Babanango, Zululand
In the northern reaches of Zululand is the little town of Babanango en route to Dundee on the R68. An unusual name, Babanango translates as ‘Father there she is’ - ‘Ubaba, nangu’ - and evidently refers to a small child who was lost on the slopes of the mist-shrouded hill, now a landmark in the area.
Babanango itself is the highest village in Zululand and an ideal place to stay if you’re intending on following the Battlefields Route, which pays homage to a number of fierce Anglo-Boer and Anglo-Zulu battles that ensued during the late 1800s and early 1900s in this part of the world. Like every town on the route, Babanango has its own story to tell. It was originally part of a land grant to European farmers in 1885 from King Dinizulu. It became the site of a number of offences by the Boers in an attempt to take Natal from the British and battles between Boer and Zulus.
Babanango is also on the Zululand Birding Route, a network of 14 self-drive routes with over 600 recorded species of bird. The route is focused on conserving these birds and their habitats by promoting and developing birding tourism.
There is no shortage of hiking trails in the area. The Umfolosi Thongaland trail, which starts at Babanango, traverses the countryside for which Zululand is famed - rolling, green hills and tranquil, waterfall-rich valleys, home to some of the world’s greatest variety of animals. The Trans-Zululand trail is a six day trail, which starts close to Babanango and follows the Umfolozi River through the reserve of the same name to St Lucia, Sodwana Bay and finally ends at Manzibomvu.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
The Babanango Valley is absolutely exquisite!! It really shows Zululand and its animals and vegetation off to perfection. The birdlife is especially fascinating, and we spent hours doing drives and walks, looking out for wildlife and birds around us. What a beautiful little oasis.
Hailey (Fraserburg)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Zulu Rock Lodge
With one of the most breathtaking views in all of South Africa, Zulu Rock Lodge is a game lodge set high above the mountains on the Babanango Gam...
Matatane Camp
Matatane Camp offers accommodation in Ulundi in the White Umfolozi Valley, close to the impressive Nhlazatshe Mountain. If you're after an outdoo...
Babanango Valley Lodge
Set deep in the heart of the Babanango Valley, Valley Lodge offers a “home away from home” experience in a farm-styled environment. It is the per...
Madwaleni River Lodge
Madwaleni River Lodge is located on the Babanango Game Reserve offering an ultra-luxury lodge situated in the heart of Zululand. The lodge is nes...
Noteworthy attractions
AmaZulu Game Reserve
Situated in Northern KwaZulu Natal, on the banks of the Mkuze River, the Amazulu Private Game Reserve is the home of the Amakhosi and Mkuze Falls...
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is the only park under formal conservation in KwaZulu Natal where the Big Five occur. Established in 1895, this is the...
Ithala Game Reserve
This magnificent Ithala Game reserve, tumbling from the heights of the Ngotshe Mountains a thousand meters down into a deep valley, carved over t...
Mkhuze Game Reserve
Situated in northern Zululand, this 40 000 hectare reserve was proclaimed a protected area in 1912. Mkuze Game Reserve constitutes the north west...
Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve
Situated in the heart of historic Zululand in the South African province of KwaZulu Natal, Mkuze Falls is one of only two Private Game Reserves i...
Pakamisa Game Reserve
The Pakamisa Private Game Reserve comprises a pristine malaria free wilderness area of some 2500 hectares. Access to the reserve is restricted, e...
Pongola Nature Reserve
The Pongola Nature Reserve was first proclaimed in 1894 and is the second oldest reserve in the world and the oldest in South Africa. Pongola Nat...
Richards Bay Game Reserve
The Reserve has remnant stands of swamp forest, the Thulazihleka Bird viewing hide in small swamp and the Tidal Mudflats and shallows south of th...
Ubizane Wildlife Reserve
Ubizane Wildlife Reserve boasts a variety of wildlife including white rhino, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, most species of antelope, and over 350 s...
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