Too often overlooked by travellers, Durban and KwaZulu Natal actually has it all in one province: unspoilt beaches, top epicurean and wellness experiences, award-winning safari lodges, mountains and history. Find out a little more about some of our favourite areas below.

UMHLANGA ROCKS
Just outside of Durban is the seaside resort town of Umhlanga Rocks. The tropical weather and lush vegetation make this an enticing holiday destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. It is the perfect location for ocean enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike, with great opportunities for diving, swimming, scuba diving, whale watching, dolphin viewing, deep sea fishing and kite boarding. Umhlanga Rocks also offers some excellent golf courses for the avid golfer.

ZULULAND
With many private game lodges and reserves, these are just a few of our favourites. Described as “Seven Worlds of Wonder”, &Beyond Phinda encompasses an impressive 23 000 hectares (56 800 acres) of prime Big Five wilderness in KwaZulu-Natal. This Reserve comprises seven distinct habitats – from dry sand forest to wetland systems and mountain ranges. Catch a glimpse of the shy suni antelope, track rhino in the bushveld, observe breeding herds of elephant in fever tree forests, hold your breath as a cheetah teaches her cubs to hunt, glide past hippo on the Mzinene River and marvel at the gracious nyala. Phinda is home to more than 3 000 of these rare antelope.

Thanda Private Game Reserve offers an authentically South African wildlife experience, matched with sincere commitment to the Zulu culture and passionate conservation of the environment. Meaning ‘love’ in isiZulu, Thanda is a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World and multiple winner of World’s Leading Luxury Lodge. It is known for meaningful safari experiences and exclusive close-up encounters with Africa’s magnificent Big Five.

DRAKENSBERG
The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg mountain range is the highest in South Africa and offers incredible natural beauty and a wealth of recreational activities. Because of its range of plant life and the richest collection of San rock paintings in Africa, it has been declared a World Heritage Site.

In Zulu the range is known as uKhahlamba, meaning ‘barrier of spears’, which does justice to its dramatic basalt buttresses. Early settlers called it the Drakensberge, because they believed it resembled a dragon’s back.

The mountains, with numerous valleys and rivers, is an outdoor playground where South Africans enjoy leisure time pursuing activities including trout fishing, kayaking, tubing, swimming, 4×4 trails, quad biking, horse riding, photography, bird watching, rambling, rock climbing and hot air balloon rides over hidden valleys.

You’ll marvel at the ‘Berg’s’ towering cliffs, unspoilt forests, soaring peaks and rich animal life, including eagle and eland. Swim in crystal clear rivers, explore the area by mountain bike or simply chill and enjoy the glorious vistas. Accommodation is plentiful and ranges from basic to luxurious.

Don’t forget to include your very own exclusive epicurean and wellness experiences and tours

on your vacation and safari journey!