The Natural Attractions of Zululand

As a destination, Zululand is extraordinary. It combines inordinate natural beauty with fun, culture, heritage, and entertainment. This makes it the ideal destination for groups of friends, honeymooning couples, and families visiting South Africa. In addition, it is only a few hours’ drive from Durban and the King Shaka International Airport.

Zululand stretches along the eastern coast of the KwaZulu-Natal Province and extends inland to incorporate traditional villages and the battlefields of the Anglo-Zulu wars of centuries ago. Occupying such an exquisite part of South Africa puts Zululand in the prime spot for visitors wanting to experience the gorgeous natural attractions of this part of the world.

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park

As the oldest nature reserve on the African continent, it is not surprising that this Zululand gem is a favourite amongst locals and international tourists. It boasts the awesome Big Five (elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion and rhinoceros), as well as cheetah, spotted hyena, crocodile, jackal, kudu, eland and many more. Navigate the 300 kilometres of roads that wind through the park to get the most out of your Zululand safari.

Dlinza Forest Nature Reserve

Explore the untouched beauty of the forests and their incredible array of butterflies just outside Eshowe. Dlinza Forest has a number of excellent walking trails as well as an elevated boardwalk that is 10 metres above the ground level to enable visitors to see the forest from a bird’s eye perspective. This is a birder’s paradise and has fantastic picnic spots.

Umlalazi Nature Reserve

The coastal Umlalazi Nature Reserve offers nature-lovers a number of trails, which showcase the dune forests and mangrove swamps. On your walk, look out for the rare palm-nut vulture, as well as duikers (red, blue and grey), bushpig and bushbuck in this scenic retreat.

Mtunzini Beach

Tranquil sand dunes tumble towards the warm, inviting waters of the Indian Ocean at the gloriously picturesque Mtunzini Beach. The entire area is characterised by forests, lakes and rivers, which combine to attract an excellent variety of bird species, including the palm-nut vulture. Long strolls under the KwaZulu-Natal sun and endless views of beach and ocean combine to create a natural attraction that is just about perfect. Popular with locals, the area offers a wide choice of accommodation in Mtunzini for holiday-makers. The waters are safe for swimming, and Mtunzini is a popular spot for sandboarding and fishing.

Alkanstrand

This is Richard’s Bay’s exquisite Blue Flag beach, with year-round lifeguards and an inviting grassy spot for picnics or barbecues with the family. The water is irresistible for swimmers and water sports enthusiasts, and there is a restaurant nearby for a meal after a long day spent in the water. Additional facilties include wheelchair access (plus shelter), ablutions and a parking area.

In Conclusion

Zululand is a multifaceted destination with a massive variety of beautiful things to do and see. But, it is especially lovely for visitors and locals that want to make the most of their time in the African outdoors. Explore the rolling hills, long stretches of beaches, and verdant forests of South Africa’s gorgeous Zululand.