South Africa - KwaZulu Natal

Although Durban is considered the main gateway to this sunny province, many of our clients approach it by driving down from Johannesburg. KwaZulu Natal is blessed with some fantastic long sweeping beaches adjacent to the warm Indian Ocean. At the north of the province in the Rocktail Bay area and northwards to the Mozambique border, one of nature’s most impressive spectacles occurs and that is the landing of the turtles coming ashore between mid October and mid March to lay their eggs.

The ocean’s influence promotes a year-round tropical climate that has encouraged the development of some superb golf courses, both along the coast and also in the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains. In the coastal area there are two separate national parks: Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, about 4 ½ hours north of Durban, and the nearby Great St Lucia Wetland Park. These parks have a number of well managed private game reserves, including Phinda, acknowledged by many to be perhaps the best birding park in the nation.

Inland, as the name might suggest, this is the homeland of the mighty Zulu people, who were and still are a major influence in the development of South Africa. The Drakensberg Mountains, stretching inland from Pietermaritzburg, can be incorporated into the Midlands Meander, a sign posted arts and crafts route. The Drakensberg themselves are spectacular and the land around the mountains is some of the most fertile and productive in the whole of South Africa. It seems that the abundance of top quality good produce has encouraged the development of some spectacular small gourmet guest houses and hotels, which would include Cleopatra’s Mountain Farmhouse and Ardmore Farmhouse amongst their number.

Another feature of this area is, of course, the Battlefields area, where significant battles between the British, Boer and Zulus took place, including the British Army’s greatest defeat and greatest victory, all within 24 hours. A province full of surprises.

Things not to miss:

1. Durban – with its influence of Indian culture, its exotic spice market and its exceptional Botanical Gardens.
2. The Indian Ocean coastal beaches – take your choice of many along the coastline where you can find a quiet beach to share with a loved one or a bustling beach with all the facilities that they encompass.
3. The Battlefields area – take time out of your schedule to experience the Battlefields area and take a tour in the company of one of the many experts on these battlefields. You will be both shocked and humbled at the same time.
4. The Drakensberg Mountain area and surrounding area – a World Heritage Site with a wealth of Stone age cave paintings, spectacular scenery and a cuisine to die for.
5. The St Lucia Wetland Park and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Parks offer first class game viewing with good accessibility – think of flying home from Richards Bay, which will save the drive back to Durban or Johannesburg.

Call: 01509 61 88 00 or email holidays@uni-travel.co.uk today.