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