KwaZulu Natal has a pleasant subtropical climate and you can enjoy some of South Africa's best game viewing, amazing snorkelling and diving, walking in the Drakensberg Mountains, delving into the history of the Anglo Zulu war and wandering around some of Africa's finest tropical gardens.
There are idyllic coastal hideaways such as the luxurious Ballito Manor on the Dolphin Coast just north of Durban or, more remotely Rocktail Bay which has South Africa's best diving, and when you are not on or under the water you can enjoy birdwatching and game viewing in the Tembe National Park. Between November and March immense leatherback turtles heave themselves up onto the beaches to breed.
There are safari lodges of all shapes and sizes here including the luxurious Phinda by the Indian Ocean, Ndumo with its beautiful wetlands, the mountains and valleys of Hluwhluwe, Umfolozi and fascinating smaller reserves like Amakhosi, all of which can show you the Big Five and provide fascinating and exciting big game safaris.
Driving across the Natal midlands you come to the great ranges of the Drakensberg Mountains with impressive sites like Giants Castle, while a few hours drive away are places like Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana, which were the sites of bloody conflicts between British and Zulus, which can be brought to life in passionate detail by guides like David Rattray from Fugitives Drift.
Africa Exclusive knows the best places to stay in KwaZulu Natal, be they five star hotels or charming country house properties where you are assured the warmest welcome with wonderful food and charming hospitality.
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