Best of KwaZulu-Natal Self-Drive Tour

A mosaic of ecosystems on safari at iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Swamps, lakes, coral reefs, beaches, woodlands, wetlands, coastal forest and grassland come together to form the 328,000ha iSimangaliso Wetland Park in Kwazulu-Natal. This mosaic of ecosystems supports an incredibly diverse ecosystem containing prolific wildlife and vegetation. Its pristine coastline touches the Mozambican border in the north and brushes against Mapelane Nature Reserve to the south of St Lucia’s 60km-wide estuary. The river is littered with basking crocodiles and bobbing hippos. Flocks of pelicans and flamingos paint the area pink and white while fly-fisherman attempt to catch the giant trevally and sea pike. Along the coast, Sodwana Bay’s...

Named after the muddy Maputo River that flows through southern Mozambique, Maputaland is a medley of clear, beige beaches, lakes, grassy marshlands, sand forests and mangroves. Small farmsteads and fishing communities dot the unspoilt landscape, adding to the laid-back ambience of the region.  Its coastline, extending eastwards to the shores of the Indian Ocean, is a breeding ground of the leatherback turtle. Track these gentle giants’ progress as they make their way up the sandy beach to lay their eggs. The area is encamped within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, (the third largest protective area in the country), along with the diving mecca of Sodwana...

A tantalising taste of South African heritage

There is no doubt that KwaZulu-Natal is eclectic with its terrain fluctuating between undulating hills, sharp ravines, mountain ranges and sub-tropical beaches. The cities’ streets brim with life and are in stark contrast to the traditional settlements found in rural areas. Natal (or KZN) can be whatever you want it to be: a place of respite or one of action-packed adventure.  The province boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, home to southern Africa’s highest mountain range, over 30 000 San paintings, and 500 caves; and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park graced with Africa’s largest estuarine system and more than 500 bird species....

The Mountain of Dragons

If ever there was a landscape that lived up to its airbrushed and hyped reputation, it’s the ragged, green stretches of the Drakensberg range’s peaks. Meaning ‘dragon mountain’ in Afrikaans, most of the mountain calls KwaZulu-Natal home while forming the natural border between South Africa and the Lesotho kingdom. The mountain’s vast, sweeping, basalt summits and sandstone cliffs are part of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Summer brings forth dramatic thunderstorms that rage around 3,400m peaks. When the thunder fades, crisp mountain air settles among gorges and valleys. The streams and rivers are ideal for kayaking, tubing, swimming,...