Protea Hotel Shakaland

The Hotel

Discover the tribal heart of Africa, its fascinating rhythms and way of life, at an exclusive African bush hotel in KwaZulu-Natal. Protea Hotel Shakaland is a truly unique South African hotel, set in an authentic cultural village in Zululand.

Originally built as a film set for the epic film sagas “Shaka Zulu” and “The John Ross Story”, this traditional Zulu homestead, or “umuzi”, offers an exhilarating South African bush lodge experience. Here, in traditional yet luxurious beehive huts, GUESTS are able to re-live the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus, in an authentic re-creation of the Great Kraal overlooking the Phobane Lake.

During your stay at Protea hotel Shakaland, you’ll be able to take in the traditions and customs of the local people. With every modern convenience at your fingertips, you’ll witness tribal dancing, spear-making and beer-drinking ceremonies. You’ll uncover the secrets of the sangomas, and take in the sight of warriors dressed in traditional garb – all from the comfort of a 3-star KwaZulu-Natal hotel.

Protea Hotel Shakaland is more than just a tourist attraction - it is an enriching cultural experience offering a better understanding of the Zulu nation, its people and their intriguing customs.

Protea Hotel Shakaland - The greatest Zulu experience in Africa.

Features

A rustic, luxury bush hotel in KwaZulu-Natal

In keeping with its pastoral surrounds, Protea Hotel Shakaland features authentic African décor, complete with wooded interiors, thatched roofs and a warm, earthy feel. The hotel provides a superior KwaZulu-Natal accommodation experience for local and international travellers, and offers every amenity for an enriching cultural trip or holiday to KwaZulu-Natal.

Protea Hotel Shakaland’s Shisa Nyama Restaurant and U Kamba Bar offer tasty meals with spectacular views of the surrounding hills. Meanwhile, a sparkling outdoor swimming pool offers relief from the balmy days of the tropical region. Other facilities offered for leisure and cultural travellers include:

1. Free secure parking
2. Satellite television channels
3. Babysitters
4. On-site curio shop
5. Fax facilities
6. Safe deposit boxes
7. 24-hour tea and coffee station
8. Modern conference facilities seating 50 to 100 delegates, ideal for banquets, cocktails, educational funtions or team-building exercises
9. An audio-visual room featuring big screen televisions, ideal for watching sports matches
10. Close to historic landmarks, natural attractions and golf courses.

Location

Protea Hotel Shakaland is a countryside KwaZulu-Natal hotel, situated in the heart of Zululand between Eshowe and Melmoth. It nestles on the top of the Entombeni Hills and overlooks the Phobane Lake:

1. 1 hour’s drive to King Shaka International Airport
2. 5 km to Phobane Lake
3. 10 km to Mandawe Cross
4. 14 km to Eshowe 18-hole golf course
5. 20 km Mpushini Falls and Dlinza Forest and Aerial Boardwalk
6. 25 km to Fort Nongqai
7. 90 km to Richards Bay
8. 160 km to Durban

Directions From Durban

1. Take the N2 north; veer off left at Dokodweni Toll Plaza onto the R66/Melmoth/Ulundi road.
2. Drive 14 km past Eshowe, then turn left to Shakaland, which is well sign-posted.

Attractions

Sightseeing in Zululand and Shakaland

Shakaland, one of South Africa’s most unique attractions, boasts many exciting things to see, and is a worthwhile addition to any South African holiday itinerary. Shakaland also offers a variety of cultural programmes to visitors – both leisure travellers and learners/students.

Shakaland attractions, activities and school programmes

• The Nandi Programme
The Nandi Programme is a 3-hour cultural extravaganza offering fascinating insight into Zulu life. Spectators are treated to various cultural displays and performances, and are given the opportunity to sample local drinks and delicacies.

The Nandi Programme runs from 11H00 to 14H00 or from 12H00 to 15H00.

Nandi Discounted Special Offer:

R285 per person, including cultural tour and lunch, until December 2010.

• Barge Trips

Enjoy a 2-hour barge trip on Phobane dam, which offers magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. Each trip accommodates 8 to 35 people, and booking is essential.

• The Shaka Programme

Overnight guests can experience the Shaka Programme, which commences during the late afternoon with the Nandi Programme. Once the show comes to an end, Zulu dancing takes place for an hour after dinner, and Part II of the tour runs from 09H00 to l0h00 the next morning.

The Zulu cultural tour includes:

• Traditional beer-drinking ceremony
• Exploring Zulu social systems
• Watching fighting formations
• The greeting of the home
• Observing a sangoma
• The nyanga
• Beadwork, pottery, beer making, spear throwing and other traditional pursuits.

