WHILE city slickers are packing their brand new beachwear with colour coded bags, towels, slops and matching accessories to hit the warm KZN beaches for a sultry Christmas, many Zululanders are less than enthusiastic about holidays at home.
Especially if the rat race drivers arrive with a vengeance, flying in at 130 km/h in the slow lane.
There is also a collective grumbling about the heat, the drought, the packed beaches, the price of meat and booze and the inevitable unannounced visitors, who on the spur of the moment decided to just ‘drop in’.
Although there is no escaping the sweltering heat or the astronomical prices, which is true for every part of the country, Zululand is by far not the worst place a person can spend a holiday – even if it is holiday at home.
In fact, Zululand abounds with hidden treasures one seldom discovers in the humdrum of life.
Why not seize the day and stop wishing you were anywhere but home? Take a walk on the wild side and discover Zululand through the eyes of the scores of visitors who can hardly wait to be on the road to KZN.
Firstly, Zululand is a pleasure dome for adrenaline junkies with trail running, mountain biking and water sports such as stand-up paddling, sailing, kite surfing, jet skiing, surfing and fishing every day of the week.
There are numerous picturesque trails and picnic spots where one can spend a leisurely day without packing up because of cold, rain or wind.
Richards Bay is a fisherman’s heaven and the numerous fishing tackle shops in the city are mostly manned by local experts skilled in kitting out any budget with the basics.
Most sports and fishing clubs welcome day visitors at a small tariff during holiday season and the facilities in general are clean, safe and relatively cheap.
In general, locals at the regular watering holes are quite willing to assist with baiting a hook, if fishing is not your strong point.
Charters and sunset cruises are a bit expensive, but can still be worked into the budget as a once-off highlight, especially if you don’t have to pay a fortune for fuel and accommodation elsewhere.
Alkantstrand boasts a skateboard park where the teenagers can show off their cool stuff, while the older generation and lovers can take a leisurely stroll down the two piers.
Birding is big, with some of the country’s best bird watching destinations on our front porch.
All you need is a picnic basket and a pair of binoculars.
The Richards Bay SPCA’s second-hand bookstore is a hidden gem with second hand books to suit every taste and pocket, and it is for a good cause.
Wildlife abounds and some of the most spectacular national and private game reserves are a day trip out, including the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park and the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) where you can see the Big Five.
Whale watching, croc and hippo cruises, horse safaris and turtle tours are sure to capture nature lovers, while families should take the trouble to visit the local cheese farm, Mposa Reptile City, the St Lucia Crocodile Centre and Emdondeni Cat Rehabilitation Centre.
Golfers can take the time to enjoy the scenic Mzingazi Golf Estate at the Richards Bay Country Club.
Here parents can relax and enjoy good food at The Outpost, while children can safely play on the jungle gym or at the swimming pool under their close supervision.
If you are more prone to enjoy life on the glamorous side, the Umfolozi Casino Resort in Empangeni awaits with a cool Christmas line-up and there is shopping, movies and coffee shops at the Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre.
For fine dining, Nam Jai House Asian Fusion in Empangeni is the talk of town and Cubana Havana Lounge offers a Latin vibe with a view of the Richards Bay Small Craft Harbour, while there are township tours, traditional zulu dancers and cultural village tours for a deeper understanding of local culture and history.
Three Cities Mvubu Lodge offers a sundowner bar with full sea view and mini golf.
Sodwana, Cape Vidal and Mission Rocks offer diving, snorkeling and picnic spots.
Isimangaliso Boardwalk Inkwazi Information and Tourism Hub are geared up to give locals and visitors a crash course in things to do in Zululand for a merry Christmas at home.
Visit the Uthungulu Tourism Destination Management Office at www.uthungulu.org.za or phone them at 035 -7992500.
