Mkhuze is in my opinion one of the most beautiful areas in South Africa; the Ubombo Mountains provide a stunning backdrop and the peaks of Ghost Mountain, Tshaneni and Gaza tower over the small bustling town.

Mkhuze lies deep in rural Zululand, a place steeped with history, folklore and tradition. It is a very underdeveloped area and the pace of life is slow and unhurried.
Our guests loved the area and were keen to learn more about modern Zulu culture so we took them to a friend of mine tavern. The tavern is situated on the slopes of the Ubombo Mountains in an area which remains still with no electricity or water.

We arrived at the tavern at lunch time and began to prepare lunch; a South African favourite boerie rolls. (Boerewors being a traditional South African sausage) Our guests settled down inside the tavern most of them drinking quartz of beer; (it is usual in the taverns to buy beer in a 750ml “quartz” bottle) and chatting with some of the local guys.

Toilet time was a favourite topic of conversation as there is no mains water in the area of Mange where the tavern is situated there are long drop toilets for the patrons to use: well most of our guests had never seen let alone used long drops!!

Zulu people are warm and friendly and our guests enjoyed talking about local customs and seeing how the majority of people live in that area. It was an experience I am sure none of them will forget!