KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is a place of great scenic beauty. From mountains and midlands to pristine beaches, its natural splendour is seldom rivalled. Its rich culture and historical heritage combine to offer a fascinating glimpse into one of South Africa’s greatest nations and significant historical events.
Best time to visit
KwaZulu-Natal is an all-year-round destination, due to its warm climate. The coastal regions have hot, humid summers with high rainfall. Inland, summers are warm and winters mild, while around the Drakensberg mountains, winters are cold with frequent snowfalls.
Tours to do
Midlands Meander in the Natal Midlands; uKhahlamba-Drakensberg; Aliwal Shoal, Oribi Gorge and Lighthouse Tours on the South Coast; uShaka Marine World in Durban; rickshaw ride on Durban beachfront; Greater St Lucia Wetland Park; bird watching in Zululand; game reserves of the Elephant Coast; the Battlefields; Natal Sharks Board; Freedom Route; Indian heritage tour.
DID YOU KNOW?
Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, a KwaZulu Natal attraction, was South Africa’s first World Heritage Site.
KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, holds many wonders. Mountain scenery, rolling midlands, bush and beaches come together to offer a compelling and intriguing KwaZulu Natal tourism experience. All this is underpinned by the legacy of the Zulus and the wars which played out here, completing the picture of KwaZulu Natal’s alluring tourist attractions.
KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, is regarded as the Zulu kingdom, for it spawned this mighty African tribe. The nation is highly regarded for its military tactics, introduced by King Shaka and successfully employed in wars against the Boers (Dutch-speaking farmers) and British.
Ample opportunities exist for visitors to immerse themselves in the Zulu culture at villages around the province, while extensive battlefields tourism routes bring these Zulu-Boer-British wars to life.
KwaZulu Natal’s cultural heritage also includes the San (Bushmen), with tens of thousands of San rock paintings to be seen in the Drakensberg mountains.
These exquisite mountains are a World Heritage Site and a major leisure attraction, offering walks, hikes and adventure activities. They house the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg National Park with its abundant biodiversity, including 290 bird species and 48 mammal species.
This mountainous terrain gives way to the rolling hills of the midlands where you can indulge in the treats of the famous Midlands Meander. This tourism route features almost 200 destinations, focused around the arts, crafts and cultures of this region.
Travel through the beautiful Valley of a Thousands Hills to Pietermaritzburg and Durban, where you can uncover the liberation efforts of icons such as Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi on the Freedom Route.
From Durban, explore the beautiful coastline with its pristine beaches, from Port Edward in the south to Kosi Bay in the north.
The north is also home to birding hotspot, Zululand; the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, another World Heritage Site; and several luxury game reserves offering authentic African safaris.
Durban Attractions
Durban offers excellent urban vibes, including a mix of design, art, music and food – peppered with fascinating cultural influences. Even in winter there’s lots to experience, especially with snow-capped mountains, top game reserves, country meanders and loads of other top attractions nearby.
Durban is South Africa’s most popular domestic holiday city and it’s easy to see why. It has miles of soft, sandy swimming beaches, great surfing and warm weather all year round. There’s everything from B&Bs to world-class hotels, and you’ll never run out of fun things to do.
Head to the ocean for a fishing charter or chill out on a sunset sundowner cruise. Take in the marine life at Ushaka Marine World and burn up some energy at Water World.
Durban is green all year round, thanks to its subtropical weather. To see the city and coastline at its best, head to La Lucia Ridge, preferably early on a clear morning. Look south to view the beach arcing around Durban’s bay. See a different angle of the same view by looking north from atop the Bluff at the harbour entrance.
Durban is recognised for its well preserved art deco and Victorian architecture, particularly along Victoria Embankment and on the Berea. Many events, cultures and nations have shaped Durban and you’ll find more than a dozen museums that tell its unique story.
You can even pack in some adrenalin activities at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping
Go for an early morning walk along which is close to Durban’s main entertainment drag. It has a powerful wavehouse and an indoor climbing wall, which at 23 metres is the highest in the world. Plus, there are fast go-karts and a Tony Hawke-designed skate park. Stroll along the Umhlanga Rocks paved beachfront walkway and you may see dolphins surfing the waves just offshore. Or take to the air as a microlite passenger for a flip along the coast.
We call it Durbs or Surf City or “Thekweni”, which means “sea” in Zulu, and that suggests what life’s like here – one long holiday.