Mpumalanga/Kwa Zulu Natal

Kwa Zulu Nata - in southeast South Africa, re-organized from the former Natal province minus local parts of Transkei. Borders Eastern Cape (with exclave), Free State, Mpumalanga, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho. Includes the former homeland of KwaZulu.

Antonio Martins, 30 May 1999. KwaZulu-Natal and Zululand in particular enjoys a warm sub-tropical climate for most part of the year. Summer (Nov - Feb) temperatures are hot, from 24 - 30 degrees celsius, and winter temperatures average 20 degrees celsius. Winters are ideal and from March/April the temperatures vary from about 11 degrees at night to around 30 degrees in the day. The rest of the year has very hot days and high humidity levels. It is bounded to the north by Swaziland and Mozambique, to the east by the Indian Ocean, to the south by Eastern Cape province, to the west by Lesotho and Free State province, and to the northwest by Mpumalanga province.

Mpumalanga, formerly known as the Eastern Transvaal, is one of South Africa's top tourist destinations. People are drawn by the magnificent scenery, by the fauna and flora and by the saga of the 1870s gold rush era and a wealth of fascinating tribal legends. Aptly know as "Paradise Country", few regions in the world can match the extraordinary beauty of the Lowveld and escarpment. Mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests characterise the landscape. This is also Big Game Country, the setting for dozens of sanctuaries teeming with wildlife and birds. Among them, the Kruger National Park is world renowned, as are several of the luxurious private reserves on its western boundary. The entire area offers exceptional opportunities for bird-watching, hiking, horse-riding and fishing. Streams once panned for gold have become the haunts of eager anglers and lazy trout. Steeped in the history of pioneers, hunters and fortune seekers, fascinating gold rush towns abound. Barberton and Pilgrim's Rest are among the most famous. A special, additional dimension occurs in the Middleveld region which is inhabited by Ndebele people, notable for their traditional costumes and attractively decorated houses. En route to the Kruger National Park through Mpumalanga, you have the advantage of some stunning scenery. Turn off the N4 to the village of Dullstroom, travel over the Long Tom Pass and its splendid panoramic views to Lone Creek Falls and the charming forestry town of Sabie. Just next to the Highlands Meander is The Panorama, which abounds with breathtaking views from natural wonders along the eastern slopes of the escarpment. There is God's Window and the world's third largest canyon and biggest green canyon, the Blyde River Canyon.

There are also the astonishing Bourke's Luck Potholes and three rondawels. The towns of Lydenburg and White River are gateways to the route, which takes visitors through the quaint towns of Pilgrim's Rest, a living museum dating back to the hey days of the gold rush, as well as Sabie, Graskop, Ohrigstad and Hazyview.