From mountains to malls, wildlife and wetlands, KwaZulu-Natal is a province of contrasts. South Africa’s second-largest, its capital city, Durban epitomises this. Enjoying a tropical climate, lying along the Indian Ocean's coastline, it borders Mozambique, Eswatini and Lesotho. Meaning ‘Place of the Zulu’ this is traditional Zululand, whose people are fiercely proud of their culture. Refusing to surrender to outside rule, KwaZulu-Natal was home to some bloody battlefields between the Zulus, the British, and the Boers. Our pick of the best places to stay in KwaZulu-Natal includes the best of both urban, mountainous, and coastal stays.
Durban, a smaller, friendlier version of its bigger brother, Cape Town, is home to the largest Indian diaspora outside of South Asia - a veritable melting pot of Indian, African, and Malay cultures. From music, restaurants, bustling markets to mosques, churches, and temples, there are plenty of ways to experience the vibrancy of this coastal city. Known as eThekweni in Zulu, Durban has a lot more to offer than many might first expect. Ideal for a lazy beach holiday spent bathing in sunshine or surfing in the warm azure sea, Durban is an infinitely cool city with a lot of heart and soul.
Less than three hours west, lies the quaint town of Himeville, providing the perfect base from which to explore the mighty Drakensburg mountains, running alongside Tugela River, it boasts a long list of outdoor pursuits and is a favourite spot with horse riders and cyclists. Further afield, the St. Lucia wetland park, comprised of coral reefs and wetlands, along the Indian Ocean’s coastline, is home to whales, dolphins, turtles, and crocodiles, and further inland, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and lions.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
- It might be the capital of KwaZulu-Natal, but Durban is home to some impressive wildlife and nature reserves. From Bayhead Natural Heritage Site’s acres of mangrove (great for bird spotting) to Bluff Nature Reserve and Burman Bush.
- KwaZulu-Natal ‘s Drakensberg mountains are home to some impressive outdoor activities, from zip-lining to horse riding; mountain biking to trail trekking, there’s a long list of ways to experience one of South Africa’s most pristine landscapes.
- Durban's Botanical Gardens are picturesque and hosting a prime display of some of South Africa's flora and fauna, a peaceful respite from the city.
- From fly fishing at Penwarn to trout fishing at Glengarry, the Drakensberg area has plenty of angling opportunities.
- Every July, Durban plays host to the Durban International Film Festival, showcasing work from artists around the country and the world.
- Pay a visit to Himeville, a small picturesque town boasting some charming hotels, on route to the Sani Pass. Stretching from Underberg to Mokhotlong, Lesotho, it is one of South Africa’s longest and most epic road journeys.
- Embark on a walking tour of some of KwaZulu-Natal’s capital city, Durban’s hidden historical sites including Brook Street Ceremony and the markets of Warwick.
- The St. Lucia wetland park, a protected area of incredible biodiversity, including coral reefs, and wetlands, is home to elephants, leopards, rhinos, whales, dolphins, turtles, hippos, crocodiles, and much more.
Our pick of the best places to stay in KwaZulu-Natal showcases the finest collection of hotels, from budget to five-star, in one of South Africa's most vibrant, and less-visited, provinces.
