Zululand - Heart and Pulse of the Zulu Kingdom

Helpful Hints

Climate

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.

For information on specific weather conditions you can call the following numbers:

North Coast - +27 (0) 82 231 1677

Zululand Interior - +27 (0) 82 231 1615

Ski boat and sailing - +27 (0) 82 231 1607

Surf and diving conditions - +27 (0) 82 231 1610

Sun, moon and tides - +27 (0) 82 231 1618

Professional forecast - aviation, ship and climate - +27 (0) 82 233 9500 or www.weathersa.co.za

Comfortable, light cotton clothing is advised, plus a hat, sunglasses, swimming costume, sunscreen, binoculars, camera plus lots of film, and a pair of comfortable walking shoes. Don't forget the insect repellent.

Distances

From Richards Bay to:


-Durban 180km
-Mtunzini 40km
-Empangeni 20km
-St Lucia 80km
-Hluhluwe 90km
-Mtubatuba 50km


And while you're moving around you might want to know more about road and travel conditions.

Traffic department - +27 (0) 35 901 1663 / 772 5503

KZN Traffic Department - +27 (0) 800 339 911

National Roads Agency - +27 (0) 33 392 8100

Automobile Association - +27 (0) 31 265 0427

Breakdown Services - +27 (0) 82 16 111

The N2 is the national road through Zululand linking Mpumalanga with the KwaZulu-Natal Coast. The regional roads that connect most of the towns in Zululand are tarred and well used.

Toll gates are in operation on national roads. Ensure that South African currency is available when travelling. Costs of tolls vary between R5.00 and R31.00 for a normal vehicle, depending upon the length of the stretch of road.

Population

Zululand has a population of approximately 400 000 people.

Official Languages

There are eleven official languages in South Africa. In the Zululand area Afrikaans, English and Zulu are widely spoken

Banks

Banking hours are from Monday to Friday 09h00-15h30 and Saturday 08h30-11h00. Automated teller machines (ATMs) operate 24 hours and can be found in most shopping centres along the coast and in the inland towns. Several petrol stations also have ATMs. The specific banks that are found in this area are Standard Bank, ABSA, Nedbank and First National Bank.

Note that the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve only accepts cash at the entrance gates. Please call KZN Wildlife for updates on entrance fees - +27 (0) 33 845 1999.

Credit Cards

Most departmental stores, shops, hotels and restaurants accept international credit cards i.e. American Express, VISA, Diners Club, Mastercard. Note that not all petrol stations are equipped to take petrol or credit cards.

Currency

The currency in South Africa is the Rand. Bank notes currently available are R200, R100, R50, R10 and coins of R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, and 1c. There are 100c in R1.

VAT

14% tax is charged on most purchased goods and services. However, foreign tourists are able to reclaim this money on their departure from the country provided that the goods purchased exceed R250. Ask for more information at the airport on arrival.

Hospitals & Health Care

Precautions should be taken against malaria in the in the low-lying areas of coastal Zululand and Maputuland, especially as you get close to the Mozambique and Swaziland borders and between the months of October to May. Protective medication needs to be started several days before travelling, and continued for four weeks after leaving the area.

Advice on the most suitable preparations can be obtained from pharmacies, travel clinics, the Travel Doctor, contactable on +27 (0) 35 789 2250, or cellphone 084 587 7747, and offices of the Department of Health.

While travelling, make use of insect repellents, coils, mosquito nets, and keep the body covered as much as possible after sundown.

Zululand sunshine is one of its greatest assets but requires hats, sunglasses and sun-cream. Make sure during the summer months, when humidity is high, that your water intake is sufficient. Carrying a water bottle on walks or a long drive is suggested.

Following is the list of some hospitals in Zululand:
Bethesda-Ubombo
Telephone: (035)595 1004

KwaNgwanase
Telephone: (035) 592 0150

Mosvold-Ingwavuma
Telephone: (035) 591 0122

Mseleni(Sibaya)
Telephone: (035) 574 1004

Libraries

Important Telephone Numbers

MRI Rescue Helicopter
Telephone: 080 011 1990
Telelphone: (011) 242 0112

S.A. Police Services
Hluhluwe
Telephone: (035) 562 0244

Ingwavuma
Telephone: (035) 591 0000

KwaNgwanase
Telephone: (035) 592 0103

Mbazwana/ Sodwana
Telephone: (035) 571 0005

Mkuze
Telephone: (035) 573 1088

Ndumu
Telephone: (035) 591 0001

Pongola
Telephone: (034) 413 1201

Tow Services
AA
Telephone: 080 011 1997

Hluhluwe
Telephone: (035) 562 1164
083 265 1905

Mkuze
Telephone: 082 466 5942

Pongola
Telephone: (034) 413 2174

KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife
Central Reservations: (033) 845 1999
False Bay : (035) 562 0425
Hluhluwe-Hluhluwe : (035) 562 0255
Itala : (034) 907 5230
Kosi Bay : (035) 592 0236
Mkuze : (035) 573 0003
Pongola : (034) 435 1012
Sodwana : (035) 571 0051
St Lucia : (035) 590 1340
Tembe Elephant Park : (035) 592 0001

