Shakaland

Shakaland was built in 1984 as the set for Shaka Zulu, a television series about the Zulu king, and when filming ended the beehive-hut village was kept and turned into a cultural centre - so its origin is television rather than heritage, which is worth knowing before arriving. The day programme covers Zulu homestead layout, the making of beer, shields and spears, beadwork, traditional dress and a dance performance, presented by Zulu staff. Overnight guests stay in the huts. Assessments of these places vary sharply: some visitors find it a useful introduction delivered by people from the area, others find the format uncomfortable - culture performed on schedule for outsiders - and both readings are fair. The nearby Eshowe area has the Zululand Historical Museum at Fort Nongqayi and Dlinza forest, which give a different and less packaged view of the same region.

What you actually see

• The film-set origin - a village built for a 1984 television series, kept afterwards.
• The demonstrations - beer, shields, beadwork and dance presented by Zulu staff.
• The beehive huts - traditional dome construction, used for overnight guests.
• The format question - a packaged cultural experience that visitors judge very differently.

When to go

April to September. Half a day for the programme, or stay overnight.

Honest expectations

It was built as a set and remains a commercial attraction - it is not a living village. Performances run on a schedule. Prices are high for the length of the programme. Visitors who dislike staged cultural shows should choose Eshowe's museums instead.

Nearby

Dlinza forest and Fort Nongqayi are at Eshowe; Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is north.