Immerse yourself in an exceptional destination for an in-depth exploration of indigenous cultures. An hour's drive from Cape Town, nestled within the prestigious Cape Floral Region, lies Khwattu—a true gem combining a cultural centre and educational space. Your gaze will be captivated by spectacular views of Table Mountain to the south. Here's what you need to know.

The story

It all began in 1998 through the vision of Irène Staehelin. At the time, she was approached by the Working Group for Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa, tasked with helping the San harness their tourism potential while preserving and sharing their rich, authentic culture. Driven by this vision, Irène made it a reality in 1999 by acquiring a vast property on the west coast of South Africa, giving birth to the Khwattu project. In parallel, she established the Ubuntu Foundation in Switzerland to provide essential support for the project's development.

Khwattu opened its doors to its first visitors in 2006. Since then, the team has committed to continuously enhancing the visitor experience by progressively restoring the farm buildings. Outside, significant efforts have been made to rehabilitate the land, reintroduce indigenous wildlife, and create an environment reflecting the region's authenticity.

Today

Today, Khwattu has established itself as a sought-after tourism destination, seamlessly blending preservation, cultural richness, and tourist attractions. This exceptional destination offers a restaurant showcasing authentic local cuisine, a diverse range of accommodations, a shop, captivating outdoor activities, and enriching educational visits—all expertly guided by experienced English-speaking San guides.

Cultural safari at Khwattu

This extraordinary destination spans a vast 850-hectare nature reserve. It is home to diverse indigenous fynbos flora and a variety of native wildlife. As you wander through the hills, accompanied by San guides, you'll encounter different game species including eland, zebra, oryx, bontebok, and springbok.

Don't miss a stop at a replica of a traditional San village, where you'll discover the world of San hunting techniques by observing the use of tools such as bows and arrows. You'll be surprised by the creativity of San women who craft jewellery from ostrich eggshells, while learning to use digging sticks and gathering bags. If you dream of experiencing authentic San culture, here you'll have the chance to try your hand at archery and learn to start a fire with sticks, guided by experienced San members.

This is also the perfect moment to engage with these guides about extraordinary aspects of San social life, such as the healing power of trance dance and the traditionally egalitarian structure of their society.