- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Close to the great indigenous tropical Dlinza Forest, Eshowe was once home to Zulu kings and the legendary John Dunn - hunter, trader, explorer, soldier, statesman, white chief of Zululand and husband to 48 Zulu wives.
Attractions include "The Fort" (Zululand’s historical museum), the Vukani (woven craft) Collection, the forest boardwalk, Mpusheni Falls, Martyr's Cross, the Norwegian mission station and Shakaland.
Eshowe was once home to the legendary John Dunn - hunter, trader, explorer, soldier, statesman, white chief of Zululand and husband to 48 Zulu wives. Visit “The Fort” (Zululand’s historical museum), the Vukani (woven craft) Collection, the forest boardwalk, Mpusheni Falls, Martyr's Cross, the Norwegian mission station and Shakaland.
It’s said that “Eshowe” is the sound of the wind sighing through the forests that surround the town. Nice thought but the name more likely comes from shrubs which are prolific to the area and called “showe” or “shongwe” by the Zulus.
Places to Stay
- Zululand Backpackers
Situated in a wing of the George Hotel, Zululand Backpackers offers comfortable good value for money accommodation.
What to do
- Chennells Volunteer Projects
Volunteer and help rural children.
- Zululand Eco-Adventures
Think of a cultural tour in Zululand and they probably offer it - or something like it.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
They pride themselves on being a friendly little place (with a very long name - Battlefields Backpackers International is their full title).
(The Battlefields,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
Centrally located in Maputo, Fatima's is Mozambique's longest running backpackers hostel.
(Maputo,Mozambique)
The Baz Bus Cape Peninsula tours offer a run really fun day trip to Cape Point which includes cycling, a bit of hiking and a picnic.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
Ashanti backpackers is one of Cape Town's biggest hostels. They are a Cape Town backpackers which is busy, organised and knowledgeable and have a great building in a good location near the city centre of Cape Town.
(Cape Town City Bowl,Cape Town)
This Backpackers is where you can kick back and relax under the big amber tree...
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
Walk, hike or drive to the wild side of being in the Middle of Nowhere
(Lubanzi,Wild Coast)
Deep in the mountains, Sani Lodge Backpackers offers a laid-back and relaxed base from which to enjoy the wonders of the Berg.
(Southern Drakensberg,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
Tours in Durban and out in the bush and mountains.
(Durban ,Durban)
Adventurous lodge and camping safaris at great prices.
(Johannesburg,)
Fairy Knowe is a Wilderness backpackers which is set on an old rambling farm with masses of space, horses, dogs and birds, overlooking the wetlands.
(Wilderness,Garden Route)
