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7 REASONS TO PLAN A KWAZULU-NATAL VACATION

KwaZulu-Natal – or better known as the Zulu Kingdom, is arguably one of South Africa’s most diverse travel destinations. It is one of the countries most popular destinations for local travelers but often overlooked by international visitors. If you are an international traveler planning a vacation to South Africa and have glanced over KwaZulu-Natal without giving it much thought, then you should look again. With its spectacular weather, distinct yet varied destinations and warm hospitality it truly is a destination worth considering. With this in mind, here are seven excellent reasons why you should consider KwaZulu-Natal for your South Africa vacation. And for all our local followers, if you haven’t visited KZN recently, these seven reasons should get you up and planning. 1. YEAR ROUND DESTINATION Zimanga Private Game Reserve Landscape KwaZulu-Natal enjoys blissful sub-tropical weather almost all year round, making it the perfect all season destination. The coastal areas enjoy hot summers and mild winters, averaging over 300 days of sunshine a year. The Indian Ocean adds to the appeal with water temperatures averaging a delightful 21 degrees throughout the year. Ideal for swimming, surfing, diving, snorkeling, sailing or any other ocean based activity. The interior (KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and the Drakensberg Mountains) of the province also enjoys beautiful warm summer days but does have cold winter temperatures with regular snow fall in the Drakensberg Mountain range. For many, the cold winters mornings with mist covered mountains and crisp clean air is what makes the KZN Midlands and Drakensberg Mountains so special. 2. FROM MAJESTIC MOUNTAINS TO CRYSTAL CLEAR OCEANS Lala Nek in nothern KwaZulu-Natal Deep in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal lies the exhilarating Drakensberg Mountain Range. This is KwaZulu-Natal’s second world heritage site, the first being iSimangaliso (St. Lucia) Wetlands Park found on the North Coast. With its dramatic mountainous landscapes and deep valleys, the Drakensberg is a photographers paradise. For the more active traveler there is plenty on offer with numerous hiking trails (from overnight hikes which summit the many peaks to easier day walks on the lower slopes), horse back trails, excellent fishing, scenic helicopter flips, adventurous 4×4 trails (Sani Pass), and much much more. Descending from the Drakensberg lowlands and heading south east you travel through the Natal Midlands towards the Indian Ocean. Besides the areas natural beauty, the Midlands Meander has been made famous by the many art galleries, fascinating craft stores and world class restaurants, all perfectly placed in a landscape of charming working farms and pristine nature reserves. From the Midlands, its a short drive down the escapement to the coastal city of Durban, the provinces larges city. Durban is a soulful, cosmopolitan city that moves to a rhythm of its own. With its impressive swell, long beaches and warm oceans its a surfers paradise. But if you looking for something a little more secluded, leave the city and travel north or south along the coast for a variety of pristine beaches waiting to be explored. Up the North Coast and close to the Mozambique border you’ll find some of the most remote beaches in the country. The swimming conditions are sublime with beautifully warm, crystal clear water – paradise for any true beach holiday maker. The South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal offers several impressive dive sights including Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. However, the South Coast is probably best know for the sardine run – where massive shoals of sardines migrate north, attracting large schools of dolphins, sea birds and other ocean predators. 3. BIG FIVE SAFARI Lion at Phinda Private Game Reserve The biggest draw card for anyone interested in an African vacation is the safari experience. The KwaZulu-Natal Elephant Coast, situated in the north of the province is home to several world class, big 5 safari destinations including Phinda Private Game Reserve, the Zululand Rhino Reserve, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and Amakhosi Game Reserve to name a few. Further inland you’ll also find the Nambiti Big Five Private Game Reserve as well as several smaller private nature reserves all offering something unique for the nature lover. With such a wide variety of game reserves to chose from the accommodation options are almost endless. From basic camping facilities and self catering lodges to elegant five star luxury, you wont struggle to find a safari to suit your budget and accommodation preferences. 4. EXPERIENCE AFRICAN CULTURE Zulu Cultural Dance KwaZulu-Natal is known as the Zulu Kingdom and for good reason. The province is home to one of Africa’s most powerful tribes – the Zulu Nation. With enchanting tales of great warriors like King Shaka, the history of the Zulu Kingdom is captivating. A visit to a traditional Zulu village gives insight into this fascinating culture. If you wish to go further back in time, a visit to one of the ancient rock art sites in the Drakensberg Mountains is a must. These sites, some as old as 40,000 years, offer a glimpse into the life of the African Bushman or San people. Interestingly, the Drakensberg Mountains has the highest number of recorded African rock are sites in South Africa. 5. RELIVE THE ANGLO-BOER AND ANGLO-ZULU WARS The battle of Isandlwana The Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902 are two highly significant wars that shaped the course of South African history. The most famous battles of the Anglo-Zulu war were the battles of Isandlawana and Rorke’s Drift which both took place on the same day (22 January 1879). At Isandlawana 20, 000 Zulu warriors annihilated a British force of 1,700 soldiers. In complete contrast, at Rorke’s Drift a small group of British soldiers known as the ‘heroic hundred’ successfully defended the Swedish mission station for 12 hours against a force of 4,000 Zulu soldiers. Several years later the Anglo-Boer war erupted. The British entered the war confident they would conquer the Boers in no time, but they were horribly mistaken. The Anglo-Boer war turned out to be the longest, most expensive and bloodiest war Britain had fought since the Napoleonic wars. 6. GET ACTIVE View of Durban

