Luxury KwaZulu-Natal Tours made for you
Beaches, big game, battlefields and beautiful scenery
Discover 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.
From our experts
Experiences picked by our KwaZulu-Natal specialists
Go on game drives from local lodges
Discover the region’s spectacular wildlife on game drives from some of the top luxury lodges in the area
Kayak the St Lucia Wetlands
Spot turtles and birds as you explore the coral reefs of the St Lucia Wetlands lakes by kayak
Tour the Boer and Zululand battlefields
Join a knowledgeable local guide on an enlightening tour of the historic Boer and Zululand battlefields
Learn more about local culture
Head out on cultural and interest-led excursions to a variety of museums, towns and forts
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.
Jamey Lowis
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:
Fugitives’ Drift
Fugitives Drift is a place to stay in The Battlefields, South Africa.
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Nambiti Hills Private Lodge
Nambiti Hills Private Lodge is a lodge in The Battlefields, South Africa.
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Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is a lodge in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
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Why book with Jacada?
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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.
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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.
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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
Safari, Wine and Waterfalls
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Cape Town
Nestled in the embrace of the iconic Table Mountain and the lively V&A Waterfront, Cape Town is a breathtaking destination where city l…
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Drakensberg Mountains
Now affectionately known as ‘the Berg’, Drakensberg, meaning ‘Dragon Mountains’, magically encapsulates the escarpm…
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Durban
Durban is another of South Africa’s great seaside cities, with the added feature of enjoying a warm sub-tropical climate all year round. A…
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Eastern Cape
Once a region side-stepped by most travellers in favour of the Garden Route and Big Game Country of the north, South Africa’s Eastern Cape…
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Elephant Coast
Wetlands, reefs and beaches in the north-east.
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Garden Route
This exquisitely pretty, pleasant and popular strip of South Africa’s Western Cape and coastline is a nature lover’s paradise and a horticu…
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Johannesburg
South Africa‘s ‘Big Apple’, this city is one of the world’s largest urban areas and South Africa’s commercial and economic hub. It has also…
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Kalahari
The Kalahari, at 350,000m², spreads itself over most of Botswana, the east of Namibia and the north of South Africa. Derived from the Tswan…
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Kruger
Founded in 1898 and covering over 7,500 square miles (19,500 square kilometres) of land, Kruger National Park is both the oldest and larges…
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Limpopo
“The Great North”, South Africa’s northernmost province of Limpopo justifies its nickname with some of the most magnificently scenic and co…
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Madikwe
The Madikwe Game Reserve, bordering the Kalahari Desert and Botswana in South Africa’s north west corner, is one of the country’s lesser kn…
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Northern Kruger
The Makuleke is northernmost section of the Kruger National Park. It is something of an open secret among safari aficionados, a diverse and…
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Phinda
In the northern corner of the KwaZulu Natal’s eastern coast, the Phinda Private Game Reserve is a small and exclusive gem of conservation-b…
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Pretoria
Located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, this handsome city is one of South Africa‘s three capital cities. Pretoria is made up of…
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Rail journeys
South Africa’s luxury trains cut through dramatic landscapes, enjoyed from the comfort of stylish carriages. Any journey through South Afri…
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Sabi Sands
Widely regarded as Africa’s premier game reserve, Sabi Sands is world renowned for the abundance of game (particularly leopards). A luxury…
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The Battlefields
Historic sites brought to life by expert storytellers.
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Western Cape mountains
The Western Cape’s mountainous interior adds yet another string to South Africa’s bow of extraordinary experiences. Sweeping from the north…
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Whale Coast
As you might imagine, the marine life of the Whale Coast is the main draw of the area, but you can’t help but credit them for picking such…
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Winelands
Just a short drive from Cape Town one enters the verdant, rolling hills of South Africa’s wine country. Home to fantastic wine and some of…
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Meet your Africa team
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Angela Thomas
Client Experience Manager for Africa
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Charlie Cottar
Travel Designer
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Chloe Ainscow
Travel designer
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David Drayton
Travel Designer
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Ellie Smith
Travel Designer
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Emily Wallington
Senior Travel Designer
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Jacob Maahs
Senior Travel Designer
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Jamey Lowis
Senior Travel Designer
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Jess Thompson
Travel Designer
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Jody van Merode
Senior Travel Designer
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Kamogelo Dolo
Africa concierge
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Kit Wong
Senior Travel Designer
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Robynne Trueman
Africa Concierge
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Sara Bellemore
Travel Designer
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Tor Saner
Senior Travel Designer
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
When Is the Best Time to Visit South Africa?
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Don't take our word for it
“We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada…”
We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…
“heavenly honeymoon”
My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…
“Jacada Travel has been outstanding”
We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…
“Communication and organization were…”
Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!
“Iceland 8 Days”
We had a wonderful trip planned through Jacada. We enjoyed the venues and the excursions. This is a beautiful place we'd recommend to anyone who wants to go on a new adventure.
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.