Appropriately named “South Africa’s Garden Province”, the lush and green province forms the east coast of South Africa from the Mozambique boundary southwards to Port Edward.  The province is a subtropical coastline, with widespread savannah towards the east and the majestic Drakensberg mountain range featured in the west.

KwaZulu-Natal, also known as the Zulu Kingdom, and is truly a beautiful Kingdom to behold.   Washed by the warm Indian Ocean, it is home to Africa’s busiest port.  KwaZulu-Natal has many tourist routes and is divided into 8 regions. These 8 regions are:

• Durban (eThekwini)

• South Coast,

• North Coast,

• Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg,

• Pietermaritzburg-Midlands,

• Zululand,

• Elephant Coast and

• Battlefields.

REGIONS OF KWAZULU-NATAL

BATTLEFIELD S REGION

Steeped in history, the imposing Battlefields region of northern and central KwaZulu - Natal, encapsulates the magnitude of the historical battles which transpired amidst the stone - koppies, valleys and rolling plains of this timeless landscape. Spanning seventy years, the bloody conflicts proved pivotal in the shaping of both South African and British history as three proud nations, the British, the Zulus and the Boers, each unacquainted with the others’ military tactics, fought mercilessly in a myriad of clashes to preserve their historical significance and establish themselves in this unaffected land.  The region encompasses the largest cache of battlefields in South Africa and attracts visitors from all parts of the world. For some the journey symbolizes a cathartic pilgrimage, for others the intrigue is enough. Whatever the motive, the Battlefields never fail to impress those who visit the region and experience the sheer magnitude of its historical importance.

THE BATTLEFIELDS ATTRACTIONS:

TALANA MUSEUM – DUNDEE:  Set in a 20 acre heritage park - the first battle of the Anglo-Boer war - is a museum that is dedicated to memorabilia and the growth of the Dundee area.  Talana Museum is situated at the base of a hill of the same name, which is Zulu for ‘the shelf where precious items are stored.

SPIOENKOP NATURE RESERVE:  Lying virtually at the foot of the rugged Spioenkop Mountain, is the site of one of the bloodiest battles during the Anglo-Boer War.  Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve is 4 400 hectares of thorn savannah that contrast magnificently with the restful waters of the dam.  Lush green plains, the beckoning peaks of the Drakensberg, which extend from Giant’s Castle to the Sentinel in Royal Natal National Park, makes this attractions well worth your visit.

INTERESTING TOWNS OF THE BATTLEFIELDS REGION:

BABANANGO:   Like every town on the route, Babanango has its own story to tell. It was originally part of a land grant to European farmers in 1885 from King Dinizulu. It became the site of a number of offences by the Boers in an attempt to take Natal from the British and battles between Boer and Zulus.  Babanango is also on the Zululand Birding Route, with over 600 recorded species of bird.

GREYTOWN:   Often referred to as the ‘jewel of KwaZulu-Natal, Greytown lies in the forest-clad, rolling hills of the Natal Midlands, a picturesque little town originally settled during the 1850s and subsequently awash with buildings of note, scenic drives and Boer history.

LADYSMITH:   Set on the banks of the Klip River, and named after Sir Harry Smith’s Spanish wife, Ladysmith was established in 1850 and served as a staging-post for fortune hunters on their way to the gold fields in the then Transvaal, and the diamond diggings at Kimberley. Today it serves as a gateway to the central and northern Drakensberg.

NEWCASTLE:   There are a number of monuments and memorials in Newcastle, including Hilldrop House, once the dwelling place of author Rider Haggard whose books included King Solomon’s Mines.  Deeply involved in the Anglo-Boer War, Newcastle today is the largest town in northern KwaZulu Natal and shares its name with a further 27 sister Newcastles worldwide.

ELEPHANT COAST REGION:

The Elephant Coast of South Africa is one of the most beautiful and remote regions of the country.  This incredible area includes 21 different eco-systems and remains almost totally intact and preserved.  The Elephant Coast is home to the renowned Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park (World Heritage site), Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park, Ndumo Game Reserve and Tembe Elephant Park. The Elephant Coast is truly the untamed spirit of the Zulu Kingdom.

