Venda is located in northwest South Africa as part of the Limpopo Province. The town is traditionally the home of the Venda people and is currently a college town featuring the University of Venda. The university, along with its scenic terrain and wildlife make the area a tourist hot-spot. People also come to learn about the Venda culture, which is largely built around mthology and a theme of water. The Venda believe the area's rivers and lakes are sacred. Drums and dancing are also aspects of the culture. Drums are traditionally held by chiefs and headmen and carry different symbols and meaning. Dances like the Domba are important to the tribe, as it's believed it secures good rains for the following season. Influenced by the mythology of the Venda culture, the area is known as "the Land of Legend." For tourists wishing to explore the area and the Venda culture, there are several hotels in the area.
The Metcourt at Khoroni is a three-star, 82-room hotel and casino located near the University of Venda. Amenities include parking, a swimming pool, gym, wireless Internet and business meeting room. The hotel is decorated with Afro-chic style in each room. Smoking and non-smoking rooms are available. The Malingani Restaurant is located on-site to offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel also is close to off-road trails and nature-watching areas. Other local attractions include the Phiphidi Waterfalls, Vondo Forest and Lake Fundudzi, which the native Venda people treat as sacred.
Metcourt at Khoroni
Mphephu St.
Thohoyandou, South Africa
27-15-962-4600
khoroni.co.za
The Bougainvilla Lodge is an 18-room hotel located in the Limpopo Province of Thohoyandou. The hotel offers private bathrooms, televisions and telephones, fans and air conditioning in select rooms and parking. Similar to the Metcourt at Khoroni, the hotel is located near the University of Venda. A boardroom can be reserved for small meetings of up to 18 people. The lodge is located about 45 minutes from Kruger National Park, minutes from the Thativondu Viewpoint, which offers a panoramic view of the area, and the Phipidi Waterfalls.
Bougainvilla Lodge
Private Bag X 5089
Thohoyandou, South Africa
079-068-3239
bougainvillalodge.com
The Mashovhela Lodge is situated in the Soutpansberg Mountains in the Limpopo Province. The 10-room hotel features a swimming pool, conference room, cocktail bar, arts and crafts shop and restaurant. The hotel is also recognized for it's eco-friendliness and incorporating the Venda cultural aspects of dance, drums and mythology into the facility. These dances might include the Domba, which is a python-like, arm-flailing dance where the participants form a line and parade for a good rain season.With Venda culture largely built around mythology, one important theme is water. Because the Venda believe rivers and lakes are sacred and that rainfall is controlled by gods, nearby Lake Fundudzi is one of the Venda's most sacred sites.
Mashovhela Lodge
67 Haymeadow Crescent
Faerie Glen, South Africa
27-12-991-6930
mashovhela.com
