. The guides? demonstration of both setting a traditional bird snare and storing water in ostrich eggs, as well as in-depth information about the use of specific plants will enrich you with significant insights in traditional practices which are often still part of the San?s lives.

Learn more about San hunting traditions by observing the use of tools such as bows and arrows. The unique skills of San women will captivate you when they produce ostrich eggshell jewellery and also demonstrate the usage of digging sticks and gathering bags. You will have the unique opportunity to try shooting an arrow and igniting a fire with sticks under the guidance of experienced San. You will be truly amazed as to how many skills one has to co-ordinate in order to be successful. The visit will be rounded off by the guides? description of some extraordinary aspects of the San?s social life such as the healing power of the trance dance and the traditional egalitarian society. These authentic accounts of San culture will create an unforgettable impression.

Your journey will continue when your San hosts will accompany you to our beautifully designed Boma, constructed of natural materials. Nestled at the highest point in the landscape of !Khwa ttu, you will experience breathtaking views of Table Mountain to the south and the Langebaan Lagoon to the north. Be captivated by the the guide?s introduction to some of the San languages. Observe the orthography of the languages and have fun in learning to pronounce the clicks and tones of words.

At the end of the tour the guides will familiarize you with the exhibition entitled ?The San and the camera?. The artistic and informative display consists of eye-opening quotes, realistic life stories and explanatory texts, as well as historic and contemporary photographs. Issues close to the hearts of the San of southern Africa are the centerpiece of the presentation.

They refer to dispossession of land and natural resources, the experience of war, the effect of social challenges, the importance of culturally appropriate education and training as well as success stories in development. The thought-provoking and moving exhibition will have a lasting impression on you.

!Khwa ttu located in Yzerfontein on the Western Cape also offer accommodation, restaurant and conference facilities.