KwaZulu Natal Travel Guide - Budget Accommodation, Game Lodges, Luxury Accommodation

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Province: Kwazulu Natal

Aptly called South Africa's garden province, this verdant region forms the east coast of South Africa, stretching from Port Edward in the south northwards to the Mozambique boundary. It is a province with a subtropical coastline, sweeping savanna in the east and the magnificent Drakensberg mountain range in the west. The warm Indian Ocean washing its beaches makes it one of the country's most popular holiday destinations. 

Visitors to KwaZulu-Natal can either disembark at Durban International Airport or the Durban harbour, or make use of the extensive national road network. 

Durban is one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the world. Its port is the busiest in South Africa and also one of the 10 largest in the world. KwaZulu-Natal is the only province with a monarchy specifically provided for in its Constitution. 

Pietermaritzburg and Ulundi are joint capitals of the province because of the coalition government in the provincial legislature. Other important towns include Richards Bay, an important coal export harbour, and many coastal holiday resorts, such as Port Shepstone, Umhlanga Rocks and Margate. In the interior, Newcastle is well known for steel production and coal mining, Estcourt for meat processing, and Ladysmith and Richmond for mixed agriculture. The KwaZulu-Natal coastal belt yields sugar cane, wood, oranges, bananas, mangoes and other tropical fruit. 

Some of South Africa's best-protected indigenous coastal forests are found along the subtropical coastline of KwaZulu-Natal, for example at Dukuduku and Kosi Bay. It is also along this coast that the magnificent St Lucia Estuary and Kosi Bay lakes are located. In 1999, the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park was declared a World Heritage Site. 

Separating KwaZulu-Natal from the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, the Drakensberg runs 200 km along the western boundary of the province. 

The northern part of the province, south of the Swaziland border, is typical African savanna, providing a natural backdrop for its rich wildlife, protected in several game parks. 

The people 
KwaZulu-Natal has the largest population in the country with some nine million people living on 92 100 km2 of land. The principal language spoken is isiZulu, followed by English and Afrikaans. Remnants of British colonialism together with Zulu, Indian and Afrikaans traditions make for an interesting cultural mix in the province. 

Among its assets, the province counts several universities, technikons and various other educational institutions. However, almost 23% of adults in the province have had no schooling. KwaZulu-Natal has a relatively poorly skilled labour force. The economy therefore experiences a shortage of skilled human resources. The official unemployment figure for the province is 25,9%. 

Agriculture and industry 
Heavy minerals are mined at Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. In recent times, the province has undergone rapid industrialisation owing to its abundant water supply and labour resources. Industries are found in Newcastle, Ladysmith, Dundee, Richards Bay, Durban, Hammarsdale, Richmond, Pietermaritzburg and Mandeni. 

The sugar-cane plantations along the Indian Ocean coastal belt form the mainstay of the economy and agriculture of the region. The coastal belt is also a large producer of subtropical fruit, while the farmers in the hinterland concentrate on vegetable, dairy and stock-farming. Another major source of income is forestry in the areas around Vryheid, Eshowe, Richmond, Harding and Ngome. Ngome also has tea plantations. 

The summer-rainfall coastal regions of this province are hot and humid with a subtropical climate. The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands between the coastal strip and the southern Drakensberg Escarpment are drier with extremely cold conditions in winter and snow on the high-lying ground. In the north, the subtropical strip extends further around the Kingdom of Swaziland, to the edge of the Escarpment. 

There is a huge gap between the urban and rural per capita income of people in KwaZulu-Natal. The province currently employs less than half of the potential labour force in the formal economy, resulting in a high level of migration to Gauteng. 

Tourism
More than the myriad delights offered by one exquisite, sun-blessed Beach after another. More than picture-postcard coves, vast expanses of golden sand and a warm, inviting Indian Ocean where migrating whales ply their way and 'smiling' dolphins frolic for all to see. More than a shoreline for carnival revellers to feel the spirit...the brotherhood of anglers to reel in their bounty... and colonies of giant turtles to nest in peace.

For our Kingdom of the Zulu is a many-splendoured interaction of natural wonders, ultra-modern facilities, fascinating cultural imprints and reminders of a dynamic history - in the most breathtakingly beautiful and varied setting imaginable. Gateway to this unique holiday destination is the Buzz of coastal Africa's ultimate pleasure-palace...the sophisticated and cosmopolitan, vibrant harbour-city of Durban. In addition to a living multi-culture of East, West and the proud Zulu nation, gourmet treats and a pulsating nightlife...across-the-board accommodation and highly efficient transport links make this tourist-friendly city an ideal launch-pad for unforgettable journeys of discovery and excitement.

