One of the best things about travelling South Africa is that each of it’s nine provinces/regions are different. This is what makes traveling South Africa so fun! You don’t need to go far to experience something different. Whether you live in South Africa or are traveling to South Africa, I encourage you to explore more than one province. In this post. let’s focus on the top attractions in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. I’ll keep adding places to visit in KZN to this list.
Similar posts: Top attractions in Eastern Cape
Golden Mile, Durban
Let’s start this list of top attractions in KwaZulu-Natal in Durban. The Golden Mile is a stretch of beach from Shaka Marine World to Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. There is a wide paved walkway lined with palm trees, restaurants and good vibes. The ocean is on one side with restaurants and tall buildings on the other. Paired with Durban’s all year warm weather, The Golden Mile has a vibe that puts you in a summer holiday spirit.
This is a lively area of Durban that is one of the most popular places to visit in KZN amongst locals and tourists. The Golden Mile is already busy by morning because people flock here for their daily cycling, jogging or walking before the scorching afternoon heat. If you aren’t a morning person, spend the afternoon at the beach and enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants here. A must have while in Durban is the bunny chow – try one at California Dreaming restaurant along the Golden Mile.
Moses Mabhida stadium
You may be wondering why I would include a stadium in the top attractions in KwaZulu-Natal. Besides the fact that it is architecturally impressive and stunning, there are a number of activities at Moses Mabhida stadium such as the big rush (a free fall jump from the top of the stadium), a sky car to the top and cycling tours.
Another top activity to do at Moses Mabhida Stadium is the Segway tour. If you don’t know what a Segway is, it has two wheels and you ride it while standing upright. You use your body to direct it forwards and backwards and you use the handle to steer it left and right.
Unlike cycling, it requires only a small amount of effort to ride a Segway and you move at up to 18km/h. Because of this, you’re able to cover a large distance within the 45min Segway tour duration. With a guide leading the way, tour Durban’s Golden Mile.
The highlights of the Segway tour from Moses Mabhida are riding down one of the ocean piers and past Sunken Garden.
Isimangaliso Wetland Park
Isimangaliso Wetland Park is a World Heritage Site located on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, 240 km from Durban. It is a huge protected area with only the Kruger National Park being larger than it is in South Africa.
You may have heard of St Lucia as it’s one of the top vacation spots in KZN. St Lucia is the name of the main lake at Isimangaliso Wetland Park. It is only one of the 10 jewels that make up Isimangaliso Wetland Park. They 10 jewels are:
- Coastal Forest – unspoilt beaches
- Eastern Shores & Cape Vidal – game viewing and beach combination
- False Bay – hiking trails
- Kosi Bay – 4 lakes
- Lake Sibaya – home to South Africa’s second largest hippo population
- Lake St Lucia – the heart of Isimangaliso Wetland Park
- Maphelane – South Africa’s highest negated dune
- Sodwana Bay – top diving destination
- uMkhuze – game park
- Western Shores & Charters Creek – game park
USHAKA MARINE WORLD
UShaka Marine World is located in Durban at the end of the Golden Mile. It’s an impressive and well maintained water theme park that is fun for the whole family.
The aquarium, water slides and restaurants are enough to keep you busy for a full day so start your visit early in the day. If you are brave, go on the highest waterslide in Africa – It’s called The Drop Zone and is 18 metres high! The extra adventurous adrenaline junkies will be excited to know that you can go shark cage diving at uShaka Marine World.
Nelson Mandela Capture Site
Nelson Mandela Capture Site is where a monument in commemoration of Nelson Mandela’s capture stands. This famous sculpture was created by Marco Cianfanelli and Jeremy Rose. It’s made up of 50 metal beams that, when looked at from 40m away, form a portrait of Nelson Mandela. It’s open daily from 8:30am till 4/5pm.
You may have come across images of the Nelson Mandela Capture Site before and wondered where it is. This monument is located in Howick, just off of the N3 highway, 107km from Durban.This impressive artwork as well as the on site Apartheid Museum have become a top attraction in KwaZulu-Natal and a popular stop for road trippers traveling along the N3.
Drakensberg
Being a coastal province, KwaZulu-Natal is well known for it’s warm beaches such as those in ever popular Durban. However, do not allow yourself to miss out on the mountain ranges in KwaZulu-Natal! On every list of top attractions in KwaZulu-Natal are the Drakensberg Mountains.
Visit the Royal Natal National Park to experience Tugela Falls waterfall as well as the famous Drakensberg Amphitheatre. Tugela Falls is the second highest waterfall in the world. You can access the top of the falls by completely a tough but scenic hike. Throughout the hike, you are rewarded with far stretching views of the mountains that give you an everlasting appreciation for the natural beauty of KwaZulu-Natal.
Related article: Helpful tips for your hike to Tugela Falls
To navigate the Drakensberg by air, enjoy the Drakensberg Canopy Tour which is located in central Drakensberg. This guided tour is a great way to have fun and learn about your surroundings at the same time.
Umhlanga
Umhlanga is a town located 17km north of Durban. Here you will find beaches, luxury hotels and one of South Africa’s largest malls – Gateway Theatre of Shopping. Unique entertainment at Gateway include Snow Wonderland (a snow park) and be.UP Park (an indoor trampoline park). A lessor known attraction in Umhlanga is Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve. This is a beautiful place to enjoy quiet and free walking trails in nature.
Oribi Gorge
If you are looking for an adventure packed, outdoor travel experience, visit Oribi Gorge which is located on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal and 120 km from Durban.
What initially caught my attention about Oribi Gorge were images of people seated on the Leopard Rock which is an overhanging ledge that makes one look as though they are floating within the mountainous backdrop. This famous rock is located at a coffee shop called Leapard Rock Coffee Shop.
If you are wondering where to go to experience outdoor activities in Oribi Gorge, the answer is Lake Eland Game Reserve. They offer game drives, paint ball, horse rides, zip lining, hiking and more outdoor activities.
This is great read and very informative too. 😊🖤 I’m from KZN but have not seen most of these places except for the experiences in Durban. So, in my next trips, I will try a few since they are far apart.
Hi Ayanda 🙂 I’m super happy to hear that! You have a lot to look forward to
This great and truly captures the best that KZN has to offer. I also had no idea where the Nelson Mandela capture site was.