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KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

'From the barrier of spears that is the Drakensberg Mountains all the way down to the shores of the Indian Ocean, KwaZulu-Natal excites you on every visit'

Drakensberg Mountains
The 3,000 metre high jagged peaks and spirs of the forbidding Drakensberg Mountains dominate the western edge of the Zulu Kingdom. Knnown as uKhahlamba - 'The Barrier of Spears', the impressive range and its dramatic drop from escarpment to rolling hills below has been declared a World Heritage Site for both its unspoilt natural envoirnment and its wealth of ancient San rock art paintings depicting hunting scenes, trances and rituals.
Home to the rare bearded vulture the Drakensberg is the ideal place for exploration. Adrenalin junkies set on scaling peaks can seek out high mountain thrills while families can take more gentle strolls among the wild flowers and grasses and stop to enjoy a sunbird, baboon or maybe a gentle eland. There is nothing better than relaxing and enjoying the majestic views and fresh mountaon air after a days adventure.

There are numerous camping sites, resorts, mountains lodges and bed and breakfastsoffering accommodation throughout the region. Popular Drakensberg holiday activities include: golf, hiking the wel marked trails, examining the San rock art, climbing, horse riding, trout fishing, bass fishing, birding, paragliding, tennis and bowls. In addition you can enjoy swimming and tubing in the crystal clear mountain rivers.

The Ampitheatre, Cathedral Park and Giants Castle are the most popular areas to visit and a 4x4 trip up Sani Pass into Lesotho (where you can drink at the highest pub in Africa) showcase the beauty of the area.

Kwazulu-Natal Battlefields
As you travel east from the Drakensberg Mountains, the vegetation turns into real African bushveld - sparse and thorny with an etheral beauty. the scars of the Battlefields of Kwazulu-Natal stretch towards Zululand, where you can wander around the battle sites, graeyards, memorials and museums and conjure up images of steel-tipped assegais, cow hide shields and the resonating crack of gunfire.

The Talana Museum on the Talana battlefield outside of Dundee is one of the most impressive, housing relics from the Voortrekkers, the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer wars. Other sites close to Dundee worth visiting are the famous battlefields of Blood River, Isandlwana, Elandslaagte and Rorkes Drift. You can drive all or part of the extensive battlefields route.

There is more to the Battlefields than heroism and betrayals of the past, visit the craft markets, where cloth is dyed, pots thrown and glazed and carpets woven. Experience the wilderness with game drives, adventure and outdoor sports, good fishing, white water rafting and follow the fugitive trail used by soldiers fleeing Isandlwana.

A visit to the scenic Valley of the Cannibals - including Cannibal caves, Rock and Pantry - captures the imagination, and a tour would not be complete without visiting the Cottage Hospital, the iron-age smelter, San paintings and the Miners Rest - a typical 1920's miners home.

The Midlands Meander
Following the waterways as they drop down from the Drakensberg Peaks, cascade down mountain clefts, through hidden valleys and tumble into the luscious hills that extend through the Midlands before flowing gently to the coast.
Often compared to central England the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands comprise a prosperous agricultural industry based mainly on thoroughbred horses, dairy and forestry, interspersed with small picturesque villages.

There is a number of well marked route through the area, the most popular being The Midlands Meander. You can enjoy a scenic drive stopping off to visit the studios of talented potters, artists, weavers and leather workers. Stop for tea or lunch at one of the many cottage outlets through the region.

Pietermaritzberg the capital of the Zulu Kingdom is an enthralling mix of Edwardian and Victorian era architecture spiced with Indian heritage and African culture. It has a number of historical and natural attractions. A few kilometres inland takes you to the Midnar Dam for water sports and trips to nature and the 100m waterfall tumbling into Howick.

Durban
Africa's third largest city Durban is a busy port on the edge of the warm Indian Ocean. It offers the buzz of a large metropolitan city with a vibrant mix of cultures, miles of sun-drenched beaches and a moderate climate, making sports a pleasure all year round

For 'shop til you drop' retail therapy visit the pavillion or Gateway. A visit to teh bustling Victoris Street Market and nearby aromatic Spice Emporium is a must to get afeel of this eclectic and cultural area of Durban. Here sangomas (traditional healers) rub shoulders with traders selling everything from muti to exotic hot spices.

The BAT Centre and Wilsons Wharf are funky places to relax to the sound of good music and enjoy a fine meal. Township tours give a good feel for both traditional and modern African life. A visit to the Sharks Board will bring you nose to nose with a fearsome predators from ther deep. uShaka marine World is home to the worlds fifth largest aquarium, a dolphinarium, penguin rookery, fun water slides and rides. In addition Durban has a variety of shows for theatre buffs, galleries for art fanatics and a number of museums for the history and natural science enthusiasts.

KwaZulu-Natal Beaches

South of Durban
From Durban head south along the N2 into a sub-tropical paradise. Swimming, surfing, scuba diving, deep sea fishing,golf, dolphin and whale watching, and soaking up the sun are the main attractions of the KwaZulu-Natal Hibiscus Coast - a stretch that boasts five blue flag beaches and numerous golf courses.

The hot summers and mild winters along this stretch, extending from Hibberdene to Port Edward make it the perfect beach holiday destination. In June ther is the annual Sardine Run when the seas come alive as huge shoals of sardines migrate north along the coast, followed by thousands of dolphins, whales, seals, sharks, game fish and sea birds, which swoop in to feast on natures bounty.

Accommodation ranges from camp sites to luxury lodges renowned for their laidback charm.
Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks are world class scuba diving sites.

North of Durban
The rolling sugarcane covered hills of the north coast extend from Port Zimbali northwards to the mighty Thukela River, with luxury sea-side resorts studded along the shores. Ballito is the main hub with kilometres of beachfront accommodation and protected swimming beaches. Further north Shakas Rock, Salt Rock, Tinley Manor and Zinkwazi offer an array of tidal pools, impressive rock forations as well as good surf fishing. Dolphin viewing, microlighting and game reserve visits are among the many activities.

Culture and Birding Route
Moving north of the Thukela River to St Lucia and inland beyond Ulundi you can discover the rich history, social customs and craaftmanship of the Zulu in several cultural villages in the very heart of the Zulu Kingdom. roadside stalls and shops are crammed with homemade clay pots, beadwork, woodcarvings, reed baskets and grass mats. Mtunzini has a number of natural attractions including the winter butterfly migration, rare raffia palm and equally rare palm nut vulure.

Bird lovers can follow the Zululand Birding Route which offers a rich birding potential of 605 species over 14 seelf-drive routes. Explore the Ngome Mist Forest or enjoy and easy stroll through the forest canopies on the Dlinza Forest aeriel boardwalk.

Eco Tourism on the Elephant Coast
Moving furter north along The Elephant Coast from the St Lucia Wetlands to the border of Mozambique you get the feeling of being in the untamed Africa of the past.

For Game viewing the options are plentiful, Thembe Elephant Park, Ndumo Game Reserve, Mkuze Private Reserve and Phinda Private Game Reserve allow you to spot many of the big five from the comfort of your vehicle or on a safari with a knowledgable safari guide.

Sodwana Bay, Cape Vidal and Kosi Bay all provide excellent underwater experiences - scuba diving or snorkelling - with opportunities to see humback whales, ragged tooth sharks, whale sharks, tiger sharks and a variety of rays in the beautiful coastal waters.

The Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park is the largest estuary in Southern Africa with a 38,000 hectare expanse of tidal and semi tidal water. It is home to the rare coelacanth, a fish once thought to be extinct. Horse safari's, sea kayaking, and oof road trails for quad bikes add to the adventure experience.