Anyone for an adrenalin rush?

The beautiful and majestic Zulu Kingdom in South Africa has a lot to offer adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies. With an unrivalled combination of bush, berg, battlefields, beaches and the buzz of multi-cultural cities – KwaZulu-Natal has got it all.

For bush junkies … there are a number of wild and untouched game reserves available to visit, such as Hluhluwe-iMfolozi – where you could come nose to nose with some of the white rhinos who have fought their way off the endangered species list in this park. One can also do elephant tracking in the Pongola Game Reserve (not for the faint-hearted) – or enjoy exciting 4x4 game drives through sand forest in Tembe Elephant Park – which boasts some of South Africa’s biggest elephants.

Or perhaps searching for hippos and crocodiles at Ndumo or St Lucia is more your thing? Both Ndumo and Mkuze are excellent spots for birding – and Ithala is great for more rare sightings such as Tsessebe, Eland and Red Hartebeest. KwaZulu Game Reserves truly offer something for everyone – from the Big Five to the smallest of dung beetles…

If mountains lift your spirits – then the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Mountains will fill your soul. Whether you like hiking up mountain paths and taking in the spectacular scenery – or prefer taking on challenges to test your limits – these mountains will awe and inspire you to new heights (literally). Have a drink at South Africa’s highest pub – on the Sani pass. Adventure activities include mountain biking trails, abseiling, rock climbing, kloofing, horseback trails and plenty more. For the more laid back – there are lovely leisurely walks where you can enjoy the scenery, the fresh mountain air and interesting sights such as small game or even Bushman paintings – all at your own pace.

If your idea of adventure includes stepping back in time and reliving the adrenaline rush as felt by the British soldiers at Rorke’s Drift when the dreaded Zulu’s attacked (Ever seen the movie ‘Zulu’ with Michael Cane?)– then the battlefields are a ‘must’ on your itinerary. KwaZulu-Natal battlefield lodges offer excellent guides who take you through the many battles that happened in the province. These journeys are sometimes so realistic that grown men have been known to cry. The Battle of Isandlwana tour is another ‘must’.

When it comes to beaches – you’d be hard-pressed to find better beaches anywhere in the world. The warm Indian Ocean (average temperature is 21.5 degrees) offers excellent conditions for surfing (the waves are incredible) and swimming, with long golden sandy beaches for sun worshippers. With excellent coral reefs at Sodwana and shark diving at Aliwal Shoal, scuba divers can escape to a different world and enjoy excellent marine life – and maybe even spot some of the amazing whale and ragged tooth sharks who frequent the coastline. For the less adventurous, Kosi Bay estuary offers excellent snorkelling – and is a great place to canoe and fish.

Sea kayaking and windsurfing are also very popular water activities for the more active traveller. For the less active, boat trips are a great way to spot dolphins and whales off the coast and enjoy the warm sea spray on your face – or even do some big game fishing.

Speaking of fishing – why not take up the ultimate challenge of tiger fishing on the Pongolopoort/Jozini dam in Maputaland? The challenge of it, added to the stunning surrounds will leave you positively breathless. This is also home to two amazing Shayamanzi house boats.

Inland, you can try your hand at one of the world’s fastest growing sports - white water kayaking. Paddle from the Inanda Dam wall along the Umgeni and Umkomaas rivers, then through the foaming and exhilarating Molweni rapids – part of the famous Dusi Canoe Marathon. You will never feel more alive.

If your idea of fun is something that raises your pulse to dizzying heights then you could opt for a helicopter flip over the mountains. Or you can try your hand at paragliding or microlighting in a number of fabulous spots around the province. Or for something less harrowing, there is also the option to go cable gliding into the surf at Addington beach in Durban.

There are also lovely cities in the Province where you can get a taste for the local culture. Learn more about Ghandi and his life in South Africa by visiting his memorial in Pietermaritzburg. Or try bargaining with the vendors at the Indian Markets, take a guided township tour – or just a rickshaw ride along the beachfront… Try Shakaland, Dumazulu or Vula Zulu for Zulu cultural displays and dancing…

Durban, and the other cities in the province have a vibrant nightlife with excellent restaurants (you gotta try a Durban curry –or even better a bunny Chow), bars and nightclubs for those wanting to party the night away. There are also some excellent theatres where you can enjoy the local talent such as The Playhouse, Backstage at The Royal Hotel or The Cellar.

Lastly, if golf is your sport then KwaZulu-Natal is the place for you. With KwaZulu-Natal’s all year round temperate climate – and a wide choice of world class nine and eighteen-hole courses dotted all over the province – you really couldn’t ask for more.

Some of the better known courses are The Beachwood Country Club (set is the last surviving mangrove swamps on the East Coast) and the Durban Country Club (rated in the top 10 in South Africa and in the top 100 in the world). On the North Coast you can choose from Zimbali, Mount Edgecombe Country Club, Prince’s Grant, or the Umhlali Country Club. Then there are some lovely courses inland, amidst the splendour of the Drakensburg Mountains at Champagne Sports Resort, Monks Cowl Country Club and Cathedral Peak. South, on the spectacular ‘Golf Coast ‘ you can play on a range of amazing championship courses such as Southbroom (one of the finest holiday golf course in the country) the Selbourne Country Club, San Lameer and The Wild Coast Sun Course – to name but a few.

So whatever your tastes, no matter your limits – the Zulu Kingdom is the place for you.

For more information, visit Zulu.org.za.