- Overview
- Tour
- Hotels
In July 2024 Ireland will be travelling to South Africa to take on the reigning World Champions in a two test match series and Black Opal Travel will be there.
The 1st Match will be played at Loftus Versveld, Pretoria, home to the Vodacom Blue Bulls and one of South Africa’s oldest and most iconic rugby stadiums.
In between matches we will explore the fascinating province of KwaZulu Natal. We will visit the Battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, the latter of which was depicted in the epic 1964 movie Zulu. We then travel northwards to the Hluhluwe Game Reserve which is the oldest proclaimed reserve in Southern Africa and home to the Big 5.
Our tour finishes in Durban where the 2nd Match will be played at the ABSA Stadium, traditionally known as Kings Park Stadium, which with it’s steep stands and 52,000 capacity is one of the country’s most imposing stadiums.
As with all Black Opal Tours we can prepare a bespoke itinerary to suit, you can choose to extend before or after and visit different parts of this fascinating and vast country. Our experienced team will be happy to discuss possibilities with.
Should you wish to visit elsewhere in South Africa before or after our hosted tour, our team will be delighted to assist with a bespoke itinerary.
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Overnight flight from London Heathrow to Johannesburg in Economy Class.
Regional departures and flight upgrades available for a supplement
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On arrival in Johannesburg you will be met as you disembark the aircraft and assisted through arrival formalities and onwards to your private transfer vehicle
Spend 2- Nights at African Pride Melrose Arch in a Standard Double Room including breakfast.
Chic and quintessentially South African, African Pride Melrose Arch, is a well-located, boutique hotel. Rooms feature exposed brick and bold prints which accentuate the contemporary design of rooms and suites.
This evening join your fellow travellers for welcome drinks.
Accommodation: African Pride Melrose Arch Autograph Collection
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Today we travel to Loftus Versveld Stadium for Irelands first match against the reigning world champions.
Depending on kick-off time we will enjoy lunch ahead of the match or dinner following the match.
Roundtrip stadium transfers are included.
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After breakfast we will travel by road to Isandlwana. The journey time is around 5-hours and we will arrive at the lodge mid-afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Spend 2-Nights at Isandlwana Lodge in a Double Room including breakfast, lunch & dinner
Nestled into the rugged folds of the dramatic Nyoni Rock, Isandlwana Lodge enjoys sweeping vistas of a rural African landscape and a birds-eye view of the famous Isandlwana battlefield of 1879.
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Today enjoy the full day visiting both the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift
Battle of Isandlwana
A short drive from the lodge, the Isandlwana battlefield pays tribute to the 1879 clash of the British regiment and Zulu impi. Serving as a burial site for the fallen and a memorial of historic events, the Isandlwana battlefield tour offers an unbiased, respectful glimpse into the first major battle that marked the beginning of the Anglo-Zulu war.
Defence of Rorke’s Drift Tour
In the aftermath of Isandlwana, a Zulu impi marched on to engage in further battle at Rorke’s Drift. A guided half-day tour takes guests on a short, scenic drive to the exact location where an estimated 150 British soldiers successfully defended the Rorke’s Drift garrison against more than 3,500 Zulu warriors.
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This morning after breakfast our journey across KwaZulu Natal continues as we travel northwards by road to Hluhluwe.
Spend 3-Nights at Tanda Tented Camp in a Luxury Tent including all meals, drinks & game activities.
Thanda Tented Camp epitomises the classic African safari, with fifteen deluxe safari tents in an evocative wilderness environment, complemented with flickering firelight and lanterns illuminating the path at night.
During your stay at Thanda including you can enjoy the many activities available which include game drives, bush walks, rhino and cheetah tracking. You will also have the oppurtunity to immerse yourself in the local culture with a visit to a traditional Zulu homestead and village.
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After breakfast we travel by road to the province’s capital Durban and our final stop on our South African journey.
Spend 2-Nights at Teremok Lodge & Spa in a Double Room including breakfast
Along the tropical belt of KwaZulu-Natal, nestled amongst the palm and giant milkwood trees lies Teremok Lodge & Spa, a luxurious five-star boutique lodge.
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Today we will attend the 2nd match of Irelands South Africa tour at ABSA Stadium, known traditionally as Kings Park Stadium.
Depending on kick-off time we will enjoy lunch ahead of the match or dinner following the match. Roundtrip stadium transfers are included.
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This afternoon transfer to Durban airport in time for your return flight overnight to London Heathrow in Economy Class.
TOUR PRICE
From £5,495 per person based on double occupancy accommodation.
Single supplement from £500TOUR INCLUSIONS
- International flights in Economy Class with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul. Please contact us for supplements to upgrade to Business class or for regional departures
- Private transfer on arrival including VIP Meet & Greet on arrival in Johannesburg
- All other transfers on a shared basis
- 2-nights accommodation at African Pride Melrose Arch, Bed & Breakfast
- 2-nights accommodation at Isandlwana Lodge, Full Board
- 3-nights accommodation at Tanda Tented Camp, Full Board, Drinks and Game Activities
- 2-nights accommodation at Teremok Lodge & Spa, Bed & Breakfast
- Category A Match tickets for both fixtures
- Welcome drinks, meals and activities as detailed in the itinerary
Our hand-picked luxury accommodation
At Black Opal, we know our clients want the very best accommodation to accompany their luxury sports travel experience. That’s why we endeavour to secure the very best accommodation available within convenient proximity to your chosen event. Our recommendations are below, but should you wish to stay elsewhere simply give us a call on 0330 041 4888 or contact us online.
