The regions and happenings of Kwazulu Natal

It’s no wonder that this area is know as the garden of South Africa, with its sub tropical climate and extravagant beauty, it is not a place to simply drive through. With nine sub divided areas you will be spoiled for choice from coastlines to mountainous terrain and a whole lot in between The eleven main areas are Amajuba, eThekwini, uThukela, itembe, Sisonke, Uthungulu, Ugu, uMgungunglovu, uMkhanyakude, Umzinyathi and Zululand. Natal was named so by Vasco De Gama who landed here on Christmas day in 1497. He named the area Natal which means Christmas in Portuguese.
Amajuba:
Named so in 1825 by Shaka Zulu’s impis, it is known as a place of peace, hence the meaning “a place of doves.”
Charlestown
This is a figurative ghost town at the top of Laing’s Neck Pass. It started of as a railway station and customs post in the late 1800’s. Many black folk then bought free land here but were forcibly removed in the 1960’s due to Apartheid Cleansing; with few people living there it started to become a ghost town.
Damhauser
A former coal mining village which is now known for its Stock farming of mainly cattle and sheep.
Hattingspruit
Started in the 1800’s as a coal mining village it is famous for the farmers brewery which was started here and brews German and Austrian Ales.
Madadeni
A large township situated near New Castle.
Newcastle
A town of long history. It started of as an out post for the British Natal colonies until coal was discovered. It then became an industrial town and is now popular for its commerce, sports and general relaxed lifestyle. It is set on the banks of the Ncandu River and has a very successful angling league.
Utrecht
A small town set in the foot hills of the Balele Mountains. Its main economic resources are coal and cattle. It has a wealth of history starting of as grazing land for which the Voortrekkers paid 100 head of cattle to the then Zulu king Mpande. They later claimed it for themselves and developed the town Utrecht which was named after the Netherlands city of Utrecht. It ultimately fell into the hands of the British after the invasion of South Africa by Britain.
eThewini:
Amanzimtoti
The area is named after the river which means sweet waters. It is a Tourist destination renowned for its warm weather and warmth in hospitality and also very famous sardine run which occurs annually.
Cato Ridge
Doonside
A small seaside village which is set close to Amanzimtoti on the banks of the Manzimtoti River. Popular with tourists and a good angling spot during the annual sardine run.
Drummond
Durban
Home to largest Indian population outside of India, Durban is a definite mix of cultural color and spice. Housing the busiest port in South Africa and being the 3rd largest city in South Africa, this wonderful area is very popular among the tourists for its beautiful coastlines and Subtropical weather.
ekuPhakameni
The name ekuPhakameni is translated to “place of spiritual uplift” and was founded by one of the largest Christian movements known as the Nazareth Baptist Church. It was founded in 1911 by Isaiah Shembe whose grave in ekuPhakameni is now regarded as a shrine.
Hillcrest
Known as one of the most lucrative areas in Kwazulu Natal, this is a far cry from its humble beginnings. It started life as a farming village and grew steadily. The roads and infrastructure are firm set and the road ways were fully tarred between the 1970’s and 1980’s. the town started booming from 1995 and as mentioned before it is now known as the most lucrative town of Kwazulu Natal.
Illovo Beach
Set on the banks of the Local river bank this is a small seaside resort village.
Inanda
Meaning pleasant place in isiZulu, it is a town situated 24km’s from Durban and has a vast political history. It is here where John Langalibalele Dube was founding president of the African National congress between 1912 and 1917. The town is broken down into a few sub areas and in one of these he founded 3 schools and the sub area was later known as Dube Town.
Isipingo Beach
This seaside resort town is built near the mouth of the Siphingo River and is the burial site of famous Dick King who is well known for his record horse ride of 600m/960km to look for aid of a besieged British Garrison at Port Natal.
Karridene
A seaside village and resort, built by Walter Karri Davis as a sanitarium for mine workers suffering from Phthisis, a type of tuberculosis which is caused by the inhalation of rock particles.
Kingsburgh
A small sea side resort near Durban.
Kloof
Named after the deep ravine which was formed by the Molweni stream, it is a beautiful suburb that is leafy and green. Known for the lush mansions with trees surround and the beautiful Kloof Gorge.
Kwamashu
A township outside of Durban that was originally meant only for African settlement by the apartheid government.
La Lucia
Set on the beautiful Coastline of Umhlanga rocks, la Lucia is a relaxed and serene sea side resort area with a wondrous rural feel to it.

