Welcome to the tropical  paradise  that is Kwa-Zulu Natal. This verdant and green province, which forms the east coast of South Africa from Port Edward northwards to the Mozambique boundary, is aptly called South Africa's garden province. Spending time on the ocean when visiting  is an absolute must. The warm Indian Ocean is a surfer's dream,  and the never-ending beaches offer the  perfect atmosphere  to bronze up and relax.

The visitor to KwaZulu-Natal can either disembark at Durban international Airport or the Durban harbour or make use of the extensive national road network.

The capital of the province is Pietermaritzburg. Other important towns include Richards Bay, an important coal export harbour, and many coastal holiday resorts, such as Port Shepstone, Umhlanga Rocks, and Margate. In the interior, Eshowe is the centre of the sugar cane and forestry industries; Newcastle of steel production and coalmining; Estcourt of meat processing, and Ladysmith and Richmond of mixed agriculture.

The subtropical coastline of KwaZulu-Natal has some of South Africa's best-protected indigenous coastal forests, for example, at Dukuduku and Kosi Bay. It is also along this coast that the magnificent St Lucia Estuary and Kosi Bay lakes are located. Separating KwaZulu-Natal from the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, the Drakensberg runs 200 km along the western boundary of the province. The northern part of the province, south of the Swaziland border, is typical African savannah providing a natural backdrop for its rich wildlife.

Durban has  the busiest harbour in South Africa which is also one of the 10 largest in the world. With its golden beaches that stretch for miles and days filled with sun and relaxation to the bustling city's night-life, Durban is known as: "The city where the fun never sets!"    During holiday seasons, people from all over Southern Africa flock to Durban and it's surrounding areas for their vacations.

The extremey picturesque harbour creates a photogenic place for meandering or eating and drinking at the dockside. Durban's second-largest population group, Indians, arrived here in the nineteenth century. They add yet another cultural twist to the country's demographics and their impact on the city is reflected by mosques, bazaars and temples festooned with wildly colours. 

Be sure to add a littel spice to your life by exploring the Indian area around Grey Street, or passing by the Dalton Road Zulu Market. For many travelers Durban provides a  springboard for the KwaZulu-Natal game parks, the Drakensberg and the Battlefields. Durban is well connected to the rest of South Africa by air and through intercity buses and trains, and some international flights touch down here.