Plan your summer trip to Zululand with top tips from a local

Filled to the brim with the rich history and culture of the Zulu nation, this area also boasts the best game reserves in South Africa.

Hundreds of acres are filled with grazing antelope, hippos lazing in waterways and giraffes feasting on the highest leaves of the acacia tree.

From runs through the forest to cruises around Port Harbour, Zululand is a smorgasbord of entertainment and adventure for every type of traveller, and we've rounded up the must-do activities as suggested by local Andre de Klerk.

Having spent close to 20 years in the area, Andre serves as general manager of two local hotels, the Bon Hotel Empangeni and the Bon Hotel Waterfront Richards Bay, which has made him quite the expert on this fascinating area.

Curry and cheese

In addition to the Zulu culture, Zululand is also home to different cultural influences, the most famous being Indian. For a plate of freshly-prepared Indian curry, visit the harbour and dine with the locals. It’s become an institution for the people of surrounding areas to gather over the weekend to sample the delicious, authentic curry dishes.

Andre suggests that you arrive by 11.30am, as this area is well-loved and fills up quite quickly!

If spicy foods don’t sit well with you, he recommends taking the drive to Mtubatuba to visit Chane Cheese Farm. This quaint farm doubles up as a lodge for those who wish to stay over, complete with a kids’ play area and a mini-golf course. They offer cheese tours for those interested in the cheese-making process, and their restaurant with its panoramic views of the Zululand rolling greens serves as the perfect backdrop to enjoying a glass of wine and tasty cheese platter.

Last, but certainly not least, is a visit to Bon Hotel Empangeni for their famous tripe served up by Chef Khulani. Tripe is considered a favourite by many cultures worldwide, and each one has their special take on this dish. Prepared the traditional Zulu way, your tripe will be cooked using ox, a local favourite.

Picnics and whale watching

Zululand is home to balmy beaches that frame the province’s coastline, including Alkantstrand, Naval Island and Pelican Island. During the warm summer months, take advantage of the longer days with a scenic picnic on the beach. Join locals visiting with family, friends and loved ones as they soak up the summer sun and, if you’re keen to hit the sea, bring along your paddleboard and enjoy the tranquil waters.

If you’d like to go out further to sea than your paddleboard can take you, consider taking a cruise around Port Harbour. Enjoy a scenic cruise or take it up a notch with a ‘soul-stirring’ whale and dolphin watching experience. Expect to get as close as 50 metres to these gentle creatures while observing them in their natural habitat.

A spot of the Big Five

A trip to Zululand would not be complete without visiting one of its esteemed game reserves. One of these is the famous Hluhluwe Game Reserve, one hour away from the delightful town of Empangeni. The reserve is widely known as the oldest in Africa, and many animals – including the Big Five – call Hluhluwe home.

With over 96,000 hectares of land, there are great opportunities to spot elephants, lions, leopards and rhino to smaller, but equally as fascinating animals, like the elephant shrew, the red-billed buffalo weaver, leopard tortoises and the rhinoceros beetle. The reserve offers various day and night safari packages to suit travellers, and depending on how much time you have, you could do anything from a three-hour safari to a half-day safari.

uMqombothi a-plenty

The Zulu culture has a rich history of cultural practices, once of this being the drinking of their traditional beer, known as uMqombothi. This famous beverage has made beer one of the beloved drinks of choice in the Zululand region, and in 1997 it got its first brewery – the Zululand Brewery.

Their flagship beer, the Zulu Blonde, has gained such popularity that it’s now available for purchase not only nationwide, but throughout the UK and Europe. The brewery only uses natural ingredients mostly sourced from South Africa, and the brewery can be visited at the George Hotel in Eshowe.

If you’d like to taste the traditional uMqombothi, head over to the Zulu village of Shakaland. Here you will be welcomed to the village with a taste of the maize-based drink, and given the opportunity to meet locals to learn more about the Zulu culture.

For those who prefer a slightly more sophisticated drink, head over to Bon Hotel Waterfront Richards Bay for one of their beloved cocktails, and sip on a drink as you take in the views of the harbour.

Time to run

Your getaway does not have to mean letting your fitness regime slide. Richards Bay arguably has one of the most beautiful Park Runs in the country, with views of the ocean while running along the beach and the sounds and smells of nature as the run winds through the nearby forest area.

Every Saturday morning at 7am, locals gather at the Zululand Multi-Sport Club to take on the scenic 5km run. It’s free to join, but make sure to sign up beforehand!

“Living here has been nothing short of an adventure,'' comments Andre. “Zululand is filled with such a variety of experiences for everyone, with the friendliest people. It serves as the ultimate getaway for those looking to explore more of what this amazing country has to offer.”