Must-see attractions in KwaZulu-Natal

  • KwaZulu-Natal Museum

    KwaZulu-Natal

    This impressive museum has a range of well-curated displays reflecting a diversity of cultures, including settler history, war records, stuffed birds and…

  • Durban skyline including Moses Mabhida stadium, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

    Moses Mabhida Stadium

    Durban

    Durbanites are proud of their state-of-the-art stadium, constructed for the 2010 World Cup. Resembling a giant basket, it seats 56,000 people, and its…

  • Toddler and mother looking at fish in a large aquarium, Ushaka, Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

    uShaka Marine World

    Durban

    Divided into areas including Sea World and Wet’n’Wild, uShaka Marine World boasts one of the largest aquariums in the world, the biggest collection of…

  • Campbell Collections

    Durban

    These collections are well worth seeing. Muckleneuk, a superb house designed by Sir Herbert Baker, holds the documents and artefacts collected by Dr…

  • Tatham Art Gallery

    KwaZulu-Natal

    In keeping with Pietermaritzburg’s self-styled role as a heritage city, one of its finest sights, the art gallery, was started in 1903 by Mrs Ada Tatham…

  • Nelson Mandela Capture Site

    KwaZulu-Natal

    On 5 August 1962, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was captured by apartheid police on the R103 outside of Howick. This would mark the start of his 27 years of…

  • Durban Botanic Gardens

    Durban

    A 2000-sq-metre garden featuring one of the rarest cycads (Encephalartos woodii), as well as many species of bromeliad, this is a lovely place to wander…

  • Phansi Museum

    Durban

    Found southwest of the city centre, this museum features a private collection of Southern African tribal artefacts, displayed in Roberts House, a…

  • Graves at the Talana museum in Dundee, the site of the first battle of the Anglo Boer War on 20 October 1899.

    Talana Heritage Park & Battlefield

    KwaZulu-Natal

    Talana means ‘the shelf where precious items are stored’ – strangely appropriate for this excellent battlefield site turned heritage park. There are…

  • Umtamvuna Nature Reserve

    KwaZulu-Natal

    This reserve is on a gorge on the Umtamvuna River (which forms part of the border with Eastern Cape). This beautiful dense forest has great nature walks,…

  • Bay of Plenty Beach

    Durban

    At the heart of the beachfront along Durban's Golden Mile. Popular with sunbathers and beach-sports enthusiasts.

  • Ithala Game Reserve

    KwaZulu-Natal

    Although it's not as well known as other reserves in the province, a trip to Ithala should be on the itinerary of anyone who is looking for spectacular…

  • Lake Eland Game Reserve

    KwaZulu-Natal

    The reserve has over 40 species of animal and 200 bird species. You can head off on a self-drive (R60 per person) or a wildlife drive (R250 per person,…

  • Fort Nongqayi Museum Village

    KwaZulu-Natal

    Based around three-turreted Fort Nongqayi, the museum village also includes the Zululand Historical Museum, with artefacts and Victoriana; the excellent…

  • Luthuli Museum

    KwaZulu-Natal

    A tribute to Chief Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli – president of the ANC from 1952 and Africa’s first recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace (1960) for his…

  • Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve

    KwaZulu-Natal

    This awe-inspiring gorge is known for its dizzying scenery and family-friendly activities. There are plenty of walking trails, birdwatching opportunities…

  • Rorke’s Drift Battlefield

    KwaZulu-Natal

    Rorke’s Drift Orientation Centre, on the site of the original mission station, is an impressive museum, especially for fans of the film Zulu. The Zulu…

  • Ardmore Ceramic Studio

    KwaZulu-Natal

    This extraordinary gallery was started by artist Fée Halset-Berning in 1985. She trained Bonnie Ntshalintsahli, the daughter of a farm employee. Sadly,…

  • Natal Sharks Board

    KwaZulu-Natal

    This research institute is dedicated to studying sharks, specifically in relation to their danger to humans. There are audiovisual presentations and shark…

