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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
Follwing 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.
Ogwini Lodge, Self Catering
P.O.Box 292, Mbazwana, Kwazulu Natal, 3974, South Africa,
Tel: +27 (0)35 571 0480
www.ogwinilodge.co.za
Qalakahle Lodge, Self Catering
P.O.Box 61, Ulundi, Kwazulu Natal, 3838, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)35 870 3594
Teremok
P.O.Box 1830, Umhlanga Rocks, Kwazulu Natal, 4320, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)31 561 5848
www.teremok.co.za
The Oyster Box Hotel
P.O.Box 22, Umhlanga Rocks, KZN, 4320, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)31 561 2233
www.oysterboxhotel.co.za
Ulindiwe B&B
2 Ferm Road, Umhlanga Crescent, Umhlanga Rocks, KZN, 4342, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)31 301 4690
Uthingo B&B
P.O.Box 50827, Musgrave, KZN, 4062, South Africa,
Tel: +27 (0)31 562 0036
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