The ZULU TRAIL is a 300 km long walking trail through KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in South Africa, founded by Hannes Zoellner. In February 2016, it became a project of the Ian Player Magqubu Ntombela Memorial Foundation Trust.
Currently we offer trails ranging from 3 to 14 days in the northern section of the trail, between Dolwane, in the 
Qudeni Mountain area, and Ngubevu, in the valley near Tugela Ferry. The Qudeni Forest Reserve is one of the rare indigenous forests in South Africa. From there the trail winds its way to the confluence of the Buffalo (Mzinyathi) and Tugela rivers, and Ngubevu village.
In addition to providing an exceptional hiking experience, our project offers opportunities to be part of remote rural Zulu communities for several days. Trailists participate in food gardening and small building projects together with their hosts. The choice of project depends on where assistance is needed. Trailists connect with neglected skills involving manual labour, using hand tools, carrying water and building materials, like thatch grass. They also engage in the universal language of singing, dancing and sharing food, as well as non-verbal communication.
The ZULU TRAIL was established in 1985 by Hannes Zoellner, as part of a youth exchange programme between Germany and South Africa. Over the years, during school holidays, the exchange students worked together with local people and assisted in constructing many community buildings and gardens.
The underlying motivation for the ZULU TRAIL is Hannes’ concern for the future on our planet and an awareness of the importance of understanding and respecting different cultures in order to live in harmony together and in balance with nature.
Initially, the trail focussed around Ulundi. Over a period of about 10 years, it extended to Nkandla and then, via Greytown and Howick, to the Oribi Gorge in southern KZN, a distance of approximately 300 km. The trail comprises 6 sections and each section can be comfortably walked in 4 days.
Following a break of almost 10 years, Hannes, who was then in his late 70s, revived the ZULU TRAIL again, in 2013, still strongly motivated by concerns about the environment and the planet, and the well-being of future generations. A goal of the ZULU TRAIL is to enjoy the experience of obtaining a deeper understanding of ourselves and of different cultures on this planet through working together in some necessary enterprise with the people we stay with.
The ZULU TRAIL is a cross-cultural project and the result of Hannes’ life-long commitment to environmental conservation and encouraging rural communities to value their natural areas. One of his dreams is to establish a small 75 hectare nature reserve between the confluence of the Tugela and Buffalo rivers.
We currently offer:
12 day trails for international Experience (iE) students from Germany who are based in Cape Town for 3 months to a year.
The daily program for each trail is developed together with the participants.
The project that forms an important part of the trail depends on the current needs of the communities visited.
Costs vary according to the number of people on a trail and the length of the trail. Accommodation, food and refreshments are included.
Flights are not included but for an additional fee, we can organise a shuttle from King Shaka International Airport, Durban, or Oribi airport, Pietermaritzburg.
We are in the process of developing:
3-day weekend corporate trails for a minimum of 10 participants
8 to 14 day trails for learners studying Zulu as a second or third language, or as a subject at University.