  • Temple of Understanding

    Durban

    Situated in Durban’s west, this is the biggest Hare Krishna temple in the southern hemisphere. The unusual building is designed in the shape of a lotus…

  • Raffia Palm Monument

    KwaZulu-Natal

    Raphia Australis palms were first planted here in 1916 from seeds. The idea was to use the palm fibres to make brooms for the prison service, but, as the…

  • Dlinza Forest Reserve

    KwaZulu-Natal

    When war approached, King Shaka is said to have hidden his wives in the thick swath of forest that now makes up this 2-sq-km reserve. There is prolific…

  • Blood River Heritage Site

    KwaZulu-Natal

    The Blood River battle site is marked by a full-scale bronze re-creation of the Boers' 64-wagon laager (an encampment fortified by a circle of wagons),…

  • Gandhi Settlement

    Durban

    An often forgotten gem of Durban's historic past lies just outside the city in the Phoenix township. Here you can visit the house where Mahatma Gandhi…

  • Vasco da Gama Clock

    Durban

    This florid Victorian monument on the embankment, just east of Stalwart Simelane St, was presented by the Portuguese government in 1897 to mark the 400th…

  • Dargle Valley Pottery

    KwaZulu-Natal

    Started by famous South African potter Ian Glenny, this old-school, ‘70s-style pottery place is at the earthy and rural end of Ardmore's range of arts…

  • Siege Museum

    KwaZulu-Natal

    This museum, next to the town hall in the old Market House (built 1884), which was used to store rations during the Anglo-Boer War siege, may be small but…

  • King Shaka Visitor Centre

    KwaZulu-Natal

    The King Shaka Visitor Centre is worth visiting for limited but clear historical and chronological information about Shaka and his kingdom. Inside you'll…

  • Wilson’s Wharf

    Durban

    This once-hip waterside development is now a little tired, but it’s the best place to get a view of Durban’s harbour and its activities. The harbour is…

  • Umlalazi Nature Reserve

    KwaZulu-Natal

    This reserve has walking trails through the pretty dune and forest ecosystems and is great for birders. Visit the Indaba Tree, where John Dunn held his…

  • Isandlwana Battlefield

    KwaZulu-Natal

    The Isandlwana Visitors Centre has a small museum; the entrance fee includes the battlefield. The battlefield itself is extremely evocative. White cairns…

  • Ncome Museum

    KwaZulu-Natal

    The important Ncome Museum offers the Zulu perspective of the Battle of Blood River, as well as other other conflicts between the Zulu and Boers. The…

  • Spirit of Emakhosini Monument

    KwaZulu-Natal

    This monument comprises a massive bronze Zulu beer pot, surrounded by 18 bronze reliefs depicting Zulu life, and seven large horns symbolising the seven…

  • Umgeni River Bird Park

    Durban

    Found on the Umgeni River, north of the centre, this bird park makes for a relaxing escape from the throng. You can see many African bird species in lush…

  • KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden

    KwaZulu-Natal

    Spread over 4200 sq metres, these gardens have exotic species and indigenous mist-belt flora. Guided tours are offered on weekdays and there's a weekly…

  • Blue Lagoon Beach

    Durban

    This playful beach once had a reputation for being dangerous, but after an extensive revamp it's now a haven for families. There are playgrounds, food…

  • St Paul’s Church

    Durban

    On the eastern side of the main post office you’ll find a square with an old vicarage and the 1909 St Paul’s Church.

  • Addington Beach

    Durban

    This popular beach is located beside uShaka Marine World. It's good for swimming and popular with families.

  • Dairy Beach

    Durban

    Consistent waves due to a good beach break make this a hot surfing spot on Durban's Golden Mile.

  • uShaka Beach

    Durban

    The somewhat sheltered beach at uShaka Marine World marks the southern end of the Golden Mile.

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