Educational Programme for schools and universities
The arrival time at Shakaland is 15h00, and your group will be welcomed by a Cultural Advisor and escorted to the Siyafunda Centre. Learners/students are divided into groups and allocated huts. A hut "induna" is appointed to each group. Various important points relating to the programme are highlighted, and then the presentation commences.
Introduction to Zulu Culture
16H00:

1. INDLUYESITHOMBE: This audio-visual presentation is a 12-minute overview of Shaka Zulu's life.
2. ISIVIVANE: The start of a journey.
3. KWA-BIYELA: A 15-minute lecture around the model of a Zulu home, which explains the social systems and layout of a typical homestead.
4.  KULEGA: A praise singer would ask permission of the Chief to enter the umuzi. The Chief walks down to the gate.
5. AMABUTHO - FIGHTING FORMATIONS: At this model of a battle scene, the Chief demonstrates the art of warfare and how Shaka was able to build a Zulu nation in his short reign of 12 years.
6. IXHIBA - BEER MAKING HUT: A demonstration by the married women on how beer is brewed.
7. ISINKAMBA - POTTERY: The making, baking, carrying and decorating of all the different types of pots and their traditional uses.
8. UKWAKHIWA KWENDLU - BUILDING A HUT: A demonstration of framework, thatching and finishing floors with cow dung.
9. KWA-NGEMA - THE HOME OF THE CHIEF NGEMA: Sit with Chief Ngema and his family in front of his hut where his wife will serve beer and explain the rituals and superstitions connected to this ceremony. The Chief and his wife then discuss the traditional dress they are wearing and the most common items used in the home.

18H00: Shower - Dress warmly for the evening entertainment.
19H00: Dinner - A traditional meal around the fire at Siyafunda Centre.
20H00: Questions & answers
20H00: Tribal dancing

Day Two

06H30: Wake-up call
07H00: Breakfast
07H45: Hut inspection
08H00: Shopping at local market

Experiencing the Culture
09H00:

1. UKWESHELA - COURTSHIP CEREMONY: An enactment showing young girls carrying water from the river and being intercepted by young men. The young men then "court" the girls and, finally, one of the girls chooses a man and presents him with a "betrothal necklace" of white beads representing their engagement.
2. INDUKU - STICK FIGHTING (with participation).
3. IMIKHONTO - SPEAR MAKING: The hairless ones will demonstrate the art of making a spear. Following this the group will be invited to return to the homestead. The children can test their skills in the throwing of spears.
4. SANGOMA: The children will be treated to the mysticism of Africa with a visit to the Sangoma and Nyanga.

Schools visiting for one day will then depart.

Groups on two-day schools visits will then proceed with:

• 10H00: Journey into rural Natal - The group will visit a local family to experience the merging of the "old" and "new" lifestyles. (This is a 2 km walk from Shakaland)
• 13H00: Lunch will be served.
• 14H00: Necklace & arm bracelets - The learners will be able to make these items and take them home, as well as test their skill in making clay pots and oxen.
• 15H00: A visit to the curio shop - For tuck and artefacts.
• 16H00: A well-deserved dip in the pool!
• 17H00: Dancing & singing - The Zulu children will instruct, to prepare your children for the competition that evening.
• 18H00: Shower - Dress for dinner.
• 19H00: Dinner
• 19H45: Team quiz
• 20H30: Dance competition

Day Three
06H00: Wake-up call
07H00: Breakfast
08H00: Depart to the Fort and Dlinza Aerial Boardwalk
12H00: Picnic lunch
15H00: Zulu game
19H00: Concert

Day Four

06H00: Wake-up call
07H00: Breakfast, followed by hut inspection and prize-giving

Hamba Kahle (Goodbye)

Rooms

Protea Hotel Shakaland offers 55 traditional beehive huts, each with its own private bathroom and shower, and offering every convenience for a comfortable and luxurious stay. Choose from:

• Twin standard rooms: For up to 2 adults
• Double standard rooms: For up to 2 adults and 2 children
• Family Rooms: For up to 4 people
• Standard ¾ rooms: For up to 2 adults.

Facilities for handicapped guests are also available.

Huts offer superb views of the lake and surrounding hills of Shakaland, and feature TVs with satellite channels, coffee-and-tea-making facilities, hairdryers, sitting areas and writing desks.

For school and university groups visiting Shakaland on cultural excursions, the school centre accommodates 75 learners in traditional dormitory huts.

Prokidz

Amazing PROKIDZ OFFER!

• Only R500.00 per person sharing!
• And R800.00 - Single Rate

Includes:

• Bed and breakfast
• Bead making
• Zulu dancing
• Free gift on arrival!

Conditions

• Valid until 31 December 2010.
• Minimum 2-night stay
• Valid Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights only
• Subject to availability
• Kids aged 12 and under stay free and have free breakfast when sharing with adults (maximum of 2)
• Not valid for groups
• Rate is non-commissionable

All this for only R500.00 per person sharing – it’s not to be missed!

To book, call Central Reservations on 0861 11 9000 or the hotel directly and mention "PROKIDZ WEB PAGE OFFER".

Social

Protea Hotel Shakaland has been operating for over twenty years and has become one of the biggest tourist attractions in KwaZulu-Natal. As a leading Zululand hotel, we are not only renowned for our uniquely styled bedrooms and culture experience, but also for our social responsibility programs and cohesion with the local community.

At Protea Hotel Shakaland, we never forget why people from all over the world visit our establishment, and therefore we have made it our mission to give back to the local community, its people and its culture as much as we can!

12 programmes, 250 lives changed!

1. The Intibane woodcarvers
2. The Ncemaneni “Dance for Education” programme
3. The Zulu spear-maker
4. Community handcraft traders
5. The Makoti’s thatching
6. Peace Lovers Football Club
7. Shakaland’s care for the elders
8. The traditional tailor’s shop
9. Community homesteads uplifted
10. Community team-building
11. Siyafunda Centre
12. Masibambisane (Let’s work Together”) ("The people’s Shop”)