| The Kwazulu-NatalProvince is a holidaymaker's | | | | Heritage Site that is one of the last |
| sub-tropical, beach and mountain paradise, | | | | remaining sub-tropical areas containing its |
| the Kingdom of the Zulu has something for | | | | original diverse components of wild plants |
| everyone set in magnificent natural beauty. | | | | and animals. Five interlinked ecosystems can |
| Coast-to-coast the beaches and quaint | | | | be found including a marine system, coastal |
| villages attract sun worshippers who are | | | | dune system, lake systems, swamps and an |
| drawn to the warm Indian ocean and all the | | | | inland system of ancient shoreline terraces |
| pleasures it affords. Outdoor enthusiasts | | | | and dry savannah. Don't miss whale watching |
| love to explore the two World Heritage sites, | | | | and also visit Sodwana Bay, a world-class |
| the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park and the | | | | diving destination also popular with |
| Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, as well as the | | | | fishermen. Here the rare 'fossil' fish, the |
| game parks and famous battlefields. Diverse | | | | ceolacanth, thought to be extinct, was |
| cultures, from the San bushmen with their | | | | recently captured on video.Durban & |
| rock art, Zulu villagers with their fearsome | | | | surrounds:South Africa's third-largest city, |
| warriors and colourful dancing maidens, | | | | Durban is Africa's most successful convention |
| Griqua trekkers with their pioneering spirit | | | | destination and its 'Golden Mile' beachfront |
| and Indian restaurateurs with their hot, | | | | offer magnificent swimming beaches and sports |
| sought-after curries, enrich the province | | | | facilities. Apart from this, the city's |
| with a wide variety of experiences to be had. | | | | cultural mix offers excellent entertainment |
| With all this on its doorstep, it is no | | | | and shopping, from energetic Zulu dances to |
| wonder that Durban has become the top | | | | the famous hot Indian curries. Try a |
| convention destination in Africa - a | | | | traditional rickshaw ride while exploring.The |
| veritable antithesis of the all work, no play | | | | Midlands:Often compared with the Midlands in |
| philosophy.CLIMATE:Coastal areas enjoy a | | | | England, this area comprises wide open areas |
| sub-tropical climate with sunshine year | | | | of green hills, lush pastures and extensive |
| round, although rain storms can occur in | | | | forests. Follow the Midlands Meander, a |
| summer. The humidity is lower in June and | | | | world-class arts & crafts cottage industry |
| July, making it ideal times to visit. Weather | | | | along a well-organised route and don't miss |
| is also warm and sunny for most of the year | | | | Howick Falls. Ideal for outdoor activities |
| in the Drakensberg, but in winter night time | | | | including whitewater rafting, also features |
| temperatures can drop below freezing and | | | | top sports events e.g. the Midmar Mile - the |
| snowfalls are not uncommon. At Sodwana Bay, a | | | | world's biggest inland swimming race.South |
| world-class diving destination, conditions | | | | Coast:A string of small holiday towns cater |
| are good throughout the year, but best from | | | | for fun-lovers all year round. Excellent |
| April through to September. Water | | | | conditions for bathing, surfing, fishing, |
| temperatures here are usually above 20 | | | | scuba diving and dolphin and whale watching. |
| degrees Celsius and in summer can reach 29 | | | | Also known for its golf holidays with over 12 |
| degrees Celsius. The Midlands is a summer | | | | golf courses.North Coast:Sea-side resorts set |
| rain fall area with warm, sunny summers and | | | | in King Shaka territory, famous for its |
| cold winters, with night time temperatures | | | | bottle-nose dolphins. Ideal for bathing, |
| dropping below zero in | | | | surfing, skin and scuba diving, rock and |
| parts.SHOPPING:Shopping is an elevated | | | | skiboat fishing or exploring the rock |
| activity in KZN with entire routes dedicated | | | | pools.Zululand's Game Parks:The biggest |
| to this pleasure. The Midlands Meander offers | | | | concentration of game parks in the province, |
| a wide variety of arts and crafts including | | | | with the big bushveld game reserves of Mkuze |
| pottery, sculptures and leather-work, ideally | | | | and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi main attractions. Apart |
| interspersed with stops at cosy inns for a | | | | from Big 5 game viewing (lion, buffalo, |
| taste of country fare and home-made brews | | | | rhino, leopard and elephant), the reserves |
| with names like 'Pickled Pig' or 'Pie Eyed | | | | are also renowned for its birds, especially |
| Possum'. Ethnic Zulu pieces on the beaches, | | | | Mkhuze, hippo, crocodiles and giraffe. While |
| cultural villages and curio centres e.g. the | | | | in the area, don't miss one of the |
| Workshop include intricate beadwork, wood | | | | traditional Zulu villages; in some you can |
| carvings, baskets and pottery. In Durban, the | | | | even sleep over in beehive huts. In |
| choices vary from luxury shopping mall | | | | September, the annual Royal Reed Dance at the |
| merchandise to downtown Indian markets where | | | | Royal Residency of King Goodwill Zwelithini |
| you'll find the best curry spices in the | | | | in Nongoma must not be missed.The |
| country and quality African craft items at | | | | Battlefields:Rich in history, this province |
| the African Art Centre at Tourist Junction. | | | | features the largest concentration of Boer, |
| Also visit the Heritage Market in Hillcrest | | | | British and Zulu battlefields in southern |
| for more local goods. Other places to shop | | | | Africa. Numerous sites and routes can be |
| include: Point Waterfront Fleamarket, The | | | | explored with Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift, |
| Pavillion, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, La | | | | Majuba, Spioenkop, Thalana and Blood River |
| Lucia Mall.TOP ATTRACTIONS | | | | main battle sites that will be brought alive |
| DESCRIPTION:uKhahlamba-Drakensberg:Park A | | | | by the stories of a specialist tour |
| gigantic mountain range filled with eco | | | | guide.Valley of 1000 Hills:Starting approx. |
| treasures, this World Heritage Site also has | | | | half an hour's drive from Durban, a tourist |
| outstanding cultural properties in the | | | | route of craft shops, restaurants and |
| approx. 6000 San rock art sites showing the | | | | magnificent scenery can be explored. |
| earliest specimens of rock art where colour | | | | Highlights include the PheZulu Safari Park |
| and dimension were introduced. Many endemic | | | | for its Zulu warrior dancing, ethnic curios, |
| and threatened species can be found here e.g. | | | | bush drives, sangomas, crocodile and snake |
| the Bearded Vulture and unique alpine | | | | park; the 3-hour Choo Choo Train trip through |
| vegetation occurs. Well-marked trails make | | | | the valley on the last Sunday of every month |
| the area a hiker's paradise, other ideal | | | | and the On Air raptor display, where you can |
| outdoor activities include fly-fishing, | | | | watch raptors fly over the valley |
| rock-climbing, mountain biking, ice climbing, | | | | demonstrating their hunting techniques.Gerald |
| abseiling, paragliding, horseriding and 4x4 | | | | Crawford was born in South Africa, studied |
| trails. Don't miss the famous Amphitheatre, | | | | electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel |
| Cathedral Peak, Giant's Castle, the second | | | | and african travel concepts. He taught |
| highest waterfall in the world - the Thukela | | | | responsible tourism in South Africa. If you |
| Falls and the majestic Mnweni Valley in the | | | | have any questions or comments please e-mail |
| north to central area. In the south, find 26 | | | | me on. E-mail Address: |
| peaks that are higher than 10,000 feet | | | | southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co. |
| (3050m).Greater St Lucia Wetland:Park A World | | | | |