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Kwazulu-Natal is South Africa's most populated province and the home of the Zulu nation. Its topography ranges from sandy beaches to rolling hills and the
magnificent Drakensberg Mountains, and its history is a cultural mix of British, Boer, Indian and Zulu.
The province's principal city is Durban, the continent's biggest and busiest port, and a city that is home to over three million people. Popular for its
Golden Mile of safe swimming and surfing beaches, the city is also known for its ethnic markets, a snake park, botanical gardens,
uShaka Marine World and the Umgeni River Bird Park, which with 400 exotic and local species, is rated
the third best bird park in the world.
Cultural highlights in Durban include the Hindu Temple, the Jumma Musjid Mosque, the
Temple of Understanding and the Victoria Street Market.
Northern Kwazulu-Natal offers a rich and diverse plant and animal life. This area boasts some of South Africa's finest game reserves and
one of the world's great wetland and marine sanctuaries. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park has been proclaimed a
World Heritage Site, and is home to 1 200 crocodiles, 800 hippos, and countless bird species including fish eagles.
Prominent game reserves in the area include the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, world-renowned for its work with rhinos. Further inland is the
Itala Game Reserve, Ndumo Game Reserve and Tembe Elephant Park on the Swaziland border, and
Mkuze on the border of Phinda Private Game Reserve. The game reserves of this region are amongst the best and most varied in the country.
Within a day's drive are the wonderful vistas and crisp air of the magnificent
Drakensberg Mountain Range. With a host of resorts on its slopes, it can offer the visitor a
fantastic alpine holiday. The range, creating the Great Escarpment which stretches across most of the country's eastern half, offers some of the country's most
pristine and impressive mountain scenery.
A visit to this province is not complete without a historical trip following the
Battlefields Route. This route follows the bloody skirmishes of the Ango-Boer and Zulu Wars of more than 100 years ago. There are many battlesites, forts, cemeteries, musums and monuments throughout this region. Attractions include the
Talana Museum, Fort Durnford, and the famous battlesites of Isandlwana, Blood River and
Rorke's Drift.
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