RISE with OUR ZULU KINGDOM KWAZULU-NATAL INCENTIVE FACT BOOK Durban – Kwazulu-Natal KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE
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RISE WITH OUR ZULU KINGDOM KWAZULU-NATAL INCENTIVE FACT BOOK Durban – KwaZulu-Natal KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE KwaZulu-Natal is known as the Zulu Kingdom and is a fantastic incentive destination for a number of reasons. Durban is a thriving port city with a multi- cultural population and world- class facilities, not to mention superb beaches. When it comes to activities and attractions, there are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the province – the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park and iSimangaliso Wetland Park - in addition to the Big Five wildlife reserves along the Elephant Coast. When it comes to cultural heritage, great Zulu Kings and chiefs are part of the province’s history, as is the great humanitarian, Mahatma Gandhi, and those who fought on the battlefields of KwaZulu- Natal. In the great outdoors, the mix of beaches, mountains and urban life is a winning formula. Combine all of the above with more than 300 days of sunshine a year and you have one of the country’s best incentive, leisure and adventure destinations. 1 Cathedral Peak – KwaZulu-Natal 2 KEY ATTRACTIONS AND INSPIRING ACTIVITIES: • Dine with the sea creatures at uShaka • The Battlefields Route boasts the Marine World, the fifth-largest largest concentration of significant marine park in the world. You can battle- and war-related sites, book an exclusive dinner in the with 82 battlefields, museums, facility’s aquarium for a unique dining old fortifications and places of experience. rememberance – more than anywhere else in South Africa. • Take a sundowner cruise on the St Lucia Estuary, which forms part of • Experience the Big Five up close the iSimangaliso Wetland Park - a and personal at a number of game UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting reserves, including Hluhluwe-iMfolozi a wide diversity of flora and fauna for National Park. Or take a safari drive visitors to explore and enjoy. with the ‘chameleon whisperer’ when visiting iSimangaliso Wetland Park. • Take a rock-art tour in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park - a • Take an excursion down the South UNESCO World Heritage Site with Coast for a day of adventure – dive exceptional natural beauty and an the Aliwal Shoal, bungee jump at estimated 40 000 San paintings Oribi Gorge and take a turn at the spread across hundreds of different Lake Eland Zip Lines (the longest zip- sites. line tour in Africa). • Walk in the footsteps of Mahatma • Shop up a storm in Durban – there Gandhi at the Phoenix Settlement is the Gateway Shopping Centre in in Inanda, where he lived with his Umhlanga (the biggest mall in the family for some years. This is part southern hemisphere) or the Victoria of the Inanda Heritage Route, and Street Market – or both. an integral part of KwaZulu-Natal’s history. • Zululand is an unspoilt haven offering everything from traditional Zulu village experiences to spectacular Big Five game-viewing opportunities in numerous private and provincial game reserves. 3 Durban Beach Front 4 KWAZULU-NATAL: DURBAN Rise with our Zulu Kingdom • Middle East: Abu Dhabi, Dubai • North America: New York, Atlanta, South Africa’s second largest city, Durban, Washington DC is the country’s most popular leisure • South America: Buenos Aires, Sao destination and for good reason. With a Paolo fantastic climate, excellent beaches, first- • Asia: Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, world infrastructure and a vibrant and Mumbai, Singapore multi-cultural population, Durban is the • Australia: Perth, Sydney place to be. Incentive travellers will be • Africa: all major cities drawn to the heady mix that is this port city – vibrant urban offerings combined Where to stay with a wealth of outdoor and adventure activities make for a destination of There are more than 5 929 graded choice. Within easy reach of the city there establishments in Durban (and nearby are game reserves, iconic mountains, surrounds) to choose from – all offering two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and top quality accommodation. The incredible cultural attractions. Durban is Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel, an exciting hub of creativity and is one of the Hilton and the Sun Coast Casino are South Africa’s fastest growing