Anyone done a Lions Tour before?

[InBetweenWasp]

The wife and I have promised each other that we’ll take the kids and tour South Africa with the Lions in 2021.

It’s ran early thread, but the official Lions e-mails have started going out with refundable £250 deposits to secure a spot on the Official tours.

Now, we’re generally pretty happy to DIY holidays/trips and seek better value accommodation that works for us with the kids than a standard Hotel.

But curious to hear if anyone on here has done a tour before to follow the Lions and whether you DIY’d it, or did an Official Tour?

I think my biggest potential concern of DIY or upside of an Official Tour is securing tickets.

How easy/difficult have they been to come by historically?

We may not want to watch all midweek games live depending on how much criss-crossing it requires but definitely want test and weekend tickets.

Interested in all experiences from this parish.

[Chunky24]

This ages me, did South Africa 1997 with Gullivers so not sure how relevant to now as was probably the last amateur ethos and non commercialised Lions tour, so much so that we were in the same hotel as the Lions in Joburg for the 3rd test, had some amazing nights with them all paid for on Fran Cotton's room number which they were giving out. I did go back again DIY to SA to watch cricket in Cape Town over the Millennium new year as well.
In a different place in life now to then and any trip now, I am sure like yourself, the priority would be making sure whatever we did the kids were happy as that generally leads to happy Mum and Dad!
There will be people on here who have much more recent experience of SA than me and it is difficult without knowing any schedule / venues but my feeling based on no additional research whatsoever is that if I was taking my kids to SA I would probably go organised tour. Depending on the kids age there may be bits of it which they might not be so keen on or are not necessarily most suitable but the guaranteed tickets, decent accommodation / transport, additional events such as dinners / pre match venues and a Company rep to go to if you do have any problems or need advice would probably be my choice, however that of course does cost!

Feeling jealous as well as old now!

[backdoc]

I went on the 97 and 09 tours. I organised it myself, with a combination of hotels, B and B and friends as my hosts, and the tickets through Twickenham [?RFU] in 97, and through a mate in Durban in 09.

Stayed 8 and 10 days, and went to three matches each time. Two tests in 97 and one in 09. Drove from Cape Town to Durban both times to attend games at both venues and Port Elizabeth in between.

Had extra tickets in 09 and sold them for a few Rand and a place at a Braai, which then led to a drink at Canterbury rugby club and a long walk home at dawn.

I will definitely go again next time. I wear a Wasps shirt at the games and it is amazing who you meet.

[EssexWasp]

Did the 05 tour to NZ - great experience and a nice Waspie gathering before the last test in Auckland where [if I remember correctly, memory is a little hazy!] Gats bought everyone a drink and Ma Nonu sat outside in a car so as not to be seen out drinking.......
Did all the booking, tickets etc. myself but not sure if that's the best for RSA.

[InBetweenWasp]

Thanks all - It feels like a long way off, but one we want to play for and make the most of.

It’ll all be a lot easier when they begin to set out the match schedule.  Interesting that from the handful of replies most has been DIY bookings.  The Lions Den events look good.

The kids are regulars at the rugby and have been since they were tiny, they’re also pretty well travelled so should enjoy it especially if they get some beach time and animal time!

Much like Euro Cup away games, i’m sure we’ll bump into the some interesting characters! We always enjoyed our euro trips to watch Wasps - although that was pre-kids!