ELEPHANT COAST DESTINATIONS:

HLUHLUWE – ZULULAND:  The main attraction of the area is without doubt the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve. This low-risk malaria park is famous for rescuing the white rhino from the brink of extinction and its ongoing protection of both the white and black rhinoceros. The park covers about 96 000 ha and game aside, contains an incredible diversity of fauna and flora.

KOSI BAY:  Kosi Bay is a rich network of lakes that stretches from Lake Zilonde, on the Mozambique border in the north, to Lake Amanzimnyama, in the south.  Essentially it is a complex system of six large lakes, two smaller lakes and one of the best preserved estuaries on the Indian Ocean coastline.  Much of the area is protected within the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve.   Add to this already impressive picture the annual sighting of Humpback whales, just off the beaches, on their northerly migration to Mozambique, and the visit of loggerhead and leatherback turtles to lay their eggs on the beaches every year and you can understand why Kosi Bay is such an attractive place to visit.

MTUBATUBA:  Initially established as a railway siding in 1903 in a swampland of reeds and papyrus.  This is the land of sugar cane and forests and, further north, a mountainous ridge along the coast that culminates in a series of giant forested dunes. The highest of their kind in the world, they provide the backdrop to the medley of rivers, lakes, freshwater pans and swamp forest that is Lake St Lucia.

ST LUCIA:  When one speaks of St Lucia, really one is referring to the Great St Lucia Wetland Park, South Africa’s third largest park. On the north-eastern coast of KwaZulu Natal, this wilderness reserve covers some 280 km of coastline, stretching from Kozi Bay in the north to Cape St Lucia in the south and was the first park in South Africa to be declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.  The Great St Lucia Wetland Park supports the country’s largest population of hippos and crocodiles. It is also home to leatherback turtles, black rhino, leopards, over 530 species of birds, including greater and lesser flamingos, and some 36 species of amphibians.

ETHEKWINI – DURBAN REGION

The EThekwini-Durban Region is a fusion of East, West and African traditions and cultures. This lively and fascinating district is home to Africa´s largest port, the City of Durban, the popular resort towns of Amanzimtoti and Umhlanga and the sugar plantations of Tongaat. The EThekwini-Durban region offers sun, relaxation, beautiful sandy beaches and a vast selection of exhilarating day and night activities.

ETHEKWINI DURBAN REGION - DESTINATIONS & TOWNS

Durban:  The vibrant City of Durban is the 3rd largest city in South Africa, the largest in KwaZulu-Natal and the busiest principal port in Africa. Known as Thekwini (Lagoon) by the Zulu population, it serves as a gateway to Southern Africa and is home to an eclectic mix of energetic cultures. Durban offers a unique playground of stunning beaches, charismatic venues, historic relics, sophisticated nightlife, delectable banquets, authentic artworks and a wealth of other exciting activities to its visitors.

DURBAN ATTRACTIONS:

USHAKA MARINE WORLD:  uShaka Marine World in Durban is a world-class entertainment and tourism destination. At the end of Durban’s Golden Mile is the beginning of uShaka Marine World - spanning over 15 hectares of prime beach front, uShaka Marine World is Africa’s largest Marine Theme park.

Some of the Highlights at uShaka Marine World include:

• Rocky Touch Pool - Have you ever touched a starfish? Have you ever felt the skin of a sea cucumber?  Then this is the place to do it, gently of course, with the help of a specially trained guide.

• The Open Ocean - Gazing through an enormous window 8m long by 3m    high you’ll feel as though you are actually standing underwater with the many fish associated with the open ocean such as tuna, Dorado and rays.

• Dangers of the Deep - Get ready to meet some of the most feared creatures of the deep? Sharks, sea snakes, devil fire fish and stone fish occupy this area where from the surface you might even be able to touch a shark as it swims past a purpose-built balcony at feeding time.

