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Kwazulu-Natal -The Mountain
Kingdom
KwaZulu-Natal was sighted by Vasco da Gama
on the Christmas of 1497 and he named it Terra Natalis. It
was much later settled by the British traders in 1823 and
the Boers in 1836. Natal became a separate colony after 1856
and in 1910 it was made a province. It was formerly known
as Natal but was renamed KwaZulu-Natal in 1994 to acknowledge
the Zulu population. Zulu speakers are the largest population
in KwaZulu-Natal province followed by the Indian-Asian.
The province has two capitals -Pietermaritzburg
and Ulundi. Durban is the largest city and the other cities
are Empangeni, Kokstad, Ladysmith, Newcastle, Port Shepstone,
Richards Bay, KwaDukuza, Tongaat and Vryheid. It has three
geographic areas: the lowland region along Indian Ocean Coast,
plains in the central section and the two mountain area- the
Drakensberg and the Lebombo Mountains.
The warm sub tropical climate of the region
is tourist friendly. Winters are warm, dry and clear with
average temperatures of 23 ºC, with occasional frost
in the interior and snowfalls in the mountainous areas. The
summers are hot and humid with annual rainfalls and average
temperatures of 28 ºC.
KwaZulu-Natal lies in South Africa's eastern
coast with rich diversity of nature and scenery adventure,
beach destinations, vigorous Zulu culture and mixture of historical
richness. The province is set against a colourful backdrop
of sun, sea, mountains and sky with great tourist destinations.
Some of the places of interest are the Makhosini Valley -the
birth place of the Zulu nation and home of King Shaka where
he conquered the Ndwandwe people. Also delight in its museums,
parks and game reserves with diverse wildlife across the savannah
planes and activities like fishing, bird watching, hiking,
camping & scuba diving; uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park with
its dramatic mountains, breathtaking basalt cliffs overlooking
the forests and scenic waterfalls.
Shakaland is a Zulu traditional homestead
worth visiting to explore the cultures of South Africa for
first hand experience of the local customs. Accommodation
ranges from game lodges, seasonal cottages, floating lake
chalets and Zulu homesteads. The KwaZulu-Natal beaches offer
plenty of relaxation and sports opportunities for family and
individual outings.
Durban
When Vasco da Gama arrived in the bay of Durban
in 1497, Christmas day, he named the bay Rio de Natal which
was renamed Durban after the Cape Governor -Sir Benjamin Durban.
The British and Voortrekkers fought for the supremacy over
the Natal after the defeat of the Zulu. In 1844, Natal was
incorporated into the cape colony. It is located on the South-eastern
seaboard of South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province. It lines
the Indian Ocean coast to the east and borders the Drakensberg
Mountains to the west.
Durban's International Airport is located
15km south of the city centre and provides flights for international,
regional, domestic and charter destinations. Most departures
and arrivals are via Johannesburg or Cape Town, there are
no many intercontinental flights direct to, or from Durban.
Entry permit are issued free on arrival to visitors on holiday
from most Western European and many Common wealth countries.
In Durban, Indian-Asian community contributes
to the enhancement of the cultural mix of KwaZulu-Natal. Most
of them settled here because their forefathers worked for
the sugarcane fields. A bigger part of the Natal is populated
by the north Nguni or Zulu and the common spoken languages
are Zulu, Afrikaans, Hindi, Arabic, Gujurati, Xhosa and English.
Some of the other languages used in Durban are German, Greek,
Italian, Portuguese and French because of the immigrants in
the city. The major industries in Durban are mining (platinum,
gold, and chromium), automobile assembly, metal working, machinery,
textile, iron & steel, chemicals, fertilizer and food
industries.
The economy of Durban started growing from
1860 when the Indian Asians came to Natal as workers in sugar
production and building of the railway link between the sugar
growing areas and the Port of Durban. Since then Durban has
established herself as an entertainment centre for visitors:
world class international convection centres which cater for
major conferences; uShaka marine world themed with African
imagery, a retail village, water slides and access to uShaka
beach; Grey street -the place to enjoy spicy local food &
textiles from South Asia -India;
Botanical gardens with an orchid house, collection
of cycads and special garden for the blind; the old port-remains
of fort where British were besieged by Boer forces in 1842;
Snake & Umgeni River Bird Park and other parks like Greater
St. Lucia Wetland & Ukhahlamba Drakensberg parks. Wilson's
Wharf ought to be in your 'places to visit list', it overlooks
the Durban Harbour and the Natal Royal Yacht Club.
You can make your stay in Durban very interesting!
The city has many shopping centres, chain stores, factories,
supermarkets and small stalls to buy anything that meets your
needs. Shopping centres with a variety of items to choose
from ranging from art & craft to souvenirs of Durban and
KwaZulu-Natal, up-market Restaurants with exotic seafood and
romantic atmosphere, spices, and so much more.
Durban is a sporting paradise with superb
sporting facilities and sunny climate good for sporting extravaganza.
Some of the sports include horse riding; mountain biking;
rugby; shooting; ski- boating; scuba; diving; waterslide;
snorkelling and many more. Also venture into abseiling, fishing,
swimming and also the adventurous steam and mini trains. Museums,
art galleries and the cultural attractions of Durban unveil
the history, and beauty of the land, its people and its surroundings.
Durban enjoys an average subtropical weather:
hot and humid summers with summer rains and thunderstorms
in the afternoon, and mild winters; warm enough to enjoy a
beach holiday. The equatorial current of the Indian Ocean
is source of the warm water flowing south-west through the
Mozambique Channel. The temperature range from16 ºC and
25 ºC during winter -June, July and August, but during
summer the temperature can rise to highs of 35 ºC. Light
clothing is recommended during the summer while in winter
warm clothing is necessary especially in the evening.
Durban waterfront gives memorable and remarkable
holiday experience as you join the fishing community or take
a walk along the bathing beaches that stretch Addington to
the Country Club Blue Lagoon. The beach meets tourism requirements
for it has turned in to one big pleasure park. Durban's beachfront
is a cultural experience which all visitors can't miss. You
will find holidaying families, the sea with yacht clubs and
commercial harbour, BAT centre-cultural venue, exiting shopping
experience and cruise liners. Durban beach is often referred
to as South Africa's Miami Beach and has five star luxury
and pocket friendly hotels.
Durban has diverse and stylish accommodation
establishments to suite every need, whether up-market hotels,
luxurious and elegant lodges & resorts, private self-catering
apartments, funky taverns and cosy inns.
The Zulu kingdom -Durban is a holiday destination quite unlike
any other with thrilling adventures.
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