La Merey
Mount Edgecombe
A sugar growing area near Umhlanga which is famous for its beauty and resorts, not forgetting the all popular golf resorts
New Germany
Established in 1848 by German settlers who came to stay on a cotton farm which was not successful and they started to grow vegetables and flowers here.
Pinetown
Formerly a concentration Camp housing Boer Woman and Children it is now an industries city with what is believed to be the oldest standing cricket grounds in South Africa which was started in 1873
Queensburgh
A middle class town which was settled by people working in Durban who wanted to escape the high humidity of the coastal towns and moved a little further inland to the hilly hills.
Tongaat
A sugarcane growing town named after the river on whose banks the town settled in 1945.
Umbogintwini
Umdloti
A quiet seaside resort situated at the mouth of the Mdloti river close to mall and other towns the town booms during tourism season increasing the population tenfold.
Umgabada
Umhlanga Rocks
Forming of the Kwazulu Natal Sugar belt with Umdloti, Umhlanga is being haled as the new Sandton with many businesses moving that way due to urban decline happening in Durban CBD. It serves many purposes including being a fantastic seaside resort with diverse entertainment for the whole family.
Verulam
Settled by Methodists in 1850, Verulam’s population now comprises of folk with mainly Indian descent. The most amazing landmark of this interesting area is the Sri Gopalall Hindu Temple which was opened in 1913 by Mahatma Gandhi.
Warner Beach
Laid out in 1910 as a residential area for Government Pensioners Warner beach is a fantastic peaceful holiday resort area.
Westville
The town was laid out on the Westville Farm in 1847 and is now known as an academic town with prominent schools and the University of Kwazulu Natal within its borders.
Winkelspruit
This small seaside resort was founded after the schooner Tsonga sank here in 1875. The sailors not wanting the stores to go to waste set up a shop on the river bank and sold the water damaged goods. Winkel in Afrikaans means shop and Spruit means small stream.

iLembe:
Ballito
Established in 1964 as a Township on sugarcane land the town was named after a pair of Italian stockings, incidentally Ballito in Italian means little balls. It is now a well known holiday resorts with all the amenities that make for an unbelievable holiday.
Kwadukuza
A sugar cane town which is famous for being the place where Shaka was assassinated. It was named Stanger by the European Settlers in 1873 after the original town had been burnt down in 1823. The original town was named Kwadukuza, “place of the lost person”, by Shaka. You can still see the Mahogany tree where king Shaka held all his meetings in front of the municipal offices. The name Kwadukuza was reinstated in 2006.
Salt Rock
The name Salt rock comes from the time of King Shaka when his handmaidens would collect dry salt at low tied to barter with the colonials. It is a place of exquisite beauty and peace.
Sisonke:
Bulwer
Popular for its flying sports such as hand gliding and paragliding. Bulwer is also popular for its bird watching or just to generally relax. Set in the Amahwaqa mountain range, also known as the misty mountains, it is a good place to relax.
Cedarville
Set in the foothills of the Drakensburg Mountain range and gateway to 3 spectacular mountain path ways.
Franklin
Himeville
Set in the foothills of the Southern Drakensburg, it is the closest village to the world renowned Sanni Pass and has it’s own Nature reserve and incredibly diverse history.
Ixopo
Set on the tributary of the Mkhomazi river. This area is a major sugar cane and forestry area with the area being part of the Midlands Meander.
Kokstad
Started by the Griguas king Adam Kok 3rd, Kokstad was named after him. A major cheese and dairy area with a colorful history.
Matatiele
With an unusual history, the town was the centre for cattle rustling and gun running until 1874 when order was restored. It now occupies it’s time with the more peaceful work of dairy farming.
Swartberg
Underberg
One of South Africa’s fly-fishing capitols and an administrative town for the areas dairy and cattle farming communities.
Ugu:
Harding
A picturesque town situated in the Mzimkulwana river valley. Popular for its timber and dairy trade.

