|
Durban Beaches: The beachfront is surrounded by an array of hotels and luxury apartments, all of which have captivating views of the Indian Ocean. Watersports such as surfing, body boarding, sailing and scuba diving are unmistakable favourites given Durban's relationship to the warm Indian Ocean
Botanical Gardens: Enjoy the splendour of music performed by the Kwazulu-Natal’s Philharmonic Orchestra in one of Durban’s most striking locations. Filled with thick vegetation, audiences are welcomed to enjoy a picnic under very tall trees, in what is regarded as one of South Africa’s most beautiful parks.
uShaka Marine World: South Africa's largest Marine Park located at the end of Durban's glorious Golden Mile. You can view a dolphin show or watch the sharks being fed. There is something for every one at uShaka from a variety of restaurants and shops, to fun-filled water slides and sunbathing.
Snake Park: The park places a strong emphasis on education and the important role snakes play in their natural environment. See snakes of every shape and size being fed on weekends after every venomous snake demonstration daily. The venom milking is particularly interesting and also very educational.
Umgeni River Bird Park: Situated on the banks of the Umgeni River, more than 400 species of birds can be observed from this beautiful park with a magnificent back drop of a spectacular waterfall.
|
|
|
|
Battlefields: KwaZulu Natal was host to some of South Africa's most significant battles, extending over more than 200 turbulent years. It was here that the Voortrekkers were confronted by Zulu armies, and where the mighty British Army were defeated by the power of the Zulu nation. Take a tour and view where some of the most turbulent and gruesome wars between the different factions took place.
Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve: With the restful waters of the dam, this picnic site offers a serene game reserve environment to provide wonderful walking opportunities, making it a popular weekend water sport destination with activities like angling, yachting, water-skiing, power boating, camp sites, caravan sites and bush camps to mention a few.
|
|
|
|
Royal Natal National Park: Royal Natal boasts some of the most splendid mountain scenery in Africa. The main feature is the world famous Amphitheatre, a rock wall approximately five km in length, and 500m high. The most popular activity at Royal Natal Park is undoubtedly hiking. Trout fishing is available in the dam in the park and also in the Mahai and Tugela rivers. Picnicking and swimming in the clear mountain streams are popular pastimes in the area
Giants Castle Game Reserve: Superb rock art is high among its special attractions. The renowned Vulture Restaurant is open in winter for visitors to watch bearded vultures and other endangered species feeding. Visit the Main Caves Museum for fascinating insight into the past lifestyle of the San people. A host of activities can be enjoyed at the Giant Castle Game Reserve, but the area is more renowned for its splendid hiking and breathtaking views
Garden Castle and Bushmans Nek: Garden Castle is the southern most part of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park and incorporates the beautiful Bushmans Nek Valley. Dominated by the Rhino, a 3051m peak which extends about 2km from the main escarpment, the area is characterized by many unusual sandstone buttresses and other formations.
Drakenberg Boys Choir: The world renowned choir plays to an auditorium of 600 seats filled to capacity in concerts and music festivals featuring some of the country’s most popular artists. The initial part of every concert is given over to strictly classical music that includes Bach, Handel, Mozart or Beethoven - the second half almost always includes hidden delights - jazz, folk, or music by Freddie Mercury - an array of what it means to enjoy music. This is not simple music by any means. The boys take on complex melodies and difficult rhythms and are extremely good at offering music from the different genres. The choir can cater to a variety of audiences from young to old.
Cobham State Forest: Dominated by vast expanses of grassland broaden with rocky outcrops / boulders, streams and rivers and indigenous forests, this beautiful part of the southern Drakensberg with an abundance of tree ferns along its rivers on the little Berg slopes has much to offer the hiker. The many Cobham Hiking Trails range from gentle ambles to extremely strenuous day and overnight hikes. The area also has many large, scenic caves that are suitable for overnight camping.
|
|
|
|
Duma Zulu Traditional Village: Experience firsthand the tribal rhythms and customs that are the foundation of traditional life. Or you can watch dancing, building of beehive traditional huts and the rituals of communicating with ancestral spirits.
