Anyone been to Kwazulu Natal?

[trickynicky]

I would really welcome your thoughts! We went to CPT/garden route last year and had a fabulous time. This year, we are flying into Jo'burg (cheaper option!) and had originally thought of flying on to CPT but now considering going south and visiting Kwazulu Natal. I am thinking we may be best flying to Durban and then hiring a car from there. I have seen a fabulous safari lodge in Nambiti which ideally I'd like to visit. However, we have roughly 2 x weeks and we like to drive around so I'm after an interesting route from Durban.

Thinking possibly, staying at Umhulanda, St Lucia then would need to drive towards Ladysmith to Nambiti then Pietermaritzburg (possibly?) and back to the airport to fly back to Jo'Burg. Usually we stay max 2 or 3 nights in any one place when we travel and not a fan of drives of more than 3-4 hours in any one day. I am totally unsure whether this looks workable and/or whether it's a worthwhile trip or whether to just fly over to CPT again which we know we will love.

Would HUGELY appreciate thoughts of anyone on here who knows or has been to this area. FYI, we have done a 3 day safari near Port Elizabeth last time and would love to do another one but we are not keen on the Kruger for this trip hence thinking of going south from Jo'burg.

Finally - the age old question.... is it safe to drive around Kwazulu with the usual precautions? Are the roads good quality like near CPT or is this different? As you can see, I have very little clue but it does look so beautiful and I'd like to see a different part of SA.

Thank you

Depends on the type of holiday you are looking for and what you're looking to do..Ballito is great, lots going on, good beaches and safe, I would say there rather than Durban.
St Lucia is a very quiet but good base for Hluhluwe game reserve

It's up to you but I would steer clear. Natal is very different to Cape Town. I grew up around Pietermaritzburg, it was bad then (especially driving) but has gotten even worse now. Some family members won't travel with their kids there anymore.

I would choose Shaka's rock over Umhlanga rocks, Balito itself is very safe and has a lovely rhino park fairly close by.

The roads are fine if you choose the right ones. Just plan your route before you go.

My Husband is from wentworth, a run down suburb of Durban and I visit two to three times a year with our three children. I have never encountered any problems and I drive all I’ve the province of Kwa Zulu Natal both with my children and alone.

It is an amazing place with amazing people. Even though I live in London with a corporate career I could easily live there but that may also be down to the fact I have amazing family and support there.

Umhlangha is a beautiful upmarket suburb of Durban with a beautiful beach and lovely restaurants.

Central Durban also has Ushaka marine world a beautiful water park.

I hope you have a wonderful trip x

Apologies I meant to type that I drive all over the province and the city of Durban with no problems x

Hi trickynicky, yes we did 2 week self drive in KZN last Christmas, we started on the South Coast, then did the Midlands Meander onto Rorkes Drift, then Hluhluwe Imfolzi park and finishing in St Lucia. Loved it but we love every SA holiday we take, this was our 6th and our 7th is booked for this Christmas.

Some notes, the driving is as easy as the garden route BUT some roads are badly maintained and/or are gravel, so I would hire a 4X4. We felt safe but I would not drive at night not due to safety but because people and livestock are often on the roads. We also flew to Durban I had heard the drive from JNB to KZN is very boring and no scenery to speak of. I know you've seen a nice lodge in Nambiti, if you want to splurge look at the Rhino Ridge Lodge which is actually in the Hluhluwe Park. There are also lots of very upmarket lodges in private reserves east of there towards Swaziland. St Lucia is a must, the hippos in the river are amazing.

If you are flying to JNB why do you not want to do Kruger? You can self drive and stay in different rest camps as well as take organised game drives. You could then add on the panorama route. Just an idea. Another thought is to go to CPT and then drive north east and go to the Klein Karoo and up to Graf Reinet or the Mount Zebra Mountain Park.

Enjoy the planning. Shout if you have any more questions.

I haven't been there in years so can't comment on roads etc, but I'd consider driving from Durban back to Joburg via the Drakensberg and taking a few days there. It's incredibly beautiful and there are some gorgeous little hotels and places to stay.

When are you going? During the summer it can be unbearably hot and humid so bear that in mind. I've sworn never to visit the area in summer ever again!!!

Definitely second a slow drive back to Johannesburg and completing the Midlands Meander!

If it's this game reserve you're looking at www.nambiti.com/explore-lodges/ do it! Go! For the love of god go - it is the best place I have ever been to. We stayed at the Elephant Rock lodge which was the cheapest but was so out of this world beautiful, I can't believe it wasn't the best of them. The food was great, the service was excellent, the game drives were out of this world. It over looks a watering hole and all the wildlife come down and drink from it - and it only sleeps 10 people so it is wonderfully private and the game drives are never overcrowded (the big 5 star hotel had people wedged into their jeeps).

We flew into Jo'burg and hired a car there. We went to Rorke's drift first and then drove down to the game reserve. Really easy drive - only took a few hours, decent (and empty!) roads until it was time to turn off for the hotels. It was really easy to do.

As for safety - it was just me and my mum - and we were perfectly safe.