KwaZulu-Natal

The 'Kingdom of the Zulu' has many reasons to be proud. It is home to two World Heritage Sites, five Blue Flag beaches, three world-class dive spots and Big 5 game reserves. The subtropical coastline has enjoys the mildest winter weather. Ancient San rock art can be found in the Drakensberg mountains.

	CAPITAL	Pietermaritzburg
	OTHER CITIES	Durban, Richards Bay, Pietermaritzburg
	AIRPORTS	Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay
	AREA	7.6% of the country
	POPULATION	20.7% of the country at 8.93 million
	LANGUAGES	Zulu & English

Not to be missed

Destinations

Durban

Durban is ‘South Africa’s playground’. Over 4 million visitors a year cannot be wrong. African, Indian and European influences harmoniously blend together to give every visitor an experience of sun, fun and culture second to none in South Africa. Durban is famous for its wonderful weather and beautiful warm Indian Ocean beaches which are perfect for year round swimming. 

For more information on Durban, click here.

Drakensberg

The Zulu call the Drakensberg mountains uKhahlamba, “the barrier of spears”. The range is spectacular with towering peaks of up to 3,300m, deep ravines, sparkling cascades and plateaus brimming with over 2,000 species of flowers and trees. The Drakensberg is home to many excellent specimens of San rock art, and for this it has been declared a World Heritage Site.  

Towns in this region: Underberg

Dolphin Coast

The coastline north of Durban is called Dolphin Coast after the many bottle-nosed dolphins that are regularly sited offshore. 

Towns in this destination: Salt Rock

Elephant Coast 

The Elephant Coast is an eco-tourist's dream. Big 5 game reserves include Hluhluwe-Umfolozi which specializes in saving the black rhino. The St Lucia Wetlands Park is a World Heritage Site and is home to hippos, crocodiles, fish and birds. Sodwana Bay, at the northern end of the park, is popular with diversfor diversity of marine life and corals.  

Towns in this destination: Hluhluwe, Sodwana Bay, St. Lucia

South Coast

The South Coast is the ultimate beach holiday destination. In winter the sea is warm and the air is balmy. In summer the sun is hot and the nights are almost tropical. The effect of such perfect weather is that everything on the South Coast exists in a state of happy tranquillity.

Towns in this destination: Umtentweni, Port Edward, Umzumbe

Pietermaritzburg and the Midlands

The capital of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg is a laid-back city that nevertheless offers the best of a first world city. The city is also the gateway to the Midlands Meander, a tourist route that offers range of outdoor and adventure pursuits, such as abseiling down Howick Falls, canopy slinging in the Karkloof, and white-water rafting on the Umkomaas River.

Towns in this destination: Pietermaritzburg

Zululand

This is the centre of Zulu Culture. Find museums, battlefields, crafts, pottery and beads amidst the scenic rolling hills of Zululand. Visit local villages and attend traditional Zulu celebrations.

Towns in this destination: Eshowe, Mtubatuba