• Coral Gardens - Bright yellows and reds, oranges and blues - nature manages to put so much beauty into a coral reef, and of the richest and most diverse ecosystems on earth that has been recreated for you within Sea World.

• The Deep Zone - Is a window into the lives of some of the weirdest and most spectacular animals inhabiting a world hundreds of metres below the surface of the ocean, often in total darkness.

• Penguins - The African penguin is an endangered species. However, our breeding colony will provide you with a special opportunity to see these rare birds as they ‘fly’ through the water and waddle on land.

DURBAN BOTANICAL GARDENS:  The Durban Botanical Gardens are famous for the original specimen of a Cycad (Encephalartos woodii) that is still widely acknowledged as probably the rarest plant in the world, as well as for its extensive collection of South African Cycad species.   A highlight of the Gardens is the Orchid House which is named after Ernest Thorp, who was responsible for building it up to its position of world renown as the first “naturalistic” Orchid display house.

UMGENI RIVER BIRD PARK:  Designed and built in an old quarry site on the banks of the Umgeni River, just 10 minutes outside Durban, the Umgeni River Bird Park is one of the greatest attractions of the city. Walk-through aviaries, birds out on perches, wonderful green vegetation, some amazing waterfalls and rock faces all combine to make this a very special place to visit. The Umgeni River Bird Park’s main feature is a free-flight show that has as its focus a conservation theme to inspire visitors, as birds glide past them in full and unrestricted flight. To appreciate the beauty of the natural world around them. Macaws, a Cape Vulture, the critically endangered Watteled Crane and others take part in the first show of its kind in Africa.

Ferula – Town:  The town of Verulam is situated along the slopes of the Umdloti River Valley, north of the City of Durban.  Verulam is the third oldest settlement in the Zulu Kingdom and is well-known for its elegant homesteads and old-fashioned ambience. The nearby Hazelmere Dam and Reserve offer great recreational attractions to outdoor enthusiasts

Umhlanga:   Named after the uMlanga River (the place of reeds), Umhlanga became a fashionable resort site for the sugar farmers of this area. The adjoining coastal reserve of Hawaan was used for the annual hunts and vacation cottages were erected. Umhlanga was declared a village in 1931 and additional cottages and stores were added.

NORTH COAST REGION

KwaZulu Natal’s north coast has become known as the Dolphin Coast, due to frequent sightings of bottlenose dolphins who ride the waves of the Indian Ocean in large frolicking schools. It is an enviable strip of coastline that stretches from the Tongaat River at Zimbali to Zinkwazi Beach and the Tugela River mouth in the north, including the inland areas of Umhlali and Shakaskraal.

TOWNS & DESTINATIONS IN THE NORTH COAST REGION:

BALLITO:  Ballito’s origins date back to 1953, when a group of entrepreneurs began investigating land to develop a township in the Compensation beach area.  Proclaimed a township in 1954, Ballito, whose name was gleaned from a magazine advertisement meaning Little Ball became a town board in 1966.   Ballito which reached borough status in 1986, is well known for its superb, safe beaches.   Ballito lies nestled between the fields of KwaZulu Natal’s famous Green Gold and is flanked to the east by golden beaches and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

KWADUKUZA-STANGER:  KwaDukuza-Stanger lies inland from Blythedale in the midst of sugarcane fields, its streets lined with Jacarandas, home to King Shaka’s memorial monument and part, not only of the Zulu Heritage Route, but the proposed Sugar Route as well.

TINLEY MANOR:   Tinley Manor, Sheffield beach and Salt Rock have all got beautiful offshore reef formations that offer scuba divers and snorkel specialists a wonderful sea underworld, and the many nooks and crannies provide a haven for crayfish. You’ll need a licence to fish for these exotic creatures.

