Tourism Update asked readers to submit hidden gems in KwaZulu Natal. We’ve rounded up some of the best ideas.
1. Munster Village, South Coast
“Munster Village on the South Coast is an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Durban. This gem has an amazing beach with a shipwreck only a 1km walk from the main beach. The movie, Blue Crush 2, was filmed on this beach. There is lots of accommodation available at very reasonable prices, in and out of season.”
Tyne van der Merwe, Marketing Co-ordinator for Sprout Consulting, Durban.
2. Berghouse & Cottages
“Berghouse & Cottages in the northern Drakensberg offers lovely cottages with fantastic views of the Amphitheatre. Breakfast and dinner, consisting of fresh and filling country fare, are served on your private veranda. There are dogs and miniature horses on the farm, hiking trails on your doorstep and the Drakensberg is a stone’s throw away.”
Katarina Mancama, Founder of My Slow Journey, Pretoria.
3. Splashy Fen
“This annual festival boasts international talent and attracts visitors from all over the country. The event takes place in the summer and it has become a splashy ‘tradition’ that it rains each time the festival takes place, which means mud everywhere – all part of the fun. Cost is about R600 per person and increases slightly each year. It is also close to the coast, so ideal for extending your holiday and spending a couple days by the beach.”
Wendy McFarlane, Marketing Officer for UniVision, Pretoria.
4. Markets of Warwick
“Meet and greet the local traders in the Bovine Head Market, Early Morning Market, Music Bridge Market, Berea Station Market, Brook Street Market, Mpepho and Lime Market, Bead Market, Victoria Street Market and Herb Market! Warwick Junction lies on the edge of the Durban's inner-city and is the primary public transport interchange in the city. On an average day, the area accommodates 460 000 commuters and at least 6 000 street vendors. At the Markets of Warwick, between 5 000 and 8 000 vendors trade in nine distinct markets. Currently this is the only informal structured market of this magnitude in a public space, and thus establishes itself as the single most authentic African market that South Africa has to offer.”
Dale, Business Executive for Chavonnes Battery, Clock Tower, V&A.
5. Aliwal Shoal
Caption: Photo by Oceans Africa.
“Just half an hour south of Durban lies one of the top 10 dive spots on earth in Aliwal Shoal. Located 5km off the coast near the little seaside town of Umkomaas on the South Coast of KwaZulu Natal, it is home to some spectacular marine life. Shoals of the reasonably docile Ragged-tooth shark are found here between July and December (no divers have ever been attacked by this species), as well as an array of fish, turtles, dolphins and whales. The coral reef, which is a marine protected area, boasts a spectacular hole called The Cathedral, as well as various scenic spots along the 5km stretch and the wrecks of two ships.”
Leonard Kgomo, Contracting and Product Development Specialist for Welcome Tourism Services, Sandton.
6. Battlefields of KwaZulu Natal
“If you are interested in learning about some of the bloodiest battles fought on South African soil between the British, the Dutch-born Boers and the Zulu nation, then head for the famous Battlefields Route in KwaZulu Natal. Home to more than 82 battlefields, as well as museums, forts and memorials, this route takes visitors through a selection of war sites in different periods. The best way to explore is by choosing a specific war or period and then following the relevant route to see the historic sights. The more famous battles include Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, and these routes, as well as the others, are best explored with an experienced guide.”
Leonard Kgomo, Contracting and Product Development Specialist for Welcome Tourism Services, Sandton.
