Best Vacation Destination in South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal

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

Scenery. South Africa’s stunning scenery and beautiful coastline are a huge 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 Drakensberg Mountains, towering and impenetrable (their Zulu name translates to “Barrier of Spears”). They are a UNESCO World Heritage site and offer a variety of visitor experiences, from short hikes to night trails, and from wildlife to San Millennial rock art. From mountains that touch the sky, we pass to golden beaches that meet the ocean. Along the Elephant Coast are miles and miles of deserted beach, fringed by lush coastal forest and filled with nests of endangered turtles – an inspiring landscape, if there ever was one.

Culture. With its eleven official languages ​​and 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 the military might that gave the British a bloody nose in Isandlwana (more of which later), the Zulus are going to great lengths to preserve their traditional customs and practices, and a visit to a traditional farm is one way to see this in action; It is also very likely that at some point during your stay in the province you will be invited to an energetic, athletic and fascinating display of Zulu dance.

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

Cosmopolitan city life. Cities like Cape Town are a huge draw for visitors to South Africa, and Durban is in the front row of South African cities. The recent makeover, thanks in part to the FIFA World Cup, has transformed Durban. Next to the harbor is the impressive uShaka Marine Park, the beginning of a multi-kilometer boulevard linking the city’s fantastic beaches (Durban’s Golden Mile) with the impressive Moses Mabhida Stadium. Visitors can fly to the gleaming new international airport and stay in a growing variety of stylish boutique hotels and eat at fine restaurants. As a place to close your travels around the province, Durban is hard to beat.

Relaxation. South Africa is about kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying great weather, wonderful food, and great local wines; fortunately, KZN can deliver on this front as well. Just outside Durban you’ll find the Midlands, a beautiful 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 incredible food – healthy and deceased meals paired with extensive and impressive winery selections. It’s an amazing way to relax for a couple of days (though not much longer if you’re keeping an eye on your waistline!).

Wildlife. I saved the wildlife for last because for many people it is a highlight of their trips to South Africa – saving the best for last! I have already mentioned the wildlife of the Drakensberg Mountains: here you will find herds of huge and mystical elands, as well as the lammergeier (or bearded vulture). But it’s a great safari that most people want to see, and KZN really delivers. It is a province at the forefront of ecotourism and conservation. The vast Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve in the heart of KZN can boast of being the place where the rhinoceros was saved from extinction, as all the initial work on rearing the white rhino took place here in the 1950s and 1960s. The nearby reserve deprived of game Phinda was one of the first game reserves to take farmland and return it to its original condition, allowing natural vegetation to regrow and reintroducing wildlife that had been absent 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 has it all. A two-week trip through the province will allow you to experience the best it has to offer and is a microcosm of all the best of South Africa.