Durban is ideally located on the east coast of South Africa in KwaZulu-Natal. This province is the exotic kingdom of the Zulu nation ... a natural paradise featuring two world heritage sites... the majestic Drakensberg mountains and the St Lucia wetlands.
Drakensberg Mountains
Apart from their awesome beauty, these mountains, where the San people once lived, are the treasury of one of the world's largest collections of rock paintings and petroglyphs.
St Lucia Wetlands
The St Lucia wetlands feature a unique ecosystem, which includes Africa's largest estuary, grasslands, mangroves, indigenous forests, dune forests, pristine beaches and off-shore coral reefs.
Game Parks
Millions of hectares of this exotic kingdom are under formal conservation protection. Wilderness areas and award winning game parks are home to Africa's Big Five and the world's largest rhino population. The premier reserve, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, was once King Shaka's royal hunting ground.
Zulu Culture
Traditional Zulu beliefs and ancient customs, which live on in the rural villages of the kingdom, can be experienced by visiting one of the numerous cultural villages, such as Shakaland on the north coast, or Phezulu overlooking the Valley of a Thousand Hills.
Valley of a Thousand Hills
The scenic Valley of a Thousand Hills tourist route is populated by artists and craftsmen. Quaint old stations now serve as pubs and tea gardens and gracious hotels, guesthouses and restaurants, set amongst rivers and trees, enable you to dine in style.
Scuba Diving
Deep canyons off the northern coast at Sodwana Bay are the refuge of the prehistoric coelacanth. The reefs at Sodwana, which compare with the best in the world, provide an exceptional scuba diving experience.
Golf
The South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal is known as the Golf Coast. Among its numerous courses are the 18-hole courses at Margate and Southbroom - considered two of the most scenic in South Africa. There are more than a dozen world class golf courses within one hour's drive from Durban.
Fishing
An annual phenomenon on the South Coast is the sardine run - during which huge silver shoals are pursued by birds, sharks, game fish and thousands of fishermen.
Abseiling
For the daring, Oribi Gorge offers the world's longest commercial abseil.
Midlands Meander
Inland you will find the Midlands Meander - a country craft route - offering the best in country hospitality and creative handwork, including pottery, leatherwork, weaving, painting, hand painted fabrics, furniture making, jewellery, bead and wirework, sculpture, candle-making ... as well as cheese-makers and farm stalls offering fresh produce, jams, pickles and other delights.
Comfortable accommodation is available in exclusive hotels, traditional country homes, hospitable guesthouses and cozy bed and breakfast establishments.
Battlefields
Further inland lie the Battlefields where Boer, British and Zulu clashed at the end of the nineteenth century. The pink and white cosmos that flowers between the cairns marking mass graves at Spioenkop was brought here during the war years in the horse feed from South America.
There is always more in the Kingdom of the Zulu and all these attractions are within two hours' drive of Durban - your host city.
