South Africa

KwaZulu Natal: Climate and nature

Climate

KwaZulu Natal extends from the Indian Ocean to the 3,000 metre high Drakensberg Mountains. Therefore, there are wide variations in climate.

In the coastal region, including Durban, it is sub-tropical; hot and sticky with thunderstorms in the afternoon. Further west, in the so-called Midlands, the weather becomes less sticky. And towards the mountainous region temperatures are cooler with fog and wind more prevalent - it has even been known to snow here.

Nature

Like the weather, the flora and fauna vary considerably depending on where you are.

Many of the region's plants are exhibited at Durban's excellent botanical gardens. Sugar is a major crop and much of this is exported through Durban, or used in the brewing industry. We were fortunate enough to be in this region in springtime (October) when the jacaranda trees were in full blossom - these truly were a wonderful sight (pic).

Sugar leaves South Africa . . .	. . . or perhaps becomes beer
A large centipede in the Valley of a Thousand Hills	Brunfelsia pauciflora calycina, the yesterday, today and tomorrow tree

Some of the most exotic natural sights are to be found on the slopes of the Drakensberg. Lizards, sun birds and eland are seen amongst lovely flowering trees and tiny rock-loving flowers.