MY DURBAN JULY EXPERIENCE - Eswatini Travel News

Today marks another important milestone in strengthening regional tourism partnerships. A group of journalists from local media houses, myself included, departed the Kingdom of Eswatini to attend the Durban July Experience in Durban, South Africa, an initiative made possible through the strategic partnership between the Eswatini Tourism Authority, Durban Tourism, and the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, with Eswatini Air as our official travel partner.

Wings Over the Region

The journey began the way every good trip should , with ease. Check-in at Sikhuphe International Airport was seamless, the shuttle ride unhurried, and before I knew it we were airborne. Just 45 minutes later, we touched down at King Shaka International Airport, where a warm welcome from KZN Tourism awaited us. It’s a small thing, perhaps, but there is something quietly powerful about a flight that short connecting two kingdoms so rich in culture and hospitality.

From the airport, we were whisked off to the gorgeous Protea Hotel at Umhlanga Rocks, our home for the weekend. After settling in, the evening unwound over a late dinner at Mojo’s Carwash, the kind of relaxed, buzzing spot that tells you Durban is a city that knows how to have a good time.

Race Day: Fashion, Fame, and Flavour

Saturday was the main event, the Hollywood Bets Durban July, and nothing could have prepared me for the sheer scale of it. The venue was a sea of fashion, energy, and beautiful people, all dressed to impress and ready to be seen. It is, without question, one of Africa’s premier lifestyle and tourism experiences, far more than a horse race.

As press, I had the privilege of chatting with some remarkable people: the Mayor of eThekwini Municipality Cllr Cyril Xaba, Miss South Africa 2025 Qhawekazi Mazaleni, Winile Mntungwa (Durban Tourism’s Deputy Director), and Felix Hlophe, comedian and media personality. Each conversation offered a different lens on the day civic pride, beauty and purpose, tourism strategy, and pure entertainment.

We were hosted at the Durban Tourism Marquee, where the food, ambience, and company were nothing short of top-of-the-range. Later, I made my way through the KZN Tourism and Film Marquee, where the royal treatment continued.

Homeward Bound

Sunday morning began gently, with a scrumptious breakfast back at the Protea before our shuttle collected us for the return leg. Check-in at King Shaka was, once again, effortless and in another 45 minutes, thanks to Eswatini Air, we were back home in the Kingdom of Eswatini.

A Partnership Taking Flight

This trip was never just about race day glamour. As the Eswatini Tourism Authority reminds us, tourism is built on meaningful partnerships, and no destination can successfully position itself in today’s competitive landscape by working alone. By giving local journalists the chance to experience the Durban July first-hand, ETA is investing in authentic storytelling that showcases the value of regional collaboration.

Eswatini Travel News extends its sincere appreciation to the Eswatini Tourism Authority, Durban Tourism, the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, and Eswatini Air for making this experience possible.