KwaZulu Natal
Cape Town
August 13, 2019
Unspoiled Indian Ocean beaches, vast mountain ranges, coral reefs, golf courses, craft shops, spice markets, big five game, whale watching and the history of the battlefields, KwaZulu Natal has it all.
KwaZulu Natal, referred to as KZN by the locals, is situated along the north eastern coastline of South Africa and known for its white sandy beaches, warm Indian Ocean waters, mountains, rolling hills of the Midlands and savannah plains populated by big game. Notable is one of South Africa's best safari destinations, the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park to the northeast of the province and home to the Big Five including white rhino and the elusive black rhino. KwaZulu Natal is steeped in Boer, British and Zulu history with many tours offered to these sites.
The capital is Pietermaritzburg about 80km inland from the largest city Durban, which is South Africa's busiest port city. Kwazulu Natal, known as the Garden Province of South Africa, is a former British Colony in the 1800's is now a dynamic province filled with Zulu, Indian and English influences. KwaZulu Natal offers so much in terms of activities & cultural experiences and is home to the world famous Drakensberg Mountains and lesser known iSimangaliso Wetland Park, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
KwaZulu-Natal (fondly referred to by locals as KZN) is a coastal province which is best known for its mountains, its beautiful beaches and the brilliantly rich game reserves which can be found in this area. The stretch of mountain range best known in KZN are the Drakensburg. When most South Africans and visitors speak of the Drakensberg, they refer to the Great Escarpment that forms the border between Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal.
The main city in this province is Durban, a culturally rich harbour city which is very popular with surfers and a city which now has direct flights out of London making it much more accessible from Europe. Durban is the third largest city in the country after Johannesburg and Cape Town, and interestingly is often referred to as the second ‘Indian City’ outside of India.
KwaZulu-Natal is a vast area that stretches from the coast up to the highest point in the Drakensberg of 3,482 metres above sea level and as we all know, as altitudes climb the temperatures drop. What you can expect in terms of climate will therefore vary depending on where you are in KZN but as a rule of thumb, the summer is hot and humid (November through to April) while winter (June to September) brings dry and mild weather.
Sea temperatures are relatively stable with a fairly constant average of 21’C all year which is perfect for enjoying the water in any season. Best of all? Durban has an average of 320 days of sunshine a year – what a win!
This region of the country is brilliant all year round – and we aren’t just saying that. With temperatures ranging from 16 to 25C in the WINTER we are delighted to say that this makes it incredibly attractive as a destination and as it has so much to offer we think you’ll agree! Occasionally referred to as having a subtropical climate due to the warm Mozambique current flowing along the coast, the Indian Ocean has so much to offer those water nuts out there with average temperatures of 21C year round.
The Drakensburg Mountains are a favourite for us as they bring about tonnes for the active hiker no matter what time of year and although during the winter it can be a tad nippier in the higher places, this gives a welcome relief from the effort of getting up there in the first place!
A typical itinerary that will really bring Kwa-Zulu Natal to life includes a couple of nights in Durban, a few nights in the Drakensberg, a few nights at the Battlefields and finishing up with a safari in one of the many gorgeous nature reserves in the area.
Durban is a hub of life and has a lot of wonderful culture to offer as an amalgamation of Indian and African ways of life and delicious cuisine. As a coastal city there is much that can be done which includes the sea, and with direct flights out of London it’s a perfect doorway to South Africa.
The Drakensberg Mountains tower up to over 3,400 metres high consisting of stunning craggy cliffs and hills which are warmly referred to as the Barrier of Spears in Zulu (uKhahlamba) because of the sharp spears which jut into the skies.
The Range stretches over 200km and runs from south to north. It takes a leisurely 2.5 to 3 hours to reach the most southern part of the mountains from Durban. We often organise for clients to drive themselves up into the Drakensberg to explore or indeed we would be delighted to help with a guided driver to take you up to your Drakensberg accommodation, giving you a true insight into this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As one area goes, this one has it all… sun, sand, sea, stunning mountains, serious culture, and superb wildlife! When combining much of South Africa’s incredible attractions, it can be necessary to jump on at least one domestic flight to get to where you need to go. Here, all you do is land in Durban (direct flights out of London!) and it’s all set and ready for you to explore.
Getting around by vehicle is very easy as the local infrastructure is so ideal for a self-drive holiday - or of course we can include your own private driver/guide depending on what your needs are!
KwaZulu NatalRegions
- &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve
- Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve
- Central Drakensberg
- Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
- KwaZulu Natal Battlefields
- KwaZulu Natal Midlands
- Maputaland Marine Reserve
- Manyoni Private Game Reserve
- Thanda Safari Private Game Reserve
- Umhlanga Rocks
Described as 'Seven Worlds of Wonder', &Beyond Phinda encompasses an impressive 28 555 hectares (70 560 acres) of prime Big Five wilderness in KwaZulu-Natal. This Reserve comprises seven distinct habitats – from dry sand forest to wetland systems and mountain ranges. Catch a glimpse of the shy suni antelope, track rhino in the bushveld, observe breeding herds of elephant in fever tree forests, hold your breath as a cheetah teaches her cubs to hunt, glide past hippo on the Mzinene River and marvel at the gracious nyala. Phinda is home to more than 3 000 of these rare antelope.
