KwaZulu Natal has come into its own right increasingly for tourism as a result of much advertising over recent years and featured as the Zulu Kingdom. It is regrettable that many from abroad miss this experience, as it is a known fact that it has the most to offer visitors in a variety of experiences. For many years it has been known as the Garden Province for good reason.
KwaZulu - the place of the Zulu in the north and Natal, named by Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer of the 15th Century when he passed the shores of this coast on Christmas day en-route to India.This beautiful Indian Ocean coastline of some 370 km, has a hot, humid tropical climate.
Durban is the biggest city and second largest in the country, a holidaying playground of South Africa. The golden sandy beaches are world standard, many with awards. The coastline north and south of Durban also boasts beautiful beaches and forests. If you can tear yourself away from the warm water, you may visit the Oribi Gorge or take time for a steam train ride on the Banana Express.
KwaZulu - the place of the Zulu in the north and Natal, named by Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer of the 15th Century when he passed the shores of this coast on Christmas day en-route to India.This beautiful Indian Ocean coastline of some 370 km, has a hot, humid tropical climate.
Durban is the biggest city and second largest in the country, a holidaying playground of South Africa. The golden sandy beaches are world standard, many with awards. The coastline north and south of Durban also boasts beautiful beaches and forests. If you can tear yourself away from the warm water, you may visit the Oribi Gorge or take time for a steam train ride on the Banana Express.
When leaving Durban on the N3 dual carriageway, it should take just under an hour to reach Pietermaritzburg, the capital of the province. Taking the Old road is an interesting but slow scenic route, which takes in small towns such as Gillits, Hillcrest and Assagay, which offer beautiful scenery and places of interest such as the Valley of a thousand Hills and the Zulu cultural village.Pietermaritzburg is the provincial capital, a city with a Victorian flavour, which is worth spending some time at. The architecture has been well preserved and there are places of historical significance relating to the Zulu wars, the arrest of Mahatma Ghandi and more.The topography rapidly rises up inland to the spectacular Drakensberg mountain range within three hours drive from the coast to cooler temperatures. The forests and mountains are breathtaking.In the north of the province in historic Zululand there are mountains, game reserves and the unique sand forests and lakes of Maputaland, which are a unique experience not to be missed.
The Midlands.
This is the inland area of KwaZulu-Natal, situated between Pietermaritzburg and the Drakensberg mountain range. Again the alternate route to the N3 Dual carriageway will yield pleasant surprises.
The midlands region is a feast for the eyes, with more places and activities to take in than would be possible in a short stay.
There are several small towns located in the Midlands, including: Howick, Hilton, Balgowan, Nottingham Road and Mooiriver that offer numerous bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels for tourist accommodation.
The Midlands Meander is a tourism route that include accommodation, art and crafts and restaurant stops. The midlands main industry is farming and forestry.
The countryside has green rolling hills, misty valleys and offers trout fishing,equestrian sports and other outdoor pursuits.
The Midmar and Albert Falls dams have sailing and powerboating events and good angling for enthusiasts..
This is the inland area of KwaZulu-Natal, situated between Pietermaritzburg and the Drakensberg mountain range. Again the alternate route to the N3 Dual carriageway will yield pleasant surprises.
The midlands region is a feast for the eyes, with more places and activities to take in than would be possible in a short stay.
There are several small towns located in the Midlands, including: Howick, Hilton, Balgowan, Nottingham Road and Mooiriver that offer numerous bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels for tourist accommodation.
The Midlands Meander is a tourism route that include accommodation, art and crafts and restaurant stops. The midlands main industry is farming and forestry.
The countryside has green rolling hills, misty valleys and offers trout fishing,equestrian sports and other outdoor pursuits.
The Midmar and Albert Falls dams have sailing and powerboating events and good angling for enthusiasts..
The Drakensberg.
The Drakensberg region is divided into three areas known as the Northern, Central and Southern Drakensberg, known to locals as the Berg. The area offers excellent hiking, climbing and birding opportunities. The weather can change rapidly, so caution needs to be taken. The area abounds in flora, birdlife and caves with the original San inhabitant's rock art.There is accommodation to suite your budget from self catering, bed and breakfast to luxury hotels.
The Drakensberg region is divided into three areas known as the Northern, Central and Southern Drakensberg, known to locals as the Berg. The area offers excellent hiking, climbing and birding opportunities. The weather can change rapidly, so caution needs to be taken. The area abounds in flora, birdlife and caves with the original San inhabitant's rock art.There is accommodation to suite your budget from self catering, bed and breakfast to luxury hotels.
Climate Information.
KwaZulu-Natal experiences subtropical climate with hot humid conditions in summer and very mild winters. This region receives summer rainfall. The mountainous areas further west are extremely chilly in winter as snow does fall on the Drakensberg Mountains and the midlands.
KwaZulu-Natal experiences subtropical climate with hot humid conditions in summer and very mild winters. This region receives summer rainfall. The mountainous areas further west are extremely chilly in winter as snow does fall on the Drakensberg Mountains and the midlands.
The Elephant Coast.
The Elephant Coast offers many of the splendors South Africa has to offer. Included in The Elephant Coast is the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park world Heritage Site, The iMfolozi Hluhluwe Game Reserve, Duma Zulu Cultural Village, Pongola Reserve, Jozini Dam and many Cultural Experiences in between.
