South Africa guide
Incredible wildlife, diverse culture, world-beating wines - South Africa has so much appeal.
Responsible Tourism in KwaZulu-Natal
“There is a word in South Africa – Ubuntu – a word that captures Mandela’s greatest gift: his recognition that we are all bound together in ways that are invisible to the eye; that there is a oneness to humanity; that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for those around us.” – Barack Obama, speaking at a memorial to Nelson Mandela in 2018
You’d be wise to travel in KwaZulu-Natal with the Zulu philosophy of Ubuntu in mind. As is the case across South Africa, this is a province that is looking to tourism, among other industries, to drive a prosperous future inspired by - not in spite of - its diversity. Since 1994, when the semi-autonomous Zulu Kingdom was re-integrated once more into the province of Natal, KwaZulu-Natal became the only South African province with a name that reflects its dominant ethnic heritage. Zulu culture is the ubiquitous lifeblood behind everything here and you won’t be able to avoid it. Not that you’d want to. Tread lightly and respectfully and the Zulu communities you visit will open their culture to you. The Ubuntu philosophy is as equally applicable to KwaZulu-Natal’s natural wealth as it is its people. We are inescapably interlinked with the natural world around us; so choose a game reserve which empowers local people to protect their wild neighbours, or a beach lodge which champions community-led conservation.
You’d be wise to travel in KwaZulu-Natal with the Zulu philosophy of Ubuntu in mind. As is the case across South Africa, this is a province that is looking to tourism, among other industries, to drive a prosperous future inspired by - not in spite of - its diversity. Since 1994, when the semi-autonomous Zulu Kingdom was re-integrated once more into the province of Natal, KwaZulu-Natal became the only South African province with a name that reflects its dominant ethnic heritage. Zulu culture is the ubiquitous lifeblood behind everything here and you won’t be able to avoid it. Not that you’d want to. Tread lightly and respectfully and the Zulu communities you visit will open their culture to you. The Ubuntu philosophy is as equally applicable to KwaZulu-Natal’s natural wealth as it is its people. We are inescapably interlinked with the natural world around us; so choose a game reserve which empowers local people to protect their wild neighbours, or a beach lodge which champions community-led conservation.
Our KwaZulu-Natal Vacations
Kwa-Zulu Natal tailor made tour, South Africa
Discover Kwa-Zulu Natal with a qualified botanist
From
£3200
13 days
ex flights
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa
Award-winning, Fair Trade certified wildlife conservation!
From
US $1463
14 days
ex flights
South Africa and Swaziland safari
Lodge safari all encompassing South Africa & Swaziland
From
US $2615
17 days
ex flights
Zululand conservation project
Preserve iconic wildlife in the breathtaking South Africa!
From
£1295 to £5295
14 days
ex flights
KwaZulu Natal discovery tour, South Africa
A tailor-made trip to South Africa's KwaZulu Natal region
From
US $3250
12 days
ex flights
Kwa Zulu Natal self drive South Africa vacation
South Africa's best kept secret, a must for second time visitors
From
US $8075
15 days
ex flights
Wildlife & environment
Galen Schultz from our leading wildlife conservation volunteering specialist, Wildlife ACT says:
“The Zululand ecosystem is one of the most bio-diverse wild lands in Africa, with much of it declared a World Heritage Site. It is a rare place with age-old cultures and traditions. Yet amid its gallery of wildlife, conservation efforts face tremendous challenges. Africa has over 400 known endangered animal species, and Zululand is considered by many as the heartbeat of Africa and the birthplace of wildlife conservation in Africa. It can also be considered as one of the last strongholds for species such as the rhino. It is therefore a critically important area to conserve.”
A bastion of conservation KwaZulu-Natal may be, but its wildlife faces almost overwhelming odds to survive. Loss of habitat, lack of space to increase species’ range and allow them to thrive, wildlife poaching and constrained genetic flow must all be overcome for conservation efforts to be successful. This is all compounded by a lack of government funding for the province’s reserves. Money itself is at the heart of matter - conservation will only work where local communities are empowered to see the value in keeping their wild neighbours alive.
“The Zululand ecosystem is one of the most bio-diverse wild lands in Africa, with much of it declared a World Heritage Site. It is a rare place with age-old cultures and traditions. Yet amid its gallery of wildlife, conservation efforts face tremendous challenges. Africa has over 400 known endangered animal species, and Zululand is considered by many as the heartbeat of Africa and the birthplace of wildlife conservation in Africa. It can also be considered as one of the last strongholds for species such as the rhino. It is therefore a critically important area to conserve.”