Countless species of animals, birds, plants and butterflies - many of them rare - await you in the complex eco-systems and biospheres woven into our sub-tropical Bush. Scores of expertly-administered Nature Reserves and two World Heritage Site protect these treasures...most- photographed of which are undoubtedly the Big Five - lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino. View these magnificent creatures in safety and comfort within our world-class Game Parks for treasured memories of a lifetime! Our Zulu Kingdom's natural inland 'border' a World heritage site is another slice of paradise for camera-toting lovers of the great outdoors - peak after legend-filled peak of the majestic Drakensberg range. Known to the Zulu as 'Barrier of Spears' ... to the superstitious Boer settlers as 'Dragon's Mountain' ... and nowadays simply as the Berg... rock paintings, caves and relics place the ancient San people (Bushmen) here thousands of years before King Shaka forged his dynasty.

Considering the wealth of beauty and natural resources, it's small wonder that blood was spilled on this rich and fertile soil during the globally-turbulent 1800s. When the Zulu rose to dominance here they called it 'Heaven' when the British landed they saw a well- stocked larder for the Crown. And when the Boer Voortrekkers of European descent arrived they too claimed divine right to this 'Promised Land'. Our much-visited Battlefields bear witness to both the ensuing three- way struggle and, more importantly, the reconciliation that followed.

Many Indian families shipped in under the Colonial indentured-labour scheme chose to stay once their contracts had expired - sights and sounds of the sub-continent have ever since formed an integral part of our rich cultural mosaic. It's also why you'll enjoy the finest curries outside of the motherland!

And thank the Scots for inventing golf. They saw potential fairways and greens from Beach to Berg in Bush and Battlefields. Today the Zulu Kingdom is dotted with almost as many superb courses as wildlife havens.

Deep culture rooted in colourful history. Relaxed and enviable fresh- air lifestyle. Creatures wild and wonderful. Sublime, diverse landscapes beneath endless blue skies. And all easily accessible within this lap of luxury - what a Buzz! We in our Kingdom of the Zulu look forward to offering our hospitality and sharing with you the many unforgettable experiences of a truly unique holiday destination. See you soon!

Kwazulu Natal Regions

Region: Battlefields 
Towns: Babanango  |  Colenso  |  Dundee |   Eshowe |   Glencoe |  Greytown |   Ladysmith |   Melmoth |   Newcastle  |  Nguthu |   Paulpietersburg  |  Ulundi |   Utrecht  |  Volksrust  |  Vryheid | Weenen |  Winterton

Region: Zululand 
Towns: Babanongo |  Empangeni |  Eshowe  |  Gingindlovu  |  Magudu |  Melmoth |   Mtubatuba |  Mtunzini |   Nongoma | Paulpietersburg  |  Pongola  |  Richards Bay |  Ulundi |   Vryheid

Region: Elephant Coast 
Towns:  Hluhluwe  |  Jozini |  Kosi Bay|   Mkuze |  Mtubatuba  |  Sodwana Bay  |  St Lucia

Region : Pietermaritzburg and the Midlands 
Towns: Boston-Bulwer |   Greytown |   Howick |   Ixopo  |  Karkloof  |  Kranskop|   Pietermaritzburg|   Richmond |  Wartburg

Region: South Coast
Towns: Umkomaas |  Harding |  Scottburgh|   Port Edward | Southbroom |   Margate |   Oribi Flats |   Port Shepstone |   Hibberdene |   Pennington

Region: Dolphin Coast ( North Coast) 
Towns: Ballito |   Blythedale Beach |   Salt Rock  |  Shaka's Kraal |   Shaka's Rock |   Sheffield Beach |   Stanger |   Tinley Manor |   Zinkwazi  |  Zimbali |  Umhlali

Region: Drakensberg Area
Towns: Bergville |   Estcourt |   Himeville |  Underberg |   Mooiriver  |  Nottingham Road  |  Rosetta  |  Winterton  | Kokstad |  Matatiele |  Swartberg

Region: Durban
Durban  | Amanzimtoti