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Things To Do in KwaZulu Natal

A sub-tropical coastline littered with beaches that promise warm water and lush, green vegetation, inland battlefields in the hills and valleys of Zululand, the superb DrakensbergMountain range that dominates the undulating hills of the Midlands, the Elephant coast, Dolphin coast, and cities like Durban, are the fundamentals of the KwaZulu Natal province that lies in the east of the country, bordering Mozambique in the north and the Eastern Cape in the south. National parks, like the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, abound as do nature reserves, and places like Kosi Bay, St Lucia Estuary, Umhlanga, Oribi gorge and Hluhluwe roll off the tongue with ease. Skydive Durban Some like to enjoy the sites of KwaZulu Natal by sitting in a perfectly good car and some like to enjoy the sight of Durban by jumping out of a perfectly good aeroplane. From either perspective the KwaZulu Natal coastline is magical but Skydiving Durban allows you to see the entirety of the magic in one mad leap. No experience is necessary for Tandem Skydives with the certified crew having thousands of hours of experience ‘as a bird’. Practice your James Bond accent for a mission recreation or bring your own yellow cat suit for special effects. A 20 minute briefing will have you soaring scenically in a 20 minute plane ride climbing to the desired altitude. Instructors altitude dials will read 10 000 ft above ground level and your 35 second freefall to earth will activate exhilaration. Float under a canopy of adrenalin that the instructors will allow you to steer for a short duration of the 6 minute decent. Take-in the magnitude of Natal that expands below your dangling feet. Approach the drop-zone on a wild sensation of scenery and speed. Optional DVD and photo footage will replay the ultimate flight so you can re-live the thrill. Static-line and Accelerated Free-fall courses are also available. All equipment is provided. 5; 4; 3; 2; 1; JUMP! Wild 5 Adventures If you are looking for a thrilling adventure to get that adrenaline rush then be sure to visit the Wild 5 extreme adventure company. Are you brave enough to step it up a notch and really get your heart racing? If so, then try out the Wild swing and free fall over the edge of Lehrs Falls, getting up to a speed of 120 kilometers per hour while soaring down into an arc a 100 meters long. If the swing sounds too scary you may prefer to abseil down the gorge or slide across it at a height of 160 metres above the valley floor below. If that doesn’t appeal, then you may enjoy white water rafting through the Umzimkhula River where you are bound to get a buzz. With all these riveting activities to choose from, you will not be disappointed and are sure to have the time of your life. Rorke’s Drift Battlefields Tour Listen at sunset to the famous story of Rorke’s Drift, where 139 British soldiers were attacked by 4,000 Zulu warriors, winning more Victoria Crosses than in any other battle in history, returning to the Lodge or Guest House in time for a drink around the fireplace. Fugitives’ Drift has become world-renowned for its battlefield tours to all the Zulu War battle sites in the region, particularly the battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. Flagship tours to Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift are led by registered tour guides Rob Caskie, Joseph Ndima and George Irwin, who are superb storytellers and make the history of that day come alive. Our long family associations with the area and its people allow us to offer you some unique Zulu perspectives. Learn of the bravery and mobility of the Zulu army that defeated the British Army at the Battle of Isandlwana and listen at sunset to the famous story of Rorke’s Drift, where 139 British soldiers were attacked by 4000 Zulu warriors; a British victory which saw the award of more Victoria Crosses than in any other battle in history. Mtunzini trails Start: Umlazi Nature Reserve Finish: Umlazi Nature Reserve Duration: from 15 mins to 6 hours Fitness: easy to moderate Our tip: if taking the Mlalazi River mouth trail and returning along the beach, check the beach exit ahead of time as it can be confusing once on the beach The Umlazi Nature Reserve lies between the town of Mtunzini and the sea, a strip of coastline that forms the northern section of the Siyaya Coastal Park that, in turn, stretches from the mouth of the Mlalazi River to the border with Amatikulu Nature Reserve. Just outside the reserve, via a boardwalk that takes you through a swamp forest and is particularly beautiful, is the Raphia Palm Forest. Add this as an extra leg to any day’s hiking in the area for its scenery and the chance to catch sight of the palmnut vulture that nests high in the raphia palms. Hiking in the Umlazi Nature Reserve takes the form of a couple of hikes. But it is the easiest and shortest hike, a mere 15 minutes, that is regarded as one of its best. For it takes one through one of the most outstanding examples of mangrove forest in the country, via John Dunn’s Pool. The Siyaya Coastal Dune Forest Trail is circular and begins in the south beach parking area, following the coastal forest next to the Siyaya stream. You may catch a glimpse of various buck. The Mlalazi River mouth trail starts on the footpath that links north beach to the parking area and wends its way along 8 km of winding river trail right to where it meets the ocean at Port Durnford. Umhlanga Lighthouse The place of light in the ‘Place of Reeds’ (Zulu translation of the word Umhlanga) shines from the white lighthouse with a topside red stripe. Beached facing the sunrise it acts on the red sky that may serve as a sailors’ warning and shines a bright welcome to the bustling port of Durban, much to sailors’ delight. The familiar sight from portholes passing by is also the familiar subject of postcards of passers-by. The Umhlanga Lighthouse is fully

