A dreamy holiday by the coast is always a good idea and KwaZulu-Natal offers travellers just that.
Boasting stretches of golden beaches and the warm Indian Ocean you are bound to enjoy endless days of sunbathing and relaxing on the beach. But there is a whole lot more to this city than just beautiful beaches! Discover and explore secret waterfalls, caves and hiking trails that will make any traveller fall head over heels with this enchanting province.
Explore one of the most isolated parts of the Drakensberg Mountains, the Mkhomazi Wilderness features a series of wetlands, deep gorges and rolling grasslands and one of the most popular viewpoints entails a hike up to Sinclair’s Shelter, one of two overnight caves used by hikers. Not an easy route but the views over Inzinga Valley are worth it.
Visit the internationally recognised top 10 dive sites in the world, the Aliwal Shoal, a rocky reef which is the remains of an ancient sand dune. The reef is a gold mine of marine life for scuba divers and snorkelers and if you are looking for an under the sea adventure, then this is the spot for you.
The Oribi Gorge is a canyon in southern KwaZulu-Natal, just west of Port Shepstone and is a playground for nature-lovers of all types - from extreme adventurers to laid-back travellers. This Gorge is also the perfect place to spot Loeries and the endangered oribis in their natural habitat.
If you are looking for some extreme adventure and would love the feeling of being closer to heaven, then you need to try out the suspension bridge across the canyon at Oribi Gorge. Experience the thrill of being suspended 100 metres off the ground while enjoying impressive scenic views of the location.
Enjoy endless photo moments at one of the best birding reserves in the country, the Ndumo Game Reserve in Maputaland. This amazing reserve has a series of gorgeous pans surrounded by yellow fever trees and extensive wetlands, sand forest, acacia savannah and reedbeds making it the perfect location for Instagrammable photos.
Amatikulu has many charming rural villages, rolling fields and a kind of vastness which you cannot find in the city. This beautiful location is also the location of Amatikulu Nature Reserve which gives you the opportunity to experience the wildlife and the blue Indian Ocean at the same time.
Lake Sibaya is a pristine freshwater lake and one of the 10 jewels of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. It is 70 square kilometres and teems with animals and birdlife and of course some crocodiles and hippos roaming on the banks.
Best to experience in June and July when the river is low, these natural hot springs in the Tugela valley near Greytown are the perfect way to have a relaxing soak. The springs are not commercialised and are free for use by anyone who can find them.
Inanda Mountain is an epic spot with cliffs plummeting down to the shores of Inanda Dam. The views are simply staggering, with an amazing bird watching site, especially in the late morning when birds of prey catch the thermals off the cliff face and glide up right in front of you. This is the sort of place you can just sit and thoroughly enjoy the beauty of nature.
The magnificent Mzinyathi Falls is the result of the Mzinyathi river plunging down a beautiful sandstone amphitheatre, over 100m into the Mzinyathi gorge. The gorge, boasting towering cliffs is also a very popular rock climbing spot and after heavy rains, the falls are a truly impressive sight. The Mzinyathi Gorge is also home to the “Rastafarian Caves” – these caves are home to a community of Rastafarians and can only be accessed using a tricky hidden path and have well constructed little stone rooms within the cave made using natural rock from the area. Visiting the caves is strictly by prior arrangement and with a guide but well worth making the effort to learn more about this fascinating culture and site.
Explore this mountain located within the Drakensberg range in KwaZulu-Natal, with its grassy plateau nestled among the deep valleys of the southern end of the central Drakensberg. This mountain gets its name from the shape of the peaks and escarpment which are thought to resemble the profile of a sleeping giant. Giant’s Castle is best known for its nature reserve and the bushman rock art preserved at its main caves, and the game reserve is home to the eland as well as the bearded vulture and Cape vulture.
Like most other mountain destinations, the most popular activities are hiking, climbing, trout fishing, picnicking, camping and swimming. Overnight hiking trails and day walks into the mountains are popular activities in this scenically splendid area.
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal offers travellers the opportunity to experience natural wonders, fascinating cultures and the rich history in a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. So go on, plan that much-needed getaway and visit these amazing locations that will leave lasting memories on your heart!
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