Lauren Anthony

If you grew up in KZN, you’ve likely spent at least one childhood holiday riding horses, hiking, and swimming in streams found within the dramatic Drakensberg mountains. If not, then this is your sign to pack your bags and head for the hills, because the Drakensberg is unmatched in scenic beauty and outdoor fun! Speaking of packing, here’s a checklist to help you prepare for a one-day hike in the Drakensberg. Must-pack items: Water bottle Hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes A warm jacket and waterproof clothing (mountain weather changes fast) Sunglasses First-aid kit Torch or headlamp, with extra batteries Nutritious snacks and meals to keep your energy up Navigation tools: a mobile GPS or compass, plus a map Power bank – better safe than sorry SPF Trekking pole(s) If you're camping overnight, add: Sleeping bag Toiletries Extra clothes and underwear – don’t forget thermals Tent and sleeping mat Plenty of food to last the duration of your trip Gas stove and necessary cooking accessories When is the best time to visit? It depends on what you’re looking for, but autumn (March–May) is generally the ideal time. During these months, temperatures are comfortably mild, skies are clear, rainfall is minimal, and the views are truly breathtaking. To make planning even easier, we’ve found a few Airbnbs near the Drakensberg that might be worth checking out. Click here to view. But without further ado, here are our top 10 reasons to visit the Berg (as we call it in KZN!): Time Out ma

When you think of Durban, what comes to mind? Golden beaches, warm weather, bold flavours? You wouldn’t be alone, and you wouldn’t be wrong. But this friendly coastal city has far more to offer than first meets the eye. From historic markets woven into the fabric of the city to Africa’s oldest surviving botanic garden, and local artists celebrating Durban’s rich biodiversity and ecosystems that make KwaZulu-Natal truly one-of-a-kind, there’s a deeper story just waiting to be discovered. And quite frankly, if Durban isn’t on your 'must-visit' list, seriously, what is wrong with you? And before you say it, no, we’re not being biased… well, maybe just a tiny bit. After all, we’ve got the official title to back us up: Durban was named one of Time Out’s Best Places to Travel in 2026. Whether you’re a curious local, a first-time visitor, or looking to impress at your next quiz night, here are 10 fun facts about Durban you might not know. TIME OUT RECOMMENDS: 📍 The best things to do in Durban😋 The best restaurants in Durban🏨 The best hotels in Durban🛏️ Where to stay in Durban

The aQuellé Midmar Mile is all set to take place from 7 to 8 February 2026 in the beautiful KZN Midlands. This iconic swim is the world’s largest open water swimming event and one of those bucket-list experiences that locals swear by and visitors never forget.Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer, a first-timer, or someone who just loves the buzz of a big sporting weekend, Midmar has a way of pulling everyone in. Held at Midmar Dam, just outside Howick, the Midmar Mile is a 1.6km open water swim with various events – depending on your preference – running across the two days. Thousands of swimmers compete as families, teams, individual athletes, charity challengers or social swimmers. History of the Midmar Mile The first Midmar Mile was swum in 1974, and in 2009 it made global headlines when 13,755 swimmers crossed the finish line, earning it a Guinness World Record as the largest open water swim on the planet. Not bad for a dam in the Midlands... Midmar Mile details Where: Midmar Dam, KZN MidlandsWhen: 7 to 8 February 2026Distance: 1 Mile (1.6km)Who can enter: Everyone – kids, adults, teams, para-swimmers, veterans, families, colleagues, and elitesHow it works: Multiple races over two days, with seeded starts based on qualifying timesSign up here Things to Do in the KZN Midlands Even if you’re not swimming that weekend, it’s always well worth a trip out to the KZN Midlands, as you can: Explore charming farm stalls and cafés Visit craft breweries and cheese farms Take a sceni

A temporary full closure of the N3 has been scheduled, and while the end game is creating safer roads, it will affect your journey this week. What’s happening? The N3 will be fully closed between the Armitage Road Interchange (Liberty Midlands Mall) and the Cedara Interchange for luminance testing of newly installed road lighting. This testing is a critical final step before the lighting project is signed off, and, once complete, it will significantly improve visibility and safety on this busy stretch of highway. What you need to know Closure Times: 8pm on Wednesday, 28 January to 4.30am on Thursday, 29 January. The closure will take place overnight to reduce disruption, but motorists are urged to plan ahead.Alternative Routes to N3 Northbound (Durban to Johannesburg)Closure point: Exit 82 – Armitage Road (Liberty Midlands Mall)Light vehicles (under 8 tonnes): Diverted onto Old Howick Road (R103) and rejoin the N3 at Cedara InterchangeHeavy vehicles (over 8 tonnes): Will be stopped and held at a designated staging area on the N3 Also closed northboundTown Bush Road on-rampPeter Brown on-rampHilton Interchange (closed at Hilton Avenue, near Hilton Hotel) Alternative Routes to N3 Southbound (Johannesburg to Durban)Closure point: Exit 96 – Cedara InterchangeLight vehicles (under 8 tonnes): Divert via Cedara Road (R103), continue along Old Howick Road, Athlone Circle, then via Montgomery Drive and Town Bush Road, and rejoin the N3 at Armitage Road (Midlands Mall)Heavy vehicles (o

