Zululand

A brief Introduction to Zululand, South Africa: Savage Splendour and the People of Heaven

zululand - Zulu women Evocative of grandeur as Zululand surely is - conjuring up images of noble culture, magnificent wildlife and fabulous surroundings - nothing compares to first- hand experience of our Kingdom's heartland...via ultra- modern, efficient infrastructures. Once a magnet for the tall ships, dhows and caravans of early imperialists, seafaring opportunists and fortune-hunters, this great wealth of earthly beauty and resources is now firmly established as one of the world's most protected places. An extensive network of expertly-run Nature Reserves and Game Parks, plus a vast and multi- faceted World Heritage Site, ensure not only our flora and fauna's abundant future, but absolute delight for today's outdoor-loving traveller... and those to follow.

Zululand traditional village For these sanctuaries give refuge to several hundred bird species sixty per cent - of South Africa's total - in addition to many antelope variants and, of course, our much- vaunted Big Five...lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Not that the hippo is insignificant, the cheetah lacking in grace or the giraffe vertically- challenged! Glancing seawards from pristine sand dunes before the snorkel - or scuba-adventure of a lifetime, a likely reward is yet another awesome sight - giant and gentle whales plying their way north to breed...or returning south to feed.

a zulu woman in Zululand Woven into this exhilarating fabric of nature-at-large are fascinating opportunities to be immersed in vibrant, living culture...and gain insights into our somewhat turbulent past. The powerful Zulu nation was forged amid this splendour...involved itself in a short, bloody conflict with Boer settlers...then traded battle scars with British soldiers during the year-long Anglo-Zulu War. Historic military landmarks also bear witness to several major campaigns of the Anglo-Boer War that followed.

Zululand's northeast quadrant - between Mozambique, Swaziland and the warm Indian Ocean - has its own unique tale to tell. This is Maputaland...named after the mid-17th century king who established dominion here some 200 years before Shaka consolidated his Zulu empire to the south. Geologically one-of-a-kind, Maputaland's raw and rugged beauty is defined by no less than 21 different eco- systems... arguably the most timeless treasure of the entire African continent.

From luxury game lodge, floating chalet or beach camp...on foot or horseback...by canoe or 4x4...these unforgettable adventures beckon with open arms. As do your proud hosts...the People of Heaven. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Zululand - a detailed overview: History, Mystery & Startling Beauty

Zululand - traditional dance Not that an auspicious omen is prerequisite to enjoying the holiday experience of a lifetime, but when your odyssey begins with crossing a river appropriately called Thukela - The Startling One - there's no doubt that extraordinary adventures lie ahead. Which is exactly what happens when heading north from the metropolitan buzz of Durban along the shore-hugging highway into our Kingdom's heartland. British soldiers of the Anglo-Zulu War were surprised when they invaded Zululand at this spot in 1879...and not only by the fierce resistance they encountered from spear-wielding regiments. Museum- held letters extol the 'vast, majestic beauty alive with fantastically-plumed birds and the great beasts of Africa'. The hostilities are Zululand history and culture long gone - memories of that historic incursion linger at the Fort Pearson National Monument - but the surroundings are as inspiring as ever... as evinced by an altogether different kind of National Monument. This lies beyond the industrial tourism of Mandini and historically-important Gingindlovu at the nearby coastal resort town of Mtunzini. Meaning 'Place in the Shade', this unspoilt eco-tourism centre boasts giant raphia palms which attract equally- rare and protected palmnut vultures. Adjacent to Mtunzini's tranquil dune forests, wetland and golden beaches lies the Umlalazi Nature Reserve, a vast area of coastal forest surrounding a beautiful lagoon and pristine mangrove swamps. This area's winter butterfly migration is a world-famous and much-photographed riot of fluttering colour. Continuing north, the road veers slightly inland through waving cane fields of sugar country to Empangeni and its landmarks of Zulu military history. The museum housed in this agricultural centre s Town Hall provides fascinating insights into Zulu culture and the lives of pioneering sugar barons. Contemporary artists are well-represented alongside the reminders of previous epochs.

