PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Attention
02 September 2022

 

Growth of rural tourism on the KZN South Coast has created an agri-tourism boom

 

A core mandate of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) is the development of tourism and investment opportunities in the region’s hinterland. The launch of the Agri-CULTURE Tours not only meets this mandate but has fast established the KZN South Coast as an attractive agritourism destination offering a host of family-friendly adventures.

 

“The year-round warm climate and nutrient-rich soil have seen the KZN South Coast’s agricultural sector become dominant within the country, and we realised that this area is ripe for further economic opportunities,” commented Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “As an organisation tasked with unlocking the region’s tourism and investment potential, we worked with our existing farming communities to create an attractive tourism product – the Agri-CULTURE Tours. Since launching earlier this year, the tours have already grown in success, with visitors enjoying the diverse activities and unique experience found in our farmlands.”

 

The well-established BBS Farm in Southport forms part of the tour route, with this women-owned farm highlighting the potential for investment in female entrepreneurs. Started by agricultural graduates, Busisiwe Lubanya, Silindile Zondi and Bongi Lushaba, BBS Farms is not only an international supplier of quality produce, they also host visitors for farm tours, meals and great fishing.

 

Sisters Nelly and Nolwazi from the Zama family are also proving the important role women are playing in agritourism, having helped establish Ubumbano Farm in Amandawe in 2017. This co-operative turned commercial farming venture now welcomes tourists looking to learn more about farming techniques or wanting to sample their homemade, farmstall goods.

 

For coffee lovers, the KZN South Coast’s Agri-CULTURE Tours have two incredible offerings – Beaver Creek Coffee Estate in Port Edward and Mpenjati Coffee in Munster. Beaver Creek, which is the southernmost coffee estate in the world, has grown over three generations with a fantastic Crop to Cup tour and delicious foods. There are also well-established biking trails in the farmlands. A newer addition is Mpenjati Coffee which was established by Leigh and Des Wichmann who started farming coffee almost five years ago. The couple has started brewing some of the region’s best coffee blends with visitors welcome to enjoy farm tours and coffee tastings.

 

Children are also well catered for on the Agri-CULTURE Tours with many characters to meet at the Animal Farm at B’s Guesthouse in Harding. Emus, rabbits and pigs are all waiting to meet new people, while parents enjoy a farm-to-fork fresh meal at the restaurant or drink at the bar. Visitors will enjoy the fully stocked dam for fishing and a hike through the macadamia trees. There’s also no end of child-friendly activities at Mac Banana in Munster. Some of the more than 20 adventures to enjoy include quad biking, archery, paintball, adventure golf, and a rope adventure park with an obstacle course and zipline. Delicious food is also served at the four on-site restaurants.

 

There are unlimited opportunities for agritourism on the KZN South Coast, with plans for new initiatives already underway. Watch this space!

 

To find out more about the KZN South Coast’s agri-tourism offerings, download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple stores; visit the ‘South Coast Tourism’ on Facebook or YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; ‘Info Ugu South Coast Tourism’ on LinkedIn; www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za to check out the Events Calendar, the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide and more!

 

To access previous SCTIE press releases, visit: https://www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za/category/press-release/

 

/ENDS

 

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High resolution images are available upon request.
(Images: Supplied by SCTIE)

Ubumbano Farm.

Mac Banana.

Beaver Creek Coffee Estate.

BBS Farm.

About KZN South Coast

Known as the ‘Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom’, the KZN South Coast stretches 120 kilometres from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland to Harding. Here, the spirit of adventure can be discovered among the many cultural experiences, as well as the 35 nature trails and 58 beaches, ideal for activities like river rafting, abseiling, suspension bridges, paintball, surfing, SUP, canoeing, beach horse rides, shark cage diving and free diving. Nicknamed ‘The Golf Coast’, there are 11 golf courses on the KZN South Coast ranging in difficulty, with endless hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails for more rugged excursions. Promoting sustainability, the KZN South Coast has a growing agri-tourism sector that offers world-class produce and hosts tours and excursions. The region boasts a number of permanently managed Blue Flag beaches, and is home to some of the world’s top diving sites, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. The originality continues with the annual Sardine Run, coined the #GreatestShoalonEarth, which is the largest biomass migration on earth and a marvel to witness. The region’s many nature reserves are inhabited by indigenous bird and wildlife, and it holds the title for ‘smallest desert on earth’, The Red Desert in Port Edward. The KZN South Coast is a fast-emerging MICE destination which also plays host to a number of high-profile events including the The Bike Fest, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu Jazz, Ugu Film Festival and the South Coast Fever MTB & Trail Run Series.

Issued on behalf of:

South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE)

Disseminated by:
Olivia Jones Communications

For more information please contact:
Olivia Jones Communications
Cell: 083 653 1720
Email: media@oliviajones.co.za