KwaZulu-Natal is heading into a serious weather mash-up, starting today, with inland temperatures expected to be scorching!Pietermaritzburg is heading for a high of 38°C, while Durban will sit around 31°C… but don’t be fooled by the lower number on the coast. Add humidity, and you’re going to be sweating through your slops just walking to the car. What’s happening with the KZN weather? According to the latest updates from the South African Weather Service, everyone should prepare for a volatile start to the week, with extreme heat, scattered showers, and possible thunderstorms in play across parts of South Africa. For KwaZulu-Natal, conditions are expected to stay partly cloudy and warm to hot, becoming very hot in the east, with isolated showers and thundershowers possible in the west and south. Coastal winds are expected to be moderate to fresh north-easterly, and the UVB sunburn index is high, meaning the sun is not here to play.There’s also concern around extremely high fire danger, including parts of central KZN, especially with dry conditions and strong winds in the mix.In short: Plan for ways to keep cool! How to stay safe (and sane) in extreme heat Here are some smart, simple ways to protect yourself: Hydrate constantly (don’t wait until you’re thirsty) Stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, ideally in a cool, ventilated space Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy outdoor labour, especially midday Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that allows airflow Co

Durban isn’t just a city of great beaches and delicious bunny chows… it’s also an epic spot for some top-notch biking.From the Golden Mile to the indigenous forests, there are endless biking trails that allow you to experience Durban up-close, with family and friends.And now you can explore some of Durban’s best-kept biking trails through the eThekwini Mountain Bike Association (EMBA). Pierre Tostee What’s the EMBA? This is a not-for-profit organisation that’s been doing the good work for nearly two decades. They create safe, legal, well-managed access to some of Durban’s most scenic riding terrain.Thanks to a landmark agreement with Tongaat Hulett Sugar (first signed in 2007 and renewed annually), registered EMBA members can explore acres of private farmland without trespassing, while keeping the trails protected and maintained.Two epic trail zones. One membership. Big adventure energy. Where can you cycle? EMBA offers around 180km of riding across two main regions: Shongweni (West of Durban) Expect rolling valleys, grasslands, indigenous bush, and views so unique, you can’t believe you’re still in Durban! You’ll find everything from chilled gravel rides to technical singletrack, with safe parking at the Shongweni Club. KZN North Coast (Cornubia to Tongaat) Coastal riding at its best, with entry points at Cycle Lab Cornubia and Salta Sibaya. Think flowing singletrack, sugarcane fields, fast sections, and even the occasional ocean view if you time it right. What you need to

The eThekwini Municipality has announced that two beaches - Country Club Beach and Reunion Beach - have been temporarily closed as a precaution due to water quality concerns. The closures are in place purely to protect public health and will be lifted as soon as water quality improves.The good news is that 21 beaches across Durban remain open and safe for swimming, surfing, and other seaside fun.Lifeguards are on duty, and water quality is constantly being monitored to ensure all bathers are safe.These latest closures follow a series of temporary beach closures in December 2025, when elevated E. coli levels led to the shutdown of Blue Lagoon, eThekwini Beach, Country Club Beach, and Battery Beach. After further testing, eThekwini Beach, Country Club Beach, and Battery Beach were reopened a few days later as water quality had returned to safe levels. eThekwini Municipality eThekwini Municipality MORE READING: KZN's Battlefields to come alive this week Lots to do in Durban Even with two beaches on pause, Durban is bursting with things to do: Stroll, cycle or skate along the Durban beachfront promenade, especially magical at sunset Dive into family fun at uShaka Marine World Grab a bite at beachfront restaurants, cafés, and bars Book a lesson with one of the many surf schools along the coast Browse local markets and soak up that unmistakable summer energy And if you’re keen to explore beyond the shoreline, Durban’s location makes it easy. Head inland to the KZN Midlands or