Lake Sibaya / KwaZulu Natal National Park: The largest fresh water lake in South Africa with a surface area of 77 km² and an average depth of 13 m. Activities include sunset cruises on an Arab Dhow, canoeing, guided walking trails, Zulu dancing, bird watching, turtle watching, snorkelling the coral reefs, swimming and year round sunbathing.
Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park: The park is a popular destination, a World Heritage Site comprising of 328 000 hectares of magnificent scenery which offers a wide range of activities including fishing, boating, bird-watching, scuba-diving, hiking and camping.
|
|
|
|
Midlands Meander: South Africa’s first, largest and most popular art and crafts route extending over a distance of some 80kms between Pietermaritzburg and Mooi River, was started in 1983 by several of the craftspeople who have long resided in the area as a way to market their products, and allow visitors a first hand glance at their manufacturing.
Howick Falls: A spectacular waterfall in Howick, KZN. Falling some 90m, the view from the top is utterly breathtaking. For the more adventurous, you can arrange to abseil alongside the falls down the gorge and into the pool and for a safer alternative the falls are easily accessible offering everyone some worthwhile short trails.
Horse riding: Whether you a beginner or confident in the saddle, horse riding is a great way to spend your mountain holiday to explore the foothills and experience the true magic of the Midlands. There are numerous spectacular bridle paths to comfortably explore from grassland to bushveld and need not be restricted to mountains only.
|
|
|
|
Dolphin Coast Beaches: The Dolphin Coast shoreline is an exciting blend of golden beaches and rock pools for safe bathing, surfing and scuba diving, rock and ski boat fishing, or just relaxing on the beach. Many of the first Indian immigrants settled here and the markets, mosques and temples give an authentic Eastern flavour to the Dolphin Coast.
Harold Johnson Nature Reserve: The Harold Johnson reserve is run by KwaZulu Natal Wildlife and offers walking trails, picnic sites, a small variety of game and a large variety of bird life.
Zimbali Country Club: Zimbali Lodge is well known for its stunning 18-hole golf course. It offers a challenging round of golf with world-class standards and stunning views.
Dolphin Coast Accommodation: Accommodation on the Dolphin Coast or North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal (Ballito and surrounds) is plentiful and of a very high standard. Ranging from hotels, guest houses, game lodges, guest farms, golf lodges, bed and breakfast to self catering.
|
|
|
|
Empisini Nature Reserve: This is a delightful bird watching haven, with gentle walks through the quiet bush
Banana Express Steam Train: Departing from Port Shepstone to Paddock on a Wednesday and Saturday at 10:00 am. The train climbs and winds its way inland on a scenic journey through spectacular indigenous forests, rolling green hills, huge sugar cane fields and green banana plantations, twisting and sometimes almost doubles back on itself as it negotiates the meandering hills and valleys. Ideal for a scenic journey to explore this fascinating region.
Old Macdonald’s Family Farm: A great place for the entire family to spend the day on the banks of the Izotsha River fishing, grilling on the braai, relaxing, while the kids enjoy pony rides or tractor rides and feeding the farm animals and birds.
The Wild Coast Sun Casino: It offers shows, gambling, restaurants, ten pin bowling, a games area suitable for infants to teenages and a beautiful, but challenging golf course.
Uvongo: The Douglas Mitchell Sports Ground offers tennis, squash, cricket, rugby and model-car racing. The Uvongo Bird Park next door offers an enchanting walk through the aviary to view the birds and other interesting animals. Take tea in the garden while the children enjoy themselves in the play-park. The ideal venue for a relaxed family outing.
|
|
|
|
Richards Bay: With a climate that feels as though it's summer all year round, there is plenty of fun to be had. While dolphin and whale-watching is possible from the beach, animal and birdlife can be enjoyed in their natural environment. 4x4 vehicles can travel as far north as Mapelane along the shore and there are crocodile and hippo viewing opportunities.
Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park: One of South Africa's ecological treasures. Drive closer and you begin to make out its detail, forested sand-dunes and the highest of their kind in the world. They provide a grand backdrop to an even more spectacular mosaic of lakes, freshwater pans, swamp forest, rivers, grasslands and beach. An untamed outdoor paradise that invites you to commune with nature.
|
