From the magnificent peaks of the Drakensberg mountain range, across velvet hills and African bush, to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean - the province of KwaZulu Natal (KZN) has long held the enviable position as the most popular holiday destination for South Africans in search of relaxation and a bit of adventure. Year-round sunny skies, spectacular scenery, and heaps of activities keep people coming back for more.  The name KwaZulu Natal may be a bit of a mouthful, but it accurately reflects the formation of the province; which is an amalgamation of the Kingdom of Zululand and the British Colony of Natal.  KZN is also home to one of the largest Indian communities outside of India itself.

The majestic Drakensburg rises to over 3 000 meters. Known to the Zulu people as Ukhahlamba, or 'Barrier of Spears', the Mountains of the Dragon provide a magnificent semi-circular border between KwaZulu-Natal and the inland mountain kingdom of Lesotho. The Northern Drakensburg is the source of the Tugela River, the largest river in the Province, and it plunges some 950 meters over the edge of the Mont-aux-Sources Plateau in a spectacular waterfall. This waterfall, the Tugela Falls, is the second highest waterfall in the world. The Amphitheatre is possibly the most photographed feature of the Drakensburg.
The Drakensburg Mountains also contain thousands of Bushman painting sites, evidence of the small, primitive San people who practised a prehistoric life style in the area long ago. The earliest of these paintings are about 800 years old, and the golden age of the painters was between 400 and 200 years ago. The Drakensburg escarpment is frequently covered in snow in the winter months, transforming the area into a picture-postcard winter wonderland. Popular with hikers, rock climbers, trout fishermen, and other holidaymakers, the area offers a wide range of hotels, country lodges, and bed and breakfast accommodation venues, as well as camping sites and caravan parks.

Durban is South Africa's sub-tropical beach getaway. The city centre overlooks a long, golden beach that is probably the single most culturally diverse spot in Africa.   Durban is actually all about the beach. It is home to South Africa's only surfing museum, and is one of the most surf-friendly cities in the world.  Here you will find frolicking families of every hue, busy executives out for a quick lunchtime jog, teenagers in full breeding plumage, elegant sari-clad matrons strolling the sand.  The beachfront is lined with multi-storey hotels and restaurants, with unashamedly kitsch attraction, like a huge pool complex and a snake park. Curio sellers line the walkways and dramatically outfitted rickshaw-wallahs offer rides and photographic opportunities. The best part about Durban's beachfront, though, is the water temperature. It's rarely below 20°C, perfect for buff surfers running into the waves, and bead-bedecked sangomas collecting therapeutic sea water in bottles.
Accommodation in Durban itself is conveniently concentrated along the beachfront or Golden Mile, close to the Durban central business district.  Slick, high rise Durban hotels with sea views and swimming pools proliferate along this lively strip. It is highly advisable to book accommodation in advance during peak season (December and January) as scores of holiday makers descend upon all the beach locations in Durban. Scattered throughout the province you can find a wide variety of KwaZulu Natal accommodation, from luxurious game lodges with private plunge pools, to owner-run guest houses where you can't help but feel completely at home.
Durban North is also an extremely popular choice with holiday makers. You should consider a visit to the Sharks Board in Umhlanga, just north of the city, where you can learn all about these fascinating creatures. They're not the bloodthirsty killing machines they're made out to be in American movies. There are a couple of fun river trips, some nice abseiling, awesome sport climbing and small game farms not too far off and the North and South Coasts boast an almost indecent density of championship golf courses.

Durban Hotels

Durban Day Tours