A GUIDE T0 Introducing Durban & KwaZulu-Natal s a region of beautiful nature reserves, fascinating with three other provinces, as well as the countries of Ahistory and spectacular scenery, and within Mozambique, Eswanti and Lesotho. striking distance of the magnificent Drakensberg Although Pietermaritzburg is its capital, its biggest Mountains, the region of KwaZulu-Natal is one of city is Durban, which is also the third largest in South South Africa’s premier holiday destinations. Africa behind Johannesburg and Cape Town. Durban The region was formed in 1994 with the merging of boasts a wealth of world-class facilities including the Zulu Bantustan of KwaZulu and Natal provinces. accommodation, transport and attractions, making it It is located in the southeast of the country, with a a popular tourist destination. long shoreline on the Indian Ocean, sharing borders Statistics Population 11.39 Million Main town/city Pietermaritzburg Currency South African Rand (ZAR) Time Zone UTC + 2 Flight time from London 11 hours 50 minutes From Johannesburg 1 hour 10 minutes From Cape Town 2 hours Climate KwaZulu-Natal enjoys year-round sunshine with a the wetlands of the Elephant Coast in the north-east temperate, subtropical climate. Despite the variance - the region enjoys hot and humid summers from of its topography - which ranges from the 3,000-metre October to April and mild winters between May and peaks of the Drakensberg mountains in the west to September. Sea temperatures seldom dip below 19°C. AVERAGE MONTHLY TEMPERATURES (°C) 2 Interesting facts Durban: KwaZulu-Natal: • Durban is home to the world’s tallest bungee • South Africa has 11 official languages, but in swing, which peaks at 288ft on the roof of the KwaZulu-Natal, around half of people speak 56,000-capacity Moses Mabhida Stadium. English and a third speak Zulu. • The Gateway Theatre of Shopping – just north • Hluhulwe-Umfolozi, Africa’s oldest game reserve, of Durban – is the largest mall in the southern can be found in KwaZulu-Natal. The region also hemisphere. It has more than 90 restaurants and offers some of South Africa’s finest game- 350 stores, 18 movie theatres, an indoor fun fair, viewing, birdwatching and nature experiences. a skate park designed by skating legend Tony • Every year, the Sardine Run takes place off the Hawk, and the highest fountain in Africa. shores of KwaZulu-Natal, as billions of sardines • Durban was originally called Rio de Natal by dart up the coastline, drawing in sharks, dolphins, Vasco da Gama when he visited in 1497. Natal whales and birdlife. in Portuguese means ‘Christmas’ and ‘native’ in • The region is home to the highest mountain English. in South Africa - The Drakensberg’s Thabana • King Shaka International Airport was named Ntlenyana – which peaks at 11,424ft. after the early 19th century leader of the Zulu nation and reportedly cost R7.6 billion to build – making it South Africa’s second most expensive transport project after the Gautrain. 3 10 things you shouldn’t miss in KwaZulu-Natal 1. Visit the Zulu Battlefields Learn more about KwaZulu-Natal’s fascinating heritage by exploring the historic Zulu Battlefields, including the legendary Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, where just over 150 British soldiers defended the trading-post-turned-field-hospital against 4,000 Zulu warriors – events immortalised in the 1964 filmZulu . Aliwal Shoal 2. Follow in Nelson Mandela’s footsteps Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park See the Nelson Mandela Capture Site - the place in Howick where the former South African president 3. Head out on safari was seized before being sentenced to 27 years’ Take a beautiful drive up the coast from Durban imprisonment on Robben Island. Follow this up to explore the 237,221-acre Hluhluwe-Imfolozi by trailing along the Inanda Heritage Route to Park where you can enjoy a game drive in search where Mandela cast his vote in the country’s first of a whole host of wonderful wildlife, including democratic elections. the prized ‘Big Five’ (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, cape buffalo). 4. Go diving at Aliwal Shoal Just south of Durban, you’ll find Aliwal Shoal – one of the world’s most spectacular dive sites. World-renowned for its variety of shark species, this rocky reef offers a colourful and thrilling underwater excursion. Howick capture site 5. Delve into delicious cuisine Whether you want to savour traditional Zulu delicacies or authentic Indian curries, you can Zulu Battlefields enjoy them all in Durban’s multi-cultural melting pot. Don’t leave without trying Bunny Chow – a hollowed-out white loaf filled with curry. 4 6. Venture into the Drakensberg Mountains Take a day trip to the Drakensberg Mountains with a professional guide to see 2,000-year-old bushman paintings hidden within the mountains and the site where Nelson Mandela was captured in 1962. 