Best Holiday Destination in South Africa – KwaZulu-Natal

When I think of the key reasons why people travel to South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal offers them all, so I thought it would be interesting to break down those reasons and show you how KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has the answer.

Scenery. The stunning scenery and beautiful coastline of South Africa are a major draw, and it’s safe to say that KZN has some of the best scenery in the country. Top of the list would be the imposing and impenetrable Drakensberg Mountains (their name in Zulu translates as “Spear Barrier”). They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offer a variety of visitor experiences, from short hikes to night trails, and from wildlife to millennial San rock art. From mountains that touch the sky, we move on to golden beaches that meet the ocean. Along the Elephant Coast are miles and miles of deserted beaches, fringed by lush coastal forest and filled with the nests of endangered turtles – an inspiring landscape if ever there was one.

Culture. With its eleven official languages ​​and many, many different tribes and ethnic groups, South Africa loves to show off its culture. In KZN, as the name suggests, this means the Zulu culture. A proud tribe, built on military might that gave the British nosebleeds at Isandlwana (more of which later), the Zulu are going to great lengths to preserve their traditional customs and practices, and a visit to a traditional farm it’s a way to see this in action; It is also very likely that at some point during your stay in the province, you will enjoy a demonstration of the energetic, athletic and fascinating Zulu dance.

History. The history of South Africa, from the arrival of European settlers to the end of apartheid, is tumultuous and holds a special fascination. Most of that KZN history is the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer wars. Names like Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift, and Spionkop resonate throughout the intervening century, dramatically brought to life by absolutely excellent battlefield guides. Immediacy is the key to these battlefield tours: you are standing on the exact spot where this soldier and that Zulu warrior met: in many cases we know their names and their backgrounds, we know how they fought and how they died. It’s incredibly moving.

Cosmopolitan city life. Cities like Cape Town are a huge draw for visitors to South Africa, and Durban sits right on the front row of South African cities. Recent redevelopment, thanks in part to the FIFA World Cup, has transformed Durban. Next to the port is the impressive uShaka Marine Park, the start of a boulevard of several kilometers that links the fantastic beaches of the city (Durban’s Golden Mile) with the impressive Moses Mabhida Stadium. Visitors can fly into the gleaming new international airport and stay in a growing variety of chic boutique hotels and eat in fine restaurants. As a place to book your provincial tours, Durban is hard to beat.

Relaxation. South Africa is all about kicking back, relaxing and enjoying great weather, wonderful food and great local wines; Fortunately, KZN can also deliver on this front. Just outside Durban you’ll find the Midlands, a beautiful area of ​​gently rolling countryside dotted with perfect little country getaways. These hotels have made a real name for themselves by offering beautiful accommodations and the most amazing food: healthy, dignified meals combined with selections from extensive and impressive wine cellars. It’s an amazing way to relax for a couple of days (although not much longer if you look at your waistline!).

Wildlife. I saved the wildlife for last because for many people it is a highlight of their trips to South Africa: save the best for last! I already mentioned the wildlife of the Drakensberg Mountains: here you will find herds of huge and mystical eland, as well as the bearded vulture (or bearded vulture). But what most people want to see is a great safari, and KZN really delivers. It is a province at the forefront of ecotourism and conservation. The large Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve in the heart of KZN can lay claim to being the place where the rhino was saved from extinction, as all the early white rhino breeding work took place here in the 1950s and 1960s. Nearby Phinda Private Game Reserve was one of the first game reserves to take farmland and return it to its native condition, letting natural vegetation grow back and reintroducing wildlife that had been missing for decades; the result is a wonderful reserve with excellent opportunities to see big game.

So when you add it all up, you can see that KwaZulu-Natal really does have it all. A two week tour of the province will allow you to experience the best it has to offer and is a microcosm of all that is best about South Africa.

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