On the east coast of South Africa lies the province of KwaZulu-Natal, colloquially known as ‘KZN’. KwaZulu-Natal is home to the famous Zulu nation and a number of traditional cultural villages educate visitors about the heritage and history of the people of the ‘Zulu Kingdom’.  Durban, KZN’s largest city, is one of the fastest growing urban areas in the world. Its subtropical climate will no doubt entice you to the warm swimming beaches on Durban’s ‘Golden Mile’ along with its cafes, restaurants and waterfront entertainment areas like uShaka Marine World, popular with ‘kids’ of all ages. The Elephant Coast region north of Durban offers excellent ‘Big 5’ game reserves such as Phinda, Hluhluwe and Umfolozi which provide great safari opportunities. iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Africa’s largest estuarine system and a World Heritage Site, is also worth spending some time exploring.  Its focal point is Lake St Lucia and the St Lucia estuary, a haven to a phenomenal diversity of flora and fauna in particular crocodiles and hippopotami. Less than an hour inland from Durban, KZN’s stately capital Pietermaritzburg is cradled in the heart of the Natal Midlands. ‘Maritzburg’ makes an ideal stepping stone to explore the picture-postcard Midlands Meander tourist routes and the scenic beauty of the Drakensburg mountain range.