Enjoy fun-filled Easter holiday in KZN

THE April school holidays are around the corner. This is an ideal time to take a breather from your daily slog and enjoy a fun-filled autumn holiday in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

Pinky Radebe, senior manager of PR and communications for Tourism KZN, said autumn is the best time of the year in the province.

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“The bright, sunny days are cooler and less muggy, the rainy season is easing up and the cool evenings are ideal for alfresco dining, braaiing, sitting around a campfire or taking that night safari you have on your bucket list.”

With seven distinct tourism nodes, each offering a unique experience, KZN is an incredibly diverse province, where everyone, from nature lovers to history buffs, the young and the senior, can relish a memorable holiday.

“So, rally your family and friends, and plan a mid-week break or a long weekend to take in the wonders of KZN – and don’t forget to post plenty of pictures so everyone can share the excitement,” said Radebe.

 

Surf, sand and shisanyama

When last did you build a sandcastle, whether in the air or on the beach? With 600km of coastline, from Sodwana Bay in the far north to Port Edward in the far south, and magnificent bright, sunny weather, KZN holidaymakers have plenty of options in which to frolic in the waves and play in the sand.

If you’re looking for a little adventure, snorkelling at Sodwana Bay, or at some of the wrecks dotted along the East Coast, will reveal a marine world populated by stingrays, octopuses, butterfly fish and sturgeon fish, tiger sharks and ragged-tooth sharks and even passing whales. Alternatively, try some real marine-adventure shark diving – either in the safety of a cage at uShaka Marine World or out at sea on the South Coast, or, for more experienced divers, scuba diving alongside these formidable predators.

When the fresh sea air brings on the munchies and you haven’t packed a picnic, there are plenty of eateries, including the local shisanyama to satisfy the whole family.                                                      

North and South Coast’s magnificent beach walks and rock pools

Although the obvious destination in KZN might seem to be the coast, not every visit has to be the traditional beach-towel and suntan-lotion-type experience. Dotted along the KZN coast are some really special marine-protected areas and even historical sites, not to mention a world heritage site in the form of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

If you’re not into snorkelling or deep-sea diving, you can enjoy walking along some of the magnificent beaches with their rock pools and expanses of white sand and myriad shells to collect. Peek at the massive Nile crocodiles catching some sun at the mouth of the St Lucia estuary or make your way through the exotic dune forests along a plethora of wooden walkways.

Along the South Coast, you can enjoy six blue-flag* beaches – Marina, Trafalgar, Southport, Umzumbe, Ramsgate and Hibberdene, while on the North Coast, three blue-flag beaches – Thompson’s Bay, Willard and Blythedale.

*Blue-flag beaches are: “The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary awards for beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained,” says Blue Flag Global on their website.

Visit hidden treasures

If you’re heading south, take a guided tour through the fossil-filled Petrified Forest or visit one of the world’s smallest desserts. Alternatively, grab an old-style map and try to find all the wonderful ‘olde worlde’ lighthouses along the KZN coast. With a little extra planning, you could even organise a trip to the Whaling Station on Durban’s Bluff, now with heritage-site status as a tribute to the growing whale conservation.

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