KwaZulu Natal

KwaZulu Natal - A world in one province....

Overview

If South Africa is a ‘World in one Country’, then surely a KwaZulu Natal holiday is offering  a ‘World in one Province’, due to its wonderful mix of culture, landscapes, wildlife and beaches. From game viewing to hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains; from relaxing on a warm Indian Ocean beach to touring the fascinating Zulu Battlefields; KwaZulu Natal has appeal for everyone.

Diverse Regions to Visit

The private game reserves and lodges of KwaZulu Natal are not as well-known as those in the Kruger Park. But they are definitely worth considering, especially if you want to follow your safari with a beach holiday. Or if you are keen to enjoy the mountains of the Drakensberg.

The Natal Battlefields are a beautiful yet eerie place. The name is a collective referring to an area of rural cattle country in KwaZulu Natal. Here, many of the epic Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer battles of the 19th century were fought. This is an enduring story of courage and self-sacrifice, bloodshed and tragedy.

The Drakensberg mountains, or ‘The berg’, as South Africans call it, is a spectacular region to visit in KwaZulu Natal. It offers everything from serious mountain hiking to gentle rambles beside crystal streams and through wooded glades. It was South Africa’s second World Heritage Site.

Drakensberh Sentinel peak on KwaZulu Natal holidays
Sentinal peak in the amphiteater of the Drakensberg mountains, Royal Natal National Park, South Africa

The main pleasure of the Drakensberg mountains is the glorious walking on offer, but there are other delights. The Drakensberg offer some superb examples of ancient Bushmen rock paintings at Giants Castle and Kamberg nature reserves. There are also weekly musical recitals by the world-class Drakensberg Boys Choir – if you time your visit right!

En route you can visit many arts and craft studios in the Natal Midlands.

Kwazulu Natal Holiday - Beach Options

Finally the beaches of KwaZulu Natal are magnificent. Choose between the accessible Dolphin Coast just north of Durban.

Or head north to St Lucia with the Isimangaliso Wetlands park on its doorstep. And the truly remote and unspoilt Coastal Maputaland area in the far north.

Coastal Maputaland beaches, KwaZulu Natal holidays

Features

Why you may love it

  • Excellent winter climate (May to August) with warm sunny and dry days.
  • Long stretches of pristine beach.
  • Big Five game-viewing in Hluhluwe, Phinda, Thanda and Amazulu game reserves.
  • Hiking in the Drakensberg mountains.
  • Enthralling Battlefields tours to Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift.

When to visit KwaZulu Natal

Nov to mid-March

Summer in KwaZulu Natal

KwaZulu Natal has a summer rainfall climate with the rains starting in November. This usually takes the form of late afternoon or evening thunderstorms which are actually welcome as it cools the air and keeps everything lush and green. Temperatures are hot and humid day and night. The Drakensberg, given its altitude, tends to be cooler. This is a great time for turtle-tracking with the leather-back turtles coming to nest in November and then the babies hatching in January and February. Christmas is a popular holiday time at the coast for local South Africans and international visitors
AVG RAINFALL 122 mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 6 Hours
MAX TEMP 28 ℃ / 82 ℉
MIN TEMP 21 ℃ / 70 ℉

Mid-March to mid-May

Dry season in KwaZulu Natal

This is a great time to visit KwaZulu Natal all-round. It’s the start of the dry season, making sight-seeing and game-viewing much easier. The landscape is still green and lush but grasses start dying down. The sunsets are superb as the skies are clearer. Nights are pleasantly warm. And the drier weather means the malaria risk is much lower.
AVG RAINFALL 75 mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 7 Hours
MAX TEMP 25.5 ℃ / 78 ℉
MIN TEMP 15.5 ℃ / 60 ℉

June to mid-August

Winter in KwaZulu Natal

Kwa-Zulu Natal has a lovely winter climate – dry, warm and sunny with virtually no rain for months. Daytime temperatures are very pleasant (24-26c). Even the Indian Ocean is warm enough for swimming year round though it is not exactly hot beach weather. This is the best time for game-viewing as the bush is less dense and the animals flock to the rivers for water.
AVG RAINFALL 33 mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 8 Hours
MAX TEMP 23 ℃ / 73 ℉
MIN TEMP 11 ℃ / 52 ℉

Mid-August to Oct

Spring in KwaZulu Natal

Spring is the tail-end of the dry season. So it remains a very good time for safari. Kwa-Zulu Natal temperatures start heating up quickly in September and October prior to the start of the summer rains and October is particularly hot and humid.
AVG RAINFALL 75 mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 6 Hours
MAX TEMP 24 ℃ / 75 ℉
MIN TEMP 17 ℃ / 63 ℉

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Spectacular

"The Drakensberg mountains were spectacular. We most enjoyed Victoria Falls that literally took your breath away.  The river boat cruises at Livingstone were well worth it.  Also getting so close to the animals at Umlani in the Timbavati, even the lions and leopards. " Mr Martin Butler, UK

Experiences in KwaZulu Natal

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Did you know
  • LandscapeSouth Africa’s Highest Mountain Range is in KZN
  • AnimalsOne of the largest White Rhino Populations’ Habitat is in KwaZulu Natal

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