Butterflies, spears and foodie spots in the heart of Zululand

Pack the family in the car and enjoy a day trip to Zululand where you can polish up on your local history, follow the butterflies and enjoy hearty, home-style cooking.

Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk

Experience the magic of the 250 hectare Dlinza Forest with its 10 metre high wheelchair-friendly aerial boardwalk.

Set in a lush indigenous tree canopy the boardwalk leads to a spectacular 20 metre high viewing tower.

There are 65 bird species including the rare Eastern Bronze-Naped Pigeon and Spotted Ground Thrush, and over 80 species of butterfly.

Playful blue duiker are seen on two easily walked trails under ancient forest giants and a variety of epiphytic orchids.

The forest is popular for birders and tourists alike and conservation-based school group programmes are encouraged.

The visitor centre has wheelchair-friendly ablutions, a curio shop, refreshment kiosk, picnic sites and a bird hide.

• Opening times: 6am to 5pm daily except Christmas Day
• Contact: 035-474 4029.

Museum Village: Fort Nongqayi Historical Museum 

Besides providing information and artifacts of the legendary fort built in 1883 by the British, which was used as barracks for the Nonqayi (the erstwhile Zulu police), the museum village offers a variety of attractions such as the Norwegian Mission Chapel which houses the Museum’s Norwegian historical collection. The chapel is a sought after venue for weddings and functions.

• Opening times: 7.30am to 4pm daily except on Christmas, Good Friday and New Years.
• Contact: 035-474 2281

Vukani Zulu Cultural Museum 

This interesting museum houses a unique world-class collection of authentic Zulu crafts including woven baskets, tapestries, pottery and wood carvings.

The Hairy Canary is a craft shop on the premises and offers a wide variety of arts and crafts.

• Opening times: Daily: 7.30am – 4pm daily except on Christmas, Good Friday and New Years.
• Contact: 035-474 0067

Adams Outpost Restaurant 

Originally a miner’s house, the now refurbished restaurant offers scrumptious meals – their Sunday Buffets are excellent.

• Opening times: Monday to Friday: 8am – 4pm; Saturday: closed; Sunday: 9am to 3.30pm. Closed on Christmas Day, Good Friday and New Year’s Day.
• Contact: 035-474 1787

The Eshowe Butterfly Dome

This wonderful display of live indigenous butterflies in a dome offers interesting attractions such as a 200m cycle trail for young and old as well as programmes like Inquisitive Minds designed for children. The life cycle of a butterfly is explained inside the dome.

There is also a cave specially designed as a party venue and there are six braai facilities with fire wood available.

• Opening times: Daily from 10am to 3pm except on Christmas, Good Friday and New Years.
• Contact: 063 421 9000

Shakaland

Cultural activities, traditional meals and Zulu dancing will entertain young and old making this the perfect outing. Accommodation is enjoyed in bee-hive huts and the sparkling swimming pool is your best friend in the warm scenic Nkwaleni Valley.

Programmes for school groups are available – max 70 children (overnight).

For day visitors any number of children or adults can be accommodated as the groups are then split for easy guiding.

• Open every day.
• Contact: 035-460 0912