- Gingindlovu
British soldiers called it ‘Gin gin I love you’. The name is Zulu and means ’the swallower of the elephant’. Go here just to stay at Inyezane.
- Eshowe
Eshowe has a quiet, colonial feel to it that reflects graceful feelings of yesteryear. It’s almost as though time slowed down here and the town has not quite reached this century.
- Mtunzini
Mtunzini is a quiet coastal town blessed by nature and with a colourful history. It is 132km from Durban and a great place to get into the heart of Zululand culture.
- Kwambonambi
Meaning “the place where chiefs gather”, Kwabonambi is a little town in the middle of nowhere which makes a good base for exploration into the surrounding areas and its game parks, wetlands, rivers and coastline.
- Mtubatuba
Matubatuba is just off the N2, this little town is a convenient stop over between reserves. it is located only 25km from St Lucia.
- St Lucia
St Lucia is a cool town. It’s got everything you need to have heaps of fun but is surrounded by so much wilderness that you can walk out of a bar door and into a hippo... The best time to visit St Lucia is in winter when it is cooler.
- Sodwana Bay
This is one of South Africa's premier dive sites.
- Hluhluwe
Hluhluwe has three backpackers surrounding the park. The main attraction here is the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi game reserve which is an incredible piece of nature that teems with game. The big five are prolific.
- Kosi Bay
Kosi Bay is a unique and magnificently varied eco-system ranging between lake wetlands and marine coastal reserve. There is a great backpackers in the village.
- MkuzeKZN
This is probably the best base you could choose for exploring Maputaland, and area rich in unexploited wilderness where local people still live according to generations of traditon.
Ballito and Shaka's Rock
The bay is just half an hour from Durbs, has all the restaurants, cinemas and social paraphernalia you could need and is a lovely place to spend a few days.
Around Ballito Bay
Ballito is to be found half an hour north of Durban.
Ballito Bay is playground to bottlenose dolphins and whales year round. Her stunning beaches are protected by shark nets and have excellent surfing, swimming and diving.
The bay has all the restaurants, cinemas and social paraphernalia you could need and is a lovely place to spend a few days.
There is one backpackers in Ballito.
Places to Stay
- Monkey Bay Backpackers
Close to Durban International airport, the beach, shops and Ballito's funky nightlife.
- The Secret Spot
This Ballito backpackers is hidden away in the trees above Shaka's Rock beach, this is close to a surf spot of note.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Nestled at the foot of the magnificent Langeberg Mountains, Swellendam Backpackers is set on a massive property with its own mountain stream.
(Swellendam,Overberg )
Adventurous lodge and camping safaris at great prices.
(Johannesburg,)
A comfy, fun spot.
(Stormsriver,Garden Route)
Wild Spirit backpackers lodge just outside of Plettenberg Bay, is a wonderful place to stay at.
(Nature's Valley,Garden Route)
Small group safaris throughout Southern Africa.
(Maputo,)
Studying Linguists and Backpackers tune into this Cape Town jazz vibe
(Sea Point,Cape Town)
The Roc ‘n Rope Lodge hosts climbers from around the world
(Waterval Boven,Mpumalanga)
Take a game ranger's course or volunteer at this private reserve.
(Port Elizabeth,Garden Route)
Self catering backpackers lodge built next to a dam overlooking the Swartberg Mountains
(Oudtshoorn,Garden Route)
This is the Rolls Royce of all bungy jumps. And at 216m it’s the highest too. Ask any backpackers hostel in the area for more info and bookings.
(Bloukrans,Garden Route)