A bastion of conservation KwaZulu-Natal may be, but its wildlife faces almost overwhelming odds to survive. Loss of habitat, lack of space to increase species’ range and allow them to thrive, wildlife poaching and constrained genetic flow must all be overcome for conservation efforts to be successful. This is all compounded by a lack of government funding for the province’s reserves. Money itself is at the heart of matter - conservation will only work where local communities are empowered to see the value in keeping their wild neighbours alive.
The great hunting and conservation debate
It can be distressing to think that some of the beautiful variety of animals you see on safari could at some point find themselves staring down the barrel of a hunter’s gun. However, hunting plays a big role in South African society, and often – perhaps somewhat contradictorily - an intrinsic role in wildlife conservation strategies.
We don’t like the idea of hunting at Responsible Travel, and while we will never promote vacations that include hunting, we do understand that well-managed, strictly controlled hunting has its place. It can facilitate the protection of large swathes of wilderness and manage wildlife populations - while bringing in huge sums of money for conservation strategies. Local communities – often the landowners leasing lodges and reserves for hunting concessions – see the hundreds of thousands of dollars one single elephant, for example, can fetch and are encouraged to protect the land and the wildlife by allowing it.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife does allow strictly controlled hunting in a few, designated areas – which are not open to ordinary tourists. So you won’t be seeing animals on safari in Hhluhluwe-iMfolozi, for example, that are part of quotas destined to be shot.
For hunting strategies to be sustainable, quotas must be strictly monitored and adhered to – and set by independent experts. Quotas must be part of strategies to maintain viable animal populations and hunting revenues must be reinvested significantly into conservation programmes and local community projects.
Canned hunting
When it comes to canned hunting our thoughts are unequivocal. This is a barbaric practice offering no benefit to conservation, to local people or to the environment.In short, canned hunting is the practice where animals are reared, often in a way that accustoms them to human presence, specifically to be sold as trophies to hunters. There are several reserves in South Africa offering canned hunts but the industry goes much wider than the final product. Many ‘reserves’ and ‘sanctuaries’ offering walking with lions and cheetah experiences, or projects where volunteers care for lion cubs are simply getting these animals habituated to humans before selling them to canned hunts.
What you can do:
Hunting will remain an important source of income for wildlife reserves in KwaZulu-Natal as long as there is demand for it. We do, of course, hope that responsible tourism will one day emerge as a far more sustainable – and ethical – alternative, proving that wildlife is worth far more alive than dead.
While hunting concessions in parks managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife are not open to safari tourists, some private game reserves do mix both leisure safaris and hunting safaris on their land. To make conservation work without hunting, responsible tourism needs to support communities to make a living from keeping their lands pristine, protected and poacher-free. If you feel strongly about this issue, then choose your safari experience carefully and put your money where your mouth is – into reserves which operate without hunting to back up their budgets.
Galen Schultz, from our leading wildlife conservation volunteering specialists in KwaZulu-Natal, WildlifeACT, explains the importance of supporting local communities when it comes to conservation: “First-time travelers to Zululand should be aware that the majority of our wildlife protected areas are surrounded by rural, often very impoverished communities. This is a poorly-understood reason as to why wildlife poaching is such a huge issue in South Africa. One of our areas of focus is educating both these communities and the public about the importance of empowering those who live alongside wild areas.”
Interactive experiences such as walking with lions and cheetahs are less prevalent in KwaZulu-Natal than in other regions of South Africa – but be vigilant and don’t support any sanctuary or reserve offering these practises.
If you want to volunteer to support conservation in KwaZulu-Natal then choose a project which focuses on habitat management and the ongoing monitoring and tracking of, and research into, wild species. While these may lack the Instagram-ability of a project cuddling lion cubs or walking with cheetahs you won’t be unwittingly playing your part in preparing these animals for a canned hunt. And in reserves where a lack of government funding makes effective conservation strategies difficult, supporting the work of permanent research teams (which also engage local communities to increase income and empowerment) will be making a real difference to vital conservation work.
