#KZN

It’s time to treat yourself at Emdoneni Spa

Spend R800 or more at the Emdoneni Spa, and get a R200 discount- what a great opportunity to unwind at the best spa in KZN! Our spa menu focuses on relaxation massage treatments, and is supported by a service style that considers the guest’s need for escape, unobtrusive delivery and attention to detail. Browse our range of quality Esse Probiotic Skincare and Exuviance products, and take some home with you. EsseProbioticSkincare products include natural organic and probiotic ingredients. Microbes permeate deep into the skin structure and work with your own cells to perform the complex chemistry that keeps your skin radiant. Exuviance offers a complete line of skin-transforming products that addresses every concern, both in the treatment room and at home. T&Cs apply!

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Emdoneni News

Top 15 destinations to visit in KZN

Probably one of the most diverse provinces in South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal offers travellers a little bit of everything – warm oceans and good waves, quaint little towns to explore, majestic mountains for hiking, a world class city with diverse cultures, as well as a gateway to three neighbouring countries: Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique. We check out the top 15 below, so if you’re keen to explore more of this captivating province, take a look at this list of much-loved holiday spots in KZN: 1. Ballito Located only 45km from Durban, Ballito has fantastic beaches and an array of superb hotels, restaurants, shopping and vibrant nightlife, firmly establishing it as KZN’s top destination. 2. St Lucia Gateway to iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the booming eco-village of St Lucia offers an enticing selection of things to do ranging from scuba diving, to turtle tracking and guided walking safaris. 3. South Beach Durban has been making waves as one of South Africa’s must-visit destinations over the past few months. If water, waves and sunbathing babes are your thing, lively South Beach near uShaka Marine World is the place to be. Make the most of your time in the city 4. Umhlanga Rocks Situated 20km north from the centre of Durban, the seaside resort of Umhlanga Rocks has a swathe of chic apartments and a red-and-white lighthouse overlooking the lovely beach. It is also home to two of the top 10 South African hotels where the richest of the rich check in! 5. Shakas Rock Shakas Rock boasts one of the Dolphin Coast’s most picturesque beaches with a fun tidal pool and a ski-boat launch site. It draws less crowds than neighbouring Ballito and has a super chilled vibe. 6. Uvongo Uvongo is a lively holiday town offering one of the best swimming beaches on the South Coast as well as a lagoon complete with its own waterfall! It also has a selection of decent restaurants, pubs, shops and activities. 7. Umdloti Beach Photo credit: bookings.com This subtropical seaside resort town and conservancy is renowned for frequent dolphin sightings, good surf and a lovely swimming beach. 8. Durban North Durban North’s excellent swimming beach, great surf and magnificent ocean views are a quick 15-minute drive north of central Durban. If you enjoy good food in quaint surroundings, the super cute Freedom Cafe is an absolute must-try. 9. Margate Beach Photo credit: www.kzn-southcoast.com Margate is an immensely popular spot during the December holidays. Its beaches are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, water skiing and surfing. There is also loads to keep the whole family entertained from markets and shopping, to lively nightlife and great dining. One of these days the KZN south coast will also be home to KZN’s first official nude beach at Mpenjati, about 20km from Margate. 10. Shelly Beach Photo credit: Afristay Named for the millions of miniature cowrie shells that wash up on the shore, Shelly Beach offers a horde of outdoor activities and entertainment, including the creepy yet cool Pure Venom Reptile Park, where you can spot everything from crocodiles to colourful birds of paradise, as pictured above. 11. The Bluff Situated atop a hill south of Durban harbour, The Bluff is a well-established seaside suburb that has developed into an immensely popular holiday spot. 12. Amanzimtoti Photo credit: amanzimtotiguesthouse.co.za Amanzimtoti is the perfect holiday destination for families, offering an array of activities including shopping and restaurants as well as safe swimming, surfing and fantastic shore and deep sea fishing. 13. Underberg Photo credit: www.drakensberg-info.co.za Magnificent views and outstanding fly-fishing, hiking and mountain biking activities characterize this flourishing gateway to the southern Drakensberg. 14. Warner Beach Apart from exceptional surfing and long beaches just begging to be walked along, Warner Beach is also located close to Aliwal Shoal, one of KZN’s top dive sites, making it a prime destination for those in search of watery adventures. 15. Bergville Photo credit: www.drakensberg-info.co.za While KZN is often associated with its tropical beaches and warm water, the Midlands offer a wonderland of charming country life. Bergville is a soothing stopover and convenient base from which the explore. Source credit: www.traveller24.com

