Discover Zululand
Zululand has it all!
Its mild sub-tropical climate and unhurried pace makes it the perfect year-round holiday destination.
Under the African skies of Zululand, locals enjoy summer weather for most of the year.
The heart of the Zulu Kingdom has a rich history and culture.
It is here that the great King Shaka Zulu ruled and many great battles were fought during the Anglo- Zulu war.
Visit the many historical towns in Zululand and experience the magic.
Readers vote for Richards Bay as their favourite town
The verdict is out: Richards Bay is once again the Zululand Observer ‘Town of the Year’.
Zululand Observer readers were asked to vote for their favourite Zululand town by completing a voting form which appeared in the newspaper.
Richards Bay received the most votes.
To encourage readers to participate, the Zululand Observer gave away prizes for three lucky voters.
The first prize was R1 000 in cash.
Cane Cutters Tropical Bird Park sponsored the second prize, a weekend getaway for four people at Cane Cutters Estate.
Arabella Spa Excellence was the sponsor of the third prize, a day of pampering at the spa which includes a de luxe manicure and pedicure, a six skincare Velocity facial, a full Swedish body massage, relaxing bath soak/jacuzzi and a complimentary light meal and drink.
The Zululand Observer would like to thank our prize sponsors for helping to make the competition a success.
Sizzle City for a reason
Richards Bay has once again been voted the Town of the Year – and it is not difficult to see why.
It has been dubbed ‘Sizzle City’ for a variety of reasons, as visitors can enjoy arguably the best climate year-round, while entertaining themselves to a wide variety of both indoor and outdoor activities.
The city is abuzz with growth and development from an industrial and economic point of view, but also in terms of fun activities for leisure seekers.
The Port of Richards Bay is a hive of activity with large cargo vessels entering and leaving the harbour. It is South Africa’s biggest and most modern bulk cargo handling port and responsible for 50% of all cargo that comes through South African harbours.
Small crafts, yachts and fishing boats abound, and Richards Bay is a popular stopover for yachtsmen travelling the seven seas, luxury passenger cruise liners and anything in-between.
Richards Bay is a favourite destination, its sub-tropical setting making it a relaxing getaway spot, close enough to Gauteng and the Free State to reach by car for a long weekend.
Deep sea anglers and water sport enthusiasts love Richards Bay for its easy access to the Indian Ocean, and the harbour mouth is a favourite hang-out spot for surfers, paddlers and sailors.
Locals spend their weekends at Alkantstrand, Naval and Pelican islands. Whether it is to gather on the shore for a braai with friends, to swim in the country’s warmest ocean waters, trying their luck at fishing, enjoy kite surfing or almost any type of water sport you can think of, ‘The Bay’ is the place to be!
If you’re lucky, you’ll even catch a glimpse of endangered Humpback dolphins, which are endemic to the area.
Bathers at the signature main beach – Alkantstrand – are protected by lifeguards on duty, while there are amenities for family picnics, including shaded lapas and braai facilities.
A little bit further off-shore, you can engage in activities such as deep sea fishing, whale and dolphin watching, scuba diving or spearfishing.
And after a hot day in the sun, visit one of the many restaurants at the Tuzi Gazi Waterfront for a delicious meal, ice cold drink or sundowners.
A rainy day presents no problems for the family out for adventure – pop into one of the shopping centres to enjoy a meal, watch a movie or game the day away in a family arcade.
From fishing village to bustling city
Portuguese mariners visiting Richards Bay used to call it Rio-dos-Peixes, meaning ‘the river of many fish’.
Mtunzini’s lagoon almost became the harbour town when Nathaniel Isaacs and Lt James Saunders King ‘took possession of the area’ in 1827, but nothing ever came of that.
During the Zulu war of 1897, British forces surveyed the Zululand coast in search of an ideal landing point for ships and identified Richards Bay for its indentation at the mouth of the Mhlathuze River.
For many years Richards Bay was ignored by the authorities, but after the discovery of coal deposits on the banks of the Ntambanana River at Somkele and near Nsimbagazi (Umzingazi) Lake near Mhlathuze lagoon in the 1890s, it assumed new importance.
In 1896 coal was mined at Nsimbagazi on an experimental basis.
Suggestions for a harbour were aired in 1887 and again at the turn of the century. A survey conducted described Richards Bay as the perfect location.
