The province of KwaZulu-Natal came into being in 1994 following the merger of the former British colony of Natal with the reincorporated homeland of KwaZulu, which was made up of a number of segmented enclaves and exclaves scattered throughout the region.
Much of the former homeland fell b ...
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The province of KwaZulu-Natal came into being in 1994 following the merger of the former British colony of Natal with the reincorporated homeland of KwaZulu, which was made up of a number of segmented enclaves and exclaves scattered throughout the region.
Much of the former homeland fell between the borders of the traditional Zulu Kingdom of 1879, formed by the sea and three rivers: the Pongola in the north, the Buffalo in the east and the Tugela in the south. Inevitably, though, apartheid complicated matters by including large numbers of non-Zulu speakers into sections of KwaZulu.
Nowadays, KwaZulu-Natal has regained its rightful place as South Africa’s prime beach destination. The warm slow waters of the Indian Ocean and the fine seaside resorts of Durban’s so-called North and South Coasts draw hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists every year and the debate rages as to which of the two coasts is the “smart” place to be.
The North Coast is probably broadly more expensive and therefore more upmarket, but the development continues unabated all along both coasts.
The province’s coastline and its interior still also boast large numbers of highly significant protected areas including the world-renowned game parks of Zululand and the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park – a World Heritage Site, and the highest mountain range in the country.
The conflicts of the region’s colonial past can, however, not be glossed over. Lodges and hotels across the province pioneered some of the world’s most evocative and moving battlefields tours as a fitting tribute to the heroes and the victims of conflicts between Boer, Brit and Zulu. As a result Rorke’s Drift, Ladysmith and Blood River are household names all over the world.
Splashy Fen (April) Underberg. SA’s premier outdoor music festival
Awesome Africa Music Festival (Sept) Durban – 200 artists from 20 countries
Estcourt White Mountain Festival (Sept) – acoustic music
Ratha Yatra (Dec) – the Hindu Festival of chariots.
Features, creatures & Flower power
Bunny chow – an ingenious local invention – spicy curry served in a hollowed out loaf of bread. Break off the crust and dip it in as you work your way down.
Curry and all – Durban is the curry capital of the continent (although Mombasa might argue). The local speciality is breyani but any curry in Durban is good curry.
Botanic Gardens, Berea – the city’s oldest public institution, dating back to 1849. Don’t miss the Orchid House. www.durbanbotanicgardens.org.za
Japanese Gardens – Zen picnics, Zen gazebos, Zen layout, Zen peace. Zen go back to the beach. www.durbanandall.co.za/japanese_gardens.html
Hibiscus – the South Coast is not called the Hibiscus Coast for nothing. Dazzling red blooms stand out against the verdant bush.
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Hotels, lodges & resorts in Southern and East Africa