Cultural tourism is inextricably linked to economic upliftment in Zululand, and previously disadvantaged communities are applying their traditional skills to meet visitor's interests. Most of our tourist destinations offer insightful opportunities to experience living Zulu culture at first hand - township tours present the vibrancy of modern urban life, complete with 'lunch and a pint' at the local, music-fuelled shebeen...while timeless rural living is equally accessible. Spend a few days as honorary village resident sleeping...in a mud and thatch hut, sampling indigenous cuisine, seeing your future revealed in a throw of the bones, learning the language of the beads and, of course, uncovering the mysteries of the drums. Due east of Empangeni is the Tuzi Gazi Coast...a name derived from twin rivers flowing into the sea at Richards Bay. A fascinating blend of industrial-,eco- and cultural-tourism, this harbour city offers all the implied delights of a beachfront mini-metropolis in the midst of a nature- lover s dream. North of evergreen and ever-warm Richards Bay - beyond the game park and aquatic birds of the small, picturesque Enseleni Nature Reserve - swampy plains dominate the landscape before you encounter another of Zululand's great waterways - the Umfolozi 'River of Fibres' and the accommodation-filled Mtubatuba. Conveniently situated between Big Five territory and a wonder of the natural world, this thriving regional centre makes an ideal 'base camp' for the time-constrained visitor seeking only brief forays into the surrounding magic.

Zululand customs and culture To its west lies the massive Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, 96 000 scenic hectares of rugged hills, river valley, woodland and savannah. This most famous of Zululand's game reserves is home to black and white rhino, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, hippo, wild dog, giraffe, zebra, warthog and a wide array of antelope. An added bonus to the park is a 'welcoming committee' of school children performing the Songs of Zululand...with detailed explanation courtesy of their teachers! East of Mtubatuba is the village of St Lucia, the southernmost entry to an unsurpassed ecological treasure and World Heritage Site - the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. This quarter-million hectare wonderland of five distinct eco-systems is fronted by 80-plus kilometres of sublime coastline...from Mapelane north to Sodwana Bay, via the central feature of Lake St Lucia. As its name suggests, this area honours the patron 'Saint of Light' who guided Portuguese explorers to these shores in the 16th century. They were soon joined by traders from the Arab world, and within another hundred years, all foreign fortune- hunters had first to seek permission from the all-powerful monarch whose dominance from St Lucia to modern-day Mozambique lives on as Maputaland. Exploitation of the dune forests, wetlands, fresh- and salt-water lakes, mangrove swamps, papyrus banks and dry savannah belongs to the distant past. St Lucia Game Reserve and Marine Sanctuary, False Bay Park, Sodwana Bay National Park, Maputaland Marine Reserve, Cape Vidal, Ozabeni, Mfabeni, Tewate Wilderness and Mkuzi Game Reserve are all synonymous with our 'conservation consciousness', and provide the visitor with unforgettable opportunities to absorb this spellbinding beauty in safety and comfort.

From scenic waterborne excursions, hiking trails or game hides...it's all at your fingertips - hundreds of bird species, multifarious fish, crocodiles and crabs. From buck to buffalo, hippo to rhino, giant turtles to whales...all await your keen interest! The 'authenticity' - if any was needed - of St Lucia's 90 million- year-old fossil beds was further enhanced in December 2000 when divers video-taped the first live Coelacanth in South African waters.

In addition to the village of St Lucia, accommodation and recreation activities within the Greater St Lucia complex are also found at Charters Creek, Fanie's Island, False Bay Park and Cape Vidal - talk about spoilt for choice! Continuing our journey, the village of Hluhluwe presents two options - northeast to the vast beaches of Maputaland, or northwest into mountain country. The road seawards will deliver you to a world-famous magnet for scuba divers the coral reefs off Sodwana Bay. The similarly-named National Park ensures that this popular domestic tourist destination offers a compelling mix of both beach and bush experience...while the number of 4x4 vehicles demonstrates the preferred mode of transport for excursions further up the coastline. Lake Sibaya and the adjacent Maputaland Marine Reserve - a protected breeding ground for the loggerhead turtle - lie between Sodwana and Kosi Bay near the Mozambique border. The chain of four lakes within Kosi Bay Nature Reserve provides an endless source of pleasure for anglers and divers, while hikers and birders revel in the tropical surrounds. Sample the local iLala palm wine for revelry of an altogether more hedonistic nature! Tembe Elephant Park and the Ndumo Game Reserve lie inland from Kosi Bay along the border with our neighbour to the northeast.