Kwazulu Natal

KwaZulu Natal is a world in one province. Known as the Kingdom of the Zulu, KwaZulu Natal is a melting pot of African, European and Indian cultures. This province boasts two World Heritage Sites, the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and the majestic uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park.

You cannot think of visiting KwaZulu-Natal without taking in the majesty and splendour of the Drakensberg Mountains. These exquisite mountains are a World Heritage Site offering walks, hikes and adventure activities.

This mountainous terrain gives way to the rolling hills of the midlands where you can indulge in the treats of the famous Midlands Meander. This tourism route features almost 200 destinations, focused around the arts, crafts and cultures of this region

The Battlefields area in the northern KwaZulu-Natal was the site of many of South Africa’s most significant battles of the last 200 years. This is where Voortrekker, the British and Zulu clashed.

For superb coastal resources, visit Maputaland, with its Greater St Lucia (Isimangaliso) Wetland Park, the country’s third-largest wildlife sanctuary and a magnificent World Heritage Site. This internationally-renowned park boasts a spectacular coastline, the second-highest vegetated sea-dunes on earth, and pods of hippo, crocodile and elephant.

Famous for its rhino management programme KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has earned a reputation for wildlife conservation and management. The province is renowned for its diversity of wildlife and reserves encompassing a variety of ecosystems. Sand forests, woodland, savannah, bushveld, and wetlands.

• The Central Berg is the most attractive part of the Drakensberg range. The central region includes the grand Giant’s Castle Peak. Midway between Cathedral and Cathkin Peaks is the Ndedema Gorge where there are some fine san Rock Paintings
• Not to be outdone, the Northern Drakensberg, also a World Heritage site, is famous for the scenic Royal National Park and features the picturesque Tugela Falls, the magnificent Amphitheatre, Sentinel, Eastern Buttress and Mont-aux-Sources, the summit of which can be reached via a 100-rung chain ladder
• KwaZulu-Natal’s cultural heritage includes the San (Bushmen), with tens of thousands of San rock paintings to be seen in the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg mountains
• There are a myriad of Battlefield sites, historical towns and museums that can be visited, including the best-known battlefield sites of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift
• Visit one of the numerous wildlife parks (both national and private game reserves), including the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserves
• U Shaka Marine World in Durban is a wonderful marine centre

• Maputaland offers the sub-continent’s only breeding ground for the giant leatherback turtles, which can be seen at night
• Could anything be more romantic than a walk on pristine beaches, flanked by some of the world’s most beautiful dune forests on the one hand, and the deepest aquamarine ocean on the other?
• No visit to the Drakensberg is complete without a 4×4 drive up the highest road pass in Africa. For your efforts, you’ll be rewarded with its breath-taking scenery; You’ll have your passport stamped as you enter the Kingdom of Lesotho and lunch can be enjoyed at the highest pub in Africa
• Thrilling marine experiences include boat-based whale-watching; diving or snorkelling spectacular coral reefs and colourful underwater life in the Coastal Forest, Sodwana Bay or Cape Vidal sections of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park (St Lucia Wetland Park)
• Boat cruises on Lake St Lucia estuary to view some of the park’s 800 hippos, over 2 000 crocodiles and prolific waterfowl
• Kayaking on Lake St Lucia or Lake Sibaya
• Horse ride on St Lucia’s beaches and the Eastern Shores
• Learn in gripping detail of the bravery and mobility of the Zulu army that defeated the British, on the Day of the Dead Moon. Listen at sunset to the famous story of Rorke’s Drift, where 100 British soldiers were attacked by 4,000 Zulu warriors, winning more Victoria Crosses than in any other battle in history
• A Big Five Safari experience is a must and a highlight of any visit to South Africa

• Kwazulu-Natal is an all-year round destination. The winter months of May through to September offer the best value for money. Winter months are cold by night, warm by day and dry
• Kwazulu-Natal enjoys summer rainfall, October through to March, with high humidity
• The best time to enjoy a safari is in the winter months, June to September, when grasses are short, and animals need to visit watering holes
• Malaria is found only on the Maputaland coast of KwaZulu-Natal and is not much of a risk in the winter months. Although the incidence of malaria is rare, it would be best to take adequate precautions if you choose to visit these areas
• Ideal destination when combing with the Western Cape or Mpumalanga or as a twin centre with one of the Indian Ocean Islands