A holiday in KwaZulu-Natal is not just mountains, sand and surf. KZN’s game parks lie across the subtropical plains of Zululand and many are an easy drive from the coast. Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve is the oldest game park in South Africa where you can expect close encounters with the Big Five and an above average chance of spotting the elusive cheetah (keep your eyes peeled).

Just an hour's drive from Durban, you'll find the Midlands Meander, a series of routes linking quaint towns in the green midland hills. Pick up a handmade, fireproof tagine from Dargyle Valley Pottery, then head to Terbadore Coffee Roasters for lunch and an espresso. In the seaside town of Port Edward on the South Coast, walk or cycle through the Red Desert, the smallest desert in the world, before driving inland to Beaver Creek Coffee Estate for their 'crop to cup' coffee tour.

Meet host, Toe Shozi who grew up in Ndwedwe in Maphephetheni. Toe will lead you on a village walk and beadwork experience where you’ll meet locals, take beadwork lessons and hear stories of her Zulu heritage. Toe's warmth is infectious and you're guaranteed to leave with a deeper connection to South Africa.

St Lucia beach is wild and unspoiled, making it excellent horse riding territory. It's also the perfect spot from which to spy whales breaching and turtles hatching. Don’t miss a visit to the Isimangaliso Wetland Park. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to hippos, crocodiles and lots of birds - 520 species of them in fact, so bring those binoculars.

The rolling hills and rocky outcrops of the northwest of KZN are known as The Battlefields. Along The Battlefields Route you’ll find 82 battlefields, museums, fortifications and places of remembrance. The pretty town of Dundee on the slopes of the Biggarsberg Mountains is the perfect base from which to explore. Many skilled artisans have made their home here, so save some space in your suitcase for hand knotted carpets and woven grass baskets.