The KwaZulu-Natal (Tours, Things to Do & Why Visit?)
The KwaZulu-Natal (Tours, Things to Do & Why Visit?). South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province is a popular destination for tourists and nature lovers alike, thanks to its long stretches of sandy beaches, reserves housing the Big Five, and historic battles. The Natal Midlands are known for their award-winning spa treatments and gourmet pleasures; the untamed Elephant Coast is home to world-class scuba diving; and all of this can be experienced in just one vacation.
Our many tours of KwaZulu-Natal cover all the highlights of this fascinating province, but if you still can’t discover what you’re seeking, our African safari experts are happy to give you a hand.
Recommended KwaZulu-Natal Tours & Holidays
Reasons to Visit KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal Holiday
The province of KwaZulu-Natal boasts a sunny subtropical climate, long golden beaches, an abundance of wildlife, a diverse and welcoming people, and echoing battlegrounds, as well as mountain peaks and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. South African holidays are famous for all of these things, and more, in this province.
KwaZulu-Natal is a great option for those seeking a carefree, self-directed holiday because of how easy it is to travel across the nation. Unlike the more sedate Garden Route, a KwaZulu-Natal vacation can incorporate activities like scuba diving, battlefield tours, and horseback riding in the breathtaking Drakensberg Mountains. The state’s well-maintained roads extend all the way up the coast and into the interior, so you can easily switch between the beach and the big game reserves.
Where South Africa meets Africa is in the province’s northernmost region. Traditional Zulu homesteads are clustered on steep slopes adjacent to historic battlefields, and the country’s greatest game reserves stand alongside footprint-free, wild beaches. As you head south, you’ll see a gradual flattening of the terrain as you follow country lanes that lead to the lively metropolis of Durban via the Natal Midlands, which resemble English shires.
Thanks to its abundance of attractions, little but stunning KwaZulu-Natal can provide visitors with a taste of everything South Africa has to offer in just one vacation.
Where to Go in KwaZulu-Natal
Located in southern Africa, near both the tropical coast and the mountainous Drakensberg Mountains, the province of KwaZulu-Natal is home to a wide variety of attractions, from popular beach resorts and Big 5 wildlife reserves to historic battlefields and opulent country estates.
Feeling overwhelmed? Our recommended destinations in KwaZulu-Natal are perfect for a safari and beach vacation that combines beautiful weather with fascinating animals and a plethora of fun things to do.
1. Durban: Cosmopolitan City with Broad Beaches & Warm Sea
Durban, a city on the coast, is a great place to start your vacation in KwaZulu-Natal. Modern commercial malls sit alongside Indian temples and aromatic spice shops in this culturally diverse city in South Africa, which is home to Zulu women peddling traditional beadwork outside Victorian-era buildings. But the wide city beaches with their golden sands and warm water are the city’s main draw.
2. KwaZulu-Natal Coast: From Holiday Towns to Wild Reserves
From the more developed South Coast, a popular destination for golfers and beachgoers looking for safe swimming areas, all the way up to the more remote Elephant Coast, home to the vibrant coral reefs and turtle breeding grounds of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the coastline of KwaZulu-Natal stretches for about 600km.
Beaches near Durban are bustling with locals celebrating the holidays, but even in the middle of the heat, the province’s distant Elephant Coast offers a peaceful haven and secluded beach perfect for a romantic getaway.
3. Northern Safari Region: Big 5 Game Viewing
Wild and picturesque, the Northern Safari Region of KwaZulu-Natal is home to a number of Big 5 reserves that rival South Africa’s most famous reserve, Kruger Park, for game viewing and even surpass it when it comes to bird watching. Before retiring for the night to your glass-fronted suite or opulent safari tent, savour the delectable meal and impeccable service that awaits you following a day of classic game drives in pursuit of elephant, rhino, and big cats.
4. The Battlefields: Historic Battles & Tales of Bravery
The province of KwaZulu-Natal was the site of some of the deadliest and most consequential conflicts in African history. The surrounding grasslands and rocky outcrops still look much as they did when the last soldiers fell. With the help of knowledgeable guides who can transport you back in time with terrifying tales of bravery, triumph, tragedy, and reconciliation, you can almost feel the immense struggle that took place here between the British army, Boer commandos, and Zulu warriors.
5. Natal Midlands: Gourmet Cuisine & Beautiful Countryside
The Natal Midlands are often compared to the English Cotswolds by tourists due to their verdant fields and winding, tree-lined roads. It stands in stark contrast to the remainder of KwaZulu-Natal, where one can visit galleries, craft studios, and potters’ stores; indulge in a leisurely four-course meal; and then, to alleviate any guilt, go hiking in the foothills of the breathtaking Drakensberg Mountains. With its abundance of boutique guesthouses serving up award-winning cuisine and world-class spas offering pampering treatments, the Midlands is a tranquil and occasionally indulgent destination to stay.
6. Drakensberg Mountain: Hiking, Rock Art & Wonderful Views
South Africa’s highest mountain range is the Drakensberg, which is composed of rising peaks. Despite its frightening moniker (“dragon mountain” in Afrikaans and “barrier of spears” in local Zulu), the majestic Drakensberg Mountains are a fantastic destination for an adventurous family vacation: Indulge in leisurely riverside strolls or strenuous walks; engage in equestrian sports, mountain biking, bird watching, and fly fishing; swim in summer pools and waterfalls; and in winter, marvel at the snow-dusted summits.
In honour of its breathtaking scenery and extensive San rock art collection (more than 3,000 paintings at 600 locations), the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park is a World Heritage Site.