cities, which all popular choices for groups. continues to wow travellers from around the world – whether they are visiting for If you’re looking for something a little business or pleasure. different from the norm when it comes to incentive travellers, there are some Accessibility wonderful golfing and lifestyle estates in the Drakensberg, such as the Champagne Durban is easily accessible through King Sports Resort. Or how about staying Shaka International Airport, with direct in traditional Zulu beehive huts at flights to and from Dubai in the Middle Shakaland in the heart of Zululand? There East. are some wonderful game lodges along Other cities served via short 60-minute the coastline and a few choice places connecting flight from O.R. Tambo to stay overlooking the KwaZulu-Natal International Airport in Johannesburg battlefields. (the largest airport in Africa) include: • Europe: Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Munich, Paris, Zurich 5 Oyster Box Hotel – Umhlanga Rocks 6 Venues with a difference • Visit Moyo’s restaurant in Durban and enjoy delicious cocktails and The obvious choice for conferences/ sundowners at the pier bar that meetings and conventions in Durban is stretches into the ocean, giving one the Durban International Convention perfect views of the Durban coastline. Centre – a venue that has won a string • Take a helicopter flip over the of local and international awards for Drakensberg mountains, landing for a excellence. However, if you are looking glass or two of bubbly and snacks (and for something a little different for your to take photographs). Follow this with incentive group, consider the following: a visit to the Kwa Cheetah Sanctuary. • The iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium • The grand arch of the Moses Mabhida is an architectural masterpiece of Stadium is 350 metres long and 106 note and a multi-purpose venue that metres high. Take a hi-tech sky car to can host anything from large to small the top and see the incredible views events, exhibitions and extravaganzas, at its peak. Your incentive visitors can team-building days, gala dinners and always tackle the Big Rush Big Swing launches. if they so desire, or simply organise a • AmmaZulu African Palace is situated champagne breakfast and enjoy the on the edge of the Kloof Gorge and view. Krantzkloof Nature Reserve. It is a luxury • Half an hour inland from the city, the lodge with unique architecture and Valley of a Thousand Hills promises a decidedly African artifacts and décor. taste of African culture, while further • Shakaland outside Eshowe is a into the countryside, the Midlands phenomenal venue that can host up Meander features about 150 art-and- to 90 delegates. Dining in the Shisa craft outlets for city-dwellers in search Nyama restaurant is a highlight – the of fresh air and homemade fare. restaurant is made up of two authentic • The South Coast has a number of Zulu-style beehive domes and dishes adventure options, from visiting the are inspired by Zulu culture. Oribi Gorge, to diving with tiger sharks • Audacia Manor Boutique Hotel is a at the Aliwal Shoal, to abseiling and beautifully restored colonial mansion wild-water rafting. that overlooks the city and the ocean • A bicycle tour of Durban’s Golden Mile in Berea – ideal for smaller, stylish and Umgeni Bird Park is an option for functions. those wanting a soft adventure. • Visitors can inspect the shark nets with Exceptional incentive activities: the Sharks Board based in Umhlanga, as well as enjoy a visit to this incredible From Durban, there are numerous research and rescue facility on the incentive activities and experiences on North Coast. offer: • No trip to KwaZulu-Natal is complete • Take a city cultural tour that includes without visiting one of the game a visit to the famous Victoria Street reserves along the Elephant Coast. Market, the Juma Masjid Mosque The province has some of the best (the largest mosque in the southern game-viewing in the country and there hemisphere) and past the Hare Krishna are numerous top-class lodges in the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple of region to facilitate an unbeatable safari Understanding in Chatsworth. experience. 7 Phinda Game Reserve – KwaZulu-Natal 8 9 Durban – KwaZulu-Natal THE TIME TO RISE IS NOW. JOIN US. For destination expertise and convention planning support, contact the South Africa National Convention Bureau. T: +27 11 895 3000 E: [email protected] W: www.businessevents.southafrica.net.