Calabash Tours will take you on an unforgettable journey to experience the diversity of the townships, before relaxing at one of their carefully selected Shebeens for drinks and dinner. Enjoy the unbeatable hospitality of our African hosts and absorb the convivial community atmosphere with the locals.
Most tourist accommodation is found in areas of the city where there is little opportunity to mingle with the ordinary South African. Shebeen tours have proven overwhelmingly popular as an opportunity for visitors to participate in ordinary life. In a city with a reputation for its friendliness, the experience is made all the more rewarding.
Calabash Tours is a commercial venture with a strong social agenda that is founded on developing the communities that guests visit. Working closely with the Calabash Trust, Calabash ensures that local and often-disadvantaged communities benefit from the visits made by clients through services provided either by community projects or black owned township businesses.
Calabash Trust has many programmes in nearby townships benefiting children and youths including an education trust, food provision, cultural exchange and furniture provision. Calabash has a policy of making township tours accessible to Port Elizabeth residents. In turn, learners from township schools are taken to various mainstream tourist attractions in the area. The Calabash staff complement is drawn from local communities. Calabash Tours has a number of tour guides from the township community and most guides were previously unemployed. Procurement is another area that Calabash has identified for its potential to contribute to the local economy. Calabash tries to purchase all goods from businesses within a 50km radius and supports informal traders.
“By becoming part of FTTSA we can link with other tourism organizations and share experiences and best practices.”
Paul Miedema, Owner/ Manager of Calabash Tours
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