7 Reasons to Visit KwaZulu Natal
7 Reasons to Visit KwaZulu Natal
7 Reasons to Visit KwaZulu Natal : Simply known as Natal before the end of Apartheid, KwaZulu “The Place of the Zulus” is one of the best places to visit in South Africa. KwaZulu Natal is described as lush, wild and vibrant. The province is celebrated for its white sandy beaches, dramatic mountains, pristine parks and wetlands.
KwaZulu Natal is located in the northeastern section of South Africa and borders the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Encompassing savannah, beaches, wetlands, rolling hills and mountains. This beautiful province is often referred to as one of South Africa’s wildest province.
As you are planning your visit to South Africa, KwaZulu Natal is one of the places you should never miss. Here are the 7 Reasons to visit KwaZulu Natal.
- Weather
KwaZulu Natal is one of the 9 provinces in South Africa with Durban – the capital being its biggest city and its throbbing heart, the province is home to nearly 10 million South Africans. A big portion of KwaZulu Natal is a sub-tropical that is why it is also known as the “Garden Province”.
KwaZulu – Natal is ranked among the most popular tourist destinations in South Africa to visit for various reasons, with its weather and climate being one of them. Weather in KwaZulu Natal is good all year-round, the province enjoys a warm coastal climate with plenty of sunshine. Humidity can be quite high but bearable, and a fair amount of rainfall is received. These weather conditions lead to the province’s terrain being green and lush throughout the year and visitors are assured of plenty of favorable weather conditions.
The climate is generally quite warm and even the winters are mild.
- Destinations
The beauty of visiting KwaZulu – Natal lies in the variety of destinations in the region catering for everyone and their particular needs. From the flip-flop brigade to the most discerning and picky tourists, there is plenty to choose from.
From a boat safari on St. Lucia Isimangaliso to a Hluhluwe Imfolozi Safari, Cultural Village Day Tour and beyond, your visit to this magical theatre of nature will be a forever memory.
No visit to the African continent is complete without having an encounter with the local wildlife. In KwaZulu Natal you have the privilege of seeing the Big 5 in their natural habitat, and you will marvel at the majesty of these animals. For adrenaline junkies you can always opt for the out-worldy experience of Shark Cage Diving, spend 3 most exhilarating hours of your life in a steel cage lowered just below the sea surface and come nose to nose with one of the most ferocious animals of all – The Great White Shark.
For visitors in need of a more gentle interaction with Mother Nature, you can do scuba diving excursions. Swim with giant sea turtles, and have occasional encounter with a Black Tip or Tiger Shark. If you need to treat yourself to a 3 hour oceanic experience, Ushaka Marine World in Durban will enthrall and entice you.
- Accessibility
To get to KwaZulu-Natal Province, fly to the brand-new King Shaka International Airport, this world class facility offers a host of features ensuring you a safe and comfortable traveling experience. With an annual passenger capacity of 8 million, this airport caters for the most discerning visitor. A total of 72 check-in counters ensures a speedy transition from air to land, with 52 retail outlets to keep you busy and entertained while waiting for your connecting flight.
King Shaka International Airport also serves as one of the three largest airports in South Africa, commonly referred to as the “Golden Triangle”. It connects the cities of Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg. There are several transport companies operating to this airport including well-known brands like Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz.
- Wildlife
KwaZulu Natal is home to the oldest game reserve on the continent, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, among other wilderness parks. The home of Operation Rhino in the 1950s and the 1960’s, this park has been widely credited with saving the white rhino from the brink of extinction. The sad reality is that rhino poaching continues to this day, however there is a moderate success in as far as apprehending poachers are concerned, the brave fight continues.
Wildlife safaris in KwaZulu Natal goes well beyond viewing of just the Big 5. Boasting a coral-fringed coastline, these magical waters are home to some of the most bio-diverse waters in the world. In this region you will find a multitude of colorful fish, reef sharks, manta rays of various kinds and the occasional migrating Humpback and Southern Right Whale. The Sardine Run, one of the world’s largest marine migration is a seasonal occurrence and creates a feeding frenzy of sharks, dolphins and sea birds.
The province is home to over 67- species of birds making it a true birders dream, the best places to visit for a birding adventure are
If you are interested in placing your feet on terra firm are iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the Elephant Coast. Its wetlands and estuaries shelter water birds including flamingoes, storks and pelicans, while game reserves such as uMkhuze and Ndumo offer sightings of Woodward’s batis and Neergord’s sunbirds.
Should you choose to venture further, the Drankensberg Mountains offer another incredible birding experience, some of the birds to lookout for include eagles, buzzards and vultures among others.
- Beaches
A holiday in Kwazulu-Natal will not be complete without visiting her beautiful and pristine beaches. The stunning weather, warm water, scenic views and the fresh sea breeze will rejuvenate you, body, mind and soul. Umhlanga Main Beach in Umhlanga Rocks counts as one of the best among the best. It has world class accommodation which includes self-catering.
Thompson Bay Beach in Balito is another family favorite and you might even get to see the occasional dolphin riding the crest of a wave. The Golden Mile in Durban also offers a clean, tidy and safe beach, with many eateries lining the beach front. The Zinkwazi Beach is another beautiful beach perfect for everyone with a swimming section with life guards and surfing possibilities in a huge lagoon, it also kids friendly.
In conclusion, whatever your preference is. KwaZulu Natal has a beach for you.
- World Heritage Sites
KwaZulu – Natal has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites; iSimangaliso Wetland Park and uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park. iSimangaliso Wetland Park situated in the north of this province is known as an estuarine system and with 332000ha at its disposal, it is largest on the African continent.
The word iSimangaliso means “Miracle and Wonder” in Zulu and incorporates eight interdependent ecosystems. In the exceptional and unique park, you will find from 700-old fish traps to almost 800 hippos, from the black and white rhino to wild dog, cheetah and hyenas, from crocodiles to giraffes and Tsessebe at Charter’s Creek, even evidence of Stone Age human activity.
uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, home of South Africa’s highest mountain range is another World Heritage Site. The park has a wealth of historic rock art and is a sanctuary to threatened plant and bird species.
- Parks and Game Reserves
KwaZulu Natal offers a wide variety of parks and game reserve. Depending on what your preference is, a tailor-made African experience is around the corner. Nothing beats a day that starts with an early-morning game drive, culminating in a hearty three-course dinner around a campfire at night.
Some of the most popular parks and game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal Province include Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Mkuze Game Reserve, Tembe Game Reserve and Ndumo Game Reserve among others.
