Kwa Zulu NatalBeautiful, Warm, Rich And Diverse
A little history and geography
Kwa Zulu Natal, The Garden Province is the lush, green, subtropical region, plum centre in South Africa, occasionally known as THE holiday destination where countless international tourists visit, where several international conferences are hosted in light of the fact that KZN has the biggest 5-star conference centre in Africa, namely the International Convention Centre in Durban, in addition to a number of large and accommodating hotel venues with accommodation rooms, in the city and along the South and North Coast, in the Midlands and in the Drakensberg.
From Pongola in the North to Port Edward in the South, a direct course by road is +- 512 klms and likewise from Port Edward to van Reenen, west of Durban beyond the Northern Drakensberg. The whole of KZN covers an area of 94,361 square metres and shares approximately 7.7% of South Africa!
An interesting truth is the fact that in the west, on the border of KZN and the Free State, the majestic and dramatic Drakensberg mountain range, with numerous peaks, up to 3000 metres high has been awarded a World Heritage status for its natural splendor along with the large choice of San Bushman rock art work present in caves, apparently the richest concentration of these in Africa.
KZN has summertime rainfall and temperatures in this season that vary from close to 40 degrees some times along the coast and in the mountains and plummeting to less than 0 in the mountains in the winter season. The Midlands, even though drier can frequently be colder than the Northern Drakensberg!
Durban, among the fastest-growing urban regions on the earth together with the busiest harbour in South Africa receives 30-million odd tons of cargo each year. One other harbour in the province, at the top most end of the Kwa Zulu Natal North Coast is at Richards Bay, mainly a coal-export port. Richards Bay, over the years has in addition become one of Kwa Zulu Natals busiest and richest commercial communities. A pretty town which has been deliberately developed to conserve the splendor of the coastline as well as the picturesque surroundings of the harbour adds a fresh feel to the what was once just a little bay-side / seaside resort.
Agriculture
The fertility of the earth and wonderful rainfall ensure that agriculture remains healthy and prosperous. Along the coast, the sugar-cane plantations are the mainstay of the provinces agriculture, in addition to the substantial production of subtropical fruit in the north and south and dairy and vegetables in the west.
CONFERENCE CENTRES KWA ZULU NATAL
With the Durban International Convention Centre heading up the list of large, professionally managed, purpose designed conference centres in Kwa Zulu Natal, this little province offers a host of conference hotels, North, South and West of Durban, many non-hotel Conference Centres, Guest houses and Boutique hotels Conference groups are literally Spoilt For Choice with the selection of conference venues, exhibition venues, accommodation establishments and leisure activities available.
In Durban, uShaka Marine World, the largest aquarium in Africa and one of the most magnificent in the world (and where the recent Pop-Idols auditions was hosted) not only offers visitors to Durban an awesome leisure day-outing, packed with activities but also offers unusual and beautifully appointed conference and event facilities.
In the north there are the Game Reserves, all of which offer conference facilities while in the south along the coast and inland are many resort hotels offering equally good conference venues together with ample accommodation rooms. Some right on the beach, some at the foothills of the majestic Drakensberg mountains while others still more charming are those along the Midlands Meander between Pietermaritzburg and the Drakensberg.
Venues one might consider in the province are (amongst many more):
Alpine Health Resort near Bergville
Cathedral Peak Hotel situated between Bergville and Winterton in the Central Berg
Champagne Sports Resort which nestles in the heart of the Champagne Valley in the Central Berg
And in the Southern Drakensberg, near Underberg, Drakensberg Gardens Hotel.
On the South Coast :
Protea Hotel Karridene on the outskirts of Durban
Pumula Beach Hotel at Umzumbe
Selborne Country Lodge and Golf Estate
Peermont Mondazur Hotel At Southbroom
On the North Coast:
Protea Hotel Umhlanga
Princes Grant Golfing Estate
The Richards Hotel at Richards Bay
Shakaland (inland at Eshowe the original site for the movie Shaka Zulu)
In the Midlands
Lythwood Lodge near Lidgeton
Woodridge Country Estate, near Nottingham Road in the Balgowan Valley
Granny Mouse Country House on the edge of the Balgowan Valley
and in Pietermaritzburg itself, several excellent city hotels and conference centres, sports clubs and budget venues.