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The Wildlife of Hluhluwe | Imfolozi The Game Reserve that Saved the White Rhino

Famed as the wildlife park that saved the White Rhino from extinction, today Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal is home to a large population of Rhino and is a must-see destination while visiting South Africa. The game reserve that saved the White Rhino – Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Located on 96 00 hectares of land, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is approximately 3 hours from Durban and is considered one of the highlights of any visit to South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal province. Home to over 96 species of mammals and more than 330 species of birds, visitors to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi can look forward to spotting at least one or all of the Big Five while exploring the reserve. The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Viewing Experience The nature park is home to the second largest population of White Rhinos in the world, after the Kruger National Park and also has a large population of Black Rhino and growing populations of Elephant and other African wildlife. Visitors should aim to spend a few hours in one of the hides overlooking a water point as it is here that one will see game sauntering down to the water for a refreshing drink or to wallow in the mud on the banks. Nile Crocodiles, Water and Rock Monitor Lizards can all be found in the rivers. There are 31 species of snake in the game reserve including the venomous Black-necked Spitting Cobra and Puff adders, both of which frequent the camps and visitors should be weary of where they are walking. Up at the Hilltop Camp one can look forward to seeing Red Duiker and Blue Duiker in the scarp forest surrounding the camp and Buffalo and other game can regularly be found grazing right outside the camp’s main entrance. Although the large carnivores such as Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Wild Dog and Spotted Hyaena are found in the reserve they are more likely to be heard, calling at night, than seen. A great destination for the avid birder Today the reserve is flourishing and visitors can look forward to excellent game viewing opportunities in a beautiful setting. A top bird watching destination, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is home to a wide array of bird species from residents to migrants and regularly visitors. Some of the special species include the African Finfoot that can be seennear Memorial Gate from the Gontshi stream crossing. The Southern Bald Ibis, Striped Pipit and the Mocking Chat are all regularly spotted on a cliff viewed from the Siwasamakhosikazi picnic spot to the south of the Hluhluwe River. Heading out along the Mbhombe self-guided walking trail at the Hilltop Camp will provide sightings of some of the scarp forest birds including the Crested Guinea fowl, Olive Bush Shrike, Lemon Dove and Green Twinspot. Along the river, especially in fruit season, one will find a wide variety of fruit-eating birds including Crowned and Trumpeter Hornbills and Purple-crested Turacos. Visitors should also not forget to spend time at one or more of the many bird hides as any time spent there is always fruitful. The History of the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve Split into two sections, the hilly Hluhluwe Section in the north and the iMfolozi section with its rugged hills and wide jagged valleys towards the south, the first evidence of human occupation is iron smelting and metal-working sites from about 1 500 years ago during the Iron Age. More recently the land was occupied by Dingiswayo and his Mthethwa tribe and later still by Shaka and his mighty Zulu warriors. Shaka