Kwazulu-Natal Real Estate Overview

Known for being predominantly a lush sub-tropical region, KwaZulu-Natal is characterised by emerald-green valleys, sky-tickling mountains, a myriad picturesque waterways and, of course, spectacular sea views for those lucky enough to own property there.
 
The nature of the province lends itself to vacation pursuits and unsurprisingly, it is the country’s foremost tourist destination, attracting thousands of upcountry visitors to its holiday homes every holiday season. As a result, there are thousands of holiday properties of all types throughout KZN, from seaside hotel rooms and apartments through farm cottages to mountain chalets and bush lodges.
 
The most popular attractions include the uKhahlamba World Heritage reserve in the Drakensberg, the Midlands Meander, the St Lucia marine reserve and the many beautiful beaches and seaside villages along the coast north and south of Durban, which is KZN’s largest city and a major port.
 
There are also many small agricultural hubs as this is the other mainstay of the local economy, with sugar-cane farming being predominant. Sub-tropical fruit is farmed on the coastal belt while vegetable, dairy and stock farming occurs in the interior. Forestry also accounts for a large part of the local GDP and is centred around the towns of Vryheid, Ngome, Eshowe and Richmond, while coal mining operations are the main drivers of the property markets in Ladysmith, Newcastle, Glencoe and Dundee.
 
Pietermaritzburg is the capital of the province and its second largest city after after Durban. Founded in 1838, it is known as one of the best-preserved Victorian cities in the world and many of its properties are historical monuments. With its ‘Maritzburg is also the hub of the so-called Midlands area famous for its scenery, crafts, and racehorse studs and is surrounded by expanses of smallholdings, as well as modern property security estates popular with those whose children attend the excellent schools in the area.
 
From a property persepective, other notable areas include Umhlanga and Ballito to the North of Durban, Pinetown to the west and Amanzimtoti to the south.