Discovering Durban!

Kate, one of our experienced Sports Tour Advisers, was lucky enough to visit Durban in South Africa last month. Here she tells us about her trip:

Why did you go to Durban?

British Airways have just launched their new direct route to Durban and so we wanted to explore what this area could offer for our school sports tours to South Africa. 

On my trip I visited a number of places in KwaZulu-Natal, including Durban itself, St. Lucia and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park. 

What were your impressions of Durban?

I thought this was a really lovely part of South Africa with everything you would expect from this diverse country, including wildlife, scenery, culture and fantastic sports with fanatical fans. 

What are the highlights of this destination?

You’ll have the opportunity to see the Big Five at the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park. Of course, you can’t come all the way to South Africa without trying to spot as many as you can!

And you can also take a hippo and crocodile cruise on the St. Lucia Estuary! This is a really enjoyable and relaxing cruise with tons of opportunities to spot hippos and crocs (although these are much harder to spot than the hippos, so you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled!). 

And trust me, these animals are definitely better seen from a boat – you don’t want to be in the water with hippos, crocs and even a few bull sharks!

The Emdoneni Cheetah Project is a great opportunity for students to learn about the behaviour and characteristics of some of Africa’s big cats up close and personal. 

The centre has ambassador animals, which are used for breeding, and the offspring are then released back into the wild – so by visiting you really are supporting a great cause. 

 And I would strongly recommend a visit to some of the local craft markets too – this is a fantastic opportunity to pick up some souvenirs and gifts for your super staff and families who’ve made the trip possible!

What about the accommodation?

You could stay in the Protea Hotel which is in a fantastic location in Umhlanga, just across the road from the main high street which is very safe and has plenty of popular restaurants and cafes. And the hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the beautiful beach. 

Or, if you fancy something a little more adventurous, why not go glamping in a safari tent at the Monzi Tented Camp. This offers all the comforts of a hotel, but with a zip-up door! This is a really nice way to experience tented accommodation without forsaking the hotel facilities. There’s a lovely pool and open braai area – and a good braai is an integral part of any school sports tour to South Africa, as it’s a great insight into the local culture. 

Why should we choose Durban for our next school sports tour?

It’s a great alternative for those who have toured South Africa before but are looking to experience something slightly different. And it’s equally good for first timers who want to do a twin centre tour with Cape Town!

The whole of South Africa has excellent opportunities for sports groups and Durban and the Kwa-Zulu Natal area is no different!

For further information on any of our school sports tours to South Africa, or to request your tailor-made quote, please don’t hesitate to contact us.