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The Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve is located in the Drakensberg Mountains in east-central South Africa, near its border with the northeastern region of Lesotho. This magnificent area is most easily accessed from the town of Winterton, and boasts some of the country’s most scenic hiking and rock climbing opportunities. The nature reserve offers a range of trails of varying length and difficulty, including exploring the cave paintings of Ndedema Gorge and a route to the summit of Cathedral Peak itself. This challenging climb rewards hikers with views of some of the Drakensberg’s most prominent peaks, such as Giant’s Castle, The Bell and Cleft Peak. There is a four-star hotel located within the reserve, while day hikers must register (and receive maps) at the Information Office.
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The Drakensberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known to the local Zulu people as uKhahlamba meaning “Barrier of Spears”, the Drakensberg forms a majestic semi-circular border between KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and the inland mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Take to the mountains for hiking, abseiling or rock climbing, or explore the trails on your mountain bike. Become a history buff with a visit to the battlefields, museums and other historical sites in the region.
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Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park, formerly Hluhluwe–Umfolozi Game Reserve, is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa. It consists of 960 km² (96,000 ha) of hilly topography 280 kilometres north of Durban in central KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and is known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts. The park is world reknown for its conservation efforts and history. The Umfolozi was previously used as King Shaka's private hunting grounds. The conservation efforts have contributed to this park having the largest population of White Rhino in the world.
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KwaZulu Natal, also known as KZN, is steeped in history and littered with battlefields from the struggles of the Zulu Civil Wars, to their clashes with the Boers and the British. This picturesque area features sweeping views of rolling hills scattered with rugged rock formations. The most well-known and well-visited sites are those of the legendary Battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift took place on the same day, lodging the Zulus firmly at the top of great warrior nations.Visitors can also explore the famous Anglo-Boer War fields of Spioenkop, Colenso and the Siege of Ladysmith, which drew characters like Winston Churchill, Louis Botha and Mahatma Gandhi onto the same stage.
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The KwaZulu Natal Midlands in an inland area of KZN, stretching from Pietermaritzburg to the Drakensberg. Here you will find a collection of arranged routes that offer visitors hospitality in truly beautiful surroundings, outstanding accommodation, conference and wedding facilities, fascinating local events, fabulous cuisine and restaurants, revitalising outdoor activities and over-the-top adventure sports, historic landmarks, wildlife conservation, and best of all “shop-till-you-drop” unique arts and crafts. Best of all it is only an hours drive from Durban.
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Located on South Africa’s northeastern coast, the Maputaland Marine Protected Area falls within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and comprises three protected areas, Lake Sibaya Nature Reserve, Kosi Bay Nature Reserve and Rocktail Bay. The reserve extends all the way from the northern Mozambican border to Sodwana Bay in the south. This gorgeous sub-tropical paradise includes immaculate forests and wetlands dotted with lakes and marshes as well as coral reefs and deserted golden-sand beaches and forest-clad coastal dunes. The local wildlife includes numerous bird species, reptiles and freshwater fish, making this an ideal destination for nature-loving travellers. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy excellent diving opportunities at one of the world’s top dive sites at Sodwana Bay with its magnificent reef complex.
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Manyoni Private Game Reserve lies in the heart of Zululand, an area that is world reknowned for its spectacular game viewing, rich cultural traditions, and conservation history. Initially formed as part of the WWF black rhino range expansion project, Manyoni has become one of the premier big five safari destinations in Kwa-Zulu Natal with a strong focus on endangered species conservation, including the reintroduction of cheetah and wild dogs. Conveniently located only 3 hours from Durban and 6 hours from Johannesburg, Manyoni is home to a range of luxury safari lodges, and boasts 23,000 hectares of magnificent Zululand scenery.
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Set in the heart of South Africa’s Zululand, on the scenic Elephant Coast, Thanda Safari Private Game Reserve is known for its conservation efforts and excellent safari experiences offering exclusive close encounters with Africa’s infamous Big Five. This reserve stretches over an impressive 14000 hectares boasting one of the world’s top luxury hotels. Visitors can jump on a day or night safari to spot abundant wildlife, visit a local village to learn about Zulu culture and enjoy a leisurely hippo and crocodile cruise. Commonly spotted species include: hyena, cheetah, warthog and wild dog. Visitors can enjoy excellent game viewing, luxury spa treatments, stargazing, and rhino tracking and this piece of paradise.
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Located on the eastern coast of South Africa, just outside of the port city of Durban, Umhlanga Rocks, also referred to as Umhlanga, is a popular seaside resort town. The tropical weather and lush vegetation make this an enticing holiday destination attracting visitors from all over the world. Umhlanga and its surrounds feature golden-sand beaches stretching over 200 kilometres, endless sugarcane fields and the rolling verdant landscape of the Valley of 1000 Hills. It is the perfect location for ocean enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike, with great opportunities for diving, swimming, scuba diving, whale watching, dolphin viewing, deep sea fishing and kiteboarding. Don’t miss Umhlanga’s excellent golf courses; they are a real treat for the avid golfer.
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