South Africa trip | Individual roundtrip special KwaZulu-Natal

Isimangaliso means wonder, or one of the best things you will ever see. You will not be disappointed by this extraordinary ecosystem. Isimangaliso surrounds Lake St. Lucia and has been a World Heritage Site since 1999. The park is home to the lake, beaches, grasslands, dunes and a marine reserve. It is home to a great biodiversity, including 521 species of birds. Attractions include high forested sand dunes, large numbers of nesting turtles, whales, dolphins, whale sharks and large numbers of water birds, including large colonies of pelicans. In recent years, buffalo and elephants have been reintroduced on the eastern shore of the lake.

Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city. It is also the economic heart of South Africa, home to all the major financial and industrial companies. Johannesburg was founded following the discovery of gold in the Witwatersrand in 1886. At that time, the Witwatersrand lay within the borders of the South African Republic, of which Paul Kruger was president. The Republic had been established in consultation with the British government, which was administering the Cape Province at the time. Following the discovery of gold, control of the region became a matter of dispute.
Johannesburg’s city centre is colourful, lively and exotic, with its diverse cultural offerings. Of particular interest is the ‘Carlton Centre’ on Commissaris Street. This skyscraper was built in the 1970s, stands 220 metres tall and remains the tallest building in Africa. On the top floor is a viewing platform called ‘The Best of Africa’. From a height of 202 metres, you can enjoy an impressive view over Johannesburg.
Outside the city centre, in the Fourways district, you’ll find the new theme park “Monte Casino”, whilst “Gold Reef City” is situated in the south of the city. Here, you can learn about the history of gold mining in an entertaining way. The new Apartheid Museum is also well worth a visit. And if you’re looking for the best shops in the country, head to Mandela Square in Sandton.

Gauteng is South Africa’s smallest province, but it is the commercial and administrative heart of the country and indeed of the whole of southern Africa.
The name Gauteng is the Sotho name for ‘Place of Gold’. In fact, a huge gold vein was discovered in this province in 1886, and gold quickly became the foundation of the national economy. During mining operations, further riches were unearthed, such as diamonds and coal.
But Gauteng is more than just cities, money and politics. For example, the Sterkfontein Caves were designated a World Heritage Site after bones dating back no less than 3.5 million years were found there. This site is also known as the Cradle of Humankind.

One of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth, South Africa, affectionately known to locals as the 'Rainbow Nation', has 11 official languages, and its people are influenced by a fascinating mix of cultures. Discover Cape Town's gourmet restaurants, impressive art scene, vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches. Enjoy a local braai (barbecue) in the community of Soweto, browse the bustling Indian markets in Durban, or taste some of the world's best wines at the numerous wine estates scattered across the Cape Winelands. Some historical attractions to explore include the Zululand battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, and Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town. Above all, the untamed wilderness is amazing: wildlife roams freely across huge unfenced game reserves such as the world-famous Kruger National Park.

In the northern part of the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains, you will find the magnificent, almost 5 km long, steep cliff face of the "amphitheatre" with Mont-aux-Sources as its highest point (3282 m). The name "mountain of springs" was given by French missionaries and reflects the source of the Tugela River, which rises here. More than 80 kilometres of well-prepared trails await hikers. Some trails are quite easy and suitable for families with children. And the crystal-clear mountain streams with their rock pools offer refreshment especially on hot summer days.

The north of KwaZulu-Natal is dotted with historic battlefields and is therefore aptly named the Battlefields. The hilly terrain was ideal for fighting the conflicts of the nineteenth century with the weapons of the time. In the Battlefields, the Boers fought the Zulus, the Zulus fought the British, and the British fought the Boers.
The best-known and most visited sites are those where the legendary battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift took place on the same day. Not far from these battlefields lie the famous Anglo-Boer War sites of Spioenkop, Colenso and the Siege of Ladysmith, where figures such as Winston Churchill, Louis Botha and Mohandas Gandhi faced off against one another.

The Southern Drakensberg Mountains, which lie just off the main tourist trail, are somewhat less frequented. Nature lovers will find an ‘Alpine-like’ landscape in the Southern Drakensberg Mountains, with an enormous diversity of flora and fauna and almost unlimited opportunities for walking. The ‘Southern Mountain’ is particularly popular, with crystal-clear lakes and rivers. There are a number of nature and game reserves in the Southern Drakensbergs, such as the Highmoor Nature Reserve in the north, the Lotheni Nature Reserve, the Vergelegen Nature Reserve, the Mzimkhulu Wilderness Area and the Kasteel Game Reserve in the south.
The best base from which to explore the Southern Drakensberg and Lesotho are the holiday villages of Underberg and Himeville. Both villages are situated in an area whose landscape is reminiscent of Canada, at an altitude of around 1,500 metres.

A perfect combination of rural and sophisticated, KwaZulu-Natal is a coastal province in South Africa. Here, striking modern malls rest adjacent to lush green suburbs, mountainscapes contrast with flat, arid savannahs, and the inviting, warm waters of the beach are an escape from the hustle and bustle of the towns' central streets. Visitors can look forward to discovering a wealth of historical and cultural experiences, exploring the Indian-influenced city of Durban, and spotting abundant wildlife while on safari in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park - a famed Big Five game reserve. Outdoor and adventure activities include surfing, hiking, fishing, and much, much more.