Swimming

Swimming and paddling in rivers, lagoons and lakes is not safe unless the area is free of bilharzia, hippos and crocodiles. Sea bathing is best undertaken on demarcated beaches - head for Alkantstrand as Richards Bay, or any of the public pools.

Please remember that driving vehicles on the beaches is not allowed in South Africa.

Tourist Information Offices

Babanango Tourism
Contact Person: Nancy Kellaway
16 Justice Street,Babanango
PO Box 9
Babanango
3850
Telephone (035) 835 0029
Fax (035) 835 0322
bab.hotel.mweb.co.za

Eshowe Tourism & Publicity Association
Contact Person: Mr Henry Bird
Civic Offices, Osborne Steet, Eshowe
PO Box 37
Eshowe
3815
Telephone(035) 473 3474
Fax(035) 474 4733
eshowe@uthungulu.co.za

KZN Wildlife
Mr C. Hamilton
PO Box 13053
Cascades
3202
Tel:(033) 845 1999 - Information
(033) 845 1000 - Reservations
Fax:(033) 845 1799
hamiltonc@kznncs.org.za

Hluhluwe Tourism
Ms Geraldine van Vuuren
PO Box 399
Hluluwe
3960
Tel: (035) 562 0353
Fax: (035) 562 0351
hluhluwe@uthungulu.co.za

Mkhuze/Maputaland Tourism Association
Ms Marcia Post
Tel: (035) 573 1439
Fax: (035) 573 1448
maputaland@uthungulu.co.za

Melmoth Information Centre
Contact Person: L. Von Essen
PO Box 751
Melmoth
3835
Telephone(035) 450 2672
Fax(035) 450 2234
ghostinn@iafrica.com

Mtubatuba Publicity Association
PO Box 81
Mtubatuba
3935
Tel: (035) 550 0781
Fax: (035) 550 4019
mtubatuba@uthungulu.co.za

Mtunzini Tourism Association
PO Box 24
Mtunzini
3867
Tel: (035)340 1421
Fax: (035)340 1847
mtunzinicouncil@intekom.co.za

Nongoma Publicity Association
MR B. Nkabinde
PO Box 117
Nongoma
3950
Tel: (035) 831 0802/083 739 9373
Fax: (035) 831 0802

Paulpietersburg Publicity Association
High Street,Paulpietersburg
Contact Person: Elna Schutte
PO Box 378
Paulpietersburg
3180

uPhongolo Publicity and Tourism
Mr John Hishin
PO Box 767
Pongola
3170
Tel: 083 966 4544
Fax: 086 671 3323
info@uphongolo.com www.uphongolo.co.za

Umhlathuze Tourism (Empangeni)
PO Box 115
Empangeni
3880
Tel: (035) 792 1283
emptour@microweb.co.za

Umhlathuze Tourism (Richards Bay)
Ms Bernadine Wright
PO Box 102500
Meer-en-See
3901
Tel: (035) 901 5018/901 5408
Fax: (035) 901 5334
rbtour@uthungulu.co.za

Ulundi Tourism
Contact Person: Joseph Masango
Cnr. Priness Mangogo/King Zwelithini Streets,Ulundi
Private Bag x261
Ulundi
3838
Telephone(035) 870 0595
Fax(035) 870 0598
amafahq@mweb.co.za

Uthungulu Regional Council
Contact Person: Anita Tait
Private Bag x 1025
Richards Bay
3900
Telephone(035) 789 1404
Fax(035) 789 8176
tourism@uthungulu.co.za


Vryheid Information Bureau
Carnegie Library,Cnr. Mark/Landrost Streets
Contact Person: Alet / Karin
PO Box 57
Vryheid
3100
Telephone(034) 982 2133 x 2271/2229
Fax(034) 982 3497
information@abaqulusi.co.za

Accommodation and other tourism services

A searchable database of all tourism attractions and services in this area is currently being developed. For your accommodation needs please consult the static accommodation lists linked under each of the towns on this site. For information on other tourism services in this area, please search the database found under 'Plan and Book' on the main KwaZulu-Natal website .

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