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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The Best of Gauteng

Suggestions on things to do in and around Gauteng, including; the biggest zoo in South Africa, Theme Parks, Township Tours, the infamous Blue Train and much more...

Top things to do in and around Gauteng

• Visit the National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria which is the largest zoo in South Africa. The zoo has 202 mammal species, 202 bird species, 190 fish species, 4 invertebrate species, 93 reptile species, and 7 amphibian species.
• Do a Soweto Township Tour – unique in that it is the only place in the world to have a street where two Nobel Peace Prize winners lived.
• Experience the fun and thrills of Johannesburg's Gold Reef City Theme Park with its amazing Tower of Terror ride
• Visit the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.
• Bring some luxury into your life and take the Blue Train from Pretoria to Cape Town with a stop in Kimberley (1600km); travelling at 90 kilometres per hour, you will experience spectacular scenery and luxury throughout your journey.
• Go clubbing in Johannesburg in one or more of the many fantastic clubs and bars.

For more information on Gauteng, other provinces in South Africa, Accommodation and things to do - go to www.Where2Stay-SouthAfrica.com

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Adventure Province - Eastern Cape South Africa

The Eastern Cape region is the second largest of the nine provinces in South Africa and the province has recently undergone a rebrand. The Eastern Cape is now known as the “Adventure Province” due to the sheer number of activities on offer. Wonderful expansive beaches, mountain ranges, beautiful countryside and lush green forest dot around the province.

You can also enjoy some of the longest hours of sunshine along the sub-tropical coastline. You can take advantage of the malaria free Big 7 Game viewing and for the adventurous ones amongst you, leap off the 216m bridge bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge. This is the highest commercially operated bungee jump in the World! The Indian Ocean provides a wonderful coastline for the Eastern Cape comprising long stretches of clean sandy beaches, rocky coves, secluded lagoons, huge sand dunes and towering cliffs. Some highlights not to miss when visiting the Eastern Cape are:

Port Elizabeth – is the largest coastal city between Cape Town and Durban. In the heart of the town, known as Central, you will find Market Square which is very attractive. PE has many historical attractions including the Donkin Heritage Trail where visitors can trace the footsteps of the 1820 Settlers. This is a 5km trail passing by some 47 historical sites in the Old Hill area of central PE. If you are interested in snorkelling or scuba diving ,then head to Sardinia Bay which is a marina reserve. Indeed PE offers ship wrecks, coral reefs and wonderfully coloured fish in warm waters for the scuba divers amongst you.

Grahamstown - is also known as "City of Saints" due to the many churches found here and "City of Schools" due to the array of excellent schools and of course Rhodes University. Grahamstown is of course most famous for the Grahamstown Arts Festival which is held over 03 days every year during June/July. This festival is one of the top cultural events and attracts over 50,000 visitors from far and wide and is a real treat for holidaymakers.

Port Alfred - most popular destination for holidaymakers on Route72. There are kilometres of sand dunes in both directions and the friendly village atmosphere and beautiful climate make it the perfect place to visit. The unique arched bridge which crosses the Kowie River in Port Alfred provides a landmark for all those visiting or passing through. Each evening, the bridge is lit up with a wonderful display of multicoloured lights for all to enjoy. This is especially a delight watching from the banks of the Kowie or on a boat with a glass of wine in your hand. This town is popular with surfers and scuba divers. There are a range of activities which include golf, sand boarding, river cruises, flying school, hiking, horse riding, quad biking, art galleries, fantastic restaurants and much more.

Addo Elephant National Park - sanctuary to over 450 elephants and attracts more visitors per year than the Serengeti National Park. The park is now expanding to over 360,000 hectares and transforming Addo into one of the great tourist attractions in South Africa. Elephant viewing at Addo is considered to be the best in the world and you can either choose to drive yourself around the park or take advantage of the guided tours on offer.

Jeffreys Bay - truly a surfer’s paradise. This place has a real international atmosphere as the bars buzz with chatter of perfect waves and supertubes. This is a perfect spot for families with great sunshine and beautiful beaches stretching for miles. Nearby are other smaller beach towns such as Cape St.Francis, Oyster Bay, St.Francis Bay and Humansdorp.

And finally – not to miss is the Wild Coast - this remains one of the most unspoilt areas of South Africa. You will find unspoilt stretches of coastline, open spaces and pristine forest areas providing an opportunity for the adventure traveller to discover a variety of leisure options guaranteed to make holiday memories. If fishing is your thing, then you will be in angler heaven.

For more information on the Eastern Cape, activities and events and accommodation, go to http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com/

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