ZIMBALI:  The design philosophy behind the Zimbali venture is to create a balance with nature, and the 50 hectare reserve within the estate, as well as the primary dune areas that have been demarcated as conservation areas, are testament to this effort. There are a number of spring water lakes, some 85 species of birds, indigenous forest, and the eastern front of the estate is 3 kilometres of unspoilt beach.

SOUTH COAST REGION

The sandy shores of the popular South Coast Region stretch from Umkomaas to Port Edward and the southern boundary of the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The South Coast, also known as the Hibiscus Coast, is a fashionable holiday destination with a variety of attractions for all ages. This coastline is renowned for the Aliwal Shoal, a world-class scuba dive site, as well as the annual sardine migration otherwise known as The Greatest Shoal on Earth.

SOUTH COAST REGION – TOWNS & DESTINATIONS:

HIBBERDERDENE:  Hibberdene is the gateway to the Hibiscus Coast of Kwazulu Natal. It is a cosy seaside town situated 97 km south of Durban, halfway between Scottburgh and Port Shepstone. Hibberdene was named after C.Maxwell-Hibberd who was former Postmaster- General of Natal. Today, it has become one of South Africa’s popular holiday destinations.  The Hibberdene lagoon is well worth a visit.

IFAFA:  is a Zulu expression meaning “place of sparkling waters” or “sparkling one”.  The legend goes that King Shaka arrived at a place with beautiful views over a lagoon where the river meets the Indian Ocean and he named this place Ifafa. When you visit this beautiful place, you too will discover what delighted King Shaka.  Ifafa lives up to its name by being home to incredible beaches with miles of sparkling coastline.  The Ifafa lagoon and estuary is a tranquil and shimmering water mass that is nestled between low cliffs and dense coastal forests abundant in vibrant bird life. Take a slow, leisurely paddle up the lagoon or estuary and marvel at the exquisite beauty of this area.

PENNINGTON:  Pennington is part of the Umdoni coast of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa.  Pennington is a quaint resort and includes the pleasant seaside villages of Kelso, Sezela and Bazley Beach.  Quiet beaches, magnificent bays and safe tidal pools make Pennington a truly idyllic destination perfect for unwinding and relaxing.  Pennington is home to the Botha House built by General Louis Botha for his wife, Annie, on land found for him by Sir Frank Reynolds. Sir Frank Reynolds was a sugar entrepreneur and a member of the Colony’s Legislative Council.

PORT EDWARD:  Situated in the Hibiscus Coast of KwaZulu Natal, Port Edward was named after the Prince of Wales who later became King Edward VII. In 1947 it became a village - in fact the last village in KwaZulu Natal. Today Port Edward is a popular holiday destination. Port Edward boasts flawless and peaceful beaches.  Overlooking Silver Beach is an interesting sightseeing spot known as Tragedy Hill. It was so named in 1831 after Zulu Warriors massacred the family and followers of pioneer Henry Flynn in a misunderstanding over stolen cattle.  One of the most popular attractions of Port Edward is the “Sardine Run”. Countless millions of tiny silver sardines head north from the Eastern Cape and reach the Zulu Kingdom waters at Port Edward.

PORT SHEPSTONE:  Port Shepstone is one of the largest towns of the KwaZulu Natal South Coast in South Africa. In the 1860’s marble was found on the north bank of the Mzimkulu River. Some decided to settle here and attempted to open the river mouth for shipping.  The Mzimkulu River means “Home of all rivers”. It is the largest of the South Coast Rivers and meets the sea at Port Shepstone. Enjoy leisure boat trips on these glistening waters and admire the rich wildlife and bird life along the banks.  To discover more of this town’s fascinating history, visit the Port Shepstone Museum. This charming museum details the town’s history with a series of exhibits carrying a maritime theme. The 27 000 candela lighthouse still stands at the mouth of the Mzimkulu River. The present cast iron lighthouse was erected during 1906 and today you can still explore this unique lighthouse.

