KWAZULU-NATAL Incentive Guide and Catalogue The Zulu Kingdom World’s best kept secret A place of discovery, and a business events destination never to be forgotten P O Box 2516, Durban, 4000, South Africa tel: +27 31 366 7577/80 email: [email protected] CONTENTS CONTENTS 2 Letters of support ONCE IN A LIFetime – DURBAN TO DRAKENSBERG – the ultimate KwaZulu-Natal incentive programme KwaZulu-Natal South Coast – a gem in the making 3 can be found within this catalogue 7 KwaZulu-Natal – a hub of activities FOREWORD waZulu-Natal is rich in its diversity We are also proud of our “beach of people and experiences. The culture” that is influenced by a range Kprovince has “something” which of world-class beaches, internationally- offers visitors leisure, cultural and action recognised surf spots and shark diving adventures ranging from the bush, the reefs. These can be experienced just to berg, the battlefields, the beaches to the the north and south of Durban at sites “Big Five” wildlife. such as “Aliwal Shoal”. Styled as the Zulu Kingdom, KwaZulu- This scuba diving site is regarded Natal has incentive activities which are as one of the top 10 shark diving varied and numerous, in the setting experiences in the world. of magnificent vistas and modern Close by is the famous Oriba Gorge, facilities, and conducted by operators which includes one of the third most of the highest standard who are able to significant “bungi swings” on the globe. create itineraries to suit a wide variety of James Seymour These Durban experiences can also requirements. be weaved into a second incentive It’s a kingdom where the “Spirit of of such a programme includes a programme which includes the Summer” flourishes all year round. “helicopter flip” over some of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World KwaZulu-Natal is one of South Africa’s highest peaks at the top of the Heritage sites, game reserves such as most important tourism provinces and “Berg” which includes sipping a glass Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, South Africa’s oldest is an area renowned for its conservation of champagne at the edge of the game reserve where the white rhino was efforts, natural attractions, pre-historic mountain’s escarpment. saved from extinction; and and historical sites. The Durban component of this Tembe Elephant Park, which reportedly Two excellent examples of incentive programme can include a visit to the has the biggest elephant in Africa. programmes which this province can Inanda Heritage Route. This includes a Some of Africa’s finest private game offer are, firstly, an itinerary that includes visit to Mahatma Gandhi’s Ashram in reserves, such as Phinda and Thanda, some of the excellent 4- to 5-star hotels Phoenix, This route also includes the can be used as excellent bases to of Durban with some of Africa’s best Ohlange Educational Institute and home savour these experiences and other spas on the Midlands Meander and the of Rev John Dube, the first president of experiences such as turtle spotting, uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park. the African National Congress. whale watching and diving the reefs off The Drakensberg mountains are This is the site where Nelson Mandela Sodwana Bay. renowned for rock art evidence of the cast his first vote and went on to report, Sodwana Bay’s reefs are the early San people or Bushmen, and to Rev Dube at his gravesite, which southernmost coral reefs of Africa and this was one of the reasons why it was is also found in the grounds of this one of the world’s top 10 diving sites. declared a World Heritage site. It is also Institute that “we are finally free”. This This rich heritage and tourism regarded as one of the world’s most symbolically also represented the end of environment will assist in ensuring your important examples of an erosional former President Mandela’s “long walk to incentive delegates not only have a rich, mountain. freedom”. meaningful incentive, but an experience Some of KwaZulu-Natal’s most Another fascinating element of such which will extend their knowledge of, fascinating historical sites are the a programme could be a visit to the and broader understanding of, this battlefields of Blood River, Isandlwana, Victoria Street market and the Warwick region and its diverse resources. Rorke’s Drift, Talana, Colenso and Triangle markets. This is a rich example Yours in business tourism. Spionkop. These are all found in close of business practices of the biggest vicinity that this magnificent mountain Indian population concentrations outside James Seymour range. mainland India, to the arts and crafts of CEO: Durban KwaZulu-Natal One of the most exciting elements the famous Zulu people. Convention Bureau KwaZulu-Natal Incentive Guide and Catalogue -Supplement to Business Events Africa 1 KwaZulu-Natal ... delivering life-changing incentive trips From its mountains, rolling hills and Game and nature