Located on the White Umfolozi River in KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, Babanango Game Reserve is a malaria-free game reserve that is home to an array of African wildlife. The reserve covers 22 hectares and stretches across the beautiful Babanango Valley in Zulu country, with a pristine coastline, grasslands, rolling hills, lush forests, rivers and mangrove forests. This bush lover's paradise offers visitors the opportunity to spot a variety of free-roaming wildlife species, including buffalo, giraffe, hyena and zebra, rhino and more than 283 bird species. Don't miss the chance to enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, including bird watching, game drives, hiking and mountain biking.

Extending along the spectacularly scenic northern coast of KwaZulu Natal to the border of beautiful Mozambique, Zululand is known for its wild landscapes, traditional cultural heritage and an array of protected game and nature reserves. This breathtaking area features magnificent beaches, mangrove swamps, unspoilt estuaries, rivers, lakes and rolling grasslands scattered with indigenous forest and scrublands. Enjoy a visit to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, world-renowned for its rhino conservation; explore Ithala Game Reserve, inhabited by abundant wildlife and rare bird species; and spend a day at Shakaland, a film location that has been transformed into Zululand's tourist epicentre featuring the best of the Zulu culture.

The village of Hluhluwe is situated close to the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve and therefore attracts many tourists every year. The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve is the oldest game reserve in Africa, established in 1895 to protect the last rhinos in Natal and designated a game reserve as early as 1897.
Previously, the reserve consisted of two separate parks: Hluhluwe Park in the north and iMfolozi Park in the south. Now that they have been merged and linked by the Corridor Reserve, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, covering 96,000 ha, is one of South Africa’s largest parks. It is at least as beautiful here as in Kruger, and a lot less crowded. The landscape is very diverse, with many trees and plants that are still used by the indigenous Zulu people for food and medicine. This area was once the exclusive hunting ground of the famous Zulu King Shaka.

Spread across the rolling plains of KwaZulu-Natal, a stunning array of game reserves can be explored. These beautiful parks are known for their stunning hilly landscapes, diversity of flora and fauna, high standards of conservation and their invaluable contribution to the protection of endangered species, including the white rhino, which is threatened with extinction. It is possible to see the famous animals of the 'Big Five', as well as a variety of other animals. The area is a birdwatchers' paradise, with the Mkhuze Game Reserve alone home to 420 different species of birds, and species such as the Pels Fish Owl and Parelastrild are special appearances. You can enjoy a range of activities, including day and night safaris, diving, deep-sea fishing, hiking and guided walks. Many of the parks have beautiful beaches with turquoise, warm Indian Ocean waters and soft white sand.

Kosi Bay is located just north of Durban on South Africa's scenic coast, just two kilometres from the border with Mozambique. Here you will find a pristine lake system consisting of a series of four lakes that form part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and eventually discharge through a sandy estuary into the Indian Ocean. Here you can enjoy a calm and expansive beach and an estuary with exceptionally clear water that is home to an abundance of fish species. Other wildlife in the area includes divers, hippos, crocodiles, bull sharks, carp and turtles that lay their eggs on the beach here and diverse bird life. An interesting fact about Kosi Bay is that it is home to the Kosi Palm, which has the largest leaf of any plant in the floral kingdom.

Maputaland Marine Protected Area consists of three protected areas, Lake Sibaya, Kosi Bay Nature Reserve and Rocktail Bay. The reserve stretches from the northern Mozambican border to Sodwana Bay in the south. This beautiful subtropical paradise contains immaculate forests and wetlands, dotted with lakes and swamps, as well as coral reefs and deserted beaches. The local wildlife includes numerous bird species, reptiles and freshwater fish, making this an ideal destination for nature lovers.

Uhmlanga is a famous seaside resort with golden beaches and a subtropical climate. It has been a favourite haunt of the rich and famous since the 1970s and has boasted huge five-star resorts ever since.
On the O’Conner Promenade, you can relax by the sea, take a stroll along the beach or enjoy the view of Durban View Park to the south. You’ll also see the Umhlanga lighthouse, built in 1954, near the Breakers Resort to the north. This is where the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve begins, with walking trails leading through dense subtropical coastal forests to Umhlanga Lagoon. Here you’ll find plenty of monkeys, bushbucks and a wide variety of birds.
The Dolphin Coast owes its name to the dolphins frequently spotted off the coast, attracted by the warm water. This stretch of coastline is a melting pot of cultures. You’ll find old settlers, traditional Zulus, French settlers from Mauritius (sugar cane farmers: which is why so much sugar cane is grown in the area) and Indians. These days, this stretch of coast is a place where people from Durban come to relax on the beach. Popular destinations on the Dolphin Coast include Tongaat Beach, Ballito, Salt Rock, Sheffield Beach, Thompson’s Bay, Zinkwazi and Blythedale Beach.

Durban is the capital of KwaZulu-Natal. Its swimming and surfing opportunities are often described as the best of any major city in the world, and thanks to its subtropical climate, the water remains warm all year round. Also known as the Golden Mile, Durban’s seafront promenade is lined with entertainment venues, restaurants and shops. And one of Durban’s most famous attractions is undoubtedly the recently built UShaka Marine World, featuring a stunning aquarium and other attractions.
The Indian Market is well worth a visit if you’re looking for traditional Indian spices, wood carvings and other curiosities. Wilson’s Wharf is a waterfront shopping and leisure area. There is a craft market and a range of specialist shops. Boats depart from the harbour for adventurers keen to go fishing or for those who simply want to relax on the water.