- 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)
This Cape Town backpackers hostel is over the road from the V&A Waterfront.
(Green Point,Cape Town)
Wanna bungeeeeee? But don't know how to get there? Get the Bungy Bus.
(Claremont,Garden Route)
Set just outside Durban, Blue Sky Mining is interesting and an unusual place with awesome views.
(Warner Beach,South Coast)
Ansteys Beach Backpackers is just a short walk from the world famous “Cave Rock” surf break. The perfect place to stay at in Durban if you are after waves and beaches.
(Durban ,Durban)
Established in 1994, Bundu has now joined Intrepid Travel and offers safaris and tours worldwide.
(Various,Botswana)
Safaris leaving from Gauteng and travelling to Victoria Falls via Botswana.
(Victoria Falls,Zimbabwe and Zambia)
Learn to surf in J'bay.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)
House on the Hill offers luxurious accommodation at backpacker rates.
(Green Point,Cape Town)
Sleepy? Naah. Hint…this Pietermaritzburg backpackers has the website address wylderide…
(Pietermaritzburg,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
Travel South Africa and the world as a backpacker with awareness!
(Pretoria City,Pretoria)