SCOTTBURGH:  Scottburgh is home to thousands of bird species including the brilliantly coloured Knysna and Purple-crested Lourie and a wide variety of waterfowl, vervet monkeys, dolphins and whales. Interestingly, King Shaka and his entourage were amongst some of the early visitors to this area. When stopping to rest and drink from a nearby spring, he was distracted by the myriad of birds at the mouth of the river beside which the town was later to be built. He was amazed at how each bird would know to which nest it should return and named the river “Mpanbonyoni” which translates to “Confuser of Birds”.  The Green Point Lighthouse is another attraction. It is a national monument that was erected in 1905 and is situated on a hilltop opposite Blamey’s Bay. It beams out a powerful warning to passing ships of the dangers of the Aliwal Shoal.

Take a trip to Croc world and witness over 10 000 crocodiles as well as raptors, snakes, tortoises, water birds and flamingos in a beautiful, natural setting.

PIETRMARITZBURG - MIDLANDS REGION

The well watered and fertile land of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is a place of tremendous beauty and tranquillity. This region is situated in the foothills of the great Drakensberg Mountains where undulating knolls, grasslands, verdant forests and rushing waters are the order of the day. This area is noted for its arty creativity, varied European and South African influences and warm hospitality.

PIETERMARITZBURG:  Set in the heart of Zulu country, Pietermaritzburg is a city of charm and dignity, at its loveliest in spring when masses of azaleas burst into bloom. When the first Voortrekkers arrived in 1837, they found a tranquil countryside graced by forests, hills and valleys. They settled on a fertile tract of land beside the Umsindusi River and named it after two of their leaders, Gerrit Maritz and Piet Retief. Six years later, the British upgraded the village to a military garrison town. Today, numerous Victorian and Edwardian buildings, quaint pedestrian lanes and other landmarks reflect the substantial British contribution to the development of the town.

PIETERMARITZBURG ATTRACTIONS:

GARDEN OF REMEBRANCE:  Pietermaritzburg’s attractive Garden of Remembrance commemorates the servicemen who lost their lives in the two world wars.  Sap oozes from the famous Weeping Cross of Delville Wood on the anniversary of the battle in which many South African soldiers died. The Garden of Remembrance is situated across from City Hall.

HISTORICAL BUILDINGS:  There are several buildings, museums, galleries and monuments of interest in Pietermaritzburg. Historical buildings in Pietermaritzburg include The City Hall, Comrades Marathon House Museum, Macrorie House Museum, Natal Museum, Old Colonial Building, Old Government House and Voortrekker House.

RAILWAY STATION:  The attractive red brick Railway Station building in Railway Street in Pietermaritzburg dates from the Victorian era, and is notable for its contrasting stone facings and cast-iron lace work.  Mahatma Ghandi was evicted from a train here in 1893, a famous incident which launched him on his political career.

OTHER TOWNS IN THE MIDLANDS REGION:

CURRY’S POST:  is a beautifully scenic area in the heart of the Midlands Meander that lies between Mooi River and Howick. It has a quaint history that involves the Curry Family, after whom Curry’s Post is named, who settled here, establishing an overnight wagon and cart stop - in essence a staging post. And the beautiful The Coach House, still in existence today, is where George Curry and his rather large extended family lived - he went on to having as many as 20 grandchildren. Curry’s Post was to play an important role as a ‘watering hole’ during the gold and diamond rushes as the hustle of traffic - in the form of wagons, carts and weary travellers - made this their stop en route to the old ‘Transvaal’ reef.

HOWICK:  Known as the place of many waterfalls, owing to the many tributaries of the uMngeni River that tumble down gorges and over sharp inclines on their way to the Indian Ocean, Howick is possibly best known as the place where Nelson Mandela was arrested in August 1962, and most visited because of the Howick falls.  The little village of Howick - a great place to find antiques, arts and crafts, and part of the Midlands Meander - was named after Earl Grey, the British Colonial Secretary who started out in life as the Viscount Howick.

