Rating
4 days & 3 nights
Monday & Thursday
2 to 8 people
12+
B&B, food & entrance fees
Self-Drive
Reviews
The Ribola Art Route in Mbokota, near Elim, Limpopo, is an expression of the African spirit that brings together Tsonga, Venda and Shangaan cultures. The Ribola Art Route invites you to celebrate the eclectic rhythm of Limpopo through the sights and sounds of this out-of-the-ordinary community.
Day 1: Welcome
The tour starts off with a brief visit to Pilato’s home gallery and studio at 3:30pm. From 4-6pm you will go to the Vutsila Art School, where you’ll get a taste of traditional beer and dig into local food. A musical performance by Vutsila Indigenous Music Group and the setting sun will set the tone for the evening. At 6pm you will be introduced to the Mahlamali family who will host you for a homestay in Chavani village.
Day 2: Twananani Textiles and Tinyiko Art Centre
Your second day starts at the crack of dawn with a 7am breakfast at your homestay. From 9am until 1pm you will visit Twananani Textiles to see how this community initiative has been making bright textiles for the past 20 years. You will also have a chance to create your own textile project, which will be yours to take home. Lunch will follow at 1pm and at 2:30pm to 4:30 you will be at The Tinyiko Art Centre. In addition to a performance from the centre’s students you will learn to play a traditional musical instrument, maybe even create an original song with the band during a jam session. At 7:30 pm you’ll have dinner at Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge where you’ll also spend the night.
Day 3: A day of creative workshops
Breakfast is served at 7:30-8:30am at Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge. From 9-11am you’ll be a guest in Florah’s home where your host will encourage you to embrace your creative side. A pot-maker by trade, she’ll teach you how to make your own clay pot, which will be a great memento to take with you. Lunch will be an early one at 11am, but will no less delicious than what you’ve been spoiled with thus far. At 12pm you’ll have 30mins to hang out with a drink and a snack while playing a round of pool at Madzhie Spaza Shop. From 1pm until 3pm you’ll have the option to visit either Patrick's home for a wood crafting session or a beading workshop at Phyllis’s home. The next hour and half is yours to relax at Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge. From 4:30pm to 6pm you’ll set off on a sunset cruise for some bird watching and appreciation of other wildlife. Dinner will be served at 6:30pm after which you will have the rest of the evening to yourself at the Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge.
Day 4: Kha vha sale zwavhudi
Breakfast will be served at 8am and followed by an optional massage at the lodge’s spa before checking out.
Shiluvari Lakeside lodge (Day 2 and 3) and local homestay (Day 1).
N/A
Room that sleeps to 2 people at homestay and suit the sleeps 2 people at Shiluvari Lakeside lodge.
Homestay: Flushing toilets, television, electricity, clean water and an awesome family.
Shiluvari Lakeside lodge: Mini bar, satellite TV (at bar), entertainment area, WI-FI, laundry service and swimming pool.
02:00PM
09:00AM
No pets allowed.
5 years and older.
Accommodation, Guide, including refreshments, food (Dinner on Day 1, all meals on Day 2 and 3 and breakfast on Day 4), entrance and activity fees during package.
Transfers to and from meeting point and during the tour (unless you select the transport option when booking).
Meet the tour guide at the KFC at Elim mall.
Visit Pilato’s home gallery.
Vutsila Art School, where guests are treated to traditional beer and food with a musical performance by Vutsila Indigenous Music Group as the sun goes down behind the Marula tree.
Overnight at Mahlamali family homestay in Chavani village.
Breakfast at Homestay.
Visit Twananani textiles where guests will be taught how to their own fabric – which they will take home - and share a cup of tea and Amagwinya with the women of Twananani.
Have Flame-grilled chicken and morogo at Caesars Chicken.
Tinyiko Art Centre where guests have the musical performance and learn to play musical instrument, creating an original song with the band.
Overnight at Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge and enjoy traditional meal.
Breakfast at Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge.
Visit Florah’s home where guests are encouraged to embrace their creative side by playing with clay and decorating a pot that they can take with them.
Traditional lunch with Constantia.
Visitors to grab a drink and a snack and play pool at Madzhie spaza shop.
Relax at Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge.
Sunset Cruise and birding with Samson Mulaudzi.
Dinner and overnight at Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge.
Breakfast and check out of Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge.