MODULE 3 KWAZULU- NATAL PROVINCE and ITS UNIQUE FEATURES  It Is Also Known As “The Garden Province” Located in the Southeast of South Africa

COMPARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ATTRACTIONS: MODULE 3 KWAZULU- NATAL PROVINCE AND ITS UNIQUE FEATURES  It is also known as “the garden province” located in the southeast of South Africa. It has long shoreline beside the Indian Ocean and shares borders with the three other provinces and the countries of Mozambique; Eswatini and Lesotho.  Its capital is Pietermaritzburg and its largest city is Durban. KwaZulu- Natal has a diversity of natural resources and a sunny year round climate, it also offers tourists a wealth of exciting climate.  KwaZulu- Natal’s game parks are internationally renowned, to protect the marine life; mammals; reptiles as well as birds. IN AND AROUND DURBAN  Durban is the third most populous city in South Africa after Johannesburg and Cape Town, it is also a city that is very diverse and full of life. As one as a tourist can learn of the influences of India and the richness of traditional Zulu culture whilst exploring the city’s attractions.

CORAL REEFS  The long coastline north and south of Durban has beautiful beaches and numerous family resorts, with a variety of activities for tourists to enjoy such as snorkelling and diving; canoeing; boating and skiing for tourists that are interested in water sports.

GOLDEN MILE  Is the popular stretch of beachfront in the city of Durban, KwaZulu- Natal including the promenade that runs along with it.  Attractions include an amusement centre; paddling pools for tourists to swim; a foreshore way pavement along the beach to encourage visitors to walk and cycle. Among the beachfront properties there are popular restaurants and clubs where tourists can dine.

USHAKA MARINE WORLD  Is a theme park which was opened on 30 April 2004 in Durban, it is located on the strip of land between the beachfront and the harbour.  Visitors to the attraction can have a closer view of the different sea life such as sharks; dolphins and seals. They can also swim in the Wet’n wild park; hand-feed fish and sharks etc.

SHREE AMBALAVAANAR ALAYAM TEMPLE  Is also known as the Second River Temple, it is located in Cato Manor, Durban. It is the first Hindu temple on the African continent erected in the year 1875 and it is declared a national monument.  Tourists visiting the temple may visit the temple for religious purposes and they can also take tours in and around the temple.

JUMA MOSQUE  Is a mosque located in Durban, it is also known as the Grey Street Mosque as it represents a spiritual center for Durban’s Muslims.  The Juma Mosque is the largest mosque in the entire Southern hemisphere. Visitors to the mosque may go there for religious purposes and to have a view of the unique blend of Islamic decorations and strong Union period vernacular style.

UMHLANGA ROCKS  Is an affluent residential, commercial and resort town north of Durban on the coast of KwaZulu- Natal.  It is home to the Natal Sharks Board, whose members offer daily talks and demonstrations for potential tourists to the destination. Tourists can also do ski- boating.

UMGENI RIVER BIRD PARK  Is a bird zoo located in Durban, it was established in the year 1984.  Tourists visiting the tourist attraction can see a variety of birds, both exotic and indigenous. They can also be part of the Free Flight Bird Show.

HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SITES

eMAKHOSINI VALLEY  It is located approximately 10 km south of Ulundi in the KwaZulu- Natal, and lies on the banks White Umfolozi River.  It is a birthplace of King Shaka, it preserves the culture and history of the Zulu people.  The visitors to the attraction can have a closer view of the wildlife in the tourist destination such as the Black Rhino; Buffalo; Giraffe; Blue wildebeest etc.

ULUNDI  Also known as Mahlabathini, it is a town in the Zululand District Municipality. It lies at the hub of the old Zulu kingdom.  Visitors to the town can learn of the different societies and their customs through the KwaZulu Cultural Museum. SHAKALAND  Is located in Eshowe, it has a plethora of African cultures, but the Zulu one is, undoubtedly one of its most significant.  Tourists visiting the area can have an experience of the authentic traditional Zulu culture.