Kwa Zulu Natal, The Garden Province is the lush, green, subtropical region, plum centre in South Africa, occasionally known as THE holiday destination where countless international tourists visit, where several international conferences are hosted in light of the fact that KZN has the biggest 5-star conference centre in Africa, namely the International Convention Centre in Durban, in addition to a number of large and accommodating hotel venues with accommodation rooms, in the city and along the South and North Coast, in the Midlands and in the Drakensberg.
From Pongola in the North to Port Edward in the South, a direct course by road is +- 512 klms and likewise from Port Edward to van Reenen, west of Durban beyond the Northern Drakensberg. The whole of KZN covers an area of 94,361 square metres and shares approximately 7.7% of South Africa!
An interesting truth is the fact that in the west, on the border of KZN and the Free State, the majestic and dramatic Drakensberg mountain range, with numerous peaks, up to 3000 metres high has been awarded a World Heritage status for its natural splendor along with the large choice of San Bushman rock art work present in caves, apparently the richest concentration of these in Africa.
KZN has summertime rainfall and temperatures in this season that vary from close to 40 degrees some times along the coast and in the mountains and plummeting to less than 0 in the mountains in the winter season. The Midlands, even though drier can frequently be colder than the Northern Drakensberg!
Durban, among the fastest-growing urban regions on the earth together with the busiest harbour in South Africa receives 30-million odd tons of cargo each year. One other harbour in the province, at the top most end of the Kwa Zulu Natal North Coast is at Richards Bay, mainly a coal-export port. Richards Bay, over the years has in addition become one of Kwa Zulu Natals busiest and richest commercial communities. A pretty town which has been deliberately developed to conserve the splendor of the coastline as well as the picturesque surroundings of the harbour adds a fresh feel to the what was once just a little bay-side / seaside resort.
Agriculture
The fertility of the earth and wonderful rainfall ensure that agriculture remains healthy and prosperous. Along the coast, the sugar-cane plantations are the mainstay of the provinces agriculture, in addition to the substantial production of subtropical fruit in the north and south and dairy and vegetables in the west.
CONFERENCE CENTRES KWA ZULU NATAL
With the Durban International Convention Centre heading up the list of large, professionally managed, purpose designed conference centres in Kwa Zulu Natal, this little province offers a host of conference hotels, North, South and West of Durban, many non-hotel Conference Centres, Guest houses and Boutique hotels Conference groups are literally Spoilt For Choice with the selection of conference venues, exhibition venues, accommodation establishments and leisure activities available.
In Durban, uShaka Marine World, the largest aquarium in Africa and one of the most magnificent in the world (and where the recent Pop-Idols auditions was hosted) not only offers visitors to Durban an awesome leisure day-outing, packed with activities but also offers unusual and beautifully appointed conference and event facilities.
In the north there are the Game Reserves, all of which offer conference facilities while in the south along the coast and inland are many resort hotels offering equally good conference venues together with ample accommodation rooms. Some right on the beach, some at the foothills of the majestic Drakensberg mountains while others still more charming are those along the Midlands Meander between Pietermaritzburg and the Drakensberg.
Venues one might consider in the province are (amongst many more):
Alpine Health Resort near Bergville
Cathedral Peak Hotel situated between Bergville and Winterton in the Central Berg
Champagne Sports Resort which nestles in the heart of the Champagne Valley in the Central Berg
And in the Southern Drakensberg, near Underberg, Drakensberg Gardens Hotel.
On the South Coast :
Protea Hotel Karridene on the outskirts of Durban
Pumula Beach Hotel at Umzumbe
Selborne Country Lodge and Golf Estate
Peermont Mondazur Hotel At Southbroom
On the North Coast:
Protea Hotel Umhlanga
Princes Grant Golfing Estate
The Richards Hotel at Richards Bay
Shakaland (inland at Eshowe the original site for the movie Shaka Zulu)
In the Midlands
Lythwood Lodge near Lidgeton
Woodridge Country Estate, near Nottingham Road in the Balgowan Valley
Granny Mouse Country House on the edge of the Balgowan Valley
and in Pietermaritzburg itself, several excellent city hotels and conference centres, sports clubs and budget venues.
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