Discover Zululand: Route 66 and Zulu Heritage

Zululand can be explored from the perspectives of two routes: Route 66 follows a specific sequence of places, while the Zululand Birding Route focuses on birdwatching. Cultural points of interest include the Emakhosini Valley and the annual Reed Dance Festival, held in September. If you are planning a hotel stay, you can first decide whether your trip will focus mainly on the route, nature or history.

Route 66: Places along the route and history

Route 66 runs from Pongola via Nongoma and Ulundi to Melmoth or Eshowe, then joins the N2 at Gingindlovu. After Ulundi, the route therefore offers two possible directions: Melmoth or Eshowe. This sequence provides a clear guide for anyone wishing to explore Zululand through the places named along the route.

Historically, the Zululand Heritage Route 66 follows one of the oldest trade routes through Zululand. The Route 66 also passes eco-tourism reserves and natural hot springs. The route thus brings together a historical trade-route connection and specific natural features. If you choose this route, you can take both of these aspects into account when planning your trip.

Birdlife and wildlife

The Zululand Birding Route can be explored independently by car or on guided tours. 650 bird species have been recorded on the Zululand Birding Route; the total may change. If birdwatching is central to your itinerary, the Birding Route offers a clear focus for your trip. The choice between driving yourself and joining a guided tour also gives you two ways to explore the route.

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve is home to the Big Five. Together with the bird species recorded on the Birding Route, this gives you two distinct nature themes to consider when planning your trip: the route’s birdlife and the reserve’s Big Five.

History and tradition

The graves of several Zulu kings are located in the Emakhosini Valley. This specific connection to Zulu history complements the historical perspective of the trade route with another cultural focus.

The Reed Dance Festival is held annually in Zululand in September. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the specific event dates for your travel period. Its annual recurrence and the month of September are the key points to note; specific dates may vary.

KwaZulu-Natal as the broader context

The wider destination of KwaZulu-Natal offers further regional themes. KwaZulu-Natal’s Zulu, Indian and colonial heritage is reflected in historical and cultural walking trails. These trails provide a broader regional context for the cultural themes you can also discover in Zululand.

The Midlands Meander is an 80-kilometre route between Pietermaritzburg and the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Mountains in KwaZulu-Natal. As a distinct regional route, it offers another perspective on the wider destination.

Natural and cultural heritage are also part of this regional context: the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park is designated an Important Bird Area. The Maloti-Drakensberg Park contains an estimated 690 rock art sites. Its rock art forms the largest and most concentrated group of rock paintings in southern Africa south of the Sahara. The park also provides an important refuge for more than 250 endemic plant species.

Discover more destinations: Pongola, Swembad, Sovane, Nongoma, Magudu, Ilembe, Uthungulu, Durban Metro.

For the broader travel overview: KwaZulu-Natal.