and his tribesmen used to hunt in the area and later, from the mid- 1800s white hunters and ivory traders discovered the wildlife populations and severely hunted the game. A remains of the White Rhino population in the area in 1895 led to the establishment of the Hluhluwe and iMfolozi game reserves in 1895 however the arrival of the tsetse fly borne nagana disease in the local cattle saw farmers calling for a de-proclamation of the reserves and the start of an extreme hunting spree over a 10 year period that saw over 100 000 heads of game slaughtered. During this hunting spree only the Rhinos were sparred and in 1952 the sparse remaining wildlife was again protected. In 1989 the Corridor separating the two reserves was opened, incorporating them into one. Habitats The reserve has 3 distinct vegetation types; the most widespread is the Zululand lowveld, while the higher areas are dominated by the Zululand sourveld and the rest of the reserve has patched of scarp forest. The extreme north and south of the reserve are particularly hilly with the landscape being carved out and cut through by three major rivers which then split into a number of small streams. Source: nature-reserves.co.za

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Snorkeling Cape Vidal

The waters of Cape Vidal are warm, thanks to their being part of the Indian Ocean, and are teeming with marine animal- and plant life. The snorkelling safaris are paired with a game drive to ensure that visitors get to see the maximum number of species and the most variety during their excursion. Cape Vidal Snorkeling precautions Please take note that their are strong rip currents in the bay at Cape Vidal, South Africa. Should you like to go snorkeling at Cape Vidal then it is advisable that the following should be noted. Snorkeling should only take place 1 hour prior and 1 hour after low tide. This is when one can enjoy the very best snorkeling in the protected bay of Cape Vidal. The conditions (currents) are most favorable between these times and are therefore the safest as well. Please ensure that you do have a tide chart so that you make sure that your timings are correct. Snorkeling Gear Cape Vidal Bay is a semi protected bay and therefore makes for some incredible snorkeling opportunities. Gear Needed: Mask & Snorkel Fins (if possible) Sunblock a must During low tide it is not imperative to have fins as their is not much current one can therefore enjoy the bay to ones leisure. Due to the warm Indian Ocean a wetsuit is not needed. Where to Snorkel at Cape Vidal Once you arrive at Cape Vidal, you will see on the far right the reef starts. It is from their that one can enjoy snorkeling all the way towards the end of the reef. One will also see a pole sticking out at the end of the reef. This not only marks the end of the reef but is also utilized for the Boats Launching from Cape Vidal. Please at all times be on the look out for Sea going vessels are not only do they launch from the same site but also return through the same area. Ezemvello usually have someone with a whistle notifying you that you are swimming or snorkeling in the wrong area. Please adhere to them at all times. Scattered reefs and rocks are to be found within the bay, be on the look out for the mast of a old ship as well as this makes for some interesting shelter for the fish. Numerous fish species can be witnessed while snorkeling in Cape Vidal not to mention the odd game fish and crayfish. Please note that crayfish are not allowed to be removed as this is a protected area (isimangaliso wetland park). During winter its is common for the bay to sand up a bit and by summer the sand will once again be moved by the dominant currents. Credit: .stluciasouthafrica.com

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