KWAZULU NATAL
ZULULAND
No culture is static, especially in Africa where traditional life is constantly under threat from modernisation. Despite this, in the rural area of KwaZulu-Natal generally known as Zululand, many cultural practices remain intact and there are sites of great cultural significance to be explored.
While much of a visit to Zululand is about discovering South Africa's history and cultural heritage, there are also many lovely, eccentric small villages. Eshowe has a canopy boardwalk through the Dlinza Forest and the excellent art and craft centre at Fort Nonqayi. In the little coastal town of Mtunzini, wander through one of the last remaining protected stands of Raffia palms and possibly spot a rare palm nut vulture.
Zululand is the place to go on safari as it is home to some of the country's finest game reserves, such as Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Ithala, Opathe, Thula Thula, Thanda and the Zululand Rhino Reserve. Herds of plains game grazing under umbrella acacias and antelope skittering across a dusty pan, hippo honking in the waterways and pans, giraffe silhouetted against the setting sun and the smell of the African bush in the early hours of the morning are typically what one can expect on a visit to Zululand.
Extracted from: http://www.zulu.org.za/discover/destinations/zululand
accommodation
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge - Hhluhluwe iMfolozi Park
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is situated on the western boundary in the first private concession within Africa’s oldest proclaimed Game Reserve Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, Northern KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Set in a 96 000 hectare park Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge enables guests to enjoy 4 star luxury at a private lodge for the first time within the park, offering spectacular scenery and excellent safari opportunities within the heart of Big 5 territory.
Leopard Mountain Game Lodge
A Big 5 multiple award winning 4 Star lodge, set within an Endangered Species Protected Area offering peace and tranquillity with friendly hospitality. The beautiful lodge has the most spectacular views in Zululand, from the river meandering below to the distant Lebombo Mountains.
Their game drives take you through well stocked, unspoilt bush veld and endless rivers winding through indigenous forest, a birders paradise. The guided walking safaris offer an intimate encounter with the African bush veld and wildlife, taking you to places beyond the reach of vehicles. Join the midday waterhole lookout activity to watch an array of animals coming down to drink from their unique waterhole setting.
Luxury accommodation in 9 well appointed, stone chalets with a hammock and private plunge pool nestled in the cliff tops overlooking the river below. The Lodge's sought after chef will prepare your tantalizing meals, which can be accompanied by your choice of wine from their multi-award winning cellar.
Tembe Elephant Park
There is a place in Africa where the wild elephants still roam. The legendary Ivory Route where the great tuskers still tramp their ancient pathways through dense sand-forest and tall yellow grass. This is Tembe Elephant Park, a 300 square kilometer reserve between Zululand and Mozambique, home to Africa’s largest elephants as well as the smallest antelope, the suni.
The Big Five also find their home here – lion, leopard, black and white rhino and buffalo, as well as more than 340 bird species and myriad other animals and plants. It is a world of hot silence and white sand, where the busy modern world ceases to exist and only the rising and setting of the sun marks the passage of time. It is also the ancestral home of the Tembe people, who co-own and manage Tembe Safari Lodge: a place of warm African hospitality, classic safari food, world-class personal service. This is where you will find the Africa of story and legend, of adventure and myth.
And it’s waiting for you….
Any and all photographs used for marketing of Tembe Elephant Park remains the property of the photographer who captured them and the Park.
Amakohosi Safari Lodge
The sight of a racing cheetah, smell of wild jasmine, and the cry of a Whalberg's eagle, together compliment this in the natural environment of river wetlands, valley bushland, umbrella thorn trees and thick bush grassland blanketing the mountains. From the moment you arrive at Amakhosi, you are scooped up in arms of royalty and sophistication with warm smiles and hot hand towels. Amakhosi is located in a blend of savannah, wetlands and mountains. The Safari Lodge is situated on the banks of Zululand's Mkuze River in Amakhosi private game reserve. Artistic décor, African fusion cuisine and prompt attentive service, makes AmaKhosi a bush lodge difficult to match elsewhere in Southern Africa. St. Lucia Wetlands and Sodwana Bay are a mere 2.5 hours away from the lodge and are well worth incorporating into your itinerary. Mozambique and Swaziland is also in close proximity. Imagine close encounters with newborn cheetah cubs, or being the prime witness to a daring lion fight. Amakhosi guides are well qualified and extremely committed to the environment, and look forward to taking you on a journey of discovery where you are at one with your surroundings. A walking safari brings you closer to the heartbeat of the bush, submitting yourself to the mercy of nature. Knowledgeable guides know exactly where to take their guests for exciting, yet safe encounters with pristine fauna and flora.
ELEPHANT COAST (Maputaland)
The Elephant Coast borders Mozambique in the north, Swaziland and the Lubombo Mountains in the north west, the Indian Ocean to the east and ends roughly at the mouth of the Imfolozi River near St Lucia village in the south.
The region is a paradise of natural wonders with an incredible 21 different ecosystems. In fact, there are few areas in Africa with such an incredible diversity of fresh water ecosystems. It is largely due to this, and the incredible sense of place, that a large portion of the Elephant Coast was declared a World Heritage Site, and named iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Broadly translated from the Zulu language, iSimangilsomeans 'something miraculous'.
The area is steeped in history, both contemporary and ancient, and contains a number of paleontological sites of scientific importance, such as Border Cave, as well as many fossils.
The Elephant Coast is world famous for its game reserves, such as Tembe Elephant Park, home to some of Africa's largest tuskers, Ndumo and Mkuze, famous for their birdlife and Phinda, a private reserve with its four luxury lodges.
There are excellent deep sea fishing and diving opportunities at Sodwana Bay, and great houseboatsand tiger fishing on Jozini Dam.
Extracted from: http://www.zulu.org.za/discover/destinations/elephant-coast-maputaland
accommodation
Kosi Bay Lodge
Kosi Bay Lodge is perfectly situated for guests who want to base themselves in the heart of this pristine area and further explore the region. Just a few hundred meters from the water’s edge of Lake Nhlange (the 3rd and largest Lake), Kosi Bay Lodge offers everything an African Bush Lodge should and more.
Sip sun-downers in Nhlange Pub with an amazing view and enjoy cuisine with a distinctive local flavor in the cosy atmosphere of the Umdoni (water berry tree) restaurant & bar overlooking the pool and the sun deck. Two, four and six bedded rustic lodges are comfortably appointed. Structures consist of thatched roofs, treated poles, wooden floors on stilts and reed walls – typically Tonga/Zulu style. The accommodation is rustic more than plush but the setting and range of activities make a stay well worthwhile.
Kosi Forest Lodge - Kosi Bay
Kosi Forest Lodge a private lodge situated in the unspoilt wilderness that is part of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, now internationally recognised as a World Heritage Site. The 20-bed lodge offers comfortable accommodation, fine cuisine and caters for a host of estuarine, beach and wilderness activities. Explore this unique ecosystem by guided canoe, boat trip on the lakes, raffia forest walks or day excursion to nearby coastal beaches. Discover one of South Africa’s best ecotourist destinations.
Kosi Forest Lodge is set in a beautiful sand forest on the banks of the Kosi Lake. The thatched bush suites are carefully positioned to provide guests with privacy and an intimacy with the peaceful surroundings. The romantic en-suite bathrooms are open-air, giving guests a truly unique experience. Guests can relax at the pool with its unsurpassed views of Lake Shengeza.
Thonga Beach Lodge – Mabibi
Thonga Beach Lodge is set on the pristine shores of the Maputuland coast, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This 24-bed luxury lodge is the ideal place to discover one of the most unspoilt wilderness beaches left on the African continent. Mabibi is a magical place of coastal forests, grasslands, bush, shimmering lakes and exquisite sandy beaches. Its crystal clear, warm waters offer South Africa’s best snorkelling and fantastic off-shore scuba diving and excellent birding opportunities. Guided bird watching can be arranged.
Set above a secluded bay, Thonga Beach Lodge is nestled into beautiful coastal dune forest with sweeping views of the stunning beach below. The thatched bush suites provide guest privacy and were carefully constructed to ensure minimal impact on the environment. The lodge offers luxurious accommodation, mouth-watering meals and one of the best dive sites in the South Africa.
Thonga Beach Lodge is situated only metres from the beach and a 25 minute drive from Lake Sibaya (Southern Africa’s largest freshwater lake), which is part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, now internationally recognised as a World Heritage Site.
Sodwana Bay Lodge
Sodwana Bay Lodge is located on the untouched eastern seaboard, where wide lakes and lagoons shimmer with life. Here you will find stretches of beautiful forest populated with rare and protected animals; this is one of the greatest sections of the South African coastline. Here Africa’s infamous big 5 become the big 6, where the humpback whale joins the majestic lion, rhino, elephant, leopard and buffalo. Sodwana Bay Lodge is situated 5km away from the beach. There is an entry fee to enter the iSimangaliso National Park, please enquire with them as to the current rates.
The chalets are tastefully decorated and offer privacy as well as incredible views. These picturesque views have you feeling like you can reach out and touch the whales swimming by. The Sodwana Bay Lodge offers ideal conference facilities, which can accommodate up to 50 Delegates, in cinema style.
A Range of wonderful activities including fishing, quad biking are perfect for the adventurer in you. For team building there are also treasure hunts, micro light flights and scuba dives. There are many different diving courses on offer, starting with the “discover scuba diver course”, or for the more advanced there is the Dive Master’s course to name only a few.
The first class restaurant will provide meals for those wanting to indulge, while for a more relaxed atmosphere you can enjoy a set meal at the boma.
For the perfect combination of forest and ocean, Sodwana Bay Lodge is the experience of a lifetime.
Maputaland Lodge
Maputaland Lodge offers luxury self catering as well as bed and breakfast accommodation. Situated close to the Kosi Bay lake systems as well as the Ponta Do Ora border post it is an ideal location to enjoy a holiday to remember.
The chalets are fully equipped, serviced daily, with air-conditioning, and TV/selected DSTV channels, All guests can be assured of a comfortable and relaxing stay. For those who want to break away from the day to day routine we can offer scrumptious meals at our Restaurant. Or head to their fully licensed bar for a sun-downer and soak up the African sun next to the sparkling pool.
At Maputaland Lodge we can guarantee quality and excellent service and great memorable holidays.
BATTLEFIELDS
The battles fought in the rolling hills and valleys of northern KwaZulu-Natal some 120 years ago changed the course of South African history, and still today, the area now known as the ''Battlefields'' seems to echo with the heroic and often tragic deeds of the past. The sites of famous skirmishes that rocked the British, weakened the Boers and broke the mighty Zulu nation continue to draw visitors.
On an annual basis, numerous re-enactments of some of the famous battles take place. These are great fun-filled affairs with many local people dressing up in bright red, colonial British soldier or traditional Zulu warrior attire. Food, music and other activities often accompany these events.
Extracted from: http://www.zulu.org.za/discover/destinations/battlefields
accommodation
Isibindi Zulu Lodge
This 12 bed intimate lodge is a stone's throw away from the historically momentous Anglo-Zulu battlefields of Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana where Zulu and British clashed in a devastating battle which had enormous consequences for the Zulu people. The lodge also offers a choice of authentic Zulu cultural experiences.
The Lodge is situated within the 4000 acre Isibindi Eco-Reserve which offers diverse habitats ranging from montane grassland and valley thornveld to riverine forests. The reserve is home to abundant plains game, morning and evening game drives are offered and there is excellent bird watching. It is also quite safe to walk or take a picnic along one of the meandering river beds and view Giraffe, Zebra,Wildebeest and other plains game.
iSibindi Zulu Lodge offers guided tours of the Anglo-Zulu battlefields. Tours must be pre-booked so that arrangements can be made with our preferred guides to take the tours. The chilling accounts of the battles of Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana present a deeper insight of the rich history in the area. Presented alongside the military narrative, a complete picture of the impact of the Anglo-Zulu campaign on both the Zulu and British nations is formed.
Isibindi Zulu Lodge offers the rare opportunity of learning about the Zulu culture and traditions as they remain in Zululand today. A Zulu Boma Dinner begins just as the sun starts setting, casting our hills in soft golden light. Guests are led down a narrow path to the beat of drums. As one emerges into a clearing coming across a historical Zulu uMuzi (village) the dancing bodies of Zulu children make for a profound experience. The traditional dances and their role in Zulu history and culture is explained amid the energetic displays. A separate day trip to a Zulu Homestead gives guests a rare chance to experience the life of a rural Zulu family which has remained largely unchanged over the past hundred years since Shaka Zulu forged this mighty nation.
