From Durban to Kruger through Isimangaliso

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first natural site in South Africa to earn the distinction, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park stretches along the KwaZulu-Natal coast for more than three hundred kilometres, enclosing an extraordinary mosaic of ecosystems. The village of St Lucia, a lively gateway, sits where the great estuary meets the Indian Ocean: its waters are home to hundreds of hippos and Nile crocodiles, best seen on a sunset boat cruise. All around stretch lakes, marshes, coastal forests, some of the world's tallest dunes and pristine beaches where sea turtles come to lay their eggs. The Zulu name "iSimangaliso" means "miracle", and rightly so: here you can spot elephants, rhinos, leopards and an exceptionally rich birdlife, while whales and dolphins pass offshore. St Lucia is the perfect meeting of safari, ocean and untamed nature, in one of Africa's most precious environmental sanctuaries.

Ballito is a lively seaside town on the Dolphin Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, north of Durban, famed for its subtropical climate and golden beaches washed by the Indian Ocean. The social hub of this stretch of coast, it blends sheltered bays ideal for swimming with long sandy shores where surfers gather, while a seafront promenade links coves, tidal pools and viewpoints. The warm waters are visited by dolphins and, in season, by migrating whales, while the reefs invite snorkelling and diving. The town boasts restaurants, cafés and boutiques that liven up the evenings, and makes a convenient base for excursions into the Zulu hinterland and nearby reserves. Ballito is the perfect destination for sea, sun and relaxation with a touch of buzz.