KWAZULU- NATAL BATTLEFIELDS ROUTE  The battlefields route starts at Escourt and winds north through Colenso and Ladysmith to Newcastle and Volkstrust and eastward to Utrecht.  Tourists can do mountain climbing and also do hiking activities on the mountains within the region.

LADYSMITH SIEGE MUSEUM  The museum was protracted engagement in the Second Boer War, taking place between 2 November 1899 and 28 February 1900 at Ladysmith.  It provides insights into battles that took place during the South African War. The battles include those of Colenso; Spioenkop, Vaalkrans and Tugela Heights.  There are guided tours nearby battle sites for tourists, the sites include the Wagon Hill which is arranged by the staff from the museum.

MAJUBA HILL AND O’NEILL’S COTTAGE  Majuba Hill is located in South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal province off Route N11, on February 1881 was the final and decisive battle of the First Boer War and the cottage was the location of peace negotiations between the Transvaal and the British government.  Visitors to the area can learn of the interesting history regarding the First Anglo-Boer War in South Africa that took place in 1881.

ISANDHLWANA  Is an isolated hill in the KwaZulu Natal province, it is located north by northwest of Durban. On the 22nd of January in 1879 was the first major encounter in the Anglo- Zulu War between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom.  Tourists to the region may have the privilege learning about the military history of South Africa.

RORKE’S DRIFT  Also known as the Defence of Rorke’s Drift, was the setting for on one of the most famous battles of the Anglo- Zulu War.  Tourists to the region may have the privilege learning about the military history of South Africa.

DUNDEE  Is a coal mining town located in the valley of the Biggarsberg mountains in KwaZulu Natal. The town housed the British troops in the area during the Anglo Zulu War of 1879.  Visitors in and around the location can visit various battlefields including Blood River, Isandhlwana, Rorke’s Drift and Talana. There is also a monument for tourists at Blood River that commemorates the defeat of 15 0000 Zulu by 5 464 Boer settlers on 16 December 1938.

THE DRAKENSBURG AREA  The Drakensurg forms part of the north- western border of KwaZulu Natal. The uKahlamba Drakensburg Park is one of South Africa’s seven World Heritage Sites with the highest concentration of walks and trails in South Africa. Most of these trails lead to sites that once housed the San people whose legacy of their rock art can be viewed by the tourists visiting the area.

LOTENI NATURE RESERVE  Is located in the southern Drakensburg region and it is renowned for its beautiful scenery. The nature reserve boasts plentiful of small game and a wide variety of birdlife.  Tourists to the area can do water related sports like fishing as the reserve has trout- fishing facilities.

NDEDEMA GEORGE  Is located in the Mdedelelo Wilderness area near the Cathedral Peak and is the biggest forest in the Drakensburg and it is famous for its high calibre of Bushman rock paintings, of which has more than 4 000 paintings.  Tourists visiting Ndedema George can have a view of the fine San art and they can also do hiking and have walks in the forest.

SANI PASS  Is a mountain pass located in the west of KwaZulu- Natal on the road between Underberg; KwaZulu- Natal and Mokhotlong, Lesotho.  Visitors can go on 4X4 drives; go on pony rides or even go on hiking on the Giant’s Cup Hiking Trails. There are also guided tours up and down the Pass.

GIANT’S CASTLE GAME RESERVE  Is well- known for its for its San paintings on the walls of the caves, the reserve lies within the central Drakensburg region.  The Giant’s Castle Game Reserve has a bird hide which facilitates the viewing of cliff-dwelling species for tourists visiting the attraction. Bird- watching can also be done at the reserve.

ROYAL NATAL NATIONAL PARK  Forms part of the uKhahlamba Drakensburg Park World Heritage Site, it is a Provincial Park managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The park now included in the Maloti- Drakensburg Transfrontier Conservation Area Peace Park.  The main features of the park are the Drakensburg Amphitheatre; Mount- Aux- Sources peak where the Orange Tugela rivers have their source.  Tourists visiting the area can have a spectacular view of the Tugela Falls and see a variety of wildlife within the park.

