Astonishingly, only 10% of visitors to South Africa venture as far as KwaZulu-Natal. However, those that do are richly rewarded and never look back. Steeped in history, packed with wildlife, draped in dramatic landscapes and fringed by tropical beaches, KwaZulu-Natal is a remote land of fascinating beauty. The province really is a playground for intrepid travellers brave enough to leave the beaten path behind.
While it might be low on international visitors, KwaZulu-Natal is extremely high on hidden gems. The Drakensberg Mountains dominate the horizon of the province, dwarfing the surrounding area with their snowy peaks and misty majesty. Active travellers can hike in the mountains, crossing babbling brooks, gazing at grazing antelope and taking in the panoramic views. The skies here are so incredibly clear that, by night, you can often see the entire star-studded Milky Way. It’s a humbling way to end the day.
Durban is modern Africa at its magnificent best with the added bonus of ‘The Golden Mile’, a 6 km sweep of tropical sands. With a staggering 320 days of sunshine per year, it’s a great place to stretch out and soak up the African sun as the surf of the Indian Ocean crashes to the shore.
Inland, the Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal will give you a chilling glimpse into the bloody history of South Africa, helping you gain an insight into this incredible country whilst staying amidst stunning rural scenery.
There are also plenty of ways to bag a personal encounter with one of the Big 5 in KwaZulu-Natal, as the region has a range of wildlife reserves set amongst gorgeous thick forests, mangrove swamps, wetlands and lagoons. At the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, you can even opt for a self-drive safari to look out for lion, leopard and elephant from behind your own wheel.
The St.Lucia Wetlands Park is a wildlife reserve with a tidal twist, where turtles nest on the beaches, dolphins play in the surf and mantas glide through the waters amidst colourful coral. A little further inland, there’s an endless maze of estuaries, tiny islands and lakes that are heaving with hippo and crammed with crocodile. It’s a brilliant spot for boat safaris and a beautiful reserve in its own right.
A little further north along the KZN coastline, bang on the border with Mozambique, you’ll find the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve. Here, seawater and fresh water mix, making a perfect nutritional cocktail for countless species of fish and an equally impressive variety of birds.
So, if you’re crazy for coastlines, batty about battles, and mad about marine life, KwaZulu-Natal really is the place for you.
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KwaZulu-Natal Nature Explorer
Featured Accommodation
Cathedral Peak Hotel
The Drakensberg
Southern Sun Elangeni
Durban
Kosi Forest Lodge
St Lucia Wetland Park
Ghost Mountain Inn
KwaZulu-Natal
Thanda Tented Camp
Thanda Private Game Reserve
Destination: South Africa.
This trip will bring you the best of KwaZulu-Natal’s natural beauty over 12 unforgettable nights. Get lost amongst the idyllic meadows and babbling brooks of the Drakensberg Mountains, indulge in some sunbathing on the beaches of Durban, explore the coastal forests and lagoons of the St. Lucia Wetlands and get away from it all at Ghost Mountain. Finally, end your trip on a real high by setting off on a Big 5 safari every morning and afternoon. If you need a break and you’re eager to get back to nature, this is the perfect trip for you.
This is a 12 night itinerary including The Drakensberg, Durban, St Lucia Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal and Thanda Private Game Reserve.
A magical mixture of peaceful mountainsides, coastal resorts, historical insights and superb safaris, this 12 night itinerary will leave impressions that last a lifetime. You’ll stay in battlefield lodges and contemporary styled safari rooms, as well as mountain hideaways and landmark beach hotels with sweeping ocean views.
This is a 12 night itinerary including Durban, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, The Battlefields and The Drakensberg.
Over 12 nights, this trip will give intrepid travellers a glimpse of the hidden gems tucked away in KwaZulu-Natal. Walk in a UNESCO World Heritage site to see bushman paintings dating back thousands of years, relax on a beach, chase across the plains in search of the Big 5, and end in the saddle of a magnificent Arabian horse and experience the sights, smells, sounds and excitement of the African veld and literally become one with the environment.
This is a 12 night itinerary including The Drakensberg, Durban, AmaKhosi Private Game Reserve and Pakamisa Game Reserve.
This 12 night itinerary is a memorable combination of culture, nature and wildlife. Beginning in the Drakensberg Mountains with panoramic views at every turn, you continue onto The Battlefields for a look back to South Africa’s troubled past. You will then enjoy an exclusive Big 5 safari in a malaria-fee reserve before ending on the beach at one of South Africa’s best-loved and most distinguished hotels.
This is a 12 night itinerary including The Drakensberg, The Battlefields, Nambiti Private Game Reserve and Durban.