Luxury KwaZulu-Natal
Tours made for you
Start PlanningDiscover the scenic landscapes and varied wildlife of the 'Kingdom of the Zulu'
Known as the ‘Kingdom of the Zulu’, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s most north-easterly coastal province, quite literally has it all. With its subtropical climate and some of the best beaches in the country, it’s no wonder it attracts both local and international visitors. You can easily flit between the UNESCO wetlands of Lake St Lucia, the coral reefs of Sodwana Bay and the big five game reserves of the north, before spotting dolphins off the Dolphin Coast and relaxing on the golden sands of its Indian Ocean beaches.
With a culture as prolific and varied as its landscapes, the region invites you to discover Zulu traditions and history, the Boer battlefields and the creative city of Durban. The scenic valleys and pastures of the Natal Midlands are scattered with charming villages and framed by the majestic Drakensburg mountains – home to 35,000-year-old rock paintings.
In the north-eastern corner of the province, tucked beneath Eswatini and Mozambique, the Elephant Coast is the ideal destination if you’re looking for a beach escape. While away your days on sun-soaked sands fringed by coastal forests, or head to Kosi Bay to see turtles and a vast array of stunning marine life.
An exceptionally scenic swathe of the KwaZulu-Natal province, the Battlefields is where many significant battles took place between the Boers, Zulus and the British to shape the modern South Africa. Here, compelling history meets the wonderful scenery of the Drakensburg Mountains, sweeping hills and wind-swept plains. Delve into the region’s history and learn about the notorious clashes of Blood River, the Siege of Ladysmith, the Zulu defeat of the British at Isandlwana and the defense of Rorke’s Drift. We work closely with world-class local guides who really bring these histories alive for you.
Experiences picked by our destination specialists
A word from one of our experts
A great mix of history, wildlife, stunning coastlines and wonderful culture, KwaZulu-Natal makes for an excellent stop on your South African adventure.
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in KwaZulu-Natal
There are many incredible places to stay in KwaZulu-Natal. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
Safari expertise
Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive hotels, camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.
Unforgettable guides
We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife, wineries and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.
Positive impact
By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.
Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our South Africa example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
10-Day Trip
Safari, Wine and Waterfalls
10-Day Trip
Safari, Wine and Waterfalls
10-Day Trip
A Romantic Honeymoon to South Africa
10-Day Trip
A Romantic Honeymoon to South Africa
Discover more of South Africa
Cape Town
Vibrant and beautiful, Cape Town is an essential stop on any South Africa trip. Table Mountain dominates the skyline and offers exciting outdoor pursuits while the streets below are full of history, culture and buzzing bars and restaurants.
Drakensberg Mountains
The Drakensberg mountains are an epic and exciting place to visit. Huge tabletops, massive ranges, ancient san rock-art sites and crashing waterfalls can be explored on hikes, exhilarating zip lines and expedition horse rides.
Durban
A subtropical climate, beautiful beaches and laid back atmosphere makes Durban a great city to spend time in. It also holds plenty of cultural and political importance as the capital of the KwaZulu Natal region.
Limpopo Province
Known as ‘The Great North’ Limpopo is characterised by majestic scenery, ancient landscapes and millions of hectares of protected land. There are numerous outdoor activities including some of the best horse riding safaris in the country.
Luxury Rail Travel
Luxury trains cut through dramatic landscapes, enjoyed from the comfort of stylish carriages. Any journey through South Africa will be a beautiful one and taking the journey by train delivers a wonderful sense of calm or romance.
Madikwe
Madikwe, in the northwest corner, boarding Botswana and the Kalahari desert is a hidden gem for safari-goers. A great spot for families with little children as there’s no malaria-free area.
Phinda
Phinda is a private reserve offering exclusivity, conservation-lead hospitality and exciting wildlife encounters. A varied collection of habitats attracts plenty of wildlife and with its proximity to the coast, beach and bush combine perfectly.
Sabi Sands
A private reserve spanning 600,000 hectares and boarding the game-rich Kruger Park means safari experiences here are exclusive and full of wildlife. A place of leopards and wild dogs, luxury lodges and endless savannahs.
The Garden Route
The Garden Route is a place of magnificent natural beauty. The coastline is made up of small bays, beaches and quaint towns. In the distance rolling, green hills and forestland runs down to meet the coast, laden with marine life.
The Kalahari
The Kalahari showcases the massive diversity of the country's landscapes. Unique desert species roam the arid plains, waiting for the rains to bring dry land to life with a flurry of desert flowers.
The Kruger
A world famous national park, and for good reason. The wildlife in the Kruger is abundant, the big five reside here in large numbers. The park is home to many luxurious lodges for a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience.
The Western Cape Mountains
The Cape Mountains span the northern and southern capes, taking in the Cederberg mountains and most of the Karoo plateau. A perfect place for jaw-dropping road trips on the famous route 62 and all just a convenient distance from Cape Town.
The Whale Coast
On the Atlantic shoreline of the western cape there’s a beautiful collection of bays, towns and villages. Whale watching boat trips can be arranged to spot southern right whales and evenings are spent in fine restaurants and stylish hotels.
The Winelands
Pretty towns and villages punctuate the green rolling hills of South Africa’s Wine Region. Home to fantastic wine, restaurants and plenty of outdoor activities that make the most of the stunning landscapes.
Meet your Africa team
The sunny months of April and May are considered to be the best time to visit KwaZulu-Natal, but the dryer months from July to September, are excellent for game viewing. The summer months, between October and April, tend to be hot and humid, with December to February being peak beach season on the coast. Avid bird watchers will be treated to many migratory species between October and April.
Wildlife spotting
July–September
Beach days
December–February
Bird watching
October–April
Plan your trip to KwaZulu-Natal
Whatever you want from your adventure in KwaZulu-Natal, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Don't take our word for it
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
