"A Gem of South Africa" Top 5 Page for this destination Province of KwaZulu-Natal by Bwana_Brown

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

Hiking in Royal Natal Park - Province of KwaZulu-Natal

Part 3 of our road trip through South Africa was another very enjoyable chapter in this trip of a lifetime! We had started out in the Pretoria area on business before beginning our vacation in the northern Drakensberg mountains (Sabie page - Part 1), followed by big game viewing in Kruger (Kruger National Park page - Part 2). From there it was on to Swaziland before we re-entered South Africa via Mkuze in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. This is an area of South Africa that has an amazing variety of things to offer you. After our Kruger excursion, we did not even bother with the many great game parks in this part of the country (due to time constraints), but instead enjoyed relaxing by the Indian Ocean, enjoying the Durban city area and finally hiking and birdwatching in the peaks of the southern Drakensbergs at Royal Natal Park! Throw in some visits with old African comrades from over 20 years ago, this was a fantastic way to finish off our trip! This photo shows me resting on one of our hikes in Royal Natal with a rock formation known as 'The Policeman's Helmet' on the skyline.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Mountains, game parks, Indian Ocean, etc...
In a nutshell:Lots of interesting things to see and do!

Last visit to Province of KwaZulu-Natal: Oct 1995
Intro Updated May 1, 2007
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Reviews (16)

Natal Bottle-Brush Tree by our Bungalow - Province of KwaZulu-Natal

A Personal Chef ! Restaurants (2)

As a result of leaving Durban on a Saturday morning and then making a few stops (Pietermaritzburg, Howick Falls,... more travel advice

Indian Ocean Waves - Province of KwaZulu-Natal

Very Attentive! Restaurants (2)

We met our Malawi-born waiter, Robert, when he served us for our first evening dinner. Once we got talking and realized... more travel advice

Mountain Mists - Province of KwaZulu-Natal

Drakensberg Mists Things to Do (6)

For the only time on our trip, the weather in Royal Natal did not cooperate as much as we had hoped for! On our first... more travel advice

A view of Cathedral Peak - Province of KwaZulu-Natal

Cathedral Peak Things to Do (6)

Cathedral Peak is a 3004-m (9600 ft.) mountain located on the Lesotho border just west of Ladysmith. Although we had had... more travel advice

Hotels (4)
See All A Swimming Pool to Ourselves
Local Customs (1)
Roadside Carvings
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Comments (26)

lynnehamman Apr 20, 2009 at 7:23 PM Report Abuse

Glenn- thanks for the wonderful page on this most beautiful part of SA. We took our children there when they were small. It brought back fond memories.Robert sounds like a gem!
traveldave Oct 15, 2007 at 1:23 PM Report Abuse

Looks like a gorgeous part of South Africa. I was particularly interested in reading about all the great birds you saw.
Bunsch May 1, 2007 at 3:19 PM Report Abuse

What a delight to revisit KwaZulu-Natal through your descriptions and photos! Thank you.
Jenniflower Nov 26, 2006 at 12:18 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for such an amusing read as usual. I thoroughly enjoy your narrative. When did your wife work/study at Addington? My hubby was born there in July 1971 :)
evaanna Oct 13, 2006 at 2:52 PM Report Abuse

Wonderful places, so close to the ocean and still mountainous. No wonder you enjoyed your journey. Your narrative makes a most interesting reading, with adventures like the attack of the birds. Thanks for the great virtual tour.
kyoub Sep 21, 2006 at 3:28 PM Report Abuse

What an interesting trip full of past memories, beautiful scenery and birds.
goingsolo Jul 4, 2006 at 5:54 PM Report Abuse

Your Africa pages are fascinating! Sounds like the adventure of a lifetime. I can relate to seeing mountains shrouded in mist. :)
Myndo Jun 2, 2006 at 2:09 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful page here, too. And thanks btw for the correct spelling of the Ndebele :-)
acemj Jul 13, 2005 at 4:56 AM Report Abuse

Okay, I have a new nickname for you . . "BBB . . . Bwana Birdfeeder Brown" . . . Great personal recollections. Cathedral Peak and strolls on the beach- sounds perfect!
JLBG Jul 10, 2005 at 6:29 AM Report Abuse

I like your birds feeding story. We have almost the same at home but with smaller birds !