If you are a sports enthusiast and you are looking for a reason to book Kulula flights to Durban, you already have one! It’s sport! As it turns out, KZN is a Mecca for sports enthusiasts and draws in thousands of travellers year after year with its multiple sporting events. If you haven’t jetted off to Durban just for a bit of sporting fun yet, perhaps it’s time you did.
Let’s take a look at some of the sporting events in KZN that are worth booking your Kulula flights right now for:
The Dusi Canoe Marathon
The Dusi Canoe Marathon needs no real introduction to sporting buffs! If you haven’t heard of it before; it’s a 120km canoe race that runs along the Msunduzi and Mgeni Rivers, between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. The event is hosted over 3 days. The race, which was founded in 1951, is hosted in February/March each year and draws about 2000 paddlers and thousands of supporters.
Many of the paddlers and supporters stay in the area after the race to enjoy the friendly hospitality and tourism offerings. If you are feeling brave, enter the race! Otherwise, if you are providing motivational support from the side-lines, there’s still a lot for you to see and do in the area.
If you want to spend a bit of time in and around Durban after the Dusi, check out the following attractions:
- uShaka Marine World
- Durban Botanic Gardens
- Suncoast Casino
- Umgeni River Bird Park
- Victoria Street Market
- Mitchell Park Zoo
- Minitown
- Krantzkloof Gorge
The Midmar Mile
This is the world’s largest open-water swim, hosted in February each year since its inception in 1974. The Midmar Mile attracts thousands of swimmers and supporters to the Howick area annually. Many of the swimmers and their supporters stay in Howick or travel through to Durban, to enjoy a bit of KZN hospitality. If you want to explore Howick after the Midmar mile, you can plan to visit some of the following attractions:
- Howick Falls Waterfall
- Nelson Mandela Capture Site
- Midmar Nature Reserve
- Piggly Wiggly Country Village
- Highgate Wine Estate
The Comrades Marathon
This ultra-marathon stretches across a whopping 89km between Durban City Hall and Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg.
The very first Comrades Marathon took place in 1921 and has since become one of the world’s biggest marathons. The race has around 20 000 participants, and thousands of supporters too. Each year, the race changes direction. One year it will be an “up run” from Durban to Pietermaritzburg and the next it will be a “down run” from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
If you are participating in the event, you probably
won’t have the energy to do activities that are too physically demanding, but
there are a few places in both Durban and Pietermaritzburg where you will
thoroughly enjoy resting your weary legs.
Durban:
- Mangwanani Spa – Mangwanani Spa is situated at uShaka Marine world. Here you can enjoy a relaxing massage and much-needed pampering.
- Durban’s Beaches – Spend some time soaking up the sun on some of the best beaches including Ballito, North Beach, Umhlanga Rocks, and Addington Beach.
- Johnny’s Rottis in Sparks Road Durban. Here you can enjoy a well-earned feast of authentic Durban cuisine (situated in Sparks Road, Durban).
- Wilson’s Wharf -Wilson’s Wharf is great for an amble around and to enjoy the various bars, restaurants, and flea market (on weekends):
Pietermaritzburg: - Fordoun Hotel and Spa – At the Fordoun Hotel & Spa you can enjoy a relaxing massage and a delectable meal.
- Golden Horse Casino. There’s lots of fun to be had at Golden Horse Casino. You can enjoy a bit of gambling, wine and dine in the restaurants, or simply unwind with friends.
- KZN Museum – Here you can stroll through the museum looking at the natural and cultural history galleries, the Victorian street replica, and even a T-Rex display.
- Butterflies for Africa – At Butterflies for Africa, you can stroll through a beautifully created tropical enclosure complete with butterflies. Once you have done the tour, head to the nearby art gallery, have a bite to eat at the café, or browse through the gift shop.
Sani Stagger Endurance Race
The Sani Stagger starts and finishes at the Sani Pass Hotel and is held in November each year. It’s an extremely challenging run that climbs 1300m in 20km. There is a half marathon (21km) and marathon (42km) option. Only 550 participants are allowed in each race, so advance booking is essential.
The Sani Stagger draws hundreds of runners and supporters to the area each year. Whether you are a runner or a supporter, you will be close enough to enjoy the following attractions:
- Giant’s Cup Hiking Trail
- Sani Pass 4×4 and Mountain Bike Trails
- Hiking in McKenzies Caves
- Lotheni Hiking Trails
Book Kulula Flights & Enjoy All the Sporting Events in KZN
We have only touched on a few of the many sporting events that you can use as an excuse to book flights to Durban! For cyclists there’s the Amashova Durban Classic (October), the Bed and Bush (October) and the Karkloof classic in June. For those who prefer to keep two feet firmly on the ground; Giant’s Cup trail Run (May), The Oxpecker and the East Coast Radio Big Walk (May).
With affordable Kulula flights flying several routes to KZN from almost every city in South Africa, there’s no reason to miss out on any of these events. Use our flight search feature to search, compare, and securely pay for your next sports related getaway to KZN.