Kwa Zulu-Natal

South Africa’s Zulu Kingdom, Kwa Zulu-Natal, is an ever-popular destination.  It is a unique blend of cultural diversity, sophistication and nature – as well as being home to the historic Battlefields of Isandlwana and Fugitive’s Drift. Flanked by the warm Indian Ocean, the region also has areas of vast, unspoiled beaches and coastline teeming with nature of all kinds imaginable, with stretches of white sandy beaches to enjoy. In Maputaland, a great number of turtles inhabit the waters and breeds include the Leatherback, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, Green Turtle and Hawkbill.  The Big 5 are all found in the province’s Game Reserves, and the largest population of Black and White Rhino are also to be found here.

Turtle Tours at Sodwana Bay are both enlightening and exciting. Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles were once almost extinct along the Maputaland coast, but thanks to conservation efforts, their numbers are increasing. These ancient reptiles crawl onto the beaches at night to lay their eggs from the end of October through to January. In January and February, the extremely cute babies break out of their eggs and crawl into the sea. A must!

Take time out to visit one of the famous Battlefields such as Isandlwana or the Anglo-Boer battlefields at Spioenkop. Expert guides will take you around the sites explaining both sides of the combat and the strategies and fears faced. You can almost see the battles unfold and hear the sounds of mortal combat. Tours are generally a half-day or a full day and are definitely worth experiencing.

Go Scuba Diving or Snorkeling at the amazing Sodwana Bay or the Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park (recently renamed as iSimangaliso Wetland Park). The warm Agulhas current that flows down the Kwa Zulu-Natal coast allows the world's southern-most tropical reefs to flourish, and the water seldom drops below 20 degrees C, summer or winter. Perhaps the most scenic reef is 7 Mile, which on a good day, can compare with the best in the world. Over 1200 species of fish have been identified at Sodwana Bay.

The Drakensberg Mountains really are awe-inspiring. From the massive basalt cliffs of its northern reaches to the soaring sandstone buttresses in the south, the Berg - as it's popularly known - offers amazing experiences to anyone of any age who needs to 'get away from it all'. Peace and quiet is amid this unsurpassed splendour where the world's second-highest waterfall tumbles down a series of breathtaking cascades.

Suggested Accommodation

Phinda Private Game Reserve
This private Game Reserve is set in the Maputaland region in northern Kwa Zulu-Natal. It is 22,000 hectares of unspoiled conservation land and an abundance of wildlife. There are six luxury lodges located within the reserve, all offering the highest standards of accommodation, privacy and service. Game drives are led by a fully qualified guide and tracker, and canoeing and river boat cruises are also available.  Chefs at each lodge create the finest meals to enjoy, and friendly and attentive staff are on hand to make your stay as perfect as possible.

Thonga Beach Lodge
Thonga Beach Lodge is set on the pristine shores of the Maputuland coast, Kwa Zulu-Natal. This 24-bed luxury lodge is the ideal place to discover one of the most unspoilt wilderness beaches left on the African continent. Set above a secluded bay, Thonga Beach Lodge is nestled into beautiful coastal dune forest with sweeping views of the sparkilng beach below. The thatched bush suites provide guest privacy and were carefully constructed to ensure minimal impact on the environment. The lodge offers luxurious accommodation, mouth-watering meals and one of the best dive sites in South Africa.

Fugitives’ Drift Lodge
Passionately run by the family of the late David Rattray, Fugitive’s Drift Lodge is a fascinating place to explore the Battlefields from. The Lodge where the Rattray family is still based is set on a hillside above the Buffalo River Gorge. Enjoy superb meals in the splendid atmosphere of a veritable museum of Zulu War memorabilia. Spacious, comfortable en-suite cottages each have a private verandah affording views over the plains flanking the Buffalo River Gorge. The nearby Guesthouse is made up of terra-cotta cottages with large, en-suite bedrooms that are tastefully decorated in a simple, ethnic style and all have private verandahs with sweeping views of the reserve and surrounding battlefields. Tours are conducted daily by incredibly knowledgeable guides to transport you back in time.

Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
With the Drakensberg Mountains as its backdrop, Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse is a secluded and intimate hideaway. Gourmet cuisine is very much on the agenda with dinner consisting of 6 mouth-watering courses lovingly prepared by the acclaimed chef. Accommodation is warm and welcoming in 6 splendid en-suite rooms, 2 spacious suites and 1 luxury suite offering something for everyone. Given its fantastic location in the Kamberg Valley close to Giant’s Castle Nature Reserve, there are countless activities on offer including fishing, hiking and riding.

This is definitely a year-round destination. The province has a warm, sub-tropical climate, with temperatures moderated by the expanse of the Indian Ocean. Summers are hot and humid, and winters are warm, dry and clear. Sodwana is diveable all year round with the best conditions being experienced during the warm summer months from November to May. Turtles lay their eggs from October through to January and the best chance to see baby turtles scampering back to the ocean is in January and February.