The Basotho Cultural Village nestles in the east of the
Golden Gate Highlands National Park surrounded by huge sandstone mountains.
While this Free State traditional village is not an inhabited village, it has various people in traditional dress playing different roles to accurately depict the lifestyle and rituals of the South Sotho people.
Watch traditional dancing and singing, a spiritual rejoicing that has been upheld for centuries, and see how women still grind maize and sift beer as they did generations ago. In true oral tradition style, grandmothers relay old fables and tales, some of which have been passed down from their grandmothers.
Particularly interesting is the range of various South Sotho artwork forms scattered throughout the village. The huts are colourful and dramatic masterpieces, each depicting a different period of Basotho civilisation.
Resident tour guides explain how the Basotho people conducted their day-to-day activities through the centuries, demonstrate the various household implements and explain the significance of the clothing on display.
The village has an art gallery, curio shop and restaurant.
One of the innovations is a herbal walking trail that takes the visitor along a typical sour grass veld habitat running through age-old woodland and clear unpolluted mountain streams.
Rest CampThe camp resembles an 18th century Basotho Village. The surroundings take you back from the pathway of previous times to the modern days, here the Basotho lifestyle, architectural and hospitality is the order of the day.
The Basotho Cultural Village Rest Camp offers comfortable self-catering accommodation with splendid views where game viewing is practically enjoyed without the trouble of having to embark on a game searching journey.
The Camp also has communal braai facilities that are shared amongst families sharing the kraal and also private webber braai facilities for every chalet.
Rondawel (HK2)
- 1 bedroom with double bed
- Communal braai lapa
- Kitchen
- Veranda with Weber braai
- Wc and shower
Rondawel (HKD4)
- 1 bedroom with double bed
- 2 bathrooms, each with w/c and shower
- 2 bunk beds
- Communal braai lapa
- Kitchen
- Veranda with Weber braai
Please Note- Vehicle repair, medical, post office and police services at Clarens (17 km) or Bethlehem (± 60 km).
- Remember to bring a hat, walking shoes, sun block, camera, binoculars and wildlife reference books.
- Hikers must always carry sufficient water.
- Take cool and light clothing for summer and warm clothing for winter.
- Area prone to sudden weather changes.
Important Notice 1. Accommodation rates do not include
Conservation Fees which are payable at the entrance gates.
2. Please ensure that you are familiar with the
Rules & Regulations of National Parks before making a booking.
Activities:
Game viewing drives (self driven) it is not only the game that one get to enjoy in this part of the world, one gets to enjoy rock formation, birds, grassland and the beautiful scenery that forms part of the Drakensberg and Maluti mountains.
Museum tours visitors get to feel the Basotho experience by tasting traditional cuisine, getting to know equipments and weapons that were used then.
Cultural route - one gets afforded an opportunity to be taken through the Basotho culture and the way of living dating back from the sixteen century to date.
Herbal trail - visitors are lead through this trail in order to be educated about the medicines that were used and are still by the African Traditional Healers.
How to get there:
The village is situated on the R712 from Clarens through the Golden Gate Highlands National Park (or follow the R712 from Harrismith).
The closest airport is at Bloemfontein.
Click here for Rates/Bookings
