KwaZulu Natal & Swaziland

Blessed by a sunny year-round climate KwaZulu-Natal, known as the Kingdom of the Zulu, offers travellers diverse attractions. Landscapes range from mountains and forests to wetlands, while activities include deep-sea diving, white-water rafting, hiking, horse riding, trout fishing, safari, golf and much more. Zulu, Indian and European influences have created a cultural mosaic.

Durban

Gateway to the province is Durban, famed for its wide, sandy beaches and superb surfing in the warm Indian Ocean. Go shopping in the modern malls or in the Indian markets. The long coastline north and south of Durban boasts beautiful beaches, numerous family resorts and opportunities for playing golf and diving.

The parks

KwaZulu-Natal’s game parks include; the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, credited for saving the white rhino from extinction but also offering the full Big 5 game experience; the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, declared a World Heritage Site, protects marine life as well as mammals, reptiles and birds - take a boat trip for close-ups of hippos and crocodiles; Mhkuze Game Reserve, a haven for bird watchers; further north, close to the Mozambique border, are Tembe Elephant Park, Ndumo Game Reserve and near the border of Swaziland is Pongola and the Pongolapoort Dam; Ithala Game Reserve, to the south west of Pongola was once the territory of Zulu King Shaka, but nowadays it is a sanctuary for rhino, elephant, leopard and over 300 bird species. 

Also declared a World Heritage Site is the scenically breathtaking uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. Himeville is the gateway to the Sani Pass (2,875 metres above sea level), which connects South Africa with the “Mountain Kingdom” of Lesotho. Travel by 4x4 vehicles on an organised excursion to see the spectacular views of the Southern Drakensberg and end up in the highest pub in the world.  Travelling on in a north-west direction is the entrance to Giant’s Castle Game Reserve, renowned for its bushman cave paintings.  Highlights of the park include Cathedral Peak, the Ampitheatre, Mont-aux-Sources and the Tugela Falls.

The Zulus 

There are plenty of opportunities for experiencing the Zulu way of life while for those with an interest in military history there are numerous Anglo-Boer, Anglo-Zulu and Zulu-Boer battle sites to visit. The most famous of these are Spionkop, Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, scene of some of the most dramatic events in British colonial military history.

The Midlands Meander is a well known sign-posted arts & crafts route with more than 100 places to visit ranging from art studios to rustic pubs. The route starts just north of Pietermaritzburg (Natal Railway Museum) and continues through Howick (Howick Falls & Midmar Dam), Dargle, Fort Nottingham and Bagowan (local brewery and fly fishing territory), and finally Rosetta and Mooi River and ending at the farming hamlet of Hidcote.

SWAZILAND

Swaziland is a tiny land-locked country, with a constitutional monarchy, bordered by Kwa Zulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Mozambique.

Swaziland has an incredible range of climatic and vegetation zones for its size. There are nature reserves and game parks whilst the highveld boasts excellent scenic hiking and horse trails. The craft industry in Swaziland is well developed and locally produced candles, glassware, fabric, woodwork and weaving can be found in the markets at Manzini and Mbabane. 

During the hot, wet summers, travellers are advised to take malaria precautions.