7. Walk on the wild side at Oribi Gorge Discover the dramatic scenery of Oribi Gorge. Sardine Run Its incredible wilderness is also home to the Oribi Gorge Wild Gorge Swing, which is the highest swing in the world. 9. Take a Sharks Board boat trip 8. Witness the annual Sardine Run The golden beaches along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline are the only ones in South Africa that are If you’re in town in June and July, you might be protected by shark safety gear. Join a working crew lucky enough to witness the annual Sardine Run – on an early morning boat tour to see the safety one of the largest migrations on the planet, where system, learn all about these majestic predators a plethora of silvery pilchards move en masse and see the Sharks Board team at work. along South Africa’s eastern coastline. 10. Get sporty Durban is a top sporting destination and here you can cheer on a number of top local teams. If rugby’s your game, head off to Kings Park Stadium to watch the Sharks, whilst cricket lovers will be in their element at Kingsmead. Durban is also home to the state-of-the-art Moses Mabhida Stadium, which hosted a number of games at the 2010 FIFA World Cup as well as being home MosesMabhida Stadium to the world’s largest and oldest ultramarathon Local Cuisine race – the Comrades Marathon. 5 A taste of KwaZulu-Natal trip to Durban and KwaZulu-Natal presents the chance to try some new and unique foods. AHere’s what your tastebuds can look forward to… Bunny Chow Bombay Crush Gatsby Bunny Chow Bombay Crush Gatsby Bunny Chow is the hometown Pink and sweet, one of South Ignore the name’s glitzy dish of Durban, consisting of a Africa’s most famous drinks connotations, this foot-long hollowed-out loaf of white bread is from Durban: the Bombay sub is anything but glam. filled to the brim with curry, Crush. A frothy blend of Rooh Often labelled South Africa’s originating with the city’s Indian Afza syrup, milk and basil most iconic street food, this South Africans. Various meats seeds along with a couple of overbearing sandwich is stuffed can be used to make the curry scoops of vanilla ice cream, it with all sorts – chips are a including8 mutton, lamb, chicken is a favourite of the city’s Indian common filling but you can and beef. Muslims during Ramadan. expect steak, fish, calamari, chicken, polony (aka bologna), curry, sausage, and eggs. It may sound and look overwhelming but this sandwich to end all sandwiches is intended to be shared with up to four people. 6 Spotlight on: iSimangaliso Wetland Park Covering an area of 591,980 acres along the northern The park was designated as South Africa’s first reaches of the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, iSimangaliso UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and is a paradise Wetland Park incorporates an incredible variety of wildlife with over 6,500 plant and animal species. of habitats including the Ubombo Mountains, Visitors can expect plenty of animal encounters grasslands, forests, wetlands, mangroves, ancient whether on a day or night safari, scuba diving or dunes, magnificent beaches and coral reefs. boat trip with inhabitants including hippopotamus, elephants, chameleons, rhinos and turtles. The estuary at iSimangaliso enters the Indian Ocean and contains miles and miles of mangrove swamps. On our visit, we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of rhinos, elephants and cheetahs, which was simply an experience I will never forget. Sarah, Travel Counsellor Bird Watching Night Safari Game Drives Guided Walks Scuba Diving Boat Trip 9 Must See Battlefields, iMfolzi and South Luangwa veryone experiences Durban and KwaZulu-Natal in their own way, here are some iconic places to include in Eyour local adventure.. THE OYSTER BOX DURBAN – RORKE’S DRIFT HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI GAME RESERVE Spend a night or two at the icon 5 Pack the car and enjoy a leisurely Star Oyster Box in Umhlanga and 4.5-hour drive to Fugitives Drift Drive the family to Biyela Lodge, enjoy the beautiful sea views. Lodge in Rorke’s Drift - this situated in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Enjoy luxury and be sure to try is the perfect place to stay to Game Reserve, on an ox-bow their famous curry feast and High experience the luxury in the lagoon on the White iMfolozi Tea. For those needing some TLC beautiful Zululand and world- River. Accommodation is in book a treatment at their award class tours to the Anglo-Zulu War an air-conditioned private villa, winning spa amid the tropical battlefields. with a bath, indoor and outdoor gardens. showers and optimal views of the surrounding area. Enjoy afternoon coffee/tea before you depart on a three-hour game drive. 10 Travel Counsellors Pty Ltd, 11th Floor, Norton Rose Fulbright House, No 8 Riebeek Street, Cape Town, 8001 Registered in South Africa under company number 2007/010456/07 VAT Registration Number 4580237768.