MOOI RIVER:  Mooi River took its name from the Voortrekker description of its river - “mooi” ‘(translates as pretty). In Zulu, however, the river is Mpofana, meaning “Place of the Eland”.  Some parts of the river offer excellent boating facilities. The upper reaches are ideal for fly-fishing. Further upstream, the Mooi River Falls are a marvellous site when the river is in flood.  Outside the town, the Craigieburn Dam has camping sites and picnic spots.  Popular outdoor activities include trout fishing, which can be done in the rivers in the district.

WARTBURG:  This little piece of Germany is surrounded by hamlets of definitive origin: Harburg, New Hanover, Kirchhoff, Lilienthal, Schroeder’s and Hermann burg. Wartburg itself is named after the castle in Eisenach where Dr Martin Luther translated the bible into German and the village crest also depicts the immigrants’ arrival by sailing ship, the Luther Rose and the call to ‘pray and work’. Wartburg is located right in the centre of the KwaZulu Natal Midlands. Settled in the 1850s by German families, today the local industry is mainly mealies (maize), sugar cane, timber and kiwi fruit although there is an increasing arts and crafts community.

IXOPO:  Ixopo is the main centre of the Southern Midlands and forms part of an important sugar farming, and forestry area. Although originally called ‘Stuartstown’, the original Zulu name ‘Ixopo’ has prevailed.  This charming town is not a major tourism ‘hub’ which makes it particularly attractive to those seeking to get away from it all.  The surrounding countryside is breath-taking and there are many hiking trails and a few beautiful waterfalls along the Mzimkulu and Mkhomazi rivers.

NOTTINGHAM ROAD:  Nottingham Road locals are a friendly bunch, and there is plenty to do in the area, starting with a visit to the Nottingham Road Brewing Co - a rustic brewery that produces beers with original names like a ‘whistling weasel pale ale’, a ‘pie-eyed possum pilsner’, a ‘pickled pig porter’ and a “tiddly toad lager” - you can understand why ‘Wind in the Willows’ would come to mind.

UKHAHLAMBA – DRAKENSBERG REGION

The Drakensberg is not only about its famous mountain peaks – Giants Castle, Cathedral Peak, Mont-Aux-Sources - it is also graced with a number of lower peaks known as the foothills of the Drakensberg. The entire Drakensberg is riddled with incredible waterfalls, rock pools, mountain streams, caves, crisp mountain air, and special spaces that draw both visitors to South Africa and locals alike.

DRAKENSBERG - REGION DESTINATIONS:

CATHEDRAL PEAK:  The spire-like Cathedral Peak is described by many as simply awesome and is one of the most instantly-recognisable summits in a line of free-standing peaks that have been separated from the main escarpment by erosion.  The area of Cathedral Peak, surrounded as it is by wilderness and some of the most spectacular mountain scenery imaginable - the peak is bordered by two wilderness areas the Mdedeleo and Mlambonja - is a retreat for hikers, nature lovers, mountain bikers and rock climbers.

ESTCOURT: Lower down in the valley from Van Reenan’s Pass and in the heart of the Anglo-Boer War territory, Estcourt is a fairly large town that serves as the gateway to the central Drakensberg.  Initially known as Bushman’s River, due largely to its location near water, Estcourt was renamed in honour of Thomas Estcourt, an English parliamentarian who sponsored the immigration of settlers to the area. Aside from its obvious Anglo-Boer War connections, Estcourt is also popular because it is close to the Weenen Game Reserve, a KwaZulu Natal conservation park, and the Thukela Biosphere.

HIMEVILLE:  The hamlet of Himeville lies nestled at the foot of the Southern Drakensberg, its high altitude, heavy snowfalls and climatic extremes possibly the initial reason for its relative neglect, but the breathtaking scenery, abundance of water and the Himeville and Underberg district’s reputation as a fly fishing mecca, now make it an attractive alternative to the busier parts of the berg.  Formerly the terrain of San hunter-gatherers, who spent their summers in and around Himeville, the Himeville Museum, located in some of the original stone buildings erected in 1900, has a valued collection of San artefacts and is worth a visit.

