7 Reasons to Visit KwaZulu Natal

Kwazulu-Natal counts the continents oldest game reserve, Hluhluwe – iMfolozi, among its abundance of wilderness parks. The home of Operation Rhino in the 1950s and the 1960’s, this most wondrous of national parks has been widely credited with saving the white rhino from the brink of extinction. The sad fact, however, is that rhino poaching continues to this day, although the numbers have been dwindling. From 222 rhinos poached in 2017 to 76 poached this year, there is a moderate success in as far as apprehending poachers are concerned, the brave fight continues.

Wildlife holidays in Kwazulu-Natal goes well beyond viewing just the Big 5. Boasting a coral-fringed coastline, these magical waters are home to some of the most bio-diverse waters in the world. Within this watery wonder world, you will find a multitude of colourful fish, reef sharks, manta rays of various kinds, and should the gods of good fortune smile upon you the occasional migrating Humpback and Southern Right whale might cross your path. One of the world’s largest marine migrations, the Sardine Run, is a seasonal occurrence and creates a feeding frenzy of sharks, dolphins and sea birds.

Should you, however, prefer to place your feet firmly on terra firma, a kaleidoscope of colour and even a wider abundance of natural life awaits you. Birdwatching, that noble and some would say most honourable of sports is catered for on a grandiose scale.  The dramatic landscape, home to over 670 species, makes this province a true birders dream. Should you head to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and also the Elephant Coast, you will come across a huge range of various birdlife. Its wetlands and estuaries shelter waterbirds, including flamingos, storks and pelicans – while game reserves such as uMkhuze and Ndumo offer sightings of Woodward’s batis and Neergord’s sunbirds. Should you choose to venture even further, the Drakensberg Mountains offer yet another level of birding experience. Various eagles, buzzards and vultures are found amongst her rocky outcrops.

A further consideration for the true wildlife lover is the opportunity to get involved with conservation volunteering. You can disappear into the African bush and immerse yourself in the knowledge that you are making a definite difference. From research to monitoring populations of cheetah, rhino, leopards and others, to taking part in game drives that focus on radio-tracking a wide variety of species. However, do keep in mind that this is not a free safari, but an actual work experience and that you will be assisting with permanent research teams. You might also be asked to get involved in ongoing community outreach projects.

For those who would like to experience the African bush but still prefer seeing it as a tourist, be assured there are many many 4x4 guided safari tours to be had. Guided game drives in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is one of your options. Early morning drives in open-sided jeeps are really the only way to experience this continent waking up to her full splendour. However, be warned, the winter months from July to September can be quite chilly, but nothing a few layers of warm clothing won’t be able to take care of. The experience of seeing the sunrise, the crispness of the morning air combined with the palpable excitement of a new day dawning will remain amongst your fondest memories.