The climate on the coast is hot and humid, but as the land rises into hills, the sea breeze sweeps in and cools down the air. This breeze carries misty rains that keep the vegetation green and luxuriant and often fill the rivers to the point of flooding.
- Ballito and Shaka's Rock
The bay is just half an hour from Durbs, has all the restaurants, cinemas and social paraphernalia you could need and is a lovely place to spend a few days.
- Gingindlovu
British soldiers called it ‘Gin gin I love you’. The name is Zulu and means ’the swallower of the elephant’. Go here just to stay at Inyezane.
- Eshowe
Eshowe has a quiet, colonial feel to it that reflects graceful feelings of yesteryear. It’s almost as though time slowed down here and the town has not quite reached this century.
- Mtunzini
Mtunzini is a quiet coastal town blessed by nature and with a colourful history. It is 132km from Durban and a great place to get into the heart of Zululand culture.
- Kwambonambi
Meaning “the place where chiefs gather”, Kwabonambi is a little town in the middle of nowhere which makes a good base for exploration into the surrounding areas and its game parks, wetlands, rivers and coastline.
- Mtubatuba
Matubatuba is just off the N2, this little town is a convenient stop over between reserves. it is located only 25km from St Lucia.
- St Lucia
St Lucia is a cool town. It’s got everything you need to have heaps of fun but is surrounded by so much wilderness that you can walk out of a bar door and into a hippo... The best time to visit St Lucia is in winter when it is cooler.
- Sodwana Bay
This is one of South Africa's premier dive sites.
- Hluhluwe
Hluhluwe has three backpackers surrounding the park. The main attraction here is the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi game reserve which is an incredible piece of nature that teems with game. The big five are prolific.
- Kosi Bay
Kosi Bay is a unique and magnificently varied eco-system ranging between lake wetlands and marine coastal reserve. There is a great backpackers in the village.
- MkuzeKZN
This is probably the best base you could choose for exploring Maputaland, and area rich in unexploited wilderness where local people still live according to generations of traditon.
- Tugela Mouth
Tugela lies on the banks of the mighty Tugela River on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast. Rich in history, the river is a natural border between Zululand and Natal and it is here that the Zulu chief Dingane beat the British in the Battle of Tugela. The water conditions off the mouth create excellent fishing and make sightings of humpback dolphins possible.
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Zululand is wrapped up in one province with all the sights and sounds of Africa. Amidst endless fields of sugarcane, you’ll find game parks that teem with wildlife, exquisite beaches lapped by a warm ocean and a thriving African culture. There are some fantastic backpackers in the area. A few places to check out backpacking lodges are : Hluhluwe, Eshowe and St Lucia.
Zululand’s sun-kissed shoreline provides endless opportunities for swimming and fishing, snorkelling and underwater exploration whilst its abundant game parks, wilderness areas and wetlands provide spectacular game viewing with numerous facilities enabling travellers to explore the local natural beauty.
Prolific roadside markets selling clay pots, beadwork, weaving,
KwaZulu is a place of seemingly endless hills, valleys, undulating sugarcane farms and battlefields. Largely undeveloped with vast expanses of wilderness and game parks, the wildlife is prolific, the nature unspoiled and the people warm and friendly.
Wrapped up in one province are all the sights and sounds of Africa.
Amidst endless fields of sugarcane, you’ll find game parks that te
Roadside stalls sell a variety of cheap craft. Some of South Africa’s best clay pots, weaving and basketwork can be found here.
The continent of Africa has the world’s greatest variety of game and no part of Africa offers more favourable game conditions than KwaZulu.
Zululand has the most game parks, wilderness areas and protected wetlands in South Africa.
Shaka, the greatest of all Zulu Kings, had a great ability to unite the segregated Zulu nation into one cohesive unit and the most awesome fighting nation Africa had ever known. His spectacular reign, however, was tainted by brutal tyranny and a ruthless, scant disregard for human life.
Places to Stay
- Budget Backpackers
The only real backpackers in St Lucia and good at that!
- Bushbaby Lodge
This Hluhluwe backpackers is conveniently situated for easy access to Hluhluwe/iMfolozi park.
- Coral Divers
Sodwana backpackers accommodation close to the beach and dive courses for everyone.
- Dave's Place and Dinizulu Safaris
Dave's Place backpackers is on the doorstep of the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi National Park.
- Isinkwe Safaris Bushcamp
Isinkwe backpackers is a well managed bush camp set in the middle of indigenous bush, just outside of Hluhluwe.
- Sea Escapes Sodwana Bay
Sea Escapes offers captivating dives in South Africa's top diving location
- Sensayuma Backpackers
Offering 180 degree view of the mighty Tugela River and Indian Ocean, ideal fishing conditions and an untouched shoreline, Sensayuma Backpackers is a great place to recharge.
- Thobeka Backpackers Lodge
This Kosi Bay backpackers is close to the magnificent Kosi Bay lake system and beaches where endangered turtles nest.
- Utshwayelo Lodge and Camp
Utshwayelo is a community owned lodge a 2.5km splash from the beach and 5km splish from the Moz border.
- Zululand Backpackers
Situated in a wing of the George Hotel, Zululand Backpackers offers comfortable good value for money accommodation.
What to do
- Chennells Volunteer Projects
Volunteer and help rural children.
- Shonalanga Lodge
Shonalanga lodge in St Lucia is in the centre of town and more of a lodge than a backpackers.
- Zululand Eco-Adventures
Think of a cultural tour in Zululand and they probably offer it - or something like it.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Want to surf, drum, kayak, have fun? It's all here.
(Muizenberg and Kalk Bay,Cape Town)
A quick lesson will soon have you zooting around Spier's vineyards and their famous protea garden, stopping to enjoy the spectacular scenery en zoot route.
(Stellenbosch,Cape Town)
(Hluhluwe,Zululand)
This Drakensberg backpacking hostel is surrounded by indigenous gardens and beautiful mountains.
(Northern Drakensberg,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
This Oudtshoorn lodge has onwers who have an in-depth knowledge of the Little Karoo and offer excellent accommodation.
(Oudtshoorn,Garden Route)
Wanna bungeeeeee? But don't know how to get there? Get the Bungy Bus.
(Claremont,Garden Route)
Observe Great White Sharks and collect data that will help to understand them better.
(,Overberg )
Studying Linguists and Backpackers tune into this Cape Town jazz vibe
(Sea Point,Cape Town)
On the banks of Lake Kariba, this is relatively unexploited area is home to the Tonga, who still live according to age old traditions.
(Kariba Zim,Zimbabwe and Zambia)
Friendly and very relaxed backpackers in Nelspruit.
(Nelspruit,Mpumalanga)
