Known as the
Kingdom of the Zulu, KwaZulu-Natal is a
melting pot of African, European and Indian
cultures. This province boasts two World
Heritage Sites – the Greater St Lucia
Wetland Park and the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg
Park.
Traditionally, a popular destination for
holiday-makers, KwaZulu Natal is South
Africa’s busiest local holiday destination.
Overview
KwaZulu-Natal
stretches from Port Edward in the south, to
the Mozambique boundary, in the north. From
its early days, the province has been the
scene of many fierce battles - being the
bone of contention between the Zulus and the
Voortrekkers; the British Empire and Boer
settlers (Anglo-Boer War); the Zulus and the
British Empire.
KwaZulu-Natal
has the largest population in the country
with some nine million people living on 92
100 km2 of land. Seventy-five per cent of
its inhabitants are black, mainly
Zulu-speakers. Some 15 per cent of the
population are Indian, while white people
make up the remainder.
Climate
KwaZulu-Natal
is known to be a province that experiences
eternal summer, although temperatures do
differ from region to region. This province
has a tropical climate and rainfall is
generous during the summer months.
During the
Christmas holiday season, it can get
extremely hot and humid along the coastline,
although temperatures are milder as one
moves inland.
Durban
enjoys an average temperature of around 27
degrees Celsius (81 degrees F) during the
month of January, and a daily maximum of
roughly 22 degrees C during July.
Getting to
Know KwaZulu-Natal
Durban
Bustling
Durban is the hub of the province’s business
and industry and pulses with all the energy
of a major port city. Luxury hotels abound
on Durban’s beachfront, and this city is
often referred to as South Africa’s ‘Miami
Beach’. Durban is one of the fastest-growing
urban areas in the world.
Durban’s
harbour is the busiest in South Africa and
also one of the 10 largest worldwide.
Pietermaritzburg
The city of
Pietermaritzburg has a strong colonial
heritage, however, this vibrant town has a
great mix of Indian, Zulu and
English-speaking people. The city is often
referred to as the best-preserved Victorian
City in the country.
Major
attractions:
Some of
South Africa’s best beaches can be found
along the Natal coastline, Umhlanga Rocks,
Ballito, Shaka’s Rock, Shelley Beach (on the
North Coast), Uvongo and Margate (on the
South coast) – to mention just a few. These
beaches offer safe swimming and fantastic
surfing possibilities. Durban also boasts
spectacular beaches including Addington
Beach, South and North beaches and Dairy
beach.
Durban’s
Grey Street
Grey Street
is home to Durban’s Indian population. Here,
you will find the Juma Musjid Mosque and its
gilt-domed minarets (1927) – the largest
mosque in the southern hemisphere. Wander
around the area and the bazaars and buy some
of the incredible spices and textiles in the
province from local Indian vendors.
Mountains
and Dragons
The Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg
Park was declared a World Heritage Site in
2000. This mountain wilderness, bordering
Lesotho, is a vast national park boasting
the highest mountain range in South Africa.
Known to
the Zulus as the `Barrier of Spears’, the
Drakensberg (or `Dragon Mountains’) mountain
range is truly spectacular. Often referred
to as Little Switzerland, this part of the
world offers spectacular waterfalls,
mountain peaks and rock faces adorned with
San rock art.
On Safari
Famous for
its rhino conservation programme and big
five sightings, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is
the largest of KZN’s reserves and boasts a
fantastic cross section of wildlife. Mkuzi
and Ndomo game reserves are also popular,
and walking safaris in these reserves are
spectacular.
Zulu
Heartland
KwaZulu-Natal
is referred to as the ‘Kingdom of the
Zulus’. To the west of the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi
Game Reserve (150km north of Ulundi), one
can explore cultural museums that
concentrate on local history.
Near Ondini, one can find the reconstructed
royal enclosure of Cetshwayo, the Zulu King.
The fascinating Vukani Collection Museum is
found at Eshowe and boasts one of the best
collections of Zulu art and culture in the
world. Shakaland and Gingindlovu are also
worth a visit.
The Greater St
Lucia Wetlands Park
Along the
Maputaland coastline you will find The Great
St Lucia Wetlands Park - an eco-tourism
wonderland of beautiful lakes, swamps,
forests and marshlands surrounding the
estuary of Lake St Lucia. This area was
declared as one of South Africa’s first
World Heritage Sites – and is no doubt one
of the most beautiful wetlands areas in the
world.
Sodwana
Bay
Some of the
best diving and snorkelling opportunities in
South Africa are on offer in Sodwana – a
veritable mecca for those who love
underwater adventure. The area is also
famous for big-game fishing.
The
Battlefields
A number of
Battlefield tours are on offer in KZN where
some of South Africa’s most turbulent wars
took place. The interior, north of the
Tugela River, marks the spot of gruesome
battles between Boers and Zulus, British and
Zulus and, of course, the Boers and the
British.
The Indaba
Heritage Route
Visit the
place where Mahatma Gandhi developed his
philosophy of passive resistance. Visit
Ohlange, the school founded by the president
of the ANC – John Dube – or visit the Inanda
Seminary, home to the largest Shembe church
in the province (two million members).
Midlands
Meander
The
Midlands Meander is a picture-postcard
country. The rolling green hills of the
midlands are home to English-style country
inns, guesthouses and quaint bed and
breakfast establishments. The area is known
for its delightful restaurants and a
marvellous arts-and-crafts route.
Valley of
a Thousand Hills
One of the
most picturesque drives in the world is just
45km from Durban, known as the Valley of a
Thousand Hills. It is in these hills that
Zulu people still live in their traditional
huts, the views are breathtaking – to be
savoured, slowly.
Zulu
Crafts
KwaZulu-Natal
boasts a wide range of markets, craft shops
and galleries where one can purchase the
finest Zulu crafts. Traditional baskets,
woven beer strainers, Zulu drums, shields
and assegais, beadwork, pottery and regalia
- can all be purchased at reasonable prices.
The
Hibiscus Coast
The
coastline from Port Shepstone to Port Edward
has been called the Hibiscus Coast because
of its lush gardens, luxury suburban homes,
beach-side cottages and friendly caravan
parks. The area is known for fantastic
beaches as well as golfing opportunities.
This is real bucket-and-spade country – with
the towns of Margate and Uvongo being firm
favourites.
The
Dolphin Coast
The
glorious Dolphin Coast stretches from
Umhlanga Rocks, north of Durban, to the
mouth of the Tugela River. The area boasts
wide beaches and the warm ocean is the
perfect playground for dolphins. The main
holiday resorts consist of Ballito, Salt
Rock and Umhlanga Rocks – all three offer
five star hotels, however, self-catering
accommodation is a firm favourite amongst
local holidaymakers.