Except for the most ardent fishermen, Richards Bay was rarely visited, even though it was a fishermen’s paradise. It is said that oysters were so plentiful that one was able to purchase them by the sugar pocket.
Zululand Fisheries was founded in 1906 and two employees living on Pelican Island caught and dried fish which was sold to local inhabitants.
After World War 11, the Natal Parks Board established a caravan park and camping site in Richards Bay and according to reports, during holiday season this quiet little fishing hamlet was invaded by as many as 4 000 holiday makers.
In 1965 it was announced that a new harbour was to be built. This brought along rapid acceleration in development. By June 1969 a town board was established.
Within five years the population of fewer than 100 had grown to 3 000.
One of the best ways to explore Zululand is on foot.
It allows you to immerse yourself in its natural beauty and culture.
Lace up your best walking shoes and head over to the area’s most renowned hiking trails:
Entumeni Nature Reserve trails
This is a quiet, indigenous forest outside eShowe. The altitude of the reserve puts it further into the mist belt than other forests in the region.
There are two circular hiking trails – the two-hour iPiti route and the strenuous four-hour uKhozi trail. Owing to steep inclines, both trails require a high level of fitness.
Kosi Bay trail
This trail offers so much more than an ordinary hike. On this four-day guided walk you will see local fishermen operate traditional fish traps, snorkel in a natural aquarium, taste locally brewed Lala Palm wine and even possibly spot a Loggerhead turtle.
Meander your way through the many habitats of Kosi Bay – from isolated beaches to cool dune forests, through open savannah and wetlands (covering a distance of 10-17km per day). It is a ‘slackpacking’ trail, which means your luggage is ferried between overnight camps.
Hluhluwe primitive trails
The primitive trail is aimed at outdoors enthusiasts who would like to combine a wilderness experience with backpacking and sleeping under the stars in Big Five territory.
Food and equipment are provided, but following a strict ‘no trace’ code. There are no tents or permanent campsites on this three-day hike.
Walking distances are not tough, but you have to carry your own food and gear and help set up camp.
Water is collected from springs or rivers in the wilderness area, and bathing is done in the river wherever possible.
A very important part of the trail is spending time alone on watch at the fire at night.
Mziki trail
If you love coastal hiking, then the Mziki hiking adventure along the coast of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is worth your while.
There’s a good chance of getting close to rhino, elephant, buffalo and hippo as you amble along beaches, rock pools and through the dune forests.
The trail accommodates a maximum of eight people and you are accompanied by an armed ranger.
There are three different day trails beginning at the Mount Tabor hut, which is about a 2km walk from Mission Rocks.
The trail to the north is 18km long, while both the trail towards Mission Rocks in the south, and the trail westwards towards the lake, are 10km each.
Enseleni Nature Reserve is an outdoor gem
For a family picnic or short, scenic hike right on our doorsteps, visit the Enseleni Nature Reserve.
This small reserve lies approximately 11km north of Empangeni, just off the N2.
The reserve consists of coastal grasslands and forest, while the Nseleni River provides a freshwater habitat.
Enjoy a leisurely day’s outing with the family at one of the pristine picnic spots, or explore the area by hiking one of the two short trails (2km or 7km).
Look out for giraffe, bush buck, zebra, reed buck, nyala, impala, blue wildebeest, hippo, crocodile, blue, red and grey duiker and water buck.
Birding enthusiasts will delight in the number of unusual or rare species, such as the purple crested lourie, Pel’s fishing owl, white-eared barbet, African finfoot and three species of elusive nightjars (Mozambican, fiery necked and European).
The entrance gate is on the north bound side of the road.
A small entrance fee applies.
Empangeni bucket list
Visit the Umfolozi Hotel Casino Convention Resort for a range of entertainment options and restaurants to satisfy all your cravings
Drop in at the Empangeni Art and Culture Museum
Picnic at the Enseleni Nature Reserve
Spot a BELL tractor (Empangeni is the original home of this world famous heavy machinery brand).
Zululand Birding Route
Situated in southern Zululand, this popular birding route meanders through the Babanango highland, traverses the rolling hills of Melmoth, drops down to the green tranquil forests of eShowe, continues through the coastal belt at Mtunzini and Richards Bay, and culminates in St Lucia.
