Planning to take a long weekend road trip to KwaZulu-Natal soon?
Thanks to Ford South Africa, I recently embarked on a road trip to the multi-cultural province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. On the list was a visited the iconic Midlands Meander followed by a visit to Umhlanga’s coastline.
Driving the Ford Kuga:
Over the past few years, I’ve sampled numerous compact SUVs, and for the most part, I’ve found them to be uniformly excellent.
Now I can genuinely say that the latest Ford Kuga is up there at the top of the list when it comes to SUVs that offer the perfect mix of comfort and control, making it ideal for a road trip.
Since I can remember, reliability and Ford are words you always hear people uttering in the same breath. The Kuga is a good-looking car. It’s also convenient with plenty of space in the cabin, more than enough room in the boot, and the back seats fold down for little extra space if you need it. Aspects of the Ford Kuga I particularly enjoyed during this road trip were the Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Aid, especially driving on the N2 Highway to the Midlands and back.
Road Trip Playlist:
Everyone knows that the playlist can make or break a road trip, so it’s essential to find the perfect mixtape! We all have those songs that remind us of particular places, people or vacations. I now consider it a trip must to have a USB cable plugged into my iPhone8. If you are planning a road trip especially through the Midlands, you do not want to be relying on radio signals that dip in and out of frequency.
I subscribe to Spotify because I love their pre-made playlists and it means I can continuously keep updating my library.
The Midlands Meander
Guaranteed to take your breath away with its beauty, the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Meander is one of the country’s most famous routes. It’s also known as the ‘arts and crafts route’, and this piece of the world is nothing short of majestic.
Where to stay:
Being just a stone’s throw away from the N3 highway, Brahman Hills is accessible and central to the famous Midlands Meander, which makes it the perfect destination for a weekend away if you are visiting KwaZulu-Natal. This tranquil country-side destination can only be likened to a little piece of paradise- and a somewhat undiscovered one, at that. It is a miracle that a place as beautiful as this hasn’t been discovered by the masses, although I have a feeling this gem of a place isn’t going to stay undiscovered for long.
Umhlanga
This vibrant seaside holiday resort lies about 20 minutes north of the bustling city of Durban. With a sandy beach that stretches all along its coastline and water that won’t frost the tips of your toes, this is one of those places where you can strut around in your shorts for most of the year.
Where to stay:
With its pale-pink exterior walls and classic interiors, not to mention its breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, it is no surprise that The Beverly Hills Hotel Umhlanga has been affectionately dubbed ‘the pink palace’ of South Africa.
The Beverly Hills Hotel Umhlanga is located right on the beachfront of Umhlanga and is only one of two five-star hotels in the greater Durban area. The interior offers effortless elegance, and it’s easy to see why it’s a favorite of the rich and famous, it indeed is a beautiful place to escape to.
The Beverly Hills Hotel Umhlanga is sure to evoke an iconic sense of nostalgia, timeless elegance, and romance. I highly recommend this hotel if you are a business or luxury traveler and visiting Durban or Umhlanga.
All in all, the road trip was a refreshing escape from mid-year madness and cold, and we had a great time. Adventures, man — they’re fun!
For more information about my accommodation, visit the below websites:
