Kwazulu Natal, St lucia, Battlefields and Drakensberg
KwaZulu Natal's leisure options provide a multitude of choices to keep you endlessly entertained. From Durban, you can catch a shuttle to Margate, at the hub of the South Coast golf circuit. When you're not playing golf, fishing or lying on the beach, you can visit a crocodile farm, a nature reserve or follow an arts and crafts trail. Another short flight takes you to the historic city of Pietermaritzburg, gateway to the Natal Midlands and the charming Drakensberg resorts. No holiday in the province would be complete without a visit to at least one of the KwaZulu Natal game reserves, renowned throughout the world.
The Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park incorporates Lake St Lucia, the St Lucia and Maputaland Marine Reserves, the Coastal Forest Reserve, and Kosi Bay Nature Reserve. The park has 280km of near pristine coastline and comprises of 328 000 hectares of magnificent scenery. Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park encompasses an immense mosaic of habitats ranging from marine systems (coral reefs and beaches) and coastal forests (from salt and fresh water marshes to the open estuarine waters of Lake St Lucia itself) from lush coastal plains to the drier woodland areas. This is a remarkably beautiful place in South Africa. The protected area is home to the largest population of hippopotamus and approximately 1,000 crocodiles as well as a wealth of plant and animal life. The largest mammal found in the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park is the humpback whale and on land the African Elephant. Other mammals include buffalo, rhino, zebra, eland and kudu. Wildlife Safaris on horseback is an extraordinary experience. The game sees you as part of the horse and doesn't frighten easily which affords you the opportunity to get up close to the animals. Other reptiles, such as the marine turtles, the leather back turtle and logger head turtles utilise the protective beaches of the St Lucia Wetlands Park to breed in November of each year.
KwaZulu-Natal's Battlefield Experience should not be missed on your visit to South Africa. The Battlefield Route will take you on a journey of discovery that will remain a highlight of your South Africa tour. Zulu wars, Shaka, Isandlwana, Colenso, Spioenkop, Ladysmith, Dundee, Churchill, Blood River, Cetshwayo, Boers ... are some of the terms which are associated with this internationally renowned area of South Africa called the Battlefields. It was among the picturesque hills and rock formations of this sweeping landscape that fearless, spear-wielding footsoldiers of the all-conquering Zulu kings first encountered the rampant British Empire's sophisticated fire- power... and where each faced the unfamiliar guerilla-warfare tactics of the Boer - descendants of the west European settlers who five generations earlier had claimed divine right to this 'Promised Land'.
A thousand kilometres of mountain majesty, the Drakensberg range is the adventure tourist's playground. It is also perfect for nature photography, easy walking and simple relaxation. Full of game sanctuaries, Bushman rock art sites, challenging peaks and cascading waterfalls, the views in the Drakensberg will compete with anything the rest of the world has to offer.
