Umdloti: Nearby Attractions (Or: The rest of KZN)

Umdloti is located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), which is one of 9 Provinces in South Africa.   Click here to view our maps of KZN.

There are several Tourist information services in the Province:

Tourism KZN, Zulu Kingdom : http://www.zulu.org.za/

Ezemvelo, KZN Wildlife  http://www.kznwildlife.com/

North Coast, Sangeni Tourism Centre http://www.northcoast.org.za/

Umhlanga tourism information centre http://www.umhlanga-rocks.com/

South Coast Regional Information Office http://www.southcoast.kzn.org.za/

Durban Tourism Information funinthesun@iafrica.com

There are a number of Specialist Tour operators offering short and longer tours of the area.

Drifters Adventure – Wildlife Tours and Drifters Inns. Highly recommended for tours and their range of Inn’s or B&B’s, including their Inn in Umdloti and another overlooking False Bay. E-mail drifters@drifters.co.za or http://www.drifters.co.za/.

Zulu Safari’s – Offering sea cruises, adventure activities and safaris from day trips to two week tours. http://www.zulusafaris.co.za/ or zulusafaris@eastcoast.co.za

African Dimension Tours – guided day or overnight tours. www@africandimensiontours.co.za

Outpost safaris – milko@myafrica.co.za

Shaka Tours and Safaris – Based in Umhlanga. Wide range of one to three day tours.

http://www.shakatours.com/ or reservations@shakatours.com

If you do prefer to do it yourself, on a self drive, click here for local car hire and shuttle services.

If you do opt for a self-drive exploration of the area, here are a few tips:

• Make sure you have a good map of the area. There are many minor roads only shown on a good map. An excellent free map, sponsored by Braby’s, is available from ‘Zulu Kingdom, Tourism, KZN’ visit http://www.zulu.org.za/ for more information. It really is the best map of the Province we have come across – for charting minor roads.
• Petrol can only be purchased with cash (rands only!), or with garage cards issued by the major South African banks. That is the law………………..
• If you are not familiar with the area you are planning to visit, or the route you are planning to take, make sure you have done your homework, and know what to expect!
• There are very few banks or cash machines north of Ballito – until you hit Maputo in Mozambique!!
• Don’t expect frequent petrol or refreshment stops. Don’t expect any at all on more minor roads…
• Check if a 4x4 vehicle is needed to reach your intended destination as many roads are not tarred, and can be difficult to pass after inclement weather. Some establishments offer a pick-up service for the last few kilometers of the journey.
• Don’t expect that campsites will have electricity and potable water. Check first…
• Relax and enjoy your exploration of the Province. It has so much to offer.

Here are a few of our favourite places. Click here to view our map of KZN

KZN North Coast

A trip to the market in Verulam for fresh produce and spices. Market is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday morning.

Lunch at the Hops and Barley pub in Ballito – right on the beach, extensive menu for young and old. Listen to the crashing waves, and occasional live music!!

Thompson’s Bay – lovely sandy bay, fishing opportunities from the rocks where King Shaka Zulu insisted his warriors prove their bravery by jumping off into the wild ocean below and huge tidal pool. This is a must at Spring high tide, when the vast waves sweep the rocks and fill the pool. Best enjoyed from in the water of the tidal pool. Click here to check for spring high tides.

Zinkwazi Lodge – quiet secluded spot for a light lunch and a river walk. Boat trips are available, and there is a campsite and chalets for those who want to stay a little longer.

Mtunzini – not too far away for a short break away from Umdloti. Set in a coastal forest and mangrove swamps. Several camping opportunities, restaurants and bars. UmlalaziGame reserve can be booked through Ezemvelo, KZN Wildlife  http://www.kznwildlife.com/

St Lucia and nearby Cape Vidal – ideal destination for a few days away from Umdloti, with lots to do for all the family. Watch the hippos and crocs from the deck at the ski boat club, lots of B&B’s, restaurants and bars. Long beaches and boat trips from the estuary. Some great campsites run by Ezemvelo, KZN Wildlife  http://www.kznwildlife.com/, which we regularly use.

St Lucia is also the gateway to Cape Vidal, which is now reached by tarred roads, so a 4x4 is no longer required. The quieter alternative with cabins, camping and great snorkeling. Can be booked through Ezemvelo, KZN Wildlife  http://www.kznwildlife.com/

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game reserve – easily combined with a trip to St Lucia, Hluhluwe is a 45 minute drive inland from the coast. The big 5 are all represented here, and meals and accommodation available at Hilltop Camp, with panoramic views across the reserve.

False Bay – a further hour or so driving from St Lucia into the Greater St. Lucia wetlands. Great views of False Bay from the Drifters Inn e-mail drifters@drifters.co.za for central reservations. In March 2006 we stayed there, and disappointingly False Bay was dry!!! We haven’t heard reports of heavy rains to restore the area to its natural paradise.

Ndumo – One of those great secrets. Tucked out of the way on the border with Mozambique. Rest camp and campsite run by Ezemvelo, KZN Wildlife  http://www.kznwildlife.com/. Bird watching, game viewing, and some beautifully situated hides. Quite a drive from Umdloti, so stay for a few nights.

Northern KZN Battlefields

Home to the largest concentration of battlefields in the Southern Hemisphere. Here Boer, Brit and Zulu clashed in bloody conflict. Not really our thing……….. Many organized tours are available (see Specialised Tour Operators, above). The local municipalities also have tourist offices. Visit http://www.amajuba.gov.za/ or e-mail tourism@umzinyathi.gov.za for more information.

KZN South Coast

The KZN South Coast is much more built up than the north coast but we have managed to find a few secluded gems, that we are really cautious about sharing………………….

The Bluff area, and south to Treasure Beach - On the south side of Durban harbour. Great harbour views and old fashioned seaside resorts. Cafes and swimming pools.

Clanstaal – Just south of Umkomaas. Secluded Beach. Rustic, but charming campsite. Best of all check out the Chief’s Cabin, and Deck. Sea Views, cold beer and good food. Sunday lunch is a favourite.

Bazely – Another secluded beach, a hamlet with a few private holiday homes and a family holiday resort.

Port Edward – Located at the southern tip of KZN, just before crossing into the Province of Eastern Cape. A charming, traditional, seaside town. Great fishing. Lots of accommodation and catering options.

Midlands Meander and Drakensberg

Travel to the KZN Drakensburg Mountains, and linger on the Midlands Meander along the way.

For further information about the Midlands Meander try: http://www.zulu.org.za/

For the Drakensberg go to http://www.zulu.org.za/

Personal favourites include the Kamberg Mountains, Cathedral Peak and Didima. There is a luxury hotel at Cathedral Peak, but a cheaper, and very comfortable alternative in Didima. Opened about 3 years ago and well run by Ezemvelo, KZN Wildlife  http://www.kznwildlife.com/. Ezemvelo also have a rest camp at Kamberg.