Janine Kelso joins travel agents on a fam trip to one of the country’s lesser-known regions, courtesy of South African Airways and Tourism KwaZulu-Natal
Eating exotic meats, zebra spotting and visiting a traditional healer were just some of the highlights experienced by tour operators and travel agents on a superfam to South Africa last week.
Over 40 people from the travel industry went on the fam which took place just before Indaba in Durban, and was organised by South African Airways and Tourism KwaZulu-Natal.
Travel Weekly was lucky enough to join one of the five groups who explored different sights in the region.
Most UK tourists who visit South Africa tend to head to Cape Town and the Garden route or Kruger National Park to see the Big Five.
But the idea of this trip was to increase awareness of the east of the region – described by our guide as ‘the real Africa.’ Blessed with beaches, bush, the Drakensberg Mountains and a tropical climate, it has plenty to offer.
Steeped in Zulu tradition, we started off learning about the tribal traditions in Shakaland, a resort where you can stay while experiencing Zulu culture.
Described by some as Zulu Disneyland, everyone who works there is trussed up in traditional Zulu costume. It might sound cheesy but everyone enjoyed the displays of spear throwing and the Zulu dancing and drumming.
We spent the next night at Pakamisa Paradise lodge where we were treated to sundowners high up on the mountain before a delicious dinner.
The following morning, some of the group went horseriding while the others went on a game drive, spotting zebra, giraffes, wildebeest, monkeys, warthogs and ostrich. We later ate ostrich for dinner – delicious.
Other highlights included a stay at Isandlwana lodge which sits atop a hilltop overlooking the valley where the Brits fought the Zulus in 1879. A historian talked us through the battle where the Brits lost miserably to the Zulus who deployed clever tactics to help them triumph.
In the evening, the lodge owner arranged for a Sangoma – a traditional healer – to visit us. Most local people visit the Sangoma rather than a doctor when they fall ill.
He is also the man to see if someone is stealing from you, as he can create the illusion of snakes surrounding the house – scaring off the thief. Spooky stuff…
We spent the last few days of the trip in Durban where Indaba took place. Durban is a melting pot of cultures with a large Indian population. This is where the region’s famous ‘Bunny Chow’ meal originates – half a loaf of bread containing a very spicy curry.
Whilst shopping in the city, there were lots of shops selling spices with imaginative labels, such as ‘Mother in Law’ – a particularly hot spice apparently.
Durban is not a particularly safe city, however, and we were warned not to walk the streets at night. The group agreed that Durban not really worth visiting – most tourists should skip the city and take an immediate transfer to the region’s other sights.
Some operators felt it would be difficult to encourage tourists to visit this region as most people who take a big trip to Africa want to go to Kruger or Cape Town.
But others thought seasoned travellers to South Africa who had already ‘done’ Kruger and Cape Town would enjoy seeing an area with such a fascinating history and tradition.
There used to be safety and security concerns about travelling within the region but things have improved and operators are starting to introduce the area back into their programmes.