The entire route encompasses 10 different habitat types, which support some 400 bird species – more than half the total of South African species.
Birding day records on the Zululand birding route have been in excess of 260 species recorded in a 24-hour period.
Making this route particularly popular are the welcoming accommodation establishments in the region, ranging from traditional country hotels, to game lodges and welcoming bed and breakfast cottages.
In addition, numerous well-informed and experienced birders are available for advice on local species and the most favoured habitats, or to act as guides in the various areas on the route.
www.zululandtourism.org.za
Where hippos roam the streets
St Lucia is a small holiday town with great allure for tourists and holiday-makers owing to its unspoilt natural beauty.
The town is situated within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a proclaimed World Heritage site that includes nine per cent of the country’s coastline, wetlands, lakes, forests and submarine canyons.
The St Lucia estuary has one of the highest concentrations of hippos and crocodiles in southern Africa.
It is one of the few towns where hippos wander the streets at night – much to tourists’ delight.
St Lucia is a laid-back town with many restaurants, accommodation and plenty to do.
St Lucia bucket list
Walk one of the many trails and immerse yourself in lush surroundings.
Treat yourself to a guided night-time turtle tour from November to March, and watch turtle hatchlings make their way to the ocean.
Embark on an estuary boat cruise and see hippo up close. There are more than 1 200 hippo and 800 crocodiles in the area.
Take a drive to Maphelane, the southernmost jewel of iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Its self-catering log cabins and campsites offer the perfect getaway from the rat race. The dense coastal forest offers scenic walks and trail running options, including the Sand Dune Trail.
Snorkel at Cape Vidal or go on a thrilling deep sea fishing trip. The 30km trip from St Lucia to Cape Vidal is an adventure on its own, with many game viewing opportunities along the way.
Mkuze has much to offer a visitor
Mkuze is a small Elephant Coast trade and transport centre.
It is also the name of one of the Elephant Coast waterways that meanders across the southern expanse of Maputaland, eventually feeding into the St Lucia wetlands.
The Mkuze River cuts through the Ubombo Mountains before serving as a boundary for Zululand’s famous Mkuze Game Reserve, now part of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park.
The area boasts numerous game reserves and the nearby Lake Jozini is a favourite destination for Tiger fishing.
Mkuze Game Reserve is renowned as a mecca for bird lovers, with more than 420 bird species on record.
Mtuba - a centrally based commercial hub
Mtubatuba is ideally located as a base from which to explore the rich culture of the Zulu nation and world renowned game reserves, as well as the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park – a World Heritage Site – about 25km away.
Various accommodation establishments are located in the greater Mtubatuba area along with restaurants and sport facilities.
Mtubatuba has developed from a humble railway siding into a strong sub-regional commercial, service, transport and administrative centre for the entire north-eastern Zululand region.
In the past number of years there has been substantial commercial growth in Mtubatuba with retail and wholesale outlets opening.
Sodwana a diver’s tropical paradise
Dreaming of a balmy tropical beach holiday?
Why go abroad if you can simply go to Sodwana.
Sodwana Bay is regarded as the southern most coral reefs in the world and the only tropical dive site in South Africa.
It is a haven for scuba divers, snorkellers and deep sea anglers seeking adventures beneath the blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
Loggerhead and leatherback turtles also love Sodwana – it is here where they lay their eggs every summer.
Covered with dense coastal forest and rich in biodiversity, the holiday town is a conservation area that forms part of iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Discover Kosi Bay
Described as the last haven of untouched African paradise, Kosi Bay is a wonderland of blue sea and dazzling white beaches, wetlands and lakes and reed channels, raffia palm forests and mangrove swamps.
Kosi Bay is famed for the traditional, woven fish traps and palisade kraals used by the community for hundreds of years.
The area is made up of six large lakes, two smaller lakes and one conserved estuary on the Indian Ocean coastline.
Kosi Bay bucket List
Go on a lake cruise. The best way to experience the Kosi Lake system is by boat. The series of interconnected lakes stretch over 18km.
Go fishing. Many visit Kosi Bay just for the chance to catch kingfish at Kosi mouth.
Explore the Thonga fish traps. This age-old traditional method of fishing minimises the impact of the fish levels within the Kosi Lakes system.
Visit Thembe Elephant Park and get up close and personal with Africa’s largest mammals.