talking shop Kwazulu-Natal hosts twin fams
ON LOCATION
T
ourism KwaZulu-Natal recently ran two fam trips in conjunction with South African Airlines to
give agents an insight into the key attractions of its destination. The fi rst focused on the famous battlefi elds, the bush attractions and the beaches and took in the Docklands Hotel in Durban, Isandlwana Lodge in the Battlefi elds, Amakhosi Game Reserve, Ghost Mountain Inn in Zululand and Beverly Hills Hotel in Umhlanga. The second trip covered the Berg in addition to the battlefi elds and beaches and took in Southern Sun Elangeni in Durban, Cathedral Peak in the Drakensberg Mountains, Fugitives Drift Guest House in the Battlefi elds, Nambiti Game Reserve and the Beverly Hills Hotel in Umhlanga. Pictured at Nambiti Game Reserve
(left to right) are Anna Glenn, Travel Counsellors; Wendy Baker, Africa Collection; Kevin Bradshaw, Beyond The Baseline, Natalie de la Porte, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal; Billur Owen,
Crusader Travel and Jim Zambrano, Scout London. Commenting on the trip Louise
Dean, of Defi nitive Africa, said: “This is a stunning province steeped with history, culture, great wildlife and beautiful beach properties which provide the perfect end to a trip!” Jarrod Kyte, of Steppes Travel,
agreed and added: “While the Cape is the poster boy for South African tourism, KwaZulu-Natal is the more gritty and altogether more African face of the destination." He compares The Cape’s Garden
Route, renowned for its scenic beauty, with KZN’s Midlands Meander and said: “You may be forgiven for thinking this sounds more like a wrong turn on the Spaghetti Junction than a tourist attraction, but don't be put off by the name. This spectacular stretch of road through KZN's heartland twists and turns in the shadows of the Drakensberg mountains and not only offers beautiful wilderness but is also home to a variety of artisans – leather workers, wood craftsmen, cheesemakers and beer brewers.” Continuing with the comparisons
Images: KwaZulu-Natal is packed with historic interest and stunning views as discovered by the agents on tour
56 January 2013 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
he concluded that the perception of Durban is as the under-achieving
cousin when held alongside Cape Town was unfair. He said: “There are few cities in Africa that can hold a torch to Cape Town's location, style and chic but what Durban has is an affability that its more fashionable cousin cannot match. With Durban
“The Cape is the poster boy for South Africa but KwaZulu- Natal is the more gritty and altogether more African face of the destination"
you get an unconditional welcome – a shake of the hand and come on in and help yourself to a cold one in the fridge. There's no sidewards glance, looking for a designer label and scant attention paid to whether you prefer a Castle Lager or a chilled Chenin Blanc. Durban is Melbourne to Cape Town's Sydney – it feels more
lived in and more lovable for it.” He rated Durban for its curries (it has the largest diaspora of Indians in the world), the house of John Dube where Nelson Mandela cast his vote in the historic 1994 elections, and cycling the length of Durban's promenade as among his memorable trip highlights. The battlefi elds section of the trip helped agents get the inside story of the Anglo-Zulu heritage of this area thanks to an ex-Highlander guide who served in Kenya. He explained the enormity of the loss and the terrifying hostility and utter futility of the battles. The Zulu victory at Isandlwana
provides a tale of incredible bravery and tactical acumen among the chiefs which was hard to conceive later as the group looked down from Isandlwana Lodge’s verandah on a view that is now benign and bucolic. He concluded: “My week in
KwaZulu- Natal was a wonderful reminder that South Africa is more than just winelands and the Garden Route. For the real beating heart of South Africa, visit KwaZulu-Natal where the hospitality is on a par with the Cape and the experiences exhilarating, fun and profound.”
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