Luxury KwaZulu-Natal
Tours made for you
Bird watching
Discover a vast array of birdlife along the coast
Wildlife adventures
Visit a variety of nearby game reserves
Water sports
Go white water rafting, kayaking and diving
Living history
Head to important sites on the Battlefields Route
Discover the scenic landscapes and varied wildlife of the 'Kingdom of the Zulu'
Known as the ‘Kingdom of the Zulu’, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s most north-easterly coastal province, quite literally has it all. With its subtropical climate and some of the best beaches in the country, it’s no wonder it attracts both local and international visitors. You can easily flit between the UNESCO wetlands of Lake St Lucia, the coral reefs of Sodwana Bay and the big five game reserves of the north, before spotting dolphins off the Dolphin Coast and relaxing on the golden sands of its Indian Ocean beaches.
With a culture as prolific and varied as its landscapes, the region invites you to discover Zulu traditions and history, the Boer battlefields and the creative city of Durban. The scenic valleys and pastures of the Natal Midlands are scattered with charming villages and framed by the majestic Drakensburg mountains – home to 35,000-year-old rock paintings.
In the north-eastern corner of the province, tucked beneath Swaziland and Mozambique, the Elephant Coast is the ideal destination if you’re looking for a beach escape. While away your days on sun-soaked sands fringed by coastal forests, or head to Kosi Bay to see turtles and a vast array of stunning marine life.
An exceptionally scenic swathe of the KwaZulu-Natal province, the Battlefields is where many significant battles took place between the Boers, Zulus and the British to shape the modern South Africa. Here, compelling history meets the wonderful scenery of the Drakensburg Mountains, sweeping hills and wind-swept plains. Delve into the region’s history and learn about the notorious clashes of Blood River, the Siege of Ladysmith, the Zulu defeat of the British at Isandlwana and the defense of Rorke’s Drift. We work closely with world-class local guides who really bring these histories alive for you.
Highlights
Discover the region’s spectacular wildlife on game drives from some of the top luxury lodges in the area
Spot turtles and birds as you explore the coral reefs of the St Lucia Wetlands lakes by kayak
Join a knowledgeable local guide on an enlightening tour of the historic Boer and Zululand battlefields
Head out on cultural and interest-led excursions to a variety of museums, towns and forts
Jamey Lowis
Travel Designer
A great mix of history, wildlife, stunning coastlines and wonderful culture, KwaZulu-Natal makes for an excellent stop on your South African adventure.
Jamey Lowis
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in KwaZulu-Natal
Why book with Jacada?
Safari expertise
Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive hotels, camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.
Unforgettable guides
We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife, wineries and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.
Positive impact
By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.
Trip inspiration
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Discover more of South Africa
Cape Town
Vibrant and beautiful, Cape Town is an essential stop on any South Africa trip. Table Mountain dominates the skyline and offers exciting outdoor pursuits while the streets below are full of history, culture and buzzing bars and restaurants.
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Drakensberg Mountains
The Drakensberg mountains are an epic and exciting place to visit. Huge tabletops, massive ranges, ancient san rock-art sites and crashing waterfalls can be explored on hikes, exhilarating zip lines and expedition horse rides.
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Durban
A subtropical climate, beautiful beaches and laid back atmosphere makes Durban a great city to spend time in. It also holds plenty of cultural and political importance as the capital of the KwaZulu Natal region.
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Limpopo Province
Known as ‘The Great North’ Limpopo is characterised by majestic scenery, ancient landscapes and millions of hectares of protected land. There are numerous outdoor activities including some of the best horse riding safaris in the country.
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Luxury Rail Travel
Luxury trains cut through dramatic landscapes, enjoyed from the comfort of stylish carriages. Any journey through South Africa will be a beautiful one and taking the journey by train delivers a wonderful sense of calm or romance.
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Madikwe
Madikwe, in the northwest corner, boarding Botswana and the Kalahari desert is a hidden gem for safari-goers. A great spot for families with little children as there’s no malaria-free area.
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Phinda
Phinda is a private reserve offering exclusivity, conservation-lead hospitality and exciting wildlife encounters. A varied collection of habitats attracts plenty of wildlife and with its proximity to the coast, beach and bush combine perfectly.
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Sabi Sands
A private reserve spanning 600,000 hectares and boarding the game-rich Kruger Park means safari experiences here are exclusive and full of wildlife. A place of leopards and wild dogs, luxury lodges and endless savannahs.
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The Garden Route
The Garden Route is a place of magnificent natural beauty. The coastline is made up of small bays, beaches and quaint towns. In the distance rolling, green hills and forestland runs down to meet the coast, laden with marine life.
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The Kalahari
The Kalahari showcases the massive diversity of the country's landscapes. Unique desert species roam the arid plains, waiting for the rains to bring dry land to life with a flurry of desert flowers.
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The Kruger
A world famous national park, and for good reason. The wildlife in the Kruger is abundant, the big five reside here in large numbers. The park is home to many luxurious lodges for a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience.
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The Western Cape Mountains
The Cape Mountains span the northern and southern capes, taking in the Cederberg mountains and most of the Karoo plateau. A perfect place for jaw-dropping road trips on the famous route 62 and all just a convenient distance from Cape Town.
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The Whale Coast
On the Atlantic shoreline of the western cape there’s a beautiful collection of bays, towns and villages. Whale watching boat trips can be arranged to spot southern right whales and evenings are spent in fine restaurants and stylish hotels.
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The Winelands
Pretty towns and villages punctuate the green rolling hills of South Africa’s Wine Region. Home to fantastic wine, restaurants and plenty of outdoor activities that make the most of the stunning landscapes.
Discover moreMeet your Africa team
The sunny months of April and May are considered to be the best time to visit KwaZulu-Natal, but the dryer months from July to September, are excellent for game viewing. The summer months, between October and April, tend to be hot and humid, with December to February being peak beach season on the coast. Avid bird watchers will be treated to many migratory species between October and April.
Wildlife spotting
July–September
Beach days
December–February
Bird watching
October–April
Plan your trip to KwaZulu-Natal
Whatever you want from your adventure in KwaZulu-Natal, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
We had the most incredible experience visiting South Africa on our trip planned by Tor & Eugenia! Every detail of our vacation was curated to match our style, budget, and desired experiences. We were able to make adjustments and leverage the expertise of Jacada to build our dream itinerary. From our extensive exploration of Cape Town to our luxury safari…
Everything about our trip to South Africa arranged by Jacada Travel was exceptional. Jody Van Merode, Senior Tavel Designer, listened to our wants and needs and put together a perfect trip that was within our stated budget. She was great to work with! Jody and our assigned concierge, Betty Gatwiri, communicated with us frequently before our trip about what to…
Jacada was great. The knowledgeable people at Jacada - James, Betty, Wade to name the ones we were in touch with - plus all the people who were there meeting us at planes, picking us up at hotels -- on time. While the sights and sounds in the bush were amazing, the hospitality at Lion Sands River Lodge and Thornybush…
We recently returned from a trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia booked through Jacada Travel. From the initial stages of planning through to following up with us at the end of our vacation, Jacada went above and beyond our expectations with personalized service. Jamie and Eugenia, our travel designer and concierge respectively, took our ideas and preferences and ran…
My husband and I recently traveled to South Africa and we utilized Jacada travel services. Jody Van Merode planned the perfect trip for us- we spoke over the phone and she put together an itinerary that would best match what we wanted to see, our interests and our budget! We visited two very different game reserves - each beautiful in…
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.
