"The colourfull world of the Zulu people" Province of KwaZulu-Natal by tompt

Province of KwaZulu-Natal Travel Guide: 1,236 reviews and 2,498 photos

We visited KwaZulu Natal in september 2002 and were very impressed by the friendly Zulu people and their colourfull beadwork.
The reed dance, a once a year occasion, was held at the Enyokeni palace, Ngoma district. Thousands of girls bringing reed to the palace with dancing and singing made quit an impression. See the travelogue for more (very colourfull) pics.

Also very colourfull was the cultural contest for schools we stumbled upon. There is also a travelogue about that.

More info on KwaZulu Natal:
- http://www.kzn.org.za/kzn/

- http://www.zulukingdom.org/

- http://www.kznwildlife.com/default.htm

Gameparks

Giraffes in Umfolozi

Also great to visit when in KwaZulu Natal are the gameparks. There are some famous ones like Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, but also the smaller ones like Mkuze. Camping in a gamepark is an unique experience. There is no camping in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, but you can book safaritents in Umfolozi. We did so in 2002. It was a great feeling being so close to the wildlife. Seeing hyena's trying to open your fridge at night is an experience you will not forget.
The campground in Mkuze is also not fenced, but they don't have lions in the park....

If camping is a bit too rough you can also book a lodge. In 2010 we visited a fairly new game reserve, the Zululand Rhino Reserve. This reserve is formed by a couple of gamefarms. We stayed at Abu Madi, which is very reasonable priced. See our accommodation tips for more info. There is also a travelogue or view the video

Also in 2010 we visited the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, near the town of St.Lucia. You can stay in St. Lucia where plenty of accommodation is available and drive your own car into the park, or have a guided trip.
You can also make guided nightdrives from St. Lucia, we did see chameleons and a leopard.

In May 2011 we will visit the Tembe Elephant park and stay in a luxury safaritent.

Cultural

Museum at Rorkes Drift

On the cultural trail again you can visit a historic region called the battlefields. The battlefields are in the west of the province and the battles were fought over a hundred years ago.
Battles were between boers and english, boers and Zulu, and also english and Zulu. There lots of monuments and museums to choose from.
You can easily make self drives tours, but there are guided tours available form towns like Dundee.

Last visit to Province of KwaZulu-Natal: Aug 2010
Intro Updated Oct 19, 2010
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Reviews (22)

Talana Museum - Province of KwaZulu-Natal

Talana Museum Things to Do (6)

In Dundee, which a good city to be based while touring the battlefields, there is a nice city museum called Talana... more travel advice

Kings Palace, St. Lucia - Province of KwaZulu-Natal

Self catering in St. Lucia Hotels (4)

We stayed here for three nights, with seven people in 2 apartments. Every apartment had two bedrooms, a bathroom,... more travel advice

Patio at the lodge - Province of KwaZulu-Natal

Great views of the bush Hotels (4)

We stayed at Abu Madi for two nights in August 2010. We were with 7 people, 5 stayed in the main lodge and the other two... more travel advice

Shop at bloodriver monument. - Province of KwaZulu-Natal

Bloodriver monument Shopping (2)

The shop at the bloodrivermonument looks like it must have looked for over hundred years. more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Toll , the expensive way to get there...
Warnings Or Dangers (1)
Dangerous animals in gameparks!
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Comments (11)

Jim_Eliason Sep 5, 2006 at 11:41 AM Report Abuse

fantastic tips!
Martman Aug 18, 2005 at 12:50 AM Report Abuse

excellent page
marcoparco Apr 10, 2004 at 8:58 AM Report Abuse

Great page! Very interesting! Thanks for sharing! cheers
paradisedreamer Jul 30, 2003 at 12:29 PM Report Abuse

Fantastic pictures, what a great experience.
zrim Jul 24, 2003 at 1:23 PM Report Abuse

Terrific pages. The Zulu tips were extremely interesting.
linnyloo Jul 7, 2003 at 11:35 PM Report Abuse

This looks fantastic! I think I will go there now. I'm glad you like my counrty so much, so do I!
pepples46 Jun 21, 2003 at 10:46 PM Report Abuse

superb presentation, loved reading the travelouge...thank you for the fine photography too
asgottl Mar 19, 2003 at 6:31 AM Report Abuse

I'm blown away by your photography! What a fascinating adventure through KwaZulu-Natal...
Sharrie Jan 7, 2003 at 12:32 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful photography & EXCELLENT travelogues! U deserve a medal of recognition :-)))
phil_uk_net Nov 2, 2002 at 7:19 AM Report Abuse

Fantastic page Tom. You are a prolific (and very good) photographer!