KwaZulu Natal is one of South Africa’s most beautiful provinces and one of its most popular tourist destinations. It is a spectacular, multi-cultural, subtropical region flanked by the warm Indian Ocean and the striking Drakensberg mountain range. The province stretches from Port Edward in the south to the borders of Swaziland and Mozambique in the north. In between, there are a myriad of other wonderful sights and attractions and an abundance of affordable accommodation.
If you are planning on visiting KwaZulu Natal soon, then one of the places that you need to visit is Zimbali Coastal Resort in the Dolphin Coast which is known for its stunning landscapes, pristine beaches and award-winning accommodation. At Zimbali, miles of deserted beaches separate the warm Indian Ocean from the verdant coastal vegetation, giving rise to some of the world’s best views and beaches. Here you can watch dolphins frolicking in the ocean and whale sharks cruising by.
Zimbali is often dubbed as the epitome of luxury living and this is indeed the case. With grand accommodation and wonderful activities to keep you busy, Zimbali certainly is a destination that you will remember for a lifetime. As always, you need to prepare for this trip. Here are a few tips from the pros to get you excited.
It can be tempting to just relax in your room or near the coast and watch the fantastic views but there’s so much more that you can do in Zimbali. Plan your itinerary ahead of the trip as you could miss out on some amazing activities and tourist attractions if you don’t.
First off, you should definitely visit some of the many beaches near Zimbali. We highly recommend Ballito North and Zimbali Beach. These beaches have long strips of white sand which make them very good for sunbathing and relaxing. You can also tee off at the Zimbali Golf Course, enjoy bird-watching or game-viewing.
Thereafter, there are many other things you can do in the area like visit world-class game reserves like Hluluwe-Imfolozi Park or heritage sites like St Lucia. Just make sure you plan your itinerary beforehand.
Zimbali Golf Course (CC: WikiCommons)
One of the highlights of your Zimbali trip will be the room that you’re going to stay in. Zimbali is known for its luxurious suites and marvelous hotel rooms that will give you a wonderful view of the coast. Since these are always in demand, we highly suggest booking your room ahead of your scheduled trip.
Ideally, you’d want to book the room months before you arrive in Zimbali. We suggest this for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the best rooms - or those with a view of the coast - are always in high demand and they get fully booked pretty quickly. Booking earlier than most people will ensure that you have the best room there.
Another reason why early bookings are necessary is that you can get a discount by doing so. Rooms tend to be a lot cheaper if they are booked ahead of the intended date.
There are many platforms on which you can book a room in one of Zimbali’s prime locations. Make sure to book with established names as they often partner with the hotels for major discounts. There are so many prime rooms to choose from so take your time when choosing the best one for you.
Here are more amazing things to do in KwaZulu Natal
1. Hike in the ancient Drakensberg mountains
2. See incredible wildlife on a Big Five safari .
3. Visit the historic Battlefielda areas and learn about the battles that took place there.
4. Cruise on the St Lucia estuary in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5. Ride a steam train like the Umgeni Steam Railway.
6. Play golf at one of the many spectacular golf courses in the province.
7. Drink coffee at the world’s southern-most coffee estate – Beaver Creek Coffee Estate.
8. See 700-year old traditional fishing traps and raffia palm groves in Kosi Bay.
9. Go tiger fishing at Jozini Dam, one of the largest dams in South Africa.
10. Go on a road trip in the North Coast or the South Coast.
A trip to Zimbali might just be what you need to relax and forget about your worries. It is a beautiful coastal location in Kwazulu Natal surrounded by many attractions. You will enjoy your trip to Zimbali much more if you are well prepared for the trip ahead.
This is a guest post by Allen Brown.
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 50 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
