Zululand Attractions

Zululand attractions include Zulu Culture, Big 5 game reserv

Zululand has many attractions from scenic drives north of the Tugela River toward Eshowe, with its lush forests and South Africa’s first Aerial Boardwalk. Zulu villages dot the landscape and after leaving the industrial harbour city of Richards Bay the drive takes the traveller to the heart of the Zulu Kingdom.

The eMakhosini Valley is the birthplace of Zulu King Shaka, and boasts a unique cultural heritage in that seven Kings of the Zulu Nation are buried within the Valley. The Spirit of eMakhosini Monument provides a stunning vantage point and story of this neglected aspect of South African History. The ruins of Umgungundlovu, which used to be the royal capital of Zulu King Dingane also lie within this valley, as does the grave of the Boer leader Piet Retief who was slain at the hand of Dingane.

The KwaZulu Cultural Museum in Ulundi houses displays of Zulu history and archaeology, and the final battleground of the Anglo-Zulu War are found in this former capital of Kwa Zulu. The tapestries that hang in the former Legislature bring the rich history of the Zulu people in focus.

Authentic Zulu villages such as Shakaland, Kwabhekithunga Kraal and Stewart’s Farm offer accommodation and the opportunity to experience traditional Zulu culture.

The uPhongolo area of Zululand is fast developing into an eco-tourist destination in its own right with expanses along the Jozini Lake and further inland providing sought after game experiences. Tiger Fishing and Houseboats suggest that this could become South Africa’s own Kariba!

The Zululand Birding Route offers you the opportunity to see more than half of the bird species of South Africa. The route stretches from Babanango to Richards Bay and all the way up the coast past St Lucia to Kosi Bay. Local birding guides provide ‘twitchers’ with insider tips as to where to find special species, and for the uninitiated it is a way to enjoy a remarkable encounter of a natural kind.

The Elephant Coast (covering some areas formerly known as Maputaland) stretches from Maphelane and St Lucia in the south to Kosi Bay on the Mozambiquan border and across the Lebombo Mountains to include Mkhuze and the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game Reserve. It is a region of unspoilt beaches, coral reefs, freshwater lakes, sand forests, wetland systems and bushveld. Game-viewing, scuba diving, boat cruises, canoeing, hiking and many other pursuits are on offer.

The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park - a World Heritage Site - has some of the highest forested dunes in the world. The St Lucia Lake and its surroundings comprise a wetland of global importance and is an ecotoursit mecca. The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is one the oldest proclaimed conservation area in South Africa and hosts the Big Five, as well as the elusive cheetah and endangered wild dog.

The Kosi Bay Coastal Forest Reserve of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. There are guided walking trails around the estuarine system. Lake Sibaya is South Africa’s largest natural freshwater lake covering some 77 km. Bird-watching and walks through the coastal forest are major attractions. The coral reef in the Sodwana Bay attracts hundreds of scuba-divers throughout the year and is renown for some of the best marlin-fishing in the world.

The 15 000-ha Phinda Private Game Reserve in attracts ecotourists from around the world, and the recently opened Thanda Private Game Reserve is another property in the area that now boasts the presence of the Big 5.

The Tembe Elephant Reserve near the Mozambican border was created around the last remaining free-ranging elephants of the Kwa-Zulu Natal province, the Ndumo Game Reserve and the Mkuze Game Reserve are home to Southern Africa’s birding hotspot.

For the more adventurous a drive to the archaeologically rich Border Caves in the northern reaches of the Lebombo Mountains – with stunning views over the Jozini Lake, the old Mac’s pass linking the area to Swaziland is due for an upgrade and for anyone interested in finding out more about the Nagana Campaign a visit to Ubombo might provide some tantalising clues. The Ghost Mountain overlooking the town of Mkhuze has intriguing war-tales of its own.