Ubombo, Zululand

Set in the heart of Maputaland, Ubombo lies in the midst of the Lebombo Mountains between the Mkuze Game Reserve and the Pongolapoort or Jozini Dam. It is an ideal spot at which to stopover or from which to explore the area - given over to a series of undulating hills and breathtaking views.

Life here is rural. Villages predominate and the N2 from Durban en route to Johannesburg makes getting here pretty easy. Roughly 350 kilometres from Durban, Ubombo and the neighbouring towns of Mkuze, Hluhluwe, Nongoma, Pongola and Jozini, bring you close to the Elephant Coast and wonderful attractions like the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Sodwana Bay and the Mkuze Game Reserve, where you will find a rare kind of sand forest, and incredible stretches of savannah on which game roam aplenty. Fever trees, pans and a fig forest add further diversity to your visit.

The area around Ubombo is largely given over to sugar cane farms and some game lodges, as well as a few forest plantations. The town is tiny but if supplies are what you are after, head to the nearby town of Mkhuze where you will find a Spar, a Pep store and at least one bank outlet. Whilst in the town look out for Ghost Mountain. Not only is it particularly beautiful, if caught at sunrise or sunset, but you can hike on its slopes.

Nearby there is plenty else to do. The Hluhluwe/Imfolozi game reserve is home to the Big Five, Lake Jozini is famous for its Tiger fishing, the Tembe Elephant Park is the place to see these beasts in the wild, whilst Ndumu Game Reserve has a prolific bird life. Nearby Kosi Bay is effortlessly beautiful, and Sodwana a haven for scuba diving and gorgeous beaches.