Eshowe, South Africa

The name ESHOWE has an onomatopoeic Zulu derivation, evoking the sound of the wind blowing through the trees. Though visitors generally give the town a miss on the way to the more obvious drama of Ondini and the Battlefields, the place deserves more than a passing glance, as it offers a gentle introduction to the Zulu heartland. Apart from its attractive setting 22km inland from Gingindlovu, interlacing with the Dlinza Forest, the town is home to one of the world's finest collections of Zulu crafts and has a tour operator offering excellent excursions that take you out to experience some authentic Zulu culture, as well as other aspects of life in Zululand that you would otherwise most likely miss.