King Cetshwayo forms a gateway to some of the country’s finest game reserves and is rich in cultural heritage, offering a unique Zulu Kingdom experience. The district shares the branding Heart and Soul of the Zulu Kingdom with its neighbouring district municipality, Zululand. The temperate climate and warm seas off the coastline make it an ideal location for the development of tourism facilities to generate economic growth.

The King Cetshwayo District has a number of wetlands, the most notable being Lake Cubhu and the Greater uMhlathuze Wetlands to the south of Richards Bay at Esikhawini.

Thula-Thula is a world-class luxury game reserve in the uMhlathuze municipal area, which came under the international spotlight in 2004 when its developer Lawrence Anthony travelled to Iraq to rescue animals in the Baghdad Zoo. Anthony, who passed away four years ago, has left behind a legacy as the Elephant Whisperer for his work with elephants and his efforts at rhino conservation.

The KwaBulawayo Tourism Development project was identified as a means for uplifting the local communities in the culturally rich Umlalazi region of the King Cetshwayo District Municipality. The region is home to King Shaka's KwaBulawayo Military Capital, and is recognised as being one of the key sites of Zulu heritage. The centre was officially opened by His Majesty the Zulu King Goodwill Kabhekuzulu Zwelithini in 2011.

Nkandla is situated in a remote area of breathtaking mountainous beauty, which consists mainly of tribal lands and state-owned land. The area has a wealth of undisturbed forests, which boast many indigenous species. Nkandla has a claim to be the ‘cradle’ of Zulu history.

From Malandela to Shaka, to Dingane and Cetshwayo, Nkandla has been at the centre stage of the Zulu nation’s history. The graves of King Malandela and Cetshwayo are at Nkandla.