February is hot in Durban, and this year, it’s about to get much hotter! The city is set to host the Jonsson Workwear Durban Open at the historic Durban Country Club from 19 to 22 February 2026.This championship event promises four days of top-tier golf, stunning scenery, and plenty of action both on and off the course. The tournament forms part of the Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour, attracting a strong field of South African and international players aiming to make their mark on the Road to Mallorca Rankings (which South African golfer JC Ritchie is currently leading again after winning it in 2025).Nick Jonsson, CEO of Jonsson Workwear, says bringing this tournament to Durban is a ‘homecoming’ that spotlights world-class golf right on our doorstep. With the City of Durban as a partner, this tournament is also a global spotlight on our fairways, culture, and coastal charm. What you need to know When? 19 to 22 February 2026 Where? Durban Country Club, Durban Tickets & Info Here Why Durban Country Club rocks South Africa's premier classic golf course, established in 1922, is known for its stunning Indian Ocean views, Cape Dutch clubhouse, and challenging semi-links layout carved into coastal dunes. Durban Country Club recently underwent a major upgrade, earning 8th spot in South Africa’s Top 100 Golf Courses for 2025. With new bent grass greens, reshaped fairways, and exposed dunes opening up spectacular vistas, this classic course has been elevated to championship stand

On 22 January 1879, on the slopes of a sphinx-shaped hill of Isandlwana in northern KwaZulu-Natal, the world changed forever.Armed with only shields and assegais, some 20,000 Zulu warriors took on the mighty British imperial force, equipped with rifles, cannons, and those bright red coats. Despite expecting to take the Zulu’s land with ease, they were met with a strategically superior force that managed to conquer these colonial invaders.The Battle of Isandlwana remains the largest defeat ever inflicted on the British by an African army. This was a military masterclass led by the key commanders of the Anglo-Zulu War: Ntshingwayo kaMahole Khoza, Mavumengwana kaNdlela Ntuli, and Dabulamanzi kaMpande.Though the Zulu Kingdom would eventually lose the war, Isandlwana stands as a symbol of ingenuity and resistance, and a poignant moment when the empire met its match. Ceremonial events to mark the occasion This year marks the 147th anniversary of this epic battle, and KwaZulu-Natal’s royal leadership, heritage bodies, and municipalities are pulling out all the stops. This week will include a variety of ceremonies, cultural showcases, and memorial moments taking place across Zululand and uMzinyathi, led by members of the Zulu Royal Family.Highlights include: Wreath laying at Sikhalenisenkosi (Port Dunford), where King Cetshwayo was captured in 1879 Procession to Fort Nonqayi, eShowe, with a memorial lecture honouring the king Gravesite visit in Nkandla with hymns, oral history, and

Cast your mind way back to 1980 (or let us take you on that journey if you’re post-Millennial)...Rubik’s Cubes were melting minds, leather jackets were all the rage, Ronald Reagan was moving into the White House, and everyone was still asking, "Who shot JR?", around the water fountain.And somewhere in South Africa, a quirky little insect called the granulate bladder grasshopper was spotted… for the last time. Or so we thought. Cue the dramatic reveal… After more than four decades of radio silence, the granulate bladder grasshopper has re-emerged - not in a museum drawer or a dusty field journal, but alive and well in the stunning Umtamvuna Nature Reserve on the KZN South Coast.The discovery was made by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife scientist Dr Adrian Armstrong, who photographed the elusive hopper on 1 December 2025 at the reserve’s Beacon Hill office. We can only imagine his excitement at rediscovering THE grasshopper. A win for science, nature, and grasshopper groupies This rediscovery is big. Until now, the species had only ever been recorded vaguely in Mpumalanga, the KZN Midlands, and the Eastern Cape, with many fearing it had gone the way of the dodo.Now that it’s officially confirmed alive, researchers have a new window into: Species distribution Climate resilience Conservation priorities And, yes, more grasshopper love songs This little guy is named for the way the male bladder grasshoppers inflate their bellies like balloons to boom out mating calls you can hear hundreds o

