KwaZulu Natal

KwaZulu Natal is a popular tourist destination which is increasingly on the ‘must see’ lists of discerning travelers from all over the world. Visitors to KwaZulu Natal will find a unique blend of sophistication, cultural diversity and excitement in the most breathtaking setting imaginable. If ecotourism is what you are looking for, then the province of KwaZulu Natal won’t disappoint. You’ll be amazed how one day you can be enjoying the beaches and bright city lights and the next you can be in wildest Africa in search of the Big Five. Welcome to the Zulu Kingdom.

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park

In northern KwaZulu Natal, you will find the world famous Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park, the largest of the province’s game reserves. Dating back to 1895, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is the oldest game park in Africa and is renowned for its variety of animal and bird life. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi offer a variety of activities from self-guided walks, auto trails, game drives and picnic sites. There is a huge range of accommodation in the town of Hluhluwe which is just 25km from the game reserve.

iSimangaliso (the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park)

This World Heritage Site is an ecotourism wonderland of lakes, swamps and marshlands surrounding the enormous estuary of Lake St Lucia. Go on a turtle safari (depending on the season), take a sundowner cruise and watch out for hippos and crocs or listen to the folk stories about the Bhangazi people told by a local guide. The park was previously known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, but was renamed effective from 1 November 2007. The word 'isimangaliso' is Zulu for 'a marvel'.

uKhahlamba Drakensberg National Park

Another World Heritage Site in KwaZulu Natal, the uKhahlamba Drakensberg National Park is the highest mountain range in Africa. Known to the Zulu people as the ‘Barrier of Spears’, the Drakensberg has some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Foreign visitors sometimes refer to it as ‘Little Switzerland’ with its spectacular waterfalls and mountain peaks. Another of its fascinating features are the caves daubed with rock art left behind by an ancient people.

Blue Flag Beaches

Durban is a beach lovers paradise where you can catch the surf at a number of renowned Blue Flag beaches or if you prefer, just relax in the sunshine.

The Blue Flag standard started as an environmental and tourism campaign in Europe to assure visitors beaches are safe, clean and environmentally sound.

High levels of cleanliness, quality of facilities (toilets & showers) and professional lifeguard services are key criterion of Blue Flag beaches. The Blue Flag assures the visitor, that the beaches are clean and environmentally friendly. The award also helps to educate the community about the need and means of caring for our coastline; to promote one of South Africa’s natural treasures.

Zulu Culture

The Zulu past is an interesting one filled with powerful chiefs and bloody warfare. Near Ondini is the reconstructed royal enclosure of Cetshwayo, a famous Zulu king. The fascinating Vukani Collection Museum at Eshowe exhibits an excellent display of Zulu art and culture. The cultural village of Shakaland and the former stronghold of Gingindlovu are also worth a visit. For a taste of local lifestyles, the Valley of a Thousand Hills (45 minutes from Durban) will give you an inkling of how modern influences have affected traditional lifestyles.

Battlefield Tours

For history buffs, there are a number of historical battlefields in KwaZulu Natal where turbulent wars were fought during colonial times. The interior north of the Tugela River, was the scene of gruesome battles between the Zulus and Boers, British and Zulus as well as the Boers and British, so take a tour and learn a bit more about South Africa’s incredible history. Local guides will take you on a memorable journey back in time.

Midlands Meander

The famous Midlands Meander in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is a unique mix of more than 160 places to eat, drink, sleep, shop, play and generally have fun. Started many years ago as a voluntary collection of crafters, who wondered if they could attract visitors to leave the beaten track and explore their studios and galleries, the Midlands Meander has grown into an eclectic and fascinating mix of arts and crafts, world-class restaurants and homely comforts, with a wide range of sporting, environmental and historical pursuits thrown in too. Physical, culinary or cerebral, there is no limit to the experiences you'll find here.

uShaka Marine World

The uShaka Marine World can be found in Durban along a strip of land between the beachfront and the harbour. It comprises 4 sections; uShaka Sea World, uShaka Wet ‘n’ Wild, uShaka Beach and uShaka Village. Sea World is the 5th largest aquarium in the world and the Marine World was the first phase in the redevelopment of the Durban Point into a new tourist and lifestyle hub of the city.

The Sardine Run

Also referred to as “The Greatest Shoal On Earth”, the Sardine Run occurs between May and July when millions of sardines spawn in the cool waters of the Agulhas Bank and move northward along the east coast of South Africa. Their sheer numbers create a feeding frenzy along the coastline. The run, containing millions of individual sardines, occurs when a current of cold water heads north from the Agulhas Bank up to Mozambique where it then leaves the coast line and goes further East into the Indian Ocean. The shoals are often more than 7 km long, 1.5 km wide and 30 meters deep and are clearly visible from spotter planes or from the surface.

Superb Weather All Year Round

KwaZulu Natal has a warm, sub-tropical climate, with temperatures moderated by the expanse of the Indian Ocean. Summers are hot and humid averaging 28 degrees, and experience the majority of the annual rainfall, while winters, with average temperatures of 23 degrees, are warm, dry and clear. There is occasional frost in the interior and snow often falls in the higher reaches in winter. Winter sunshine averages almost 7 hours a day, some of the highest in the country.

The climate of KwaZulu Natal is described as all-year-round tourist- friendly. Sea temperatures are also relatively stable, averaging 21 degrees all year, providing possibilities for a diversity of aquatic activities in any season, including diving, fishing, swimming, boating and surfing.

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