Whales and Wildlife and Why KwaZulu-Natal is a Great Addition to any Itinerary

A very special place in South Africa, and South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, is iSimangaliso Wetland Park, also known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park. Former President Nelson Mandela declared it to be the only place on the globe “where the world’s oldest land mammal (the rhinoceros) and the world’s biggest land mammal (the elephant) share an ecosystem with the world’s oldest fish (the coelacanth) and the world’s biggest marine mammal (the whale)!”

This is just one of the many gems that KwaZulu-Natal has to offer. An extensive network of nature reserves and game parks ensures abundant flora and fauna and hundreds of different bird species to see. No matter the style or budget, your clients will not be disappointed. Home to Hluhuwe-Umfolozi, South Africa’s oldest game park, and exceptional private game reserves, such as Thanda and Phinda, clients can include both a Big 5 game experience with a beach experience.

The vibrant city of Durban, a coastal port, is a holiday-maker’s paradise with wide golden sandy beaches stretching as far as the eye can see. It’s a wonderful blend of Indian, African, and European cultures and probably the best place in South Africa to find Zulu crafts. Durban, or one of the coastal towns nearby, is the perfect place to escape the cold Northern Hemisphere winter. The Oyster Box, one of the best hotels in South Africa, and a Goway Stay of Distinction is the perfect place to end a South Africa sojourn.

To plan the best South African trip for your clients, contact one of our destination specialists at 1-800-387-8850.

Moira Smith

From a young age, Moira had the passion to travel. South African born, she has lived in San Francisco and Toronto, and her travel map includes over 55 countries. Moira’s heart still swings toward all things African, particularly Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, the Grumeti Reserves in Tanzania, and Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Her first excursion outside of her African continent was at the age of 18 when she travelled through 16 countries in Europe, another destination that also pulls on her heart strings. Coming from Apartheid South Africa meant that every country required a visa. To this day Moira has never had an expired passport – space runs out before the validity does!