With warm seas and year-round good weather, KwaZulu-Natal is one of South Africa's top tourist destinations. Whether it's the lofty peaks of the Drakensberg or the rich heritage of Zululand, there is something for everyone. We've given you some of the basics below, but if there's anything else you'd like to know, please feel free to email the travel editor.


TOURISM OFFICES

The KwaZulu-Natal tourism authority should be your first port-of-call when planning your trip to the province. Their tourist bureaux are situated in most of the major towns and cities, but you can click here for a full list.

Moving inland, you should also pay a visit to Pietermaritzburg Tourism, as well as the official website of Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg tourism.


TRANSPORT

Spoornet, the national railway operator, runs the weekly Trans-Oranje from Durban to Cape Town via Bloemfontein and Kimberley. The Trans-Natal service runs between Durban and Johannesburg via Pietermaritzburg and Ladysmith. For more information, visit the Spoornet website, or call central reservations on 086 000 8888

Kwa-Zulu-Natal is well served by inter-city coach services, which can connect you to all the major cities in South Africa. Greyhound, Intercape, Translux and Luxliner all operate air-conditioned services.

There is also a service from Durban to Margate, run by the Margate Mini Coach (039 312-1406) and a minibus taxi service from Durban to Umhlanga run by the Umhlanga Express (031 561-2860). The Sodwana Shuttle (031 266-9878) is a minibus service operating between Durban and Sodwana via Richards Bay.

The hop-on, hop-off Baz Bus also runs through Durban, offering a cost-effective way of getting around. The Baz Bus runs from Cape Town to Johannesburg via the Garden Route, Wild Coast and KwaZulu-Natal. Once you've purchased a ticket to your destination, you can jump on and off as many times as you like along the way at their designated stops.

However, depending on where you are staying and what you intend to do, the best way to really explore KwaZulu-Natal is to hire a car.

Click here for more information on getting around South Africa.


AIRPORTS

Durban International Airport is the primary gateway to the area known as South Africa's playground.

For more information on the facilities available at Durban International, visit the Airports Company of South Africa.

Live arrival/departure information is available online, or contact the switchboard on +27 31 451 6666

The airport is situated 16 kilometres outside Durban. Metered taxis are available from the taxi rank outside the international and domestic arrivals terminals. Shuttle companies offering transport from the airport are also available in the arrivals hall. Although there are car rental companies situated in the arrivals hall, we suggest that you pre-book your car hire before you arrive, particularly in the peak summer season.


SHOPPING

Durban has more than its fair share of shopping complexes, but where it really shines is in the dazzling array of Zulu handcrafts for sale. Being the biggest city in the Kingdom of the Zulu, the best place to browse for curios is in the downtown markets, the weekend fleamarkets and the various craft shops dotted around the city.

If it's mall culture you're after, then you can't go wrong with Gateway Shoppertainment World, situated just off the N2.

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