reserves, unspoilt pristine beaches to World Heritage beaches and the iSimangaliso Wetland sites and a perennially warm climate, Park dominate the Elephant Coast KwaZulu-Natal is always ready to north of the port city of Durban, while welcome incentive participants. the Sapphire and Hibiscus coasts Add to that its bushveld reserves to the south comprise small holiday to the north, historic battlefields and towns, holiday accommodation and the dramatic Drakensberg mountains, numerous Blue Flag beaches. LETTERS OF SUPPORT and you can see why it’s popular with Culturally speaking, KwaZulu-Natal incentives. is a mix of Zulu, Indian and colonial South Africa’s self-styled playground influences, with each heritage reflected province is home to two World in historical and cultural trails, Heritage sites: the iSimangaliso architecture, township cuisine and Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo Wetland Park and the uKhahlamba- Durban’s fine Indian curries. Drakensberg Park. This 332 000ha So, whatever it is you are looking outh Africa’s third-smallest wetland park features three lake for, Durban and KwaZulu-Natal will province, KwaZulu-Natal, has systems, eight eco-systems, swamp always be in a position to deliver life- Sa wealth of scenic and cultural forests, pristine reefs, Africa’s largest changing incentive trips. We extend attractions that include the country’s estuarine system, more than 500 bird a warm welcome to our beautiful most popular beaches lying to the species and some of the highest sand country, and look forward to seeing south and north of Durban. dunes in the world. you soon. n KZN has beach, bush and berg recently had a meeting with a few key of unique experiences for all types of personal; you can get to swim with a players in the MICE tourism sector in MICE groups and events. Game lodge whale shark; you can swoosh over the I KwaZulu-Natal and I was pleasantly offerings have expanded over recent highest zipline in the world … I need surprised by the enthusiasm among them. years and can accommodate from another page to write about that. KwaZulu-Natal really needs more tight budgets right up to superb luxury The Durban International Convention credit than what is currently given by experiences. Centre attracts many and massive industry peers. New hotels and venues have events into the region, having excellent We, as DMCs all know that incentive mushroomed and old ones renovated capacity with many surrounding hotels groups focus on the “sea and safari” back to former glory. and venues to support smaller events. combo, which inevitably includes a There certainly is no lack of historical Great news is that hotel and lodge private lodge safari experience in the experiences. Dating back more than operations, DMCs and tour operators north and Cape Town in the south. 200 years, the Zulu Kingdom is firmly set are starting to work together with the Well, guess what? KwaZulu-Natal in the history books. Durban-KwaZulu-Natal Convention has safari, sea and mountains While Then we had the Anglo Boer War Bureau to help give the region the most incentive groups might go for towards the end of the 19th Century, recognition it deserves. n the classic South African programme with the Battlefields making for some on a first round, there is no reason why interesting discoveries. No visit to they shouldn’t consider a second trip to Durban would be complete without South Africa, but into a different region a smattering of civil rights activist with completely different offerings. Mahatma Ghandi, not to mention a Local Site member, Bradley Glen taste of real Durban curry. of Inside Edge, related an amazing From an adventure angle, it is programme they had recently run for “Adrenaline Junkie Paradise”, along an international incentive group. This with many athletic events taking place in included a combination of luxury the province each year. accommodation in Umhlanga and Disciplines include the Comrades Phinda Game Reserve, three hours north Marathon, regular international surfing of Durban. contests, the Dusi Canoe marathon and The activities were “once-in-a- the Midmar Mile swimming contest, to lifetime” and included a private beach mention but a few. day and swimming with whale sharks. In addition, they have sharks … Tes Proos KwaZulu-Natal offers a vast array yes, you can meet them up-close-and- 2 KwaZulu-Natal Incentive Guide and Catalogue -Supplement to Business Events Africa T HINGS TO DO IN KZ N KwaZulu-Natal South Coast – a gem in the making By Tes Proos, Site Southern Africa president • Deep sea charters, shoreline fishing, inland dam fishing • Home to 2 of the top 10 dives sites in the world t has been years since I visited the South Coast of Kwa Zulu • Hosts national and international sporting events – Natal. Once upon a time it was the hub of South African infrastructure available Iholiday makers and fell out of favour for a number of years.