KwaZulu-Natal Visit part 1 of 3

Through my completion of an online training course I was fortunate enough to be invited on an educational trip to KwaZulu-Natal. The journey started at London Heathrow where I was checked in for our overnight flight to Johannesburg and then onward to Durban. The South African Airways flight was great with a lovely meal and attentive flight attendants – a big plus is the on-board entertainment system where you can watch movies and TV programmes and listen to music when you want to. After clearing customs in Jo’burg it was a quick transfer for the short flight to Durban arriving at the brand new King Shaka International Airport near Durban. This airport was only opened in May 2010. Following a nice lunch in one of the outside cafes at the airport we were soon off on our adventure in KwaZulu-Natal. After a two hour journey through some lovely countryside we arrived at the Protea Shakaland Hotel where we would be taking part in a Zulu cultural experience. This hotel is quite unique as it was originally built as a movie set for the TV mini-series about the famous Zulu King Shaka. It was then developed as a cultural centre for passing on Zulu traditions and a hotel. The bedrooms are all in the shape of traditional Zulu rondavels, but have all modern mod-cons. We were then shown round the village learning much of the Zulu culture and their proud traditions, it was a brilliant experience as we were all encouraged to try things ourselves and everything was done with such good humour and fun. Then later that evening we were walked back into the main Zulu kraal accompanied by the whole village singing alongside it was an amazing experience followed by dance demonstrations which were so energetic it was tiring just watching them. The audience was also encouraged to join in (some needed no encouragement) and a great fun night was had by everyone. After all the dancing dinner was served and once the Zulu chief pronounced the food was good enough to eat we all tucked in. The meals in the hotel are a buffet arrangement with a good choice of local and international dishes. The following morning after breakfast we continued with the cultural programme and learned about Zulu courtship, how their weapons were made and even visited the medicine man. Demonstrations were also given on how to fight as well as spear throwing, both of which were great fun. All too quickly we were then on our way to Umkhumbi Lodge near Hluhluwe (its pronounced shoosh-looey) which was three hours away. On the way to Umkhumbi we passed a great roadside market where crafts and fresh fruit and produce were for sale – the fresh pineapples and mangoes were extremely cheap and great to eat there and then. Finally we arrived at Umkhumbi Lodge, where we quickly changed in our super rooms and met at the bar for ‘sun downers’. The lodge has twelve twin room suites and is located in its own game reserve with animals such Nyala and Red Duiker (from which the lodge takes its name). The west facing bar deck is just one of the best places to watch the sun set into the bush, an amazing place with superb hosts. The meals here as well were so memorable and it’s a place where everyone just mucks in and the craic is superb. After a great dinner and a few drinks it was an early night to prepare for the first of our animal encounters…………………………..