Eshowe Tourism Information

Quick Facts: Eshowe

• Eshowe is located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
• it is the oldest town of European settlement in Zululand
• the Name Eshowe is said to be inspired from the sound of the wind blowing through the more than 4 km² of Indigenous Dhinza Forest
• the town of Eshowe is situated close to the capitals of the old Zulu kingdoms
• Eshowe was the colonial capital of Zululand, and it is steeped in Zulu and colonial history
• Eshowe has been home to Zulu King Shaka, Mpande, Cetshwayo and Dinuzulu, as well as the British military headquarters
• market town with Shopping Centres, a Bus Station, Major Hospital and several schools
• Fort Nongqwayi - old British fort
• Basketry museum - next to the fort
• Vukani collection - Zulu pottery and handcrafts
• Eshowe is surrounded by natural forests, sugar plantations and orchards
• Lake Phobane
• Eshowe is situated a mere 25 kilometres from the beach, lagoons and wetlands
• lying on a plateau Eshowe is protected from the subtropical humidity of surrouding areas

Introducing Eshowe

Eshowe is located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.  It is the oldest town of European settlement in Zululand. The Name Eshowe is said to be inspired from the sound of the wind blowing through the more than 4 km² of Indigenous Dhinza Forest which is the most striking feature of Eshowe. The name Eshowe is most likely to be derived from the Zulu word for the xysmalobium shrubs, showe or shongwe.

The town of Eshowe is situated close to the capitals of the old Zulu kingdoms. Eshowe was the colonial capital of Zululand, and it is steeped in Zulu and colonial history. With a rich cultural and royal history, Eshowe has been home to Zulu King Shaka, Mpande, Cetshwayo and Dinuzulu, as well as the British military headquarters.

Today, the town of Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal is well known as a market town with Shopping Centres, a Bus Station, Major Hospital and several schools.Eshowe also has many tourist attractions on offer like the Fort Nongqwayi - old British fort, Basketry museum - next to the fort as well as Vukani collection - Zulu pottery and handcrafts.

Eshowe is surrounded by natural forests, sugar plantations and orchards. About 15 km north of Eshowe is Lake Phobane, nestled in a valley, which was once the heart of King Shaka's Kingdom. This is a spectacular birding area and because of the wide range of different habitats in close proximity, a great variety of bird species can found here.

Eshowe is situated a mere 25 kilometres from the beach, lagoons and wetlands. Lying on a plateau Eshowe is protected from the subtropical humidity of surrouding areas.