Travel Guide SA - KwaZulu Natal

When the homeland of KwaZulu (place of the Zulu) was re-incorporated into the province of Natal at the end of Apartheid in 1994, the province was renamed KwaZulu-Natal. As you would expect, it is home to the Zulu monarchy, and the majority population of the

province is Zulu.

The climate is year round tourist friendly with

sea temperatures stable at about 21 degrees, providing an ideal setting for the diversity of aquatic activities available including diving, fishing, swimming, boating and surfing.

The provinces south coast boasts daytime temperatures from January to March peaking between about 28°C - 30°C, dropping to daytime highs from June to August in the low to mid 20’s. Inland temperature variation is greater ranging up to the early 30’s in the summer, and often dropping to just below freezing point on winter nights. The Drakensburg Mountains often experience substantial winter snowfalls, with light snow occasionally encountered on the highest peaks even in summer. This is in direct contrast to the provinces north coast which is almost purely tropical.

KZN borders three other provinces and the countries of Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho with extensive stretches of Indian Ocean along its eastern shoreline. As you might expect, this shoreline is dotted with small towns that are comparable, along with the temperate climate, to those found in southern Florida in the USA. Superb beaches of world-class quality abound along virtually every part of South Africa's eastern seaboard, with some of the country’s least developed gems residing in KZN.

KwaZulu-Natal's diverse protected areas and natural sanctuaries allow you to explore vast big-game wildlife sanctuaries, wetlands, alpine and marine treasures as well as numerous cultural and historical sights. There is so much to see and do in KZN it is difficult to know where to begin.

The coast is a sub-tropical paradise with lovely long stretches of beach, warm water, tangled green vegetation, awesome surfing, fishing and great diving. The stretch of water from the Tugela Mouth to the Umdloti River is aptly known as the Dolphin Coast. Close to shore, shoals of bottle-nose dolphins regularly gambol in the waves, providing endless entertainment with their engaging antics. Further south the coast plays host to an annual Sardine Run and, further north, on the beaches of Maputaland, nesting turtles that can be seen on guided night walks.

There is a wide range of cultural attractions and many Zulu cultural villages. There are also dozens of world class Golf courses; horse trails through the bush; historical battlefields; a whole host of adventure activities and some of the best game viewing and birding to be found anywhere in Africa, or the world for that matter.

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No holiday in the province would be complete without a visit to at least one of the KwaZulu-Natal game reserves, renowned throughout the world. You can choose between staying in a luxury lodge on a private game reserve or booking into one of KZN’s government administered Wildlife parks. Perhaps even include a wilderness walking safari where you walk through the wildest parts of the reserve hoping for good sightings of the big five - elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard, which are all native to this area and quite abundant in their protected sanctuaries. Intermingled with these magnificent beasts are myriad other indigenous animals, impressive birdlife and diverse flora and fauna.

KZN is home to the largest Indian population outside of India so there is also an eastern flavour mixed into the European/African cultural melting pot of this vibrant province. Great curry restaurants, markets selling spices and other exotic goods and ornate temples and mosques all attest to the influence these dynamic people have had on the development of KZN, especially the city of Durban.

The Midlands, situated roughly between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, is characterised by rolling green hills, flowers, pockets of forest and charming small villages. It is a joy to explore this area with its many restaurants, coffee shops, guest houses, innovative craft shops, micro breweries, cheese factories, trout farms and other bucolic pleasures.

Further inland is the Ukhahlamba-Drakensburg, a vast wilderness mountain area dividing the lush, low-lying eastern coastal plain from the harsher, higher interior. The Burg, as it is fondly known, is a hikers paradise and a great trail riding destination. Other attractions include small game, birding, flowers, fabulous scenery, fly fishing, golf and fantastic bushman rock art. The fact that the Ukhahlamba-Drakensburg is one of South Africa's world heritage sites should give you an idea of the ecological and recreational value of this enormous mountain range.

Another equally impressive world heritage site, found in northern KZN, is the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. This magnificent world heritage site, fringed on its seaward side with brilliant coral reefs, bosats a spectacularly wide range of biomes, including lakes swamps, wetlands, and coastal forests bordered by rocky shores, dunes and impressive stretches of sandy beaches.

With custodianship of nearly one hundred protected areas, including mountain ranges, big-game havens, bushveld, verdant savannah, rivers and lakes, beaches, coastal pools and off-shore coral reefs, visitors can satisfy their every desire for discovery, adventure or relaxation.

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