Durban
The laid-back but busy city of Durban is South Africa’s third-largest city. It’s Africa’s largest port, one of South Africa’s favourite seaside destinations (‘Durbs’ to the locals), and an exciting mix of urban Zulu culture, a huge Indian population and English-speaking South Africans.
Ladysmith
Ladysmith is a great start point for tours of the Anglo-Zulu battlefields and Anglo-Boer battlefields. The Ladysmith Siege Museum is well worth a visit. The town is also the home of one of South Arica’s most famous music groups, multi-Grammy Award-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Pietermaritzburg
Although one of South Africa’s best-preserved Victorian cities and the province’s capital, the town today is fully representative of the ‘Rainbow Nation’ with Zulus, Indians, South Africans of British heritage and a university student population making up the lively mix. It’s only 80km inland from Durban.
Sodwana Bay
Sodwana’s spectacular coral reefs in a national marine protected area are among the southernmost in the world and are a scuba-diving and snorkelling mecca. Game fish abound. Off-season, Sodwana Bay is paradise. In season, it’s very, very busy.
Umhlanga Rocks
Once a small seaside village, Umhlanga Rocks has now grown into a bustling lively tourist and residential town. Its seafront pedestrian walkway takes in an old lighthouse, golden beaches, holiday resorts and glitzy hotels. It has great shopping and good restaurants but is packed in high season