Page 262 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

260  THE EAST C O AST AND INTERIOR

Introducing the East Coast and Interior

Crowned by southern Africa’s highest mountains, a serrated
spine that runs the length of this region, the Eastern Cape,
Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal offer rugged mountain scenery,
undulating hills and superb beaches. The powerful currents
of the warm Indian Ocean carve the wave-battered cliffs of
the Wild Coast. Although an almost continuous chain of Ermelo
coastal resorts extends 160 km (100 miles) south of Durban,
(Africa’s largest port), much of the coastline remains
unspoiled and accessible only along winding dirt roads. Locator Map
In the far north, subtropical forests and savannah Piet Retief
provide a haven for an abundance of big game
and birds, while coastal lakes and the ocean lure Volksrust
fishermen and holiday-makers.
Kroonstad Phongolo
Newcastle Vryheid

Bethlehem
Harrismith
DURBAN AND
ZULULAND
(See pp282–301) St Lucia
Ladysmith
Empangeni
Estcourt Tugela

Maseru
KwaDukuza
Pietermaritzburg
Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the
northeastern Free State lies in the foothills of Caledon Durban
the Maluti mountains. Magnificent scenery,
impressive sandstone formations such as Amanzimtoti
Sentinel Rock, abundant wildlife and pleasant
walks are the attractions in this park (see p275). Orange Kokstad
Aliwal
0 kilometres 100 North THE WILD COAST,
0 miles 100 DRAKENSBERG Port
Shepstone
AND MIDLANDS
(See pp266–81)
Lusikisiki
Cala
Mthatha
Queenstown
Indian
Ocean

King William’s
Town
East London
The Hole in the Wall is situated just off the coast at the
mouth of the Mpako River. It is one of the best-known
sites on the romantic Wild Coast (see p271).
Marine life teeming on the coral reef at Sodwana Bay, along the Maputaland coast

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