Let’s face it — networking and relationship-building are best done in person. There is no substitute for the organic magic that happens when you get together with people in real life, but it has almost become a long-lost art. Zoom fatigue is setting in and a much-needed break from virtual reality and the (at-home) office is overdue.
We are craving human connection and, well…fun! It’s about time we let our collective corporate hair down. So how do we do this? Team building IRL.
And team building that’s fun. Humour and fun increase creativity and decrease negative conflict, they reboot your brain and enable us to bond. Laughing in the workplace results in better relationships, innovation and productivity — what better way to begin 2023?
Read on for our five options for your funtastic team-building retreat.
Set in lush gardens brimming with birds, antelope and zebra, BON Hotel Rustenburg offers impressive facilities and is only a two-hour drive from Johannesburg.
Team activity style: sporty and strategic
Fun things to do with the team:
Navigate the obstacle court, explore the hiking trail, get active on the volleyball court or swim in one of the five swimming pools. Indoor activities include Monopoly and a range of strategic problem-solving games. The Flying Bok Sports Bar and Oude Landgoed Restaurant provide the perfect spot for post-activity food, drinks and laughs.
Facilities: 70 rooms, three conference venues that can accommodate up to 150 delegates, five pools, an in-house restaurant and bar, complimentary WiFi
BON Hotel Bloemfontein Central
Located within Bloem’s bustling business district, BON Hotel Bloemfontein Central boasts classy accommodation close to shops, businesses and transport nodes.
Team activity style: Amazing Race meets Master Chef
Fun things to do with the team:
Get competitive with activities like MasterChef, Office Olympics, The Amazing Race, and Chef’s Table. There’s also the option of hosting your own potjie-making competition.
Facilities: 115 rooms, 24-hour business centre, six conference rooms that can accommodate up to 450 delegates, an in-house restaurant and bar, complimentary WiFi
Halfway between Durban and Swaziland and right in Empangeni’s business district, BON Hotel Empangeni’s vibrant style is complemented by formal gardens and a koi pond.
Team activity style: creative, crafty and curious
Fun things to do with the team:
Solve the murder mystery with the CSI Challenge or try the Minute to Win it Challenge, the Big Quiz, the Big Picture Art Challenge (where teams create an enormous piece of artwork), a Go-Cart Construction Challenge and a Newsroom Challenge which includes a plethora of materials and printing access. Game viewing at the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is just an hour’s drive away.
Facilities: 55 rooms, four meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 230 delegates, an in-house restaurant and bar, complimentary WiFi
Right on the doorstep of the Kruger National Park, Shishangeni by BON Hotels is comprised of three luxurious camps — Shishangeni Private Lodge, Camp Shonga and Camp Shawu — all highlighting the surrounding nature.
Team activity style: social and safari-loving
Fun things to do with the team:
Explore the Kruger National Park! Go on game drives, and immersive bush walks, interact with elephants, ride on the wild side on quad bikes and dine around the boma fire. You can also engage with the local community at the nearby community school.
Facilities: 22 chalets, 5 rooms, 5 stylish tents, four meeting rooms that can accommodate 16 to 40 delegates, pool, spa, in-house restaurant
BON Hotel Waterfront Richards Bay
On the water’s edge with views across the ocean and the yacht harbour, BON Hotel Waterfront Richards Bay has great access to area attractions, stylish accommodation and great facilities.
Team activity style: tailormade and imaginative
Fun things to do with the team:
Enjoy activities tailormade for your team by a specialised team-building company. Choose an Indiana Jones Challenge where teams compete for various ‘artefacts’, a MasterChef-inspired Potjie Challenge, a Minute to Win It Cocktail-Making Challenge or a Movie-Making Challenge, or try your hand at beach or field Olympics. Whatever you decide, the on-site team will be on-hand to help curate an experience that excites and engages your team.
Facilities: 75 modern rooms, three meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 80 delegates, pool, an in-house restaurant, cocktail bar and lounge, complimentary WiFi.
Book your 2023 team build with BON Hotels.
