Things to do in and around KwaZulu Natal

Suggestions on things to do in and around KwaZulu Natal including visiting Durban, eating curry, visiting the Drakensberg, St Lucia, Diving in Sodwana Bay, a visit to the Natal Sharks Board – go shopping at Gateway Shopping Centre; experience Zulu Culture and more.

Durban – Africa’s largest port, wide beaches, fantastic nightlife and bustling markets. Not to miss is a visit to Victoria Embankment, UShaka Marine World and of course the Golden Mile. Also try the Victoria Street Market which has over 170 stalls!

Drakensberg - Rising to over 3,000 metres in height the Drakensberg escarpment can frequently be seen covered in snow in the winter providing wonderful photo opportunities. The area is very popular with hikers, rock climbers, trout fishermen and general holiday makers and is served by Hotels, Guest Houses, Lodges and camp sites. For the more athletic among you there are many trails up the mountains where caves are used as overnight stops.

Natal Sharks Board - The Sharks Board is also worth a visit on Herrwood Drive. Here the life cycle of local sharks is studied investigating how best to protect the sharks as well as the swimming community.

Gateway Shopping Centre which is said to be the largest shopping mall in the southern hemisphere. In addition to the shops and restaurants here there is a range of activities from cinema to an artificial surf wave.

Valley of a Thousand Hills –with its dramatic scenery and landscapes – this is one of KwaZulu Natal’s best kept secrets. Many artists are attracted to the area.

Zululand Tour / King Shaka - Zululand attracts huge numbers of visitors keen to experience a feeling for the Zulu culture. The area certainly evokes memories of what once was the homeland of King Shaka early in the 19th Century. Visitors to Zululand can stay in a multitude of accommodation from guesthouses and hotels in the major cities to game lodges, Zulu homes or even floating lake chalets. The game reserves here offer excellent game drives as well as some good hiking trails. Inland from the sea you will come across tea plantations, farms and towns steeped in history such as Vryheid and Paulpietersburg. Here you can relax in the therapeutic sulphur springs

Midlands Meander - This truly is a beautiful area with fertile landscapes, crystal-clear water, forests and is also rich in history. The Midlands Meander which is very popular with arts and crafts lovers should not be missed.

The Dolphin Coast - The Dolphin Coast is a malaria-free stretch along the North coast of KwaZulu Natal from Zimbali in the South to the Tugela in the North. It includes holiday towns such as Ballito, Sheffield Beach, Blythedale, Zinkwazi, Tinley Manor, Salt Rock and Shakas Rock. It also includes inland areas Ndwedwe, Maphumulo, KwaDukuza, Shakaskraal, eNdondakasuka and Umhlali. Snorkelling, Scuba Diving, Surfing, Fishing, Dolphin and Marine excursions, museums, arts and crafts, bird hides, crocodile farms, game reserves, hiking, golf, horse riding and many more.

Umhlanga Rocks - upmarket resort with safe beaches, vibrant nightlife, great restaurants and much more.

La Lucia Wetlands and diving in Sodwana Bay - this area achieved World Heritage status in 1999 and incorporates Mkuzi (a Big 5 reserve), Sodwana Bay (a world famous scuba diving destination) and Kosi Bay (a natural paradise). There are ecosystems and a unique biodiversity which are found nowhere else on earth, it is not hard to see why the earliest name for St Lucia, given by Portuguese explorers, was "River of the Sands of Gold". St Lucia boasts 300 sun-filled days a year the area with magnificent sub-tropical forests, grasslands and lily-covered pans which abound in animal life.

Curry – don’t miss out on the wonderful Indian Cuisine whilst in the area – particularly Durban with a variety of Indian restaurants and markets. Do try a Bunny Chow which was created in Durban in the 1940’s. It consists of a hollowed out loaf of bread which is then filled with curry.

For more information on South Africa, things to do and places to stay –

see www.where2stay-southafrica.com

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South African Events in September

South Africa has such a great range of year-round events that take place across the country. These events range from entertainment for the whole family; wine and food festivals; music and arts festivals; sporting events and nature events.

Here are some highlights for the month of September:

Gastronomica – Knysna in the Western Cape (24th – 28th September). This is a fantastic event covering 5 days and bringing together people, cultures and a vast array of talent from different fields. This annual event showcases what is great about Kynsna and the Garden Route. Every day is filled with events and activities from demonstrations of cooking, wine-tasting, photography, music and much more.

Cultivaria Arts Festival in the Western Cape (23rd – 27th September). The fourth edition of South Africa's fastest growing festival will turn the Boland town of Paarl into an entertainment hub as hundreds of productions featuring some of the country's top performers are staged at various venues throughout the town. Artists include Cape Town City Ballet, Nataniël, the Bala Brothers, Coenie de Villiers, Rory Rootenberg, Mathys Roets, Chris Chameleon, Jak de Priester, Nianell, Dozi and David Kramer.

White Mountain Folk Festival in KZN – Drakensberg (24th – 26th September). Coinciding with Heritage Day and the start of the school holidays; this intimate, family-friendly festival runs over four days and is held at White Mountain Lodge near Giant’s Castle in the beautiful Central Drakensberg. Featured acts include Rambling Bones, the alter ego of Jay Bones, frontman for popular ska/punk band Fuzigish; Wonderboom’s Cito, performing songs from his soon-to-be released debut solo album; as well as a rare, acoustic solo performance by Bertie Coetzee, lead vocalist for Afrikaans folk rock outfit Zinkplaat. Other attractions range from abseiling, paintball and helicopter flips to fishing, hiking and a zip line across a nearby 030m-wide gorge. There’s also a beer market featuring several local breweries, colourful arts and crafts and a variety of food stalls catering for all tastes.

The Hermanus Whale Festival in the Western Cape (24th - 28th September). The Hermanus Whale festival celebrates the arrival of the whales in Walker Bay. The popular seaside town of Hermanus, situated just over one hour away from Cape Town, is filled with vibrant activity as people come to enjoy the Whale Festival. The cliffs around Hermanus provide excellent viewing platforms from which to observe the spectacular sight of the whales.

Gun Run in the Western Cape (21st September). Started in 1993, the Gun Run is a popular half-marathon that winds its way through the heart of Cape Town, starting and finishing at Hamiltons Rugby Club in Green Point. The route passes the V&A Waterfront, travelling through the city's central business district and along Sea Point promenade before returning to Green Point for the finish. In addition to the 21.1km half marathon, there are also the more leisurely 03km and 5km races, which follow a similar scenic route but are less demanding. There’s a 21km half marathon, a 03km run/walk and a 5km run/walk. All three events start in Beach Road and finish at Hamiltons Rugby Club in Green Point.

The Rhodes Mountain Bike Challenge in the Eastern Cape (24th – 26th September). A stage race to be held in the heart of the Drakensberg mountains. This event is a must for all mountain bikers. The race is 84.4km long and takes the rider up the Naudes Nek Pass 8700ft. The cyclists then push on 3km through Lesotho and past the Tiffindell Ski Resort and down to Rhodes. A magnificent waterfall can be seen on the route amidst the mountain range.

South Africa Tattoo in Fourways in Johannesburg (9th - 13th September 2002). Modelled on the globally renowned Edinburgh Tattoo – Montecasino is host to the 2002 South Africa Tattoo with over 600 local and international performers. The show will blend traditional massed pipe bands with a unique African flavour and spectacular International acts. Look out for the ever popular Highland Dancers, Massed Pipes and Drums.

For more information on the events, accommodation and activities, please visit: http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com/

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