Durban and Zululand

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.

Hippo 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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