Hinterland

Found just inland of Margate is this South Coast heritage site. The famous KwaXolo Caves have a cultural history dating back centuries, when the San communities used them as open-rock shelters, as evidenced by the rock paintings.

In early 2020, these cultural sites became accessible to visiting tourists through the establishment of the KwaXolo Caves Adventures. Using a via ferrata system – a climbing route with steel cables affixed to rocks – visitors are led by a local tour guide along the mountain precipice through to the KwaXolo Caves. Views of the waterfall and gorge are interspersed with the cool interior of the caves, with picnic sites available at the site.

Anyone aged eight and older can participate on the one-and-a-half hour hike. Bookings can be made by calling Makhosazane Mashal on 076 185 3447 or contact Shaun Nkosiyazi Makhaya on 074 8873 742. Alternatively, operators can be reached on the Facebook page ‘KwaXolo Caves Adventures’.  

Nemvelo is a small farm designed to work “with nature” rather than against it. We started it three years ago as a means to supply our restaurant, The Waffle House, with organic produce and free range chickens. However, it has since became a talking point in the area and the public 

can now enjoy the fruits of its labour as well. Run by a tight team of organic farming enthusiasts, Nemvelo Farm is committed to farming the old fashioned way – no harmful chemicals! 

Successful healthy organic vegetable and herb production begins with healthy soil. So the challenge has been to create a rich soil environment in which plants can thrive. This includes using our own compost, as well as sprays made on site using plants and herbs grown on the farm for pest control, and of course using worm wee from our worm farm.

Located between Mpenjati Nature Reserve and Ezinqoleni, WowZulu KwaNzimakwe hosts a cultural experience which includes traditional community theatre, including contemporary dance and games. The traditional leader welcomes visitors, with tours of the crafters weaving, cattle kraal, organic garden and interaction with a traditional sangoma. There is also a Shembe Church visit with lunch and a traditional dinner with dance and music. 

In 2019, the KwaNzimakwe Multi-Trail Park was launched, giving adventure lovers the chance to experience this beautiful part of the  KwaZulu-Natal South Coast through a birdwatching trail, biking trail and 4×4 adventure trail. 

Alongside the existing trails, the KwaNzimakwe Multi-Trail Park will be developed in stages, with plans for a clubhouse, restaurant, Tourism Information Centre, traders’ market and administrative offices. There are also plans in place for Enduro, motorbike, motocross and mountain bike tracks. 

The establishment of the Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre in Umzumbe was created in honour of the liberation stalwarts arrested at Mthwalume in 1906. The Mthwalume community, with 36 leaders among them, opposed the 1906 Bhambatha Poll tax imposed by the Natal colonial government as a way to settle the debt incurred during the British-Boer War of 1899 to 1902. Ntelