KwaZulu-Natal

If you’ve never been white water rafting before, South Africa is the perfect place to give it a shot. A white water rafting expedition involves a mix of navigating through rapids at high speed and enjoying the scenery along the calmer sections of water in-between, and there are white water experiences for all levels.

The Dolphin Coast is renowned for its beaches, warm water and subtropical climate and offers visitors not only water-related attractions and excursions but also golfing game viewing and hiking. There are cultural history sites, most notably Shakaskraal.

The KwaZulu-Natal Elephant Coast offers tourists a range of eco-orientated activities in its two main national parks, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. Within these parks, there are several nature reserves, some offering extensive game viewing and water-related activities.

KwaZulu-Natal, the Zulu kingdom, is a coastal province known for its mild climate, beaches, mountains and big game savannah. Home to two World Heritage Sites, its capital, Durban is a harbour city popular with surfers.

Women of iSimangaliso Wetland Park are empowered by selling the arts and crafts they produce from local and sustainable resources.

The Zulu reed dance is a celebration of Zulu culture and the event takes place in Spring each year involving several days of singing, dancing and other activities to prepare young Zulu girls for womanhood.

South Africa hosts some of the world’s most festive surfing competitions, which attract some of the biggest names in the sport every year. More than 3 000km of coastline, beach breaks, reef breaks – and perfect weather conditions – make South Africa the perfect destination for surfers.

Sacred sites in KwaZulu-Natal include the Buddhist Retreat Centre in Ixopo, the charming Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple in Chatsworth and the majestic slopes and valleys of the mighty Drakensberg mountain range. Throw in some isiZulu culture, San rock art and Bhangazi legends, and let the journey begin.

In Port Shepstone, visitors to the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast can laze on the beach, get swept up in the Sardine Run, chase adventure in Oribi Gorge, or enjoy fishing on the reef.

The Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 saw the world’s mightiest empire struggle to overcome a brave indigenous people; today, history buffs can relive that desperate conflict in KwaZulu-Natal’s battlefields.

There are great paragliding locations, and adventure companies making the most of them, all over South Africa, whether you’re an experienced pilot or a beginner looking for a tandem thrill.

The ancient rock engravings that dot the northern Karoo in South Africa give visitors a glimpse into the spiritual life of local hunter-gatherers stretching back 10 000 years.