South Africa guide
Incredible wildlife, diverse culture, world-beating wines - South Africa has so much appeal.
KwaZulu-Natal travel advice
Getting the most from your safari
Debby Oscroft from one of our leading KwaZulu-Natal experts, Sunway Safaris:
“The first experience in the bush is a really special time for anyone who loves the outdoors and nature. Always be as quiet as possible so as not to frighten off the wildlife. They have super-sharp hearing and senses so are easily spooked, ruining any chance of watching them interact. Always try and wear muted colours, keep movement to a minimum and no sudden movements as this will scare them away. It is a great idea to always set your camera up with the correct lens, before the game drive (if needed) and also to have your binoculars handy – bag unzipped so to further lessen any noise in taking them out.”
“The first experience in the bush is a really special time for anyone who loves the outdoors and nature. Always be as quiet as possible so as not to frighten off the wildlife. They have super-sharp hearing and senses so are easily spooked, ruining any chance of watching them interact. Always try and wear muted colours, keep movement to a minimum and no sudden movements as this will scare them away. It is a great idea to always set your camera up with the correct lens, before the game drive (if needed) and also to have your binoculars handy – bag unzipped so to further lessen any noise in taking them out.”
Our KwaZulu-Natal Vacations
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Kwa Zulu Natal self drive South Africa vacation
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Simon Mills from another of our leading KwaZulu-Natal vacation experts, Native Escapes:
Cultural advice
“A number of lodges offer entertainment with Zulu dancers from the community and try and educate guests about the traditions, but it can feel a little bit staged. We always suggest staying at lodges that are community owned or indeed contribute heavily to the local community. 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.”
Self-driving tips
"Self-driving is a brilliant way to see this vibrant area and get off the beaten track. I love driving in the Southern Hemisphere Autumn - so April and May, as the leaves turn and the days are bright and sunny. Places like the Drakensburg Mountain really come into their own then. The routes in this area and Battlefields and the Midlands are really lovely; fantastic driving and wonderful views. However, be aware the main roads heading between Durban and Richards Bay (two of Africa’s largest ports), can be busy.”
Volunteering advice
Galen Schultz from our conservation volunteering specialists in KwaZulu-Natal, WildlifeACT says:“Our ideal volunteers make the most of their experience by coming with a positive attitude, a passion for wildlife conservation, and a desire to want to help make a difference. We encourage them to get as actively involved as possible, and to also gel well with our volunteers from around the world. Very often, these experiences result in life-long friendships.”
Itinerary tips
Debby Oscroft from our experts, Sunway Safaris:“Another ‘must-do’ is walking in the Drakensberg Mountains. I had the privilege of growing up in the foothills of the Drakensberg and there is nothing quite as breathtaking as being able to walk along the trails just below these mighty peaks and take in the surrounding beauty. It is a wonderful experience for anyone who is keen on walking and enjoys nature.”
Our top KwaZulu-Natal Vacation
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Small group travel:
2023: 12 Jun, 26 Jun, 10 Jul, 24 Jul, 7 Aug, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 2 Oct, 16 Oct, 30 Oct, 13 Nov, 27 Nov, 11 Dec, 25 Dec
2024: 8 Jan, 22 Jan, 5 Feb, 19 Feb, 4 Mar, 1 Apr, 15 Apr, 29 Apr, 13 May, 27 May, 10 Jun, 24 Jun, 8 Jul, 22 Jul, 5 Aug, 19 Aug, 2 Sep, 16 Sep, 30 Sep, 14 Oct, 28 Oct, 11 Nov, 25 Nov, 9 Dec
2023: 12 Jun, 26 Jun, 10 Jul, 24 Jul, 7 Aug, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 2 Oct, 16 Oct, 30 Oct, 13 Nov, 27 Nov, 11 Dec, 25 Dec
2024: 8 Jan, 22 Jan, 5 Feb, 19 Feb, 4 Mar, 1 Apr, 15 Apr, 29 Apr, 13 May, 27 May, 10 Jun, 24 Jun, 8 Jul, 22 Jul, 5 Aug, 19 Aug, 2 Sep, 16 Sep, 30 Sep, 14 Oct, 28 Oct, 11 Nov, 25 Nov, 9 Dec
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KwaZulu-Natal advice from travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful KwaZulu-Natal travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful KwaZulu-Natal travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
Don’t panic if you don’t see the big five straight away, there are so many other animals and creatures out there that will enthral you. And don’t expect to stay on your diet – the food is superb and plentiful! ![]()
– Chris Fawcett
“Wear long trousers on the walking safari! Plenty of warm clothes and binoculars are a must.” – Ginny Jackson
“Go on every possible game drive. Every one of them was special in some way, and if we had missed a single drive, we probably would have regretted it when speaking to others on their return. As first time safari goers we didn't want to go with a checklist of what we wanted to see. We just went to see whatever Africa had to offer. We were not disappointed!” – Janet Thomas
“You need to be interested in conservation, in wildlife and in being away from the daily working life at your desk. Then you will experience a beautiful and very interesting time with so much nature that you will just forget to check your emails.” – Ilona Schultz
"You don't have to be young! Most of the promo material features young people but I'm rather too close to 70 for comfort and no-one for a second made me feel out of place or any less valued than the younger people volunteering. (The best friend I have made is in her 20s.)" – Sue Shearman
“Go on every possible game drive. Every one of them was special in some way, and if we had missed a single drive, we probably would have regretted it when speaking to others on their return. As first time safari goers we didn't want to go with a checklist of what we wanted to see. We just went to see whatever Africa had to offer. We were not disappointed!” – Janet Thomas
“You need to be interested in conservation, in wildlife and in being away from the daily working life at your desk. Then you will experience a beautiful and very interesting time with so much nature that you will just forget to check your emails.” – Ilona Schultz
"You don't have to be young! Most of the promo material features young people but I'm rather too close to 70 for comfort and no-one for a second made me feel out of place or any less valued than the younger people volunteering. (The best friend I have made is in her 20s.)" – Sue Shearman
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.
Responsible tourism in KwaZulu-Natal is being managed by Tourism KwaZulu-Natal who have developed guidelines for environmental protection, as well as socio-cultural and economic policies for tourism businesses.
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