Nicknamed 'the garden province', KwaZulu-Natal is a land of many faces, from the stunning shoreline and modern cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg, to the breathtaking expanses of the parks and safaris. Rich in culture, natural beauty and with plenty of exotic sights, sounds and tastes to enjoy, a luxury KwaZulu-Natal safari holiday is a great starting point for exploration.
Combining modern urban luxury with landscapes that have remained unchanged for millions of years, KwaZulu-Natal is a real melting-pot of culture, landscapes, and experiences. From lavish lodges to palatial hotels, this can be the ideal setting for a daring and exciting African safari. Tranquil beaches line this coast, including some of the most idyllic and undeveloped shorelines in the world.
KwaZulu-Natal's parks, game reserves, and safaris boast thriving populations of elephants, rhinos, Cape buffalo, lions, and leopards. Within this region you'll also find the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi park, the oldest nature reserve in Africa, which has 86 special species, including the Big Five. But the fauna isn't the only attraction here, as Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is also famed for its Stone Age settlements, ancient Zulu royal hunting grounds and its incredible vistas.
Then there is the coastal jewel of Durban, the region's largest city, and home to epic surfing competitions and celebrated foodie festivals. Walk along the Golden Mile, a beach-side promenade lined with luxury hotels, exclusive stores, and restaurants with sea views. Then wind your way through the Indian Quarter for a multi-cultural melange of mosques, markets, and the best Indian food in town. For a little slice of tranquillity, head to the nearby resort town of Umhlanga Rocks, where golden beaches are the platform for dolphin and whale watching.
KwaZulu-Natal's climate is sub-tropical and temperate, perfect weather for all manner of outdoor activities. This region's humid, warm summers, from October to April, yield a lush, green landscape, perfect for safari days or beach holidays.
The mild, dry winters of the region, which run from May to September are when the animals gather around water holes, and are ideal for spotting the Big Five. And with sea temperature averaging around 20°C throughout the year, beach holidays can be a lot more than just lounging on the sand.
The KwaZulu-Natal region is renowned for their native African cuisine, as well as Indian and European influenced food, giving known classics a hearty African-fusion twist. Most resorts utilise locally-produced gourmet ingredients to create authentic African dishes, giving you a taste of exotic luxury dining.
As well as varied, delicious local fare, you can also expect plenty of great locally produced beers and wines, as well as a number of food and drink festivals, including the Durban Street Food Festival, which runs from the 28th to the 30th of September.
TRAVEL AWARE – PREPARING FOR SAFE AND HEALTHY TRAVEL ABROAD
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provide the latest travel advice by country including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health. For the latest FCDO advice please refer to www.gov.uk/travelaware
Current travel health information can be found by visiting www.travelhealthpro.org.uk a resource set up by the Department of Health. The advice can change on all sites so please check regularly for updates.
Our friendly, helpful and knowledgeable travel concierge team are available to talk you through any questions, queries or concerns you may have about planning your next holiday. If you’re ready to start that conversation now, call us on 01204 867 139 but if not, schedule a call in with us below and a member of our concierge team will phone you to help you plan the holiday you deserve.
