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Vasco da Gama was the first European to see the coast of Natal on Christmas Day 1497. Christmas in Portuguese is 'Natal', which gave rise to the original name for the region. Its territory was once part of a short-lived Boer republic between 1839 and its annexation by Britain in 1843. When the Bantustan of KwaZulu, which means "Place of the Zulu" was re-incorporated into the Natal province after the end of Apartheid in 1994, the province was renamed KwaZulu-Natal. The province is home to the Zulu monarchy, and the majority population and language of the province is Zulu. It is also the only province in South Africa which includes the name of its dominant ethnic group in its name. The province has three different geographic areas: the lowland region along the Indian Ocean coast, plains in the central section, and two mountainous areas, the Drakensberg Mountains in the west and the Lebombo Mountains in the north. The Tugela River flows west to east across the center of the province.

Average temperatures in the province range from 17° to 28° C from October to April and from 11° to 25° C in the colder months. Annual rainfall is about 690 mm, falling throughout the year.

The former Eastern Cape enclave of the town of Umzimkulu and its hinterland have been incorporated into Kwa-Zulu Natal following the 12th amendment of the Constitution of South Africa. The amendment also made other changes to the southern border of the province.

Coastline
The coastline is dotted with small towns, many of which serve as seasonal recreational hubs. The climate of the coastal areas is humid and subtropical, comparable to southern Florida in the United States (but not quite as hot and rainy in the summer).

As one moves further north up the coast towards the border of Mozambique, the climate becomes almost pure tropical. North of Durban is locally referred to as "The North Coast", while south is "The South Coast".

The Kwazulu-Natal Tourist board includes towns like Margate, Port Shepstone, Scottburgh and Port Edward in its definition of what constitutes the South Coast, while Ballito, Umhlanga and Salt Rock are quintessentially North Coast resort towns.

Superb beaches of world-class quality are to be found along virtually every part of South Africa's eastern seaboard, with some of the least developed gems found in the far southern and far northern ends of the province's extents.

The beach at Marina Beach (and its adjoining resort San Lameer) was recognized in 2002 as a Blue Flag beach.

An extraordinary natural phenomenon that is witnessed annually on the KwaZulu-Natal coast during late autumn or early winter is the "sardine run". Also referred to as "the greatest shoal on earth", the sardine run occurs when millions of sardines migrate from their spawning grounds south of the southern tip of Africa northwards along the Eastern Cape coastline towards KwaZulu-Natal following a path close inshore, often resulting in many fish washing up on beaches along the coast.

The huge shoal of tiny fish can stretch for many kilometres and is followed and preyed upon by thousands of predators, including gamefish, sharks, dophins and sea birds. Usually the shoals break up and the fish disappear into deeper water around Durban. Many questions surrounding this exceptional event remain unanswered.

Hilly Interior
The interior of the province consists largely of rolling hills from the Valley of a Thousand Hills to the Midlands. These have been the subject of literature. Alan Paton, in the novel Cry, the beloved country, said:

There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it. The road climbs seven miles into them, to Carisbrooke; and from there, if there is no mist, you look down on one of the fairest valleys of Africa. About you there is grass and bracken and you may hear the forlorn crying of the titihoya, one of the birds of the veld.

Below you is the valley of the Umzimkulu, on its journey from the Drakensberg to the sea; and beyond and behind the river, great hill after great hill; and beyond and behind them, the mountains of Ingeli and East Griqualand.

DURBAN
Is a sophisticated cosmopolitan city of over three million people - a city where east meets west - a city beneath which beats the pulse of Africa - city known as the home of Africa's best managed, busiest port.

It's an exciting city in which to play, shop, experience the nightlife and to relax. It's a city in which business and debate issues, which have far-reaching effects, not only on Africa but way beyond its borders, are discussed.

The world-class International Convention Centre has hosted an historic line-up of events including conferences of a global scale.

Leisure facilities abound. Visit uShaka Marine World, Wilson's Wharf on the Victoria Embankment and the nearby BAT centre.

Enjoy fine and traditional dining, entertainment and shopping in scenic surroundings. Shop till you drop in modern shopping malls. Grey Street and the Warwick Triangle boast vibrant locals shops and markets. Beachfront stalls sell traditional arts and crafts.

Enjoy the excellent entertainment on offer at the city's theatres and clubs or take a township tour.

If it's peace and sheer beauty you are after, make for Durban's nature sanctuaries or parks. The Botanical Gardens are of particular interest - ask about their 'Music by the Lake' evenings - wonderful music played by KZN's Philharmonic Orchestra in wonder surrounds.

Sail, swim, run, and play tennis or alternatively stroll along or relax on the sun-drenched beaches watching the world go by.
Playground of the Zulu Kingdom

SOUTH COAST
Sub-tropical forests, blue lagoons, golden beaches, rocky coves, the warm Indian Ocean and sunny weather make KwaZulu- Natal's south coast a popular year-round holiday resort for both local and international visitors.

Accommodation varies from up-market hotels to camping facilities, and everything in between.

Swim in the surf or just laze on the beach, working on your suntan. Three beaches, namely Ramsgate, Marina Beach and Lucien, have International 'Blue Flag' status.

For the golfer, this coast is close to golfing paradise. Named by many 'The Golf Coast', there are nine excellent 18- hole golf courses, two of which are rated amongst the top 12 in the country.

If you want to commune with nature, visit the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, which conserves plants found nowhere else in the world, or go birding - 400 bird species have been counted along this coastline.

Scuba diving is a popular sport with excellent deep-sea diving areas at Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks.

Try surfing at the internationally acclaimed surf spots or go abseiling in the Oribi Gorge. Breathtaking is the way you would describe both the scenery and your feelings as you plunge over the edge and swing high over the deep gorge.

Every winter, there is the phenomenon of the sardine run - millions of sardines migrate up the coast, accompanied by by dolphins and other large fish and thousands of sea birds which feed on them, and people come from far and wide to scoop up buckets of this natural harvest.

NORTH COAST/DOLPHIN COAST
The Zulu Kingdom's north coast, also known as the Dolphin Coast, stretches from Zimbali to the mighty Tugela River.

This is the playground of the bottlenose dolphins, which frolic in the waters close to shore and are visible all year round. It offers luxury, beauty, sport and history.

It is a place to indulge the senses - either in good restaurants offering fine dining, or partying in nightclubs. Tee off on the excellent golf courses, or for the sheer thrill of it - take to the air in a microlight and see this magnificent coastline as the seagulls see it.

Stroll or take a horse-ride along the shoreline at low tide and search for sea life. Climb rocky outcrops and enjoy a spot of angling.

The great Shaka Zulu is buried at Kwa-Dukuza, and Nobel laureate, Albert Luthuli, lies buried nearby. Walk a 'muti' (African medicine) trail through the Harold Johnson Nature Reserve or visit historic battle sites such as the Ultimatum Tree, Ndondakusuka or Fort Pearson.

Zulu hospitality is warm and the people friendly. They are proud to show you their heritage.

The North Coast is also home to a large Indian community. Look out for their temples, sample their spicy foodstuffs or shop for fresh produce at any of the numerous markets.

The north coast is a place to relax, kick back, and savour your surrounds. Enjoy.