South Africa Accommodation

~ ABOUT KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE ~

KwaZulu-Natal – Welcome to the Zulu Kingdom an enticing, spectacular and fascinating multi – cultural showpiece destination flanked by warm Indian Ocean and Soaring Peaks. North of Durban, it's largest city, lies the best of African game reserves and superb beaches, to the West is the majestic Drakensberg Mountains while to the South there await miles of subtropical coastline. KwaZulu-Natal is known as the garden province. It boasts two World Heritage sites, the uKhalahamba Drakensberg park and the Isimangaliso (greater St Lucia) Wetlands park. KwaZulu Natal offers sunny weather, pristine beaches, rolling green hills and relics of the great battles of old in South Africa's history.

Although Durban is the largest city of this province, the capital is Pietermaritzburg. Set in the heart of the midlands is the charming town of Pietermaritzburg. Named after the leaders of the Voortrekker settlers, Piet Retief and Gerrit Maritz, after they made their home next to the Umsindusi River. The numerous Victorian and Edwardian buildings reflect the period of British colonialisation as the “Last outpost of the British empire.”

As the largest city Durban boasts many of the tourist attractions and as it is set on the coast line also offers a selection of beautiful, sandy beaches. It is the hub of all the business and industry. The port operations are a big source of income as the maritime is a large sector as in any major port city. The port is one of the busiest and also one of the 10 biggest in the world. Luxury hotels line the beaches of Durban known as the Golden Mile, this is often refered to as South Africa's Miami beach. Durban is known for it's balmy beach weather all year round, making it a perfect holiday paradise. The outdoor is a major focus and Durban Metro not only boasts the warm Indian Ocean and various water – focused theme parks, like uShaka Marine World, it also functions as the gateway to two World Heritage sites.

Ukhalahamba Drakensberg park: uKhahlamba (the Barrier of Spears) is a 200-kilometre-long mountainous wonderland. This park, named one of the world's Natural Heritage sites, boasts with its natural beauty and protects a high level of endemic and globally threatened species especially birds and plants. The Drakensberg is known as the soul of the Zulu Kingdom. Here is where the history of the indigenous San people are recorded for all to view through their rock paintings made by the San people over a period of 4000 years. The oldest rock painting recorded is over 2400 years old. The ecological integrity of the area has been preserved intact since the last San people living there and the climate, vegetation and fauna have not changed. There are 290 species of birds, 48 species of mammals and numerous rare varieties of plant life found in the park, not to mention the mountains which must be conquered. The fearless may choose to try sheer rock or ice- climbing - or they may prefer the adrenaline rush provided by abseiling, white water rafting or taking a helicopter ride to view the Drakenberg mountains from above.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park: is situated on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, also known as the elephant coast, about 275 kilometres north of Durban. This wetland park was also named a world heritage site in the province of KwaZulu Natal.It is South Africa's third-largest protected area, spanning 280 km of coastline, from the Mozambican border in the north to Mapelane south of the St Lucia estuary, and made up of around 3,280 km²
of pristine natural ecosystems, managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

The park was previously known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, but was renamed effective from 1 November 2007. The word 'isimangaliso' is Zulu for 'a marvel'. A particular nearby attraction to St Lucia is the Crocodile Centre that features a breeding programme for two endangered African species - the dwarf and long-snout crocodile. Mission Rocks is a popular outdoor barbeque spot some 15 kms north of St Lucia village.