KwaZulu-Natal law enforcement continues to prioritise maximum safety in 2026, implementing roadblocks, vehicle checks, and car searches to ensure the safety of motorists on our roads. This is not only good for residents, but it also encourages road travel across this incredible province, which supports tourism operators and establishments as well. In the most recent move, KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma confirmed the province is doubling down on its commitment to responsible driving and clean governance at the frontline of licensing and testing.  They are stamping out bribery, fraud, and corruption at Driver’s Licence Centres and Motor Licensing Offices. Working with the Road Traffic Management Corporation, the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit, and the Hawks, the department is actively investigating and arresting syndicates involving officials, driving school instructors, and applicants attempting to ‘buy’ their place on the road.  Safety Measures Showing Results This follows ongoing road safety measures that have been implemented across KZN. Over the last festive season, the enforcement efforts paid off in the most meaningful way: 30% decrease in road deaths 17% drop in crashes 300 motorists arrested for drunk driving 27,972 vehicles stopped 4,291 traffic offences issued This dedication to motor safety has extended to the start of the school year, with nearly 200 scholar transport vehicles inspected, and any unsafe operators removed from the

In 2026, the iconic river race that is the Dusi Canoe Marathon hits a major milestone. From 19 to 21 February, paddlers will once again tackle three unforgettable days from Pietermaritzburg to Durban as the Dusi celebrates its 75th edition.And, yes, the legends are lining up. Andy Birkett is back (Again!) Fifteen-time Dusi champion Andy Birkett has confirmed he’ll be back on the river in 2026, teaming up once more with his 2024 winning partner, Matt Fenn. It’s the first time since 2014 that Birkett has returned with the same K2 partner after a win, and the pairing has serious history.If they claim victory again, Fenn would become the first two-time Dusi champion (outside of Birkett’s remarkable record), while Birkett himself could make history as the first paddler ever to win the Dusi 16 times in the race’s history.Despite the headlines, Birkett remains characteristically grounded, focusing less on records and more on the simple joy – and challenge – of racing the river. The Dusi, after all, is never predictable. From rapids and portages to fatigue and fast decision-making, it’s a three-day test of endurance, calm heads, and serious problem-solving. A race for everyone While the elite battle always draws attention, the Dusi remains a race for all. From seasoned paddlers to first-time entrants, the atmosphere along the riverbanks and finish lines is unmatched. It’s as much about community, resilience, and tradition as it is about competition.Organising committee chair Doug Gow

KwaZulu-Natal is making headlines in the archaeological world, after researchers unearthed 60,000-year-old poisoned arrows in a quiet cave at Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter, just outside Hillcrest. These are the oldest proven poisoned weapons anywhere on Earth!While Europe was still figuring out fire and flint, KZN’s early humans were crafting chemically enhanced hunting tech like pros. Archaeologists analysed tiny stone arrow tips excavated decades ago and found microscopic traces of poisonous plant chemicals… specifically toxins from Boophone disticha, also known as the Bushman’s poison bulb.This isn’t just cool science trivia. It proves our ancestors weren’t just hunters, they were chemists, botanists, and strategists. They knew how to extract plant toxins, apply them to arrows, and anticipate that the poison would weaken prey hours later.This is evidence that early KZN humans were already thinking about cause and effect, delayed payoff, and persistent hunting 60 millennia ago. READ: Durban ranks among top global travel destinations for 2026 Bringing ancient history to life in KZN Umhlatuzana isn’t our only heritage masterpiece either! KwaZulu-Natal is basically a living outdoor museum of early human brilliance.The province is home to incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each with its own unique attractions: uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park: This is a mountain wilderness scattered with waterfalls, basalt cliffs, and valleys hiding more than 35,000 ancient San rock paintings, the

The travel superstars at Time Out have spoken! In its newly released list of The Best Places to Travel in 2026, Durban has clinched a well-deserved 14th spot, cementing its status as South Africa’s coolest coastal city and a global destination worth shouting about.Durbs finds itself in fabulous company, coming in just below Australia’s dreamy Rottnest Island, and ahead of Saint Helena Island, a paradise for off-grid adventurers.Sitting pretty in the number one spot is the Canadian Rockies, a breathtaking wilderness now home to a hotly anticipated new thermal spa destination.Other headline destinations in the top 20 include: Rabat, Morocco (2): Stepping into the spotlight with new cultural icons Algodões, Brazil (3): Pristine beaches with barefoot energy Hamburg, Germany (4): Adding major new cultural landmarks Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand (5): A hiker’s high-altitude heaven Why Durban? lcswartuMhlanga Beach in Durban For years, Durban has been overshadowed by Cape Town’s mountains, Joburg’s buzz, and the Kruger National Park's, well, wildlife, probably! But 2026 marks the year the spotlight finally swings East.Durban delivers that unbeatable mix of seaside chill, cultural richness, and nature-based adventure that global travellers crave. Warm ocean. Warm weather. Even warmer people. And a REALLY warm curry that will change your life.Here are some of the incredible highlights of Durban (and surrounds): Golden beaches, balmy water, and world-class surf The exciting new C