Even if you’re not a seasoned photographer, there are many photogenic places in KwaZulu-Natal that are worthy of your scrapbook or Facebook page. There’s also a number of SA Airlines that offer cheap flights to Durban, and here’s our selection of the top places to push the button in KZN once you get there.
You are likely to land at King Shaka International airport so we start our photographic adventure nearby.
Umhlanga Promenade – Lighthouse
Umhlanga is an upmarket holiday village in between Durban and King Shaka International Airport. It is located along the N3 southbound about 16km from the airport and is easily reached with a rental car.
The Umhlanga beachfront is a beautiful place to take a walk and get some shots of the golden beaches. Here you will find some of South Africa’s most photographed places. The Lighthouse at the Oyster Box has been attracting the attentions of camera-wielding travellers for years.
Umhlanga Promenade – The Pier
Close by, the Umhlanga ‘Whalebone’ Pier is another happy-snappers’ favourite.
Designed to resemble a whale’s ribcage, this unique pier juts out over the beach for 80m and has been acclaimed as the world’s most beautiful pier. It’s also an engineering masterpiece helping to keep Umhlanga’s lovely beaches pristine and welcoming.
At night the Whalebone pier is lit with state of the art blue-toned lighting which gives it a surreal appearance worthy of any portfolio.
Durban Skyline
Further down the drag in Durban, you’ll find the best place for a panoramic shot of the city is from the top of the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Take the sky car for a cruise to the top of the arch where you will enjoy 360-degree views over the city and ocean from 104m up.
However, your best shot of the day could be the look on your friends’ faces if they decide to indulge in a trip on the world’s highest stadium swing. This adrenalin packed activity sees adventure seekers plunge from the top of the stadium arch to swing above the playing fields in a 220m arc. Not for the faint-hearted.
Valley of 1000 Hills
If you turn your attentions inland from Durban you will pass through a beautiful Valley of undulating countryside on your way to Pietermaritzburg. Along this route, you can snap away at the Comrades Marathon Wall of Remembrance and stop off for a bird’s eye view of the slopes.
However, the winning shot here has got to be of the Zulu warriors performing their traditional dances in full regalia at Phezulu. It’s action-packed stuff.
Midlands Meander – Nelson Mandela Capture Site
If you love country scenes, you could do yourself an injury trying to capture every photo-worthy instance along this green belt about an hour and a half’s drive from Durban. The Midlands is simply gorgeous any time of year. Winter brings snowy peaks to photograph, autumn is ablaze with fiery oranges and reds, while summer reveals blooms and dense green pastures as far as the eye can see.
However, one of the most interesting photo-ops along this strip looks the most unassuming from the road. At the southern tip of the meander, you will come across an arrangement of spear-like protrusions on either side of the road. Follow the signs to the adjacent Museum and you are in for a surprise.
This seemingly random arrangement is an optical illusion and when viewed from the other side, reveals an image of Nelson Mandela’s face. This clever design is one of the most-photographed places on the Meander which should earn it a place in your holiday album too.
Drakensberg – Champagne Castle
While on the Midlands Meander you are bound to notice the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains on the horizons.
These beautiful heights are not only photo-worthy themselves, but hide many gems within their folds for the dedicated photographer. In winter, these dramatic crags are covered with a thick blanket of while the summer slopes are peppered with mountain flowers and dotted with secret caves inscribed with ancient San art.
If you are fortunate to have the Drakensberg included in your itinerary when you book a cheap flight to Durban, you simply must travel to the area surrounding Champagne Castle to get your photographic fix.
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Heading north up the coast from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal has more natural treasures in store for you. It’s not every day you get to photograph a real live rhino.
That’s just what you can do if you check in to one of the luxury game lodges in Phinda Private Game Reserve along the North Coast.
St Lucia Estuary
Right next door, the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park is a UNESCO world heritage site filled with adventures and natural treasures. Try to capture the whales as they cavort out in the ocean or go for broke with some underwater photography of the corals on a scuba dive.
What are you Waiting for?
Kwa-Zulu Natal is a wonderland of epic scenery and things to do, with vastly different environments and landmarks to tick off your list. Start planning the photographic journey of a lifetime by booking your cheap flights to Durban today.