There is no doubt that the KZN parks are in the best locations and that includes all the KZN Wildlife parks.  There are four themes that run throughout the choice of destinations available to you, that being berg (mountains), bush (game reserves, nature reserves and forests), beaches and dams (lakes).

There are a number of KZN Wildlife venues that line the Ukahlamba World Heritage Site and the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains.   These include Thendele self-catering camp, Mahai and Rugged Glen campsites in the Royal Natal National Park of the Amphitheatre region in the Northern Drakensberg. Didima lodge and self-catering camp in the Cathedral Peak region of the Central Drakensberg. Monks Cowl campsite in the Champagne Valley.  If you would like to see fantastic Rock art, then you should visit, Injasuthi, Giant’s Castle and Kamberg.  Injasuthi Camp in the Central Drakensberg has both self-catering chalets and a campsite. Giants Castle has lodge accommodation as well as self-catering chalets.  Kamberg only has self-catering units, however, nearby is Highmoor with a campsite.   For those wanting a quieter retreat, the beautiful Lotheni camp has lovely campsites and self-catering cottages.  Apart from these options there are numerous hiking trails that traverse the Ukahlamba Drakensberg Park and this is what makes the KZN parks, so rewarding – the feeling of a wilderness experience.  Take a backpack and enjoy day walks, over night in a cave or take a tent along and camp under the elements away from neighbours and responsibly enjoy the creation for what it is.

The fishermen, who prefer not to fly-fish for trout in the Mountains, may want to try their hand in the sea and for this, Sodwana Bay and Cape Vidal as well as Mtunzini provide ample opportunity!  In these parts campers and visitors willing to prepare their own food in the simple log cabins, can be assured of pristine beaches and nothing else but the sea!   Then for those lake and dam fisherman there is the Chelmsford Dam, Spioenkop Dam, Midmar Dam and Wagondrift Dam, each of these venues make wonderful day visits, however camping and basic self-catering facilities are also available for those only needing a place to sleep.

The Wildlife parks are wonderful places to take a day visit to and to make a holiday destination of.  These include: The oldest and big five reserve of the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi game reserve, the most scenic, being Ithala.  For birders the Zululand reserves of Mkhuze and Ndumo are fantastic and for those wanting to see the largest Elephants in South Africa, then a visit to Thembe should be on your list. Those wanting to have it all with Tiger fishing, sunset cruises and has wild animals excluding Lions prowling around then the Phongolo game reserve would be a wonderful place to visit.  Then, there are the reserves that are fantastic for day visits and taking your time in these kzn game parks is very rewarding; Spioenkop, and Weenen.  However, the other reserves also provide great getaways and a lovely free environment; Vernon crooks, Opathe, Ozabeni, Vryheid hill, Enseleni and Queen Elizabeth Park.

Forests tend to occur in patches, few of which cover areas greater than one square kilometre. Areas greater than this only occur in the higher and wetter parts of Zululand such as Nkandla and Ongoye.  Coastal Forest is well conserved in reserves in KwaZulu-Natal such as Harold Johnson, Vernon Crookes, Charters Creek, Maphelana, Cape Vidal, and Ongoye.  Sand Forest is distinctive in the preponderance of deciduous to semi-deciduous elements, especially in the canopy. They form dense, almost impenetrable stands, up to 25 m tall.  Ndumo, Mkhuze Game Reserves, Sodwana State Forest, Tembe Elephant Park and False Bay Park contain examples of Sand Forest.