Hibberdene
A beautiful and popular coastal town that is the gateway to the Hibiscus coast and a wonderful holiday destination.
Ifafa Beach
Ifafa is translated from Zulu into Sparkling which only barely describes this wonderful coastal resort
Margate
A seaside resort town with incredible nightlife and day time activities. Maybe you can also solve the riddle of the Margate Monster. Come have a peak.
Palm Beach
Names after the Illala palm that is indigenous to Southern Africa. It is a small peaceful seaside resort village.
Park Rynie
A delightful Sea side resort village with wonderful swimming sights and quiet history.
Pennington
A small coastal resort village which locks holiday goers by the hundreds. Also has sugarcane and dairy farming at its heart
Port Edward
A small peaceful resort town that doesn’t show the shadow of its history where many Europeans fleeing from the raid by the Zulus on Port natal were massacred after landing here. Although apart from its dark history it is a peaceful and beautiful holiday destination.
Port Shepstone
The largest Town on the Kwazulu Natal South Coast, Port Shepstone came about when marble deposits were discovered and the harbour was immediately opened for marine trade. Trade is still popular with goods such as Lime, Marble and Sugar. It is also a very popular tourist destination for its beauty and serenity.
Ramsgate
Original home to a sole individual Paul buck who was a painter and violin maker in his own right it is now a retirement village and holiday resort.
Scottburgh
Originally known as Davenport and a surfer’s hotspot. Scottburgh has wonderful lawns sloping onto sandy beaches. It is set on the bank of the Mpanbanyoni River, which translates to confuser of birds.
Sezela
Named after a man eating crocodile which was hunted down by Shaka Zulu in 1823. The Sezela means “he who smells out” because it was said that the crocodile hunted by sent. It is now mainly known as a sugar producing town.
Shelley Beach
Set on the hibiscus coast and famed for its multitude of beautiful shells, hence its name. A quiet, peaceful and relaxing holiday is to be had here.
Southbroom
An up market village considered as the jewel of the south coast. South broom has a history of conservation dating as far back as 1884 when the first boarding house was set up here.

St Michaels-on-
Wonderful small seaside town which is the perfect place to try all sorts of seaside and water sports.
Umkomaas
A fantastic diving area with an eventful and unsolved history. The coral reef about 5kms offshore is a wonderful spot for seeing different coral, predator and other fish species.
Umtentweni
A small resident resort town which is perfect for city leavers trying to ease into a relaxed lifestyle
Umzinto
A semi-urban town with a large textile mill.
Umzumbe
A wonderfully peaceful seaside town where your only worry is the setting and rising of the sun.
Uvongo
A beautiful seaside town with secluded beaches and amazing fishing spots and scenery.
Widenham
Umgungundlovu:
Balgowan
Wonderful for crafts and arts and home to a very exclusive boy’s boarding school
Boston
Looking for lush forests, waterfalls and lakes then Boston is the place to come. Set on the foothills of the Drakensburg mountains and part of the Boston-Bulwer beat.
Byrne
Dargle
Set in the foothills of the Drakensburg and a place of relaxation and quiet contemplation.
Hilton
Home to Hilton college, one of South Africa’s leading private schools. A quiet and peaceful town.
Howick
A town set just above the 95m high Howick falls. With a history of being started small and expanding dramatically.
Impendle
Merivale
Mooiriver
A wonderful out door area, perfect for water sports and hiking. So named when the voortrekkers 1st saw it and called it so, mooi meaning pretty.
New Hanover
A small town started by German Cotton growers and is now a producer of sugar cane.
Nottingham Road
A town of incredible beauty that is reminiscent of early 1900’s English country side with old style pubs and dotted with farmlands
Pietermaritzburg
Known as the second largest city in Kwazulu Natal and the starting or ending point, depending on the year, of the famous comrades marathon. A city of history and distinctions with politics thrown into the mix.
Richmond
Famous for industry and produce of Citrus, dairy, poultry, sugarcane and timber.
Wartburg
Visiting here is very much like stepping into a hamlet in Germany. Mostly inhabited by fourth generation Families of German descent and a producer of Kiwi fruit, Timber, Sugarcane and maize.
York
Umkhanyakude:
Hluhluwe
A place of culture, growth and expectation. Producing 95% of the South African pineapples and home to the Zulu.
Ingwavuma
Set high in the Lebombo Mountains and boasting magnificent views and scenery.
Mkuze
Living in the shadows of the Bomb Mountains and sporting its own game reserve.
Mtubatuba
Constructed on Swampland in 1903 and lying just north of Richards Bay. Has its own sugar mill, which is its main industry.
St Lucia
When considering St Lucia you would have to consider it as a whole, as the St Lucia wetlands national park. The 3rd largest park in South Africa spanning 280kms of coastline.
Ubombo
A small peaceful town of Kwazulu Natal.
Umzinyathi:
Dundee
Set in the valley of the Biggarsberg Mountains, it originally was a coal mining village which has now become a beautiful scenic spot to visit with graceful homes and incredible beauty.
Glencoe
With a history of governance, it is now a coal mining and livestock farming district.
Greytown
A small town which saw the oppression of the Zulu’s in 1906. It is the final resting place of Sarie Marais, a famous Voortrekker woman who died during the birth of her 11th child; she is immortalized in the Afrikaans song of the same name.
Kranskop
Originally named Hope town in 1894 it was changed to Kranskop after confusion with another town of the same name in the Northern Cape. It is literally translated into Cliff heads and is named after two overhanging cliffs near the town.
Muden
Ever wanted to see a stationary car run uphill, this is the place to visit with wonderful scenery and its own game reserve.
Pomeroy
A town with a history as a missionary, then a battle ground, come and explores this wonderful quaint town.