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Hluhluwe Game Reserve

ABOUT HLUHLUWE GAME RESERVE Set in the heart of Zululand, the oldest game reserve in Africa where Zulu kings such as Dingiswayo and Shaka hunted and put in place the first conservation laws, where today the “big five” of African legend stalk the verdant savannah. Established in 1895, game viewing is the prime attraction. Viewing hides overlook waterholes enabling visitors to see animals at close range. As the home of Operation Rhino in the 1950s and 60s, the Park became world renowned for its white rhino conservation. Other areas of focus for which Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is famed include wilderness trails which origionated in Imfolozi in the 1950s and its renowned Game Capture unit recently upgraded into the Centenary Capture Centre, a bench mark for animal capture and sustainable utilization throughout Africa. The Park covers some 96 000 ha and contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora. Hluhluwe is characterised by hilly topography,and this northen section of the park is noted for its wide variety of both bird and animal life. Apart from game-viewing drives, there are two self-guided auto trails which provide information on both the management and natural history of the reserve. Guided walks are also available, particularly rewarding in the early morning and late afternoon. Credit: KZNwildlife

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Area Attractions, Emdoneni Tips & Information

Top 10: Natural attractions in KwaZulu-Natal

1. uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park This magnificent World Heritage Site comprises a spectacular mountain range that stretches for over 200 kilometres, offering a nature-lover’s smogasbord of majestic mountains, valleys, waterfalls and streams to explore. It’s also home to ancient San rock art. 2. iSimangaliso Wetland Park This World Heritage Site extends from Kosi Bay in the north (near to the Mozambique border) to Cape St Lucia in the south. A mix of five different ecosystems, this wetland wilderness boasts a wealth of biodiversity and is home to crocodiles, hippos and the leatherback turtle. 3. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve One of Africa’s oldest and most celebrated game parks – the Park covers over 96 000 hectares and is home to the Big 5, many antelope species and incredible bird life. The park is also world-famous for its conservation of both endangered rhino species, the square-mouthed white rhino and hook-lipped black rhino. 4. The sardine run Known as the ‘Greatest Shoal on Earth’ the annual sardine run, which takes place along Natal’s South Coast is a sight to behold. Thousands upon thousands of sardines make their way along the coast during winter – followed closely by a number of predators, including sharks, dolphins, whales and seabirds. 5. The Midlands The Midlands region of KwaZulu-Natal has been likened to a typical English countryside, with its rolling hills, green lawns, streams and rustic atmosphere. Picture-postcard scenery and fresh air attracts visitors needing a break from city life on most weekends and over the holidays. 6. Sodwana Bay Located along the province’s Elephant Coast, Sodwana Bay is characterised by pristine beaches, crystal clear waters and numerous reefs renowned for spectacular scuba diving. This region also happens to be favoured by the famous coelacanth. 7. Oribi Gorge This spectacular gorge was created over millions of years as the Umzimkulwana River scythed its way through the rugged landscape. The Oribi gorge is home to more than 300 bird species and features spectacular scenery including overhanging rocks and horse-shoe river bends. It features one of the world’s biggest bungee swings! 8. Thukela Gorge The Thukela Gorge lies below the source of the mighty Tugela River in the Drakensberg. A popular one-day hike takes walkers from the lower reaches of the river along contour paths right to the head of the gorge and up a chain ladder to the top of the escarpment. The view from the top is spectacular. 9. Pietermaritzburg Botanical Gardens The Pietermaritzburg Botanical Gardens were established in the early 1870s with the aim of propagating and conserving rare and endangered indigenous plants. Apart from domestic varietals, the gardens also boast camphor trees, giant figs, magnolias and swamp cypresses. More than 150 bird species have been attracted by the profusion of flora. 10. The Valley of a Thousand Hills With its seemingly thousands of rolling grassy hills, this verdant valley is home to the Zulu and scoured by the Mngeni River. Way above the river, overlooking the valley below are visitor attractions and craft outlets, along with restaurants that allow visitors the perfect vantage point from which to enjoy the beauty of this part of the country.

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