Back to work, back to the beach – the best of #BleisureTravel with KZN South Coast’s Top Conferencing and Team Building Facilities

Just because it’s back to work, doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! With its many Blue Flag Beaches, quality golf courses, extensive nature trails, and world-class facilities, the KZN South Coast is the ideal bleisure destination for all work events.

“In-person meetings, conferences and teambuilding events are back in full force this year, but rather than stagnating creativity by hosting events at the office, we’re encouraging businesses to get out and visit the ultimate MICE destination – the KZN South Coast,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “With our incredible natural resources and quality facilities, we’re placing a strong focus on bleisure tourism this year where guests can work hard and play hard. To better facilitate MICE events, we’ve put together a list of some of the top conferencing facilities and team building activities.”

KZN Team Building Facilities and Activities

1. Lake Eland Game Reserve in Oribi Gorge
There are a lot of teambuilding activities to choose from when heading to this KZN South Coast game reserve. Staff will connect while looking for wildlife on a self-drive game drive, or crossing the thrilling 80m suspension bridge or incredible zipline tour. There are also great trails for biking, hiking, or even horseback riding, as well as 4×4 tracks, fishing and picnic sites. Finish off with a fun game of competitive paintball!

2. Wild 5 Adventures in Oribi Gorge
For those who prefer something adrenaline-inducing, then Wild 5 Adventures is the ultimate rush! There’s the world’s highest gorge swing plummeting some 55 storeys into the gorge, freefalling at a speed of 120km per hour in 2.5 seconds. There’s also the 110m abseil, suspension bridge, ziplining, quad biking and paintball. The company arranges specific teambuilding adventures, depending on individual requirements.

3. Hiking and Biking Trails
Combine nature-based sports activities with teambuilding adventure at one of the many hiking and biking trails found throughout the KZN South Coast’s nature reserves and farmlands. Among these are the newly launched Umzumbe River Trail, a 70km hike from Mhlabatshane Dam with authentic homestays and cultural experiences. Another is the 8km Weza Hiking Trail which starts in the iKhwezi rural area, approximately 10km from Harding, and includes a walk to the beautiful Mkhoba Waterfall. The KwaNzimakwe Multi-Trails are also another great opportunity for hiking, biking, and 4×4 adventure.

4. KwaNzimakwe Experience
Enjoy the KZN South Coast while supporting rural tourism development in the beautiful village of KwaNzimakwe. This cultural excursion includes a village tour with a guided hike. During the day, there’s an opportunity to view locally made crafts; engage with a local sangoma; visit the organic garden and cattle Kraal; view the Shembe Church and community theatre; and stop by a local tavern.

5. Surfing, Diving, and Ocean Safaris
From Scottburgh to Port Edward there are 58 great beaches, with the KZN South Coast home to the highest number of Blue Flag Beaches in the province. There are great bleisure opportunities in the form of beachside teambuilding activities, or after-work seaside cocktails. The KZN South Coast also has two world-renowned diving sites at Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks – two of the three Marine Protected Areas found here, with Trafalgar adding to the great freediving and snorkelling sites. Charter boats are available for whale watching, deep-sea fishing, and diving.

6. Ntelezi Msani Heritage Site
Combine teambuilding and cultural discovery at this vibrant heritage centre that shares the region’s rich history and local customs through song, dance, talks, and art. This is a unique chance to learn more about the Zulu kingdom; discover the arts of stick fighting and crafting; learn about the ancient tradition of isivivane; and experience incredible local theatre. Because there’s no way to move forward, without understanding the past.

7. Kayaking in Scottburgh
There’s nothing quite as exciting as experiencing the KZN South Coast from the water. WILDED Paddleventures driven by Legend Kayaks offers guided nature paddles, paddling lessons and craft hire using the incredible variety of boats made by Legend Kayaks, including SUPs, single and double Kayaks, kids kayaks and the mighty Big Horn Canoe for the extra adventurous. Based at WILDED Adventure Hub on the KZN South Coast, the team takes visitors onto the ocean, up estuaries and down the rivers, as well as offering multi-day paddling expeditions.

KZN South Coast Conference Facilities

1. Blue Marlin Hotel in Scottburgh
Venue capacity for seating styles
Banquet: 80 people
Cinema: 100 people
Schoolroom: 90 people
U-shape: 60 people

2. Premier Resort Cutty Sark Hotel in Scottburgh
Venue capacity for seating styles
Banquet: 110 people
Cinema: 190 people
Schoolroom: 120 people
U-shape: 44 people

3. Selborne Park Golf Estate, Hotel & Spa in Pennington
Venue capacity for seating styles
Banquet: 120 people
Cinema: 140 people
Schoolroom: 90 people
U-shape: 30 people

4. Happy Wanderers Holiday Resort in Kelso
Venue capacity for seating styles
Cinema: 40 people
Schoolroom: 30 people
U-shape: 25 people

5. Pumula Beach Hotel in Umzumbe
Venue capacity for seating styles
Banquet: 90 people
Cinema: 120 people
Schoolroom: 100 people
U-shape: 70 people

6. Banana Beach Holiday Resort
Venue capacity for seating styles
Banquet: 90 people
Cinema: 150 people
Schoolroom: 100 people
U-shape: 70 people

7. Umthunzi Hotel & Conference in Umtentweni
Venue capacity for seating styles
Banquet: 80 people
Cinema: 125 people
Schoolroom: 80 people
U-shape: 80 people

8. Lake Eland Game Reserve in Oribi Gorge
Venue capacity for seating styles
Banquet: 30 people
Cinema: 30 people
Schoolroom: 30 people
U-shape: 30 people

9. ANEW Resort Ingeli Forest in Harding
Venue capacity for seating styles
Banquet: 180 people
Cinema: 200 people
Schoolroom: 180 people
U-shape: 100 people

10. St Michaels Sands Hotel
Venue capacity for seating styles
Cinema: 50 people
Schoolroom: 30 people
U-shape: 30 people

11. Margate Hotel
Venue capacity for seating styles
Banquet: 200 people
Cinema: 300 people
Schoolroom: 200 people
U-shape: 120 people

12. Margate Sands
Venue capacity for seating styles
Banquet: 50 people
Cinema: 70 people
Schoolroom: 40 people
U-shape: 40 people

13. San Lameer Resort Hotel and Spa
Venue capacity for seating styles
Banquet: 120 people
Cinema: 140 people
Schoolroom: 120 people
U-shape: 60 people

14. TO Strand Beach Resort in Leisure Bay
Venue capacity for seating styles
Cinema: 250 people
Schoolroom: 80 people
U-shape: 80 people

15. The Estuary Country Hotel in Port Edward
Venue capacity for seating styles
Cinema: 100 people
Schoolroom: 90 people
U-shape: 60 people

16. Wild Coast Sun in Port Edward
Venue capacity for seating styles
Banquet: 900 people
Cinema: 670 people
Schoolroom: 500 people
U-shape: 80 people

SCTIE launched the Meeting Planner Guide as a resource to assist corporates and conference organisers in accessing information for business conferences, meetings, teambuilding events, and accommodation requirements. To access the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide, visit www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za.

Enjoy your ‘board meetings’ in the surf – there’s just so much to ‘sea and do’ on the KZN South Coast! To find out more, simply download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple stores. Follow the hashtags #workhardplayhard #kznsouthcoast #extendyourstay #seakznsouthcoast #bleisure #bleisuretravel

To find out more about the KZN South Coast’s tourism offerings, download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple stores; visit the South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; Info Ugu South Coast Tourism on LinkedIn; the SCTIE website to check out the Events Calendar, the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide and more! And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases.

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