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Karen ParkinThe only white Sangoma (traditional Zulu healer) that we are aware of in South Africa. She calls herself the reluctant Sangoma: when she started to have experiences seeing and conversing with the ancestors at an early age, which is an important part of the Sangoma tradition, this was definitely not the path she thought she was going to take in life. Having studied herbs, she is both an herbalist and a traditional healer—combining western and traditional medicines. She has a small office in downtown Eshowe where she treats patients. It is Karen's closeness with, and her understanding of the Zulu's in the area that make her a wonderful guide and a perfect host for our travelers. Want to know more about the Zulu ancestors Graham ChennellsOwner of the George Hotel and Chennells Guest House, Graham Chennells is a born and bred Zululander. Graham has an intimate knowledge of the Zulu people and has been involved in community projects for many years. He has been Mayor of Eshowe, and is a Rotarian (past Rotary President), a businessman, paratrooper, former Duzi Canoe Race winner, brewmaster, farmer and retired sportsman. We have been impressed by the activities of the Chennells family. They have been instrumental in getting many programs funded: school refurbishment, skill centers, creche (primary schools) development, and several innovative orphanage projects. Graham and his son Richard will be our hosts in Eshowe. Sizani NgubaneSizani Ngubane, founder of the Rural Women's Movement is a ball of energy and innovation. In 2000 she founded the Rural Woman's Movement to mobilize and empower several hundreds of poor rural women in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Poor women in South Africa are discriminated against on the basis of gender and economic status. One of the most difficult forms of discrimination is the eviction of widows and single mothers from their homes by their male relatives. Sizani's vision is to secure women's rights through the enforcement of existing laws and the creation of new and stronger legislation and policies.
In 2007 she was nominated as SABC2 as Women of the Year for her efforts with disenfranchised and landless women. During her leadership the membership has grown to almost 50,000. She was also selected by the Global Women's Leadership Network in Santa Clara, CA as one of the top 25 global women leaders working to improve the lives of women in their countries. To us at the Cultural Explorer, she is a true Zulu activist. She encourages Zulu women to be more assertive and claim their power and she encourages the Zulu fathers and sons to take a more active role in helping the women. You can imagine that her ideas are not always popular within the male-dominated Zulu culture. You will get to spend some quality time with her and possibly work with her on some of her projects. The George HotelRecently renovated, this comfortable family-run Victorian country hotel will be our home away from home. Guests love sitting on the shady veranda in the mornings or late afternoons with a latte and a good book.
The hotel bar is the best place to meet the locals who convene almost every night for a drink and a chat. This offers many opportunities for some intriguing conversations. There is a spacious garden in the back and a pool as well. The hotel has a restaurant and a small cafe. It is within walking distance to the center of town and the forest. It was built on the site of the British Residential Commissioner, Sir Charles Saunders's, residency. It was originally Tavernors, then became The Provincial Hotel. The land was acquired in 1896 and the present hotel was built in 1906 adjacent to the great 300 hectare Dlinza Forest. During the mining boom of the 1920s, the hotel was operated as a stock exchange for four months. This Hotel has been through the Bambata Rebellion, Union, Apartheid era and now is part of the changing new South Africa. Hotel Facilities:
Learn more about the forests in Eshowe.
Weekend SafariSafari is a must—we will take a weekend safari excursion into Hluhuwe-Umfolzi Game Reserve: The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is one of the oldest and most prestigious of the South African game parks. Located about an hour and a half from Eshowe, this vast wilderness has a warm and humid climate. Credited with bringing the white rhino from the brink of extinction to flourishing numbers, it is also home to the Big Five. The Umfolozi and Hluhluwe reserves were joined in 1989 and cover a vast and interestingly diverse landscape consisting mainly of steep wooded hills, grass covered slopes and woodlands along the many rivers and streams. It is also known as one of the sanctuaries of the black rhino and has the world's largest population of white rhino. Game viewingHluhluwe—Umfolozi is home to 1,600 white rhino and 370 black rhino—an impressive number which means you are very likely to see one or both species. It also contains the rest of the Big Five: buffalo, elephant, lion and leopard, as well as many other species including blue wildebeest, zebra, giraffe waterbuck, nyala, kudu, bushbuck, warthog, cheetah, hyena and jackal plus about 24,000 impala. You may have some close encounters with elephants as they often cross or block the road right in front of your vehicle.
Bird-watchingOver 400 species of birds have been recorded in the park. The variety of bushveld and woodland birding found in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park combined with the natural wonders of the Lake St. Lucia system and its central position to the rest of the Zululand Birding Route make this an excellent area for birdwatchers. Other activitiesThere is a 40-seater boat on the Hluhluwe dam which takes visitors on daily guided trips. An experienced community guide conducts the trips and visitors can see an excellent range of birds and animals. Wilderness trails also offer the ultimate wildlife experience and Zulu culture can be observed in the community areas outside the park.
Please do give us a call to chat about our new volunteer trip or any of our trips. It is important to us that you know as much as possible about what you can expect when traveling with The Cultural Explorer. Our goal is to give you the best possible travel experience! Wishing that you make the most of 2010 and travel well! Pat Walker Phone: 415-387-1335 |
Just out in December—with Morgan Freeman pitch perfect as Nelson Mandela. Exciting true story of how Mandela used the Rugby World Cup in 1995 to pull the racially divided country together. A must see for anyone anticipating a trip to South Africa.