KwaZulu-Natal
Drakensberg mountains, Durban's coast, and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi — the country's oldest game reserve.
Trip Role
Ideal stay
Best for
Our take
Underrated. Mountains, beaches, and safari in one province, with fewer crowds than the Cape.
Underrated. Mountains, beaches, and safari in one province, with fewer crowds than the Cape.
- Trip Role
- Base
- Ideal Stay
- 5–8 days
- Best For
- Hiking, beach, safari combos
Where to go here
Ballito
A north-coast KZN resort town — sugar-cane coast, dolphin-watching beaches, and Durban's holiday escape.
Drakensberg
The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg escarpment — South Africa's main mountain range, a World Heritage Site spanning the KZN-Lesotho border.
Durban
South Africa's beach city — a warm Indian Ocean coast, the country's largest Indian community, and the gateway to KZN.
Himeville
A stone-village at the foot of the southern Drakensberg — the Sani Pass base and the quiet alternative to Underberg.
Howick
A Midlands town at Howick Falls — the practical fork between the Midlands Meander and the Midlands Drakensberg.
Nottingham Road
A Midlands Meander village — fly-fishing, farm stalls, and the KZN Midlands' quiet base.
Port Shepstone
South Coast town at the Mzimkhulu River mouth, the hub for the Hibberdene-to-Port Edward beach strip.
St Lucia
The gateway town to iSimangaliso Wetland Park — hippos in the streets at night and the estuary at dawn.
Underberg
The gateway town to the southern Drakensberg — Sani Pass, the highest pub in Africa, and the start of the high mountains.
Also in KwaZulu-Natal
- Ballito Beach · Beach
- Blythedale · Beach
- Britannia Hotel · Restaurant
- Cape Vidal · Beach
- Drakensberg · Mountain
- Durban Botanic Gardens · Garden
- Durban Golden Mile · Beach
- Hibberdene · Beach
- Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park · National Park
- Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park · National Park
- House of Curries · Restaurant
- I Heart Market · Market
- Ifafa · Beach
- KZN Turtle Tours · Wildlife Experience
- Karkloof Farmers Market · Market
- Kosi Bay · Beach
- KwaMuhle Museum · Museum
- KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden · Garden
- Mabibi · Beach
- Mandela Capture Site · Historic Site
- Maphelane · Beach
- Margate Beach · Beach
- Mission Rocks · Beach
- Mooi River Farm Stall · Farm Stall
- Mtunzini · Beach
- Nottingham Road Brewery · Farm Stall
- Pennington · Beach
- Phansi Museum · Museum
- Phinda Private Game Reserve · Private Reserve
- Port Edward · Beach
- Ramsgate · Beach
- Richmond Farm Stall · Farm Stall
- Salt Rock · Beach
- Sani Pass · Mountain Pass
- Sheffield Beach · Beach
- Shongweni Farmers Market · Market
- Sodwana Bay Beach · Beach
- Southbroom · Beach
- St Lucia Estuary Hippo & Croc Cruise · Wildlife Experience
- St Lucia Hippo & Croc Cruise · Wildlife Experience
- The Sardine Run · Wildlife Experience
- Thompson's Bay · Beach
- Tinley Manor · Beach
- Trafalgar · Beach
- Umhlanga Rocks Beach · Beach
- Uvongo Beach · Beach
- Victoria Street Market · Market
- Wild Dog in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi · Wildlife Experience
- Zinkwazi · Beach
- iSimangaliso Turtle Tour · Wildlife Experience
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park · National Park
Everything we cover in KwaZulu-Natal
Every published place in KwaZulu-Natal, grouped by what it is.
Dish · 2
Tidal Pool · 2
Hike · 8
Trail · 5
Mountain · 6
Viewpoint · 2
Waterfall · 4
Surf Spot · 5
Dive Spot · 3