MORE WONDERS OF KWAZULU- NATAL

THE DOLPHIN COAST  Is a beautiful playground of warm waters; incredible waves and glorious beaches. It is situated on the east coast of Durban, tourists to the coast can actually get to see the Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins all year round.  Tourists can also do water related sports such as diving; canoeing; rafting; yachting; surfing etc.

HLUHLUWE- UMFOLOZI PARK  Is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa located in the north of Durban. It is well- known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts, the park is the only state- run park in the KwaZulu- Natal where each of the big five game animals can be found.  It is credited for saving the white rhino from extinction and now is home to the largest concentration of white rhino.  Tourists to the park may have a closer view of the rare cheetah and wild dog. The park also has a diverse floral community that tourists can see when they are within the park.

GREATER ST LUCIA WETLANDS  Is now known as iSimangaliso Wetland Park and it is situated on the east coast of KwaZulu- Natal. It is South Africa’s third largest protected area; in December 1999 the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The park has a huge diversity in fauna and flora, ranging from coral reefs; and sandy beaches to subtropical dune forests; savannahs; and wetlands. Animals on the park include elephant; leopard; black and southern white rhino etc. that can be seen by the tourists to the region.

KOSI BAY NATURE RESERVE  Is a part of the Coastal Forest Reserve between Mozambique and Sodwana Bay.  The Kosi River Mouth is known as the aquarium because of the clarity of water and the abundance of fish species.  Tourists visiting the area can do water activities such as snorkelling; fishing etc.

LAKE SIBAYA  Is a freshwater lake in South Africa located in the Maputaland area of KwaZulu- Natal. It is part of the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park and is recognised under the Ramsar Convention as a “Wetland of international Importance” on 28 June 1991.  Birdwatching and walks through the coastal forest are major activities for tourists to do.

SODWANA BAY NATIONAL PARK  Is situated on the Sodwana Bay coast within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in the KwaZulu- Natal.  The coral reef in the National Park attracts hundreds of Scuba divers all year round to the area; in summer usually leatherback turtles and loggerhead come out of the sea to nest on the beaches where tourists can have a view of these species.

HIBISCUS COAST  It stretches between Umkomaas and the wild coast. Margate is the largest resort town along the coast, many of the beaches in the region are Blue Flag Beaches as they met certain standards of quality that tourists can enjoy. Beaches include the Margate Main Beach; Ramsgate Beach and Marina Beach.  There are variety of water activities that tourists can indulge in when they are in one of the above mentioned beaches. The beach area also accommodates pets.

ORIBI GORGE NATIONAL RESERVE  Is situated along the bottom of the Oribi Gorge at the junction of the following two rivers: The Mzimkulu River Mximkulwana River and was proclaimed a protected state forest in 1950.  The Reserve encompasses rivers; forests; rapids and ravines.  Visitors to the location have a closer view of the wildlife in the Nature Reserve such as the oribi; leguaans; Samango monkeys; reedbuck etc.

HOWICK FALLS  Are located in the Valley Nature Reserve, where the river tumbles about 100m in a single fall.  Tourists can have an experience of the falls from a viewing point in the nearby town of Howick.

MIDLANDS MEANDER  Is a drive between Hilton and Mooi River with about 70 ports of call en route, ranging from art studios to potteries and from herb gardens to cheese- making enterprises.  Tourists to the region can go on 4X4 drives; go on pony rides or even go on hiking trails

MIDMAR DAM  Is a combined gravity and earth- fill type dam and recreation area located near Howick and Pietermaritzburg.  Visitors to the dam may be part of the annual Midmar Mile swimming race; boating; picnicking; water-skiing and fishing can also be done at the dam.

NB: Complete the learning activity 2.11 on page 81.