VAN REENEN:  Drakensberg Mountains connecting Jo-burg and Durban with Van Reenen, a little town perched on the high summit of the Pass, between Harrismith and Ladysmith on the N3. Van Reenen has a history steeped in the Anglo-Boer War, and a lookout point, called Windy Corner, about 3 kilometres out of town with views over the mountains and lower lying regions.

SANI PASS:  The tight zig-zagging curves of Sani Pass, one of the most magnificent mountain passes in South Africa, ascend through the sheer cliffs of the Drakensberg, linking KwaZulu Natal to the independent country of Lesotho

ZULULAND REGION

Lying beneath the baking heat of a subtropical sun, Zululand is how many regard KwaZulu Natal in their minds eye - peaceful, green hills, waving grasslands, abundant forests, unhurried lifestyle, and a soil imbued with the strength of the Zulu nation who fought for this land.  Zululand lies on the brink of both the Battlefields Route and the Drakensberg, yet this land that is home to tea plantations, cattle farms and pretty little inland towns is also rich in wild game. There are numerous parks, farms and nature reserves.

ZULULAND REGION – ATTRACTIONS & DESTINATIONS

EMPANGENI:  The town is a centre for sugar, cotton, cattle and timber and despite its development into a modern town, it has retained its small town charm and locals are hospitable in true Zululand style.  Empangeni was originally the site of a Norwegian Mission station established near the stream called eMpangeni. The mission was later moved to Eshowe but magistracy, called Empangeni, was established here in 1894. The name Empangeni, according to folklore, comes from the Zulu word ‘panged’, which means ‘grabbed’, and is thought to refer to the number of crocodile attacks on water bearers in the nearby eMpangeni stream.

ESHOWE:  Eshowe, the oldest town of European settlement in Zululand, lies just below a ridge of hills that are home to an indigenous forest known as Dlinza. The sound of wind blowing through the forest is thought to have inspired Eshowe’s name, although it is more likely named after the isiZulu word ‘ishongwe’, which refers to the prevalence of milk bush shrubs in the area.

MELMOTH:  Melmoth was a ‘gold rush’ town, founded in 1888 and named after Sir Melmoth Osborn, the resident commissioner of Zululand at the time. Melmoth is essentially regarded as a good base for travellers wanting to visit places of interest close to the town, all with an hour’s drive.  Throughout Zulu history it has been regarded as a place of mystery and the supernatural and the Chube, ironworkers associated with the Nkandla area, were never conquered by Shaka.

PAULPIETERSBURG:  Paulpietersburg is a small, pretty town nestling in the foothills of the Dumbe Mountain - a big, flat-topped, triangular mountain in the middle of flatlands territory, popular with par gliders and hikers and named after the wild dumbe fruit which grows on its slopes.  The town was named in 1888 in honour of then Boer president Paul Kruger and Voortrekker hero, Pieter Joubert and is on the Battlefields Route, which pays homage to a number of fierce Anglo-Boer and Anglo-Zulu battles that ensued during the late 1800s and early 1900s in this part of the world.

Richards Bay: The town of Richards Bay lies at the sea edge of an ancient floodplain, almost halfway between Durban and Kosi Bay and forms the tourist gateway to Zululand and Maputaland. Richards Bay began its life as a makeshift harbour, set up by Sir Fredererick Richards, after whom it is also named, during the Anglo-Boer War of 1879. For many years, the town was little more than a sleepy fishing town until a hydro graphic survey revealed that Richards Bay had even greater development potential than Durban. However, the transformation of Richards Bay into the country’s largest harbour and the world’s largest coal terminal only happened in 1976.

PHOTOS OF KZN

GREYTOWN USHAKA MARINE WORLD CATHEDRAL PEAK	PORT EDWARD KOSI BAY DURBAN UMHLANGA

New here? You may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

This entry was posted on Monday, December 15th, 2008 at 9:50 am and is filed under Places of Interest. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.