Township and rural travel has taken off in a big way- especially in KwaZulu-Natal.
One of the major rural and township drivers in the province is WowZulu, a subsidiary of Africa Ignite, a non-profit rural organisation that supports rural women, youth and emerging entrepreneurs.
WowZulu operates in seven tourist destinations across KwaZulu-Natal. These include Isandlwana in the KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields, Khula Village outside St Lucia in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Inanda Valley, eMazizini in northern Drakensberg and Ugu on the South Coast.
Some of the bespoke experiences include a village walk and tracker ride up the mountains at eMazizini and a tour where a sangoma consults with bees in South Coast.
Briony Smith of WowZulu said the tours was a platform for the rural community to showcase their various crafts to visitors.
She said their goal was to create sustainable income and business opportunities for hundreds of craft producers and previously excluded community tourism enterprises.
“WowZulu first established marketplaces on the outskirts of tourist attractions in the province, including Inanda and the South Coast.
“Our team supports the development of these enterprises through sustained training and mentoring, as well as strong international and national marketing and sales support,” said Smith.
It also brought about many economic benefits.
“It allows the community to generate a sustainable income and exposes visitors to authentic experiences in KwaZulu-Natal.”
The organisation will partner with KwaZamokuhle Cultural Lodge in Drakensberg, which officially launch the rural accommodation establishment next week.
They will launch their ‘On Tour with….’ series on September 24. The tour will expose travellers to areas in Durban that weren't tourist destinations.
Comedian Carvin Goldstone will be the first personality to showcase his hometown of Newlands East.
Smith said there were plans to roll out the series nationally.
For further information on WowZulu, visit here.