Wasbank
Uthukela:
Bergville
Known as the gateway to the northern Drakensburg, this is a very scenic place with majestic views and exquisite scenery.
Colenso
Established in 1855 and the scene of the 1sr battle of the Anglo-Boer war in 1899. A quiet little town now but a wonderful place to visit for those that are interested in battle history.
Elandslaagte
Estcourt
Originally a turbulent battle field region which is now a wonderful quiet farming community with factories around the area making processed foods.
Ladysmith
A town with wonderful difference and strategic placement. Set in between Johannesburg and Durban and at the foot of the Drakensburg. A lot of sites from industrial to natural, really worth while looking at.
Weenen
Meaning “to weep,” the town was set up in 1838 and most of its voortekker residents were soon massacred by the Zulu’s after that. There’s nothing to weep about now though as the town has a nature reserve, some amazing white water rapids and a beautiful museum to visit.
Winterton
With horse riding, hand gliding, rock art, hiking, bass and trout fishing, and lots of other things to do, Winterton will leave you breathless with it’s stunning scenery and majestic views.
uThungulu:
Babanango
Known as the highest village in Zululand and a wonderful place to stay if you’re following the fascinating Battlefields route.
Empangeni
Set about 15km’s away from the Richards Bay harbour, it is a lovely town to visit and stay in with its own sugar mill and wonderful surrounds.
Eshowe
Home to the only aerial boardwalk in the southern hemisphere and the 1st settlement by Europeans in Zululand. It is a magnificent holiday destination with many fantastic things to do.
Mandini
Melmoth
Known to have the cleanest air and home to a gold rush in 1888, Melmoth is a picturesque town with beautiful peaceful surrounds and home to an internationally renowned tea which is considered the best tea from Africa.
Mtunzini
A place of wonderful natural beauty, known as the “place of Shade.” Mtunzini has beautiful dune forests, and an estuary lined with mangrove swamp forests.

Richards Bay
Richards Bay is one of the capitals of surfing in South Africa with a wonderful mix natural beauty and industry. It has the largest harbour in South Africa and is also the largest coal exporter. It has two aluminium smelteries on the harbour and a fertilizer plant.
Zululand:
Louwsberg
Home to the Itala game reserve which is a game viewer’s paradise.
Mahlabatini
Established in 1889 and known as the place of white sands, it is a small residential town.
Nongoma
Home to King Goodwill Zwelethini, and set close to Ntendeka wilderness area which is really a stunning corner of South Africa.
Paulpietersburg
A holiday maker’s paradise, it is home to the Natal Spa which has 9 hot and cold spa pools, it is set at the foot of the Dombe mountain which is a triangular flat top mountain. Here one has numerous things you can do and see so come and visit.
Pongola
With a rich history of the struggles between the Boers, Zulu’s and British. It has Subtropical fruit and sugarcane plantations and is set just 10km’s from the Swaziland boarder at the foot of the Lebombo Mountain Range.
Ulundi
The site of the final battle of the Anglo-Zulu war and home to a rich Zulu and Bantustan history.
Vryheid
Once the capital of the Nieuwe Republiek (the new republic) until its absorption into the Republic of South Africa and located along the Spoornet Coaline.

To go and visit any one or all of these towns, then come and hire a vehicle from anyone of our branches at www.southafrica-carrental.com