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Polo in South Africa :
Having started life as a rather barbaric way of celebrating military victories by hitting your opposing generals’ head around the battlefield with sticks, polo has now become one of the fastest growing sports in the World.
Like many other countries around the World, South Africa’s love affair with polo started when the British Army established polo clubs in the area at the turn of the century.
Since then the sport of polo has blossomed throughout the country with established clubs such as the Oaklands Arena Polo Club, situated in Natal, SA, and offering a compliment of facilities for polo : full sized arena, polo pit and classrooms. In 2007, a new polo field adjacent to the Arena was prepared for ‘lawn’ polo, and therefore Oaklands will be offering amenities for people to enjoy the sport throughout the year in South Africa.
Oaklands has also established a Polotourism Group which is interested to promote access to the local polo community with 10 of the 40 South African Polo Association affiliated clubs offering a key role in catering for the needs of ‘polo tourists’ in areas that are already popular tourist desitinations – i.e. Gauteng, Eastern Free State, Kwazulu, Natal, Eastern Cape/Western Cape . Thus the concept being that polo players can visit SA for a holiday that combines top class polo activities, world class accommodation as well as other activities and attractions for which SA is already a market leader. Further, it would be beneficial for UK and SA Clubs to ‘ exchange ’ and for members to visit to share polo ideas and practises, especially as there is no language barrier.
Particularly for players from the northern hemisphere, South Africa’s polo season is a long one (February to September annually) and with its perfect weather, offers the opportunity to vsit between February and April to play field polo – to get fit and ready for the UK season – for maybe 5 days of polo tuition and then 9 days as a holiday.
Accommodation :
Oaklands Country Manor is a lovely turn of the century colonial manor with Oregon pine floors and ceilings, set in approximately 300 acres. This 4 star award winning Lodge is located in beautiful gardens overlooking paddocks of galloping horses. Situated in a mountain setting (Royal Natal) at the northern end of the Drakensberg World Heritage site, it is midway between Johannesburg (3 hrs) and Durban (2 ½ hrs). Being so close to Johannesberg International Airport, it is the ideal place to start or end your holiday. Far from bright lights and the bustle of city life, visitors can savour tranquillity as well as activity – alongside a renowned International cuisine and unrivalled hospitality.
Local attractions include the most breathtaking scenery of two of South Africa’s best known national parks – Royal Natal and Golden Gate – and 13 battlefields/historic sites of the 2nd Anglo-Boer War, within a 2 hour drive. The area is rich in history, not to mention the flora and fauna.
Closer to home, there is hot air ballooning, helicopter rides, hunting, 4x4 Trails, white water rafting and canoeing, bird watching, mountain biking, fishing, tennis (complete with umpire chair) and hiking.
For visitors who prefer to relax and unwind at Oaklands there is also painting, flower arranging, photography, wine tasting, reflexology, aromatherapy, massage, reiki and a Spa facility. In the evening, a glass of one of SA’s exquisite wines sitting beside the swimming pool at sundown is to enjoy and share the day’s highlights with friends or family. Oaklands is uniquely spouse/family friendly and children accompanying parents are well catered for with a host of adventures for all ages : a jungle gym, tree house, quad/mountain biking and a children’s play room with supervision by experienced babysitters.
A rough idea of the affordability of Polo Packages available at Oaklands are ZAR 12,000 per player = approximately £970 (£1 is approx. ZAR 12.50) and this includes :
· 6 nights of accommodation and all meals
· 5 days of polo tuition, inclusive of coaching, pony hire, club fees & transport
Rates for non-playing members available on request from : info@oaklands.com.za but as a rough guide, for 6 nights accommodation DBB would be :
High Season (Nov – April) : Adults & Children over 10 years – ZAR 3,870. Children 1 to 10 years – ZAR 1,935.
Low Season (May – October) : Adults & Children over 10 years – ZAR 3,150. Children 1 to 10 years – ZAR 1,175.
Whilst the SA winter is cold, dry and sunny, it is regarded as the best time for game viewing.
The Ukhubona Self Catering Lodge:
Just a short walk from the Hotel is a 3 bedroom Lodge called ‘Ukhubona’ which means ‘view’ in Zulu – situated in a woodland setting, where family or friends can be self-sufficient, or alternatively can enjoy the amenities of the Hotel when wished – so on this basis it is the best of both worlds.
Why not ‘get in the saddle’ for a Polo Package – an itinerary can be arranged that can take players to clubs as a polo tour of South Africa – or maybe combine a polo package with a wider trip.
At Oaklands, horse riding and polo is a speciality, so that age, ability, whether a beginner to Polo, or an already established player – there are professional players and a coach resident to provide the level of instruction and pony to suit.
For more information, email : info@oaklands.co.za
Website : www.oaklands.co.za
Oaklands Country Manor Hotel – Tel : (+27) 058 671 0067
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