KwaZulu-Natal is known as the garden province in South Africa. The main reason would be the lushness and sheer magnificence of the subtropical region with valleys, mountains, rivers and grasslands. It is a popular destination for tourists and a haven for South Africans and indigenous animals and plants. If you are planning to visit the area, take particular caution to come equipped for the relevant season: you really don’t want to be caught out in a Midlands winter with no where to buy clothing…
There are many magnificent landmarks, historical and natural, in KwaZulu-Natal. One would be the vast Drakensberg Mountains which is actually a mountain range with mountain peaks reaching as high as 3,000 meters above sea level. It has been declared a Mountain Heritage site with its rock art from the extinct San bushman tribe and its rich mineral concentration.
Between this mountain range and the coast the savannah grassland can be found. It is peppered with rivers; the most prominent of which is the Thukela River. The savannah grassland is a vast tract of relatively dry grass with sparse trees and wild animals just as you would imagine seeing on an African safari.
The Thukela River is a Zulu name, so you may find reference about it under the name, Tugela River. This river was witness to many historical events and landmarks like the Portuguese Vasco de Gama visit in 1497 and the shipwrecked Portuguese ship, Sao Bento in 1554. The river is also close to historical Ndondakusuka which is a Zulu village where the momentous Battle of Tugela took place.
Not far from here are 2 forts, Fort Tenedos and Fort Pearson which was built in 1879 by the British. These forts were designed to provide protection for the British who used the river frequently as a passage way.
While the largest city is Durban, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal is Pietermaritzburg. Along the coast line, there are many coastal resorts like Umhlanga, Margate, and Port Shepstone. The entire province of KwaZulu-Natal is also the only one in the whole country allowed to have a monarchy under the constitution.
The Royal Natal National Park
The Royal Natal National Park in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal province is a spectacular paradise. Here you see incredible views and mountain trails, along with natural reserves and pretty fabulous places to stay overnight. The Drakensberg Amphitheatre is the place to go when visiting this park. It is a 3 mile long 546 yard high rock wall that faces the Mont-aux-Sources Peak. You can see the Thukela River as it cascades from the amphitheatre down to the Indian Ocean. The view is majestic and bound to stop you in your tracks.
The Battlefields
A major historical landmark is the Battlefields in Kwazulu-Natal. Historical figures and men of power have walked here like Winston Churchill, General Louis Botha, Mahatma Gandhi, and local legend, Shaka Zulu. There are small abandoned forts and quiet graveyards with the wind blowing serenely over the fields. Many have died here especially during the bloody era of the Zulu Kingdom. There are also guided tours and historic towns, museums, and monuments for the fallen brave South Africans and British soldiers.
At the same time, the battlefields have a “touristy” side with shops and restaurants where many factories sell their goods at outlet prices.