Durban City Guide - excursions

Zululand Battlefields
Zululand, ancestral home of the Zulu people and site of many a bloody battle between the British, the Boers and the Zulus during the 19th century, is best explored as a self-drive adventure, although many tours are available from Durban. Every town in this area of northern KwaZulu-Natal has a story to tell or an event to commemorate and tourism offices throughout the region provide maps and guides to assist visitors in making the most of the history, culture, scenery and wildlife. The landscape varies from plains, to rolling hills, river valleys and lush forests. This land once encompassed the Zulu kingdom led by legendary Shaka Zulu, who clashed with the British and the Boers in many epic battles. Centre of the Zulu nation is the small town of Eshowe. King Shaka was born close to the town, and it was also the site of a 10-week siege during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Other towns of note are Ladysmith and Dundee, near which were fought the historic battles of Rorke's Drift, Blood River and Isandlwana. There are numerous 'living museums' in the form of Zulu cultural villages open to visitors in the area.

Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
In the far north of Kwa-Zulu Natal are a string of nature reserves and game parks, of which the largest and most exciting is the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, dominated by the fascinating St Lucia estuary and lake system. It covers five distinct ecosystems varying from dry thorn scrub to tropical forest and is bordered by giant dunes, beaches and tropical reefs. Big Five game viewing is on offer, and this is the only place in the world where you will see hippos, crocodiles and sharks co-habiting in the same lagoon. There are comfortable rest camps in the park. The Wetland Park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Midmar Dam
North-west of Durban in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal is the Midmar Public Resort Nature Reserve, offering accommodation, picnic sites and recreational opportunities around the huge Midmar Dam. At the main entrance is the Midmar Historical Village, a reproduction of a 19th century redbrick village with tree-lined streets, a village church and Hindu Temple. Many of the buildings are originals that have been relocated to the site from towns and villages elsewhere in the province. There are also vintage steam train rides on offer and Shire horse carriage rides, as well as several shops, restaurants and exhibition halls. Midmar is also the centre of the Midlands Meander arts and crafts route, which winds through the Midlands along the R103 road, taking in more than 65 participating attractions dotted across the countryside, ranging from herb farms to antique shops and artists working with stained glass. The huge dam stages the annual Midmar Mile, the world's largest open water swim.

Drakensberg Mountains
The jagged peaks of the Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains) tower over the eastern border of Kwa-Zulu Natal with Lesotho, providing a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. . The mountains abound with hiking trails, climbing routes, 4x4 trails, pony treks and adventure pursuits, all accessible from numerous resorts in the lower reaches. Some of the more popular resorts are Champagne Castle, Cathkin Peak and Cathedral Peak, while Giant's Castle and its game reserve are famed for the more than 500 rock paintings left behind by the San people on cave walls. Eagles soar around the peaks in the Royal Natal National Park in the north, where the dramatic scenery includes the Amphitheatre, a five-mile long (8km) curved basalt wall. The region is largely untamed, and criss-crossed by lengths of rugged dirt roads. The only road that breaches the mountain range and crosses the border to Lesotho is the hair-raising Sani Pass, which is topped by the highest pub in Africa.

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