KwaZulu Natal has one of the best climates in the country and is one of very few places to offer an escape to the mountains, bushveld and beach. From the beaches along the Golden Mile to the Drakensberg mountains and the untouched wilderness areas that nestle close to the northern coastline; KwaZulu Natal is undoubtedly a firm favorite for a bush & beach getaway. But like all destinations, there are a few places that have earned their place as tourist hotspots, particularly Hluhluwe and St Lucia.
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve is the oldest game reserve in South Africa, dating back to 1895 and spans across 96000 hectares. The Northern area of the park is known as Hluhluwe and the southern area is the Imfolozi Park.
The park is home to all the members of the Big Five and 81 other species, including crocodile, giraffe, hippo, wild dog, cheetah, hyena, wildebeest, various antelope species, and jackal to name but a few. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is renowned for having the largest population of White rhino in the world. The park is a birders paradise with over 300 species and one of the best places to see yellow-throated, pink-throated and orange-throated longclaw birds.
Open to the public, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi offers an opportunity to self-drive the park as all roads, hides and loop roads are marked and maps can be bought on entering the gates. But if you prefer to be under the guidance of a ranger who knows the park inside out then there is the option to book open-vehicle game drives. They know how to track animals and where all the watering holes and rivers are along the park.
St Lucia is located one and a half hour’s drive from Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve and forms part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
St Lucia is a travelers delight, a small coastal town that features an estuary which is home to a number of nile crocodiles and an estimated 800 hippos – the largest population of hippo to be found in the world. Hippos are often seen roaming the streets of St Lucia at night in search of food. During the winter months, humpback whales are often seen from the beach and fishing is exceptional. St Lucia boasts a number of accommodation options, from quaint bed and breakfast establishments to hotels and self-catering apartments.
From St Lucia, one can also visit the Eastern Shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, home to 4 of the Big 5 when elephants cross the estuary. There is also a protected bay known as Cape Vidal and is the perfect destination for travelers looking to swim and snorkel, go deep sea fishing or enjoy some sand duning. There is a great rest camp that overlooks the beach and offers self-catering log cabins and campsites with electric sockets.
