KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal, or KZN as it is colloquially known, is the traditional centre for holidays in South Africa. The province has a rich tapestry of attractions that blend natural beauty, cultural heritage, and adventure.

For paddlers and their supporters looking for a cost-effective holiday destination before or after the World Championships, KZN is almost certain to have something for all tastes.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a haven for biodiversity. It boasts a variety of ecosystems, including wetlands, forests, and coral reefs. Visitors can explore its stunning landscapes through activities like hiking, birdwatching, and boat tours on the St. Lucia Estuary, where hippos and crocodiles thrive. The park is also famous for its rich marine life and pristine beaches. The so-called “Ten Jewels of iSimangaliso” provide visitors with a dizzying choice in this unique interlinking ecosystems.

Drakensberg Mountains

The western border of KZN is dwarfed by the magnificent uKhahlamba/Drakensberg mountain range which offer visitors breathtaking scenery and numerous outdoor activities. Hiking enthusiasts can explore trails leading to dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient rock art sites. The Amphitheatre, a massive cliff face, is a popular hiking destination, providing panoramic views that are truly awe-inspiring. The region also features charming lodges and cultural experiences that highlight the Zulu heritage.

Zulu Culture and Battlefields

KwaZulu-Natal is the heart of Zulu culture, and visitors can immerse themselves in this rich history. The Zulu Battlefields, including the sites of the Anglo-Zulu War, offer guided tours that recount the epic battles between the Zulu warriors and British forces, and the British and Afrikaaners. Attractions like Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana provide insight into this pivotal period in South African history. Visitors can also enjoy traditional Zulu dances and craft markets.

KwaZulu-Natal’s beaches

Durban’s Golden Mile is a vibrant beachfront promenade known for its stunning Indian Ocean views and lively atmosphere, but is just a tiny section of a vast coastline that stretches north to Mozambique and south as far as Port Edward and the border to the Eastern Cape province. Visitors can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and a variety of water sports. Durban is also home to the uShaka Marine World, an aquatic theme park that features an aquarium, water rides, and marine animal interactions, making it a perfect family destination.

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

One of the oldest game reserves in Africa, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is renowned for its conservation efforts, particularly for the white rhino. Visitors can embark on guided safaris to witness the Big Five in their natural habitat. The park’s diverse landscapes, from rolling hills to dense bushveld, provide a picturesque backdrop for wildlife enthusiasts.

Mixed cultural heritage

While KwaZulu-Natal derives its name from the traditional home of the Zulu nation, the province’s population is now made up of a cosmopolitan mix of heritages, which means there is no shortage of cultural and historical attractions. Visitors can views traditional art and cultural sites of the Zulus, Indians, Afrikaaners and English, and visit historical venues such as Nelson Mandela’s Capture Site, Dingaan’s Royal Kraal and the Mahatma Gandhi Settlement.

Beyond KZN

For those visitors looking to travel further beyond KwaZulu-Natal’s provincial borders, neighboring countries Mozambique and eSwatini lie to the north and landlocked Lesotho, the world’s highest nation, sits on KZN’s western border. Travellers can stay within South Africa and visit the financial centre of Gauteng via the Free State or Mpumalanga (and maybe take in the ‘Cradle of Mankind’, where the earliest evidence of mankind has been discovered), or travel south to the Eastern Cape and on to the prime international tourism destination of Cape Town in the Western Cape.