Specialized in walking safaris in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania

Tengenenge is a typical african village in the north of Zimbabwe, at the foot of the Great Dyke, a mountain range which stretches out to Zambia. The difference with other villages is the occupation of the inhabitants: they all make a living from sculpting!

The village is an open air gallery. More than 11.000 sculptures are exhibited, made by over 300 different sculptors each having their own style, performance and stand. About a hundred sculptor families live in Tengenenge. Some families consist of 3 generations of sculptors and they all try to make a living by selling their sculptures.

Besides the use of brown and black serpentine coming from the huge depot of the 'Great Dyke', some other hard stones like springstone and opal are used. During the whole process no modern technique or machines are used. These artists know excactly how to change a rough part of stone into a piece of beautiful fine art - The intuition and the respect for the stone, not the measuring or drawning, are the foundation for sculpting in Tengenenge.

Many sculptures of well-known artists like Bernard Matemera and Josia Manzi are exhibited in museums and Art Galleries all over the world. Unfortunately Bernard Matemera passed away but he passed his knowledge and experience on to many young talented sculptors in Tengenenge.

Tengenenge is a real recommendation to those who feel affinity with sculptures. It's a cultural travel of a unique kind. Under the guidance of an english spoken artist you can join a workshop. Participants rise early and spend their days sculpting on a sunny hillside amid bougainvillea, jacaranda, and umbrella-like masasa trees.

You seek your own stone in the mine and together you create a nice piece of art. You see other artists sculpting and you have the opportunity to exchange ideas with them. Besides the technique they use they will tell you about the symbolism of the sculptures - Don't forget to bring your own tools! After dark, you retire to your mud hut or you gather with the tribal drummers around the village fire. A stay in the hospitable Tengenenge is relaxing and you will experience a little of the life of the local people.

Tengenenge offers you the unique possibility to purchase beautiful art against small prices and they can take care of the packing, transport to Harare and if requested also to the customers home country (through an international transport company in Harare).

Tengenenge has overnight accommodation for guests: round mud huts with a grass roof, with beds, sheets, blankets and musquito nets. There is a common bathroom for guests.