Zululand

Zululand is a place of unspoilt beauty characterized by a pristine coastline, abundant forests, rolling green hills and zig-zagging rivers. It is a world of rich natural diversity and enormous social contrasts - a place where modern lifestyles thrive adjacent to a culture steeped in traditions.

Its tranquility belies its history, which is packed with conflict - clan against clan as well as kingdom against kingdom. This is where Victorian Britain's imperial ambitions and military might were shaken by the gallantry of 'a remarkable people' armed only with shields and spears.

The infrastructure is modern and efficient and yet just off the highway is another world, living as if from another time. Deep in Zululand's wide valleys with grasslands fringed by forest, it is still possible to get a sense of how things were before.

Its unhurried pace and mild sub-tropical climate make it an ideal and affordable year-round holiday destination. Zululand is waiting to be discovered . . .

What to do in Zululand:

Angling

Fishing on the Zululand coast is mainly a winter pastime. In summer the water is discoloured by mud from the flooding rivers. Shark fishing is the principal sport. The sharks are big, fast and dangerous--great fighters, demanding strong fishermen and strong tackle. In winter and spring Spanish Mackarel (barracouta) and shad are plentiful. Richards Bay and Lake St. Lucia are very popular spots for estuary fishing.

Boating

Richards'Bay and Lake St. Lucia are vast stretches of water used by sailing boats. Storms can break out suddenly. Hippos and crocodiles are always present.

Camping and caravanning

There are parks at Eshowe, Mturizini, Lake St. Lucia, Richards Bay and other centres. The parks are attractive, but mosquitoes are a menace in summer.

Sightseeing

One of the most alluring tourist routes in South Africa is what is popularly known as Shaka's Way, along the trunk road from Durban up the north coast and along the coastal belt of Zululand to Mtubatuba, then inland to Nongoma, Mahlabatini, Ulundi, Mgungundlovu, Melmoth, Eshowe and back to Durban. The Nkandla Forest is well worth a visit and the journey into the Tugela Valley and to Kranskop, in Natal, is sensational. The road into the valley is gravel- surfaced, and should be avoided in wet weather. The game reserve of the Hluhluwe Umfolozi complex (HUP) is scenically beautiful and is a "Big Five" reserve.

Swimming

Most towns and hotels have swimming pools. Swimming in the sea can be dangerous due to heavy seas, rip tides and the presence of sharks, and river swimming is to be avoided because of bilharzia, crocodiles and hippos.