Interesting KwaZulu-Natal Facts
Although Durban is the most popular and well-known city in KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg is the capital.
KwaZulu-Natal is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: iSimangaliso Wetland Park and uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park.
Sodwana Bay, a marine protected area, is one of the best scuba-diving sites in the world.
KwaZulu-Natal is a mecca for buffs of British military history and is home to some of South Africa's most famous battlefields.
South Africa’s third-smallest province, KwaZulu-Natal, is also one of its most exciting – it has a wealth of scenic and cultural attractions that include the country’s most developed beaches south and north of Durban (the third-largest city in South Africa), as well as isolated, almost untouched beaches; world-famous game reserves; two UNESCO World Heritage Sites; and some of the South Africa’s most famous historic battlefields.
Where to go in KwaZulu-Natal
Durban
The laid-back but busy city of Durban is South Africa’s third-largest city. It’s Africa’s largest port, one of South Africa’s favourite seaside destinations (‘Durbs’ to the locals), and an exciting mix of urban Zulu culture, a huge Indian population and English-speaking South Africans. Expect palm trees, the best Indian curries in the country, beautifully preserved Victorian buildings, bustling markets, great shopping and a glitzy beachfront. In the interior, north of Durban, among other smaller game parks and superb private Big Five game reserves, is the iconic Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (Hluhluwe is pronounced ‘sh – shloo – ee’) – your best chance of spotting black and white rhino.
Pietermaritzburg
Although one of South Africa’s best-preserved Victorian cities and the province’s capital, the town today is fully representative of the ‘Rainbow Nation’ with Zulus, Indians, South Africans of British heritage and a university student population making up the lively mix. It’s only 80km inland from Durban.
Ladysmith
Ladysmith is a great start point for tours of the Anglo-Zulu battlefields and Anglo-Boer battlefields. The Ladysmith Siege Museum is well worth a visit. The town is also the home of one of South Africa's most famous music groups, multi-Grammy Award-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Sodwana Bay
Sodwana’s spectacular coral reefs in a national marine protected area are among the southernmost in the world and are a scuba-diving and snorkelling mecca. Game fish abound. Off-season, Sodwana Bay is paradise. In season, it’s very, very busy.
Umhlanga Rocks
Once a small seaside village, Umhlanga Rocks has now grown into a bustling lively tourist and residential town. Its seafront pedestrian walkway takes in an old lighthouse, golden beaches, holiday resorts and glitzy hotels. It has great shopping and good restaurants but is packed in high season
