Team building can be a reward, a reset or a real piece of work, and it helps to know which you are buying. A fun day builds goodwill. A facilitated programme goes further: the activities are chosen to bring out how the team communicates, plans and handles pressure, and each one is debriefed so people link it to their work. Team building facilitators run sessions on a lawn, at a lodge, in a conference room or at your office. Tell us the team, the aim and the area, and independent facilitators near you quote directly.
Fun day or facilitated programme?
Both have their place. A fun day (a cook-off, a drumming circle, an amazing race, a games afternoon) suits a year-end function or a team that already works well. A facilitated programme suits a new team, a merged team or one with friction. The difference is the debrief: after each activity the facilitator asks what happened, how it mirrors the workplace and what the team will do differently. Without that step, an activity is just an activity. For deeper planning work, pair it with a strategy session.
Indoors, outdoors and out of town
Outdoor activities on a lawn or in the bush give energy and space, and many teams travel to a lodge, a game farm or a wine farm for the day or overnight. Indoor options in a conference venue work well in Highveld storm season or the Cape winter. Ask the facilitator for a wet-weather plan, how long the setup takes, and whether they supply the equipment or the venue does.
Safety and inclusion
Plan for the whole team, not just the fittest. Tell the facilitator about mobility limits, disabilities, pregnancy and chronic conditions, and ask that activities have roles for everyone. In Lowveld or Northern Cape heat, outdoor sessions need shade, water and a cooler start. Avoid activities that embarrass people or need physical contact some staff won't be comfortable with. Ask about first aid on site and public liability cover, and keep alcohol out of anything active.
Group size and the quote
Many team building facilitators allow about one facilitator for every 15 people during activities, so a team of 60 needs a lead and three helpers. Activities are often quoted per person with a minimum number, plus equipment, travel and the venue. Check what the price includes: the debrief, prizes, photos and lunch are often extras. Book early for October to December, when year-end functions fill the calendar.
Plan the logistics as carefully as the activities. If the team travels out of town, decide who drives or book a bus, agree a start time that works for people coming from different suburbs, and check the venue has toilets and shade near the activity area. Send staff a short note beforehand on what to wear and bring: closed shoes, a hat, sunscreen, a change of clothes for water activities. People who know what is coming relax sooner and take part more.
What to include in your brief
- Number of people and what the day is for
- Indoors, outdoors or both
- Near the office or out of town
- Fitness, access or health needs
- Whether you need a venue and catering
Team Building Facilitators for business, government and communities
- Companies and head offices: merged or new teams, sales teams before a big quarter and year-end team days
- Government departments and municipalities: team days for directorates and units, often linked to a planning or wellness programme
- Schools, colleges and universities: staff team days before the school year and teambuilding for prefects and learner leaders
- NPOs, churches and community groups: volunteer and youth programme team days, often in a church hall or on a sports field
- Small and family businesses: a small team reward day or a reset after a busy season, close to the office
- Mines, plants, factories and farms: shift and crew team days for mines, plants and farms, timed around shutdowns
- Event organisers and associations: team activities added to a conference or incentive programme for delegates
- Training and skills development providers: experiential activities built into leadership or soft skills programmes
Frequently asked questions
What team building activities work best?
How long should team building be?
Can team building be done at our office?
Do you provide the facilitators yourselves?
Team Building Facilitators by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg