See Zululand - Durban

What was originally a pilgrimage unavailable to the 'faint of heart' has now become a free for all, lucky for those of us who are not trained in the art of survival, who are not warriors but city dwellers used to the comfort of a car, and who are both shocked and horrified when hearing what the visitors of past had to endure before their right of passage was ensured. Namely; crossing the Thukela River which was home to both crocodiles and Hippo's. The infamous floods (props to the Drakensberg catchment) , not to mention the surrounding bushes teaming with wildlife threatening to tear your puny ass to pieces at any available second [ namely; lions, leopards, and elephants]

Nowadays us city slickers can just cruise through into the happening hood music blaring , on the N2 , over the Thukela River bridge and up and above all those exciting yet somewhat frighteningly ravenous 'happenings' of old.

However on arrival it still maintains that certain wild, untamed beauty and is still a firm centre piece of the Zulu culture. In the rural areas traditional Zulu customs have (against all odds) remained unchanged. There are loads of museums, cultural centres and traditional Zulu villages to visit- for all us culturalists, ahem. Plus, on all important social occasions you'll get to see the Zulu dancers busting out some grand gyrations that you can only dream of emulating-and even then it's vague. Aah, but you want rituals, marvels I hear, well then why not listen to the tales of the sangomas as they communicate with their ancestors via various elaborate rituals which you should not try at home. Did I mention traditional cuisine?!

For those of you who appreciate something you can hold in your hand (my fellow hoarders) the Zulu people practice excellent craftsmanship their clay pots, weaving ,straw baskets and intricate beadwork make wonderful prezzies.

Other landmarks are Kingdom's premier game reserve, The Hluhluwe -Umfolozi Park not to forget the beach-the bush, and everything in-between.