The Elephant Coast is a one stop Tourist Destination.This is a large chunk of sub-tropical paradise stretching 220km along the East Coast from St Lucia to the Mozambique border.There are a mind-blowing range of natural systems, ranging from dune, swamp and coastal forests to rocky and sandy shores, coral reefs and submarine canyons, mangroves, savanna grassland, thickets, woodlands, and the largest protected wetland in Southern Africa.
The Elephant Coast offers many of the splendors South Africa has to offer. Included in The Elephant Coast is the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park world Heritage Site, The iMfolozi Hluhluwe Game Reserve, Duma Zulu Cultural Village, Pongola Reserve, Jozini Dam and many Cultural Experiences in between.
The Elephant Coast is a one stop Tourist Destination.This is a large chunk of sub-tropical paradise stretching 220km along the East Coast from St Lucia to the Mozambique border.There are a mind-blowing range of natural systems, ranging from dune, swamp and coastal forests to rocky and sandy shores, coral reefs and submarine canyons, mangroves, savanna grassland, thickets, woodlands, and the largest protected wetland in Southern Africa.
The Battlefields.
For those of us with an interest in history, the Battlefields region will transport you back to times of the British Empire. KwaZulu Natal is a beautiful territory which was much fought over amongst the Nguni clans which saw the forging of the Zulu nation by King Shaka Zulu. Then followed the clash between Boer pioneers and the Zulu, culminating in the battle of Blood River.
Later Brit and Zulu clashed, with battles such as Isandlwana, Rorke's drift, Kambula, Eshowe and finally Ulundi, which saw the end of a mighty power in Africa-the Zulu regimental system. Peace was not to last long, as the clash between the British empire and the Boer Republics made Northern Natal the front line.Visit Spioenkop, Ladysmith and Talana museum at Dundee.
For those of us with an interest in history, the Battlefields region will transport you back to times of the British Empire. KwaZulu Natal is a beautiful territory which was much fought over amongst the Nguni clans which saw the forging of the Zulu nation by King Shaka Zulu. Then followed the clash between Boer pioneers and the Zulu, culminating in the battle of Blood River.
Later Brit and Zulu clashed, with battles such as Isandlwana, Rorke's drift, Kambula, Eshowe and finally Ulundi, which saw the end of a mighty power in Africa-the Zulu regimental system. Peace was not to last long, as the clash between the British empire and the Boer Republics made Northern Natal the front line.Visit Spioenkop, Ladysmith and Talana museum at Dundee.
Midlands Scenery
Central Drakensberg
Zulu Cultural Village
Zululand.
The heart of Zulu culture and where the Zulu nation and empire was born. It is here that Africa's game reserves were first proclaimed and in recent decades the Hluhluwe-Umfolosi game reserve was at the fore-front in saving White Rhino's from extinction. The reserves have increased in number and quality in recent years with increased community participation which ensures the proceeds of tourism is used to benefit tribal communities. An example is the Tembe Elephant Reserve, the home of Africa's biggest Elephants.
The area is a bird-watching paradise.
The countryside in Zululand includes wetlands, majestic sand forest - one of the most threatened vegetation types in South Africa, rain forest to savanna, with undulating hills rich in culture and history. Here the visitor is able to participate and be immersed in Zulu culture experience.
The area is a bird-watching paradise.
The countryside in Zululand includes wetlands, majestic sand forest - one of the most threatened vegetation types in South Africa, rain forest to savanna, with undulating hills rich in culture and history. Here the visitor is able to participate and be immersed in Zulu culture experience.
KwaZulu-Natal Province: The place of the Zulu
Beaches
The beaches in this region benefit from the warmth of the Indian Ocean Mocambique current and provide bathing most of the year and some of the best waves for surfing enthusiasts. Off-shore and deep sea fishing opportunities abound, particularly during the summer season when the shoals of sardines migrate up the coast from the Cape. These little fish are washed ashore in countless tons and provide a feast for the many predator fish, which has a rewarding spin-off for fishermen. Huge schools of Dolphins surf the waves, putting on a spectacular display for those who may be watching on shore.The marine life is spectacular in the tropical waters, so providing a fantastic experience for deep sea diving and snorkelling, particularly the stretch between Sodwana and Kosi Bay. The mountains and wetlands of surrounding KwaZulu Natal provide opportunities for hiking, mountaineering and bird watching. For the tourism industry, the province is divided into 7 regions: South Coast, Dolphin Coast, Elephant Coast, Midlands, Drakensberg, Battlefields and Zululand.
The beaches in this region benefit from the warmth of the Indian Ocean Mocambique current and provide bathing most of the year and some of the best waves for surfing enthusiasts. Off-shore and deep sea fishing opportunities abound, particularly during the summer season when the shoals of sardines migrate up the coast from the Cape. These little fish are washed ashore in countless tons and provide a feast for the many predator fish, which has a rewarding spin-off for fishermen. Huge schools of Dolphins surf the waves, putting on a spectacular display for those who may be watching on shore.The marine life is spectacular in the tropical waters, so providing a fantastic experience for deep sea diving and snorkelling, particularly the stretch between Sodwana and Kosi Bay. The mountains and wetlands of surrounding KwaZulu Natal provide opportunities for hiking, mountaineering and bird watching. For the tourism industry, the province is divided into 7 regions: South Coast, Dolphin Coast, Elephant Coast, Midlands, Drakensberg, Battlefields and Zululand.
Copyright: African-Experiences 2007.
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