People & culture
Zulu cultural villages
An insight into traditional Zulu life or a voyeuristic behind-the-camera-lens experience exploiting the intricacies of a unique culture? KwaZulu-Natal is home to a number of Zulu homesteads which open their doors to visitors, who in turn watch performances of traditional dances, take pictures of warriors dressed up in traditional garb and engage very little, in any meaningful way, with the people living and working there. Additionally many lodges will showcase Zulu dancing from their local community, and try to educate guests about Zulu culture – but many of these entertainments feel staged and inauthentic. Zulu culture has become a big commodity in KwaZulu-Natal – but it isn’t always Zulu communities who are benefiting from the sale.
What you can do:
Some homesteads or cultural villages, run and managed by the Zulu community living there, offer an authentic insight into the Zulu way of life and a genuine cultural exchange. You learn about Zulu traditions, customs and history from local residents, and in turn the money you pay for the experience – and the handicrafts you purchase - goes directly into developing community infrastructure and supporting small, grassroots businesses.
Some homesteads or cultural villages, run and managed by the Zulu community living there, offer an authentic insight into the Zulu way of life and a genuine cultural exchange. You learn about Zulu traditions, customs and history from local residents, and in turn the money you pay for the experience – and the handicrafts you purchase - goes directly into developing community infrastructure and supporting small, grassroots businesses.
Alternatively, Simon Mills, from one of our leading KwaZulu-Natal vacation experts, Native Escapes, recommends staying in lodges that are community-owned (or invest heavily in local communities) for a more genuine insight into Zulu life. He says: “This way you can do things like going into villages with guides, see how people live - but at the same time, your spending (just by staying at the lodge) is contributing to the good of the community.”
Fair Trade Tourism
South Africa has become the first country in the world to embrace the principles of fair trade into its tourism industry, with a Fair Trade Tourism certification that recognises the community-driven work of luxury lodges, game reserves and hotels across KwaZulu-Natal (and the rest of South Africa). Much like its foodie counterpart, the Fair Trade Tourism certification ensures fair pay, fair treatment of local staff, ethical business practices, and a fair deal for local communities – ensuring that your South African hosts, and not just multinational hospitality companies, benefit from your visit.While the Fair Trade Tourism scheme may not be the most environmentally stringent, it does empower local communities to take ownership of fragile habitats and wildlife, ensuring local people are invested in their survival.
South Africa is also the only country in the world with a National Minimum Standard for Responsible Tourism – to which all tourism practises must adhere - which includes guidelines like this gem: "Tourism can and should deliver income to poor households, particularly those situated in rural parts of our country". This is tourism as it should be. And all wrapped up in the wonderful, South African spirit of Ubuntu.
Responsible tourism tips
More about KwaZulu-Natal
With hot, humid summers and dry, mild winters, KwaZulu-Natal offers warmth and sunshine most of the year.
Perfect for South Africa second-timers or for travelers who prefer something a little wilder and more remote, KwaZulu-Natal seduces with swathes of white-sand Indian Ocean beaches, extraordinary wildlife and a unique Zulu heritage.
Our favourite things to see and do in KwaZulu-Natal include hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains, spotting the Big 5 on safari in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, picking up exquisite pottery along the Midlands Meander, visiting the Zulu battlefields and snorkelling, hippo-spotting and some seriously chilled beach time in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Forget Kruger, head east into KwaZulu-Natal for a wildlife extravaganza that goes beyond the Big Five.
The beaches of KwaZulu-Natal stretch along 600km of coastline with beaches to match the very best on the planet.
Few places in Africa combine Big Five safaris with beach time quite as well – or as conveniently – as KwaZulu-Natal.
From vast Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, credited with saving the white rhino from extinction to conservation-focussed private reserves, safaris in KwaZulu-Natal are second-to-none.
KwaZulu-Natal self drive vacations open up big game parks and battlefields, Zulu culture and an idyllic protected coral coastline.
From endangered wildlife monitoring to community construction projects, KwaZulu Natal volunteering vacations offer a unique way to experience this vibrant South African region.
The Battlefields Region of KwaZulu-Natal is a landscape of rolling hills and grasslands over which were fought a total of 63 battles that shaped the history of South Africa.
Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal is the highest mountain range in Southern Africa and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal is the oldest nature reserve in Africa.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu Natal is the largest protected wetland in Southern Africa and was South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The food and drink of KwaZulu-Natal is a reflection of the diversity of cultures that have inhabited the city over the years.
Read insider tips and KwaZulu-Natal travel advice from our South Africa vacation experts and our travelers – from how to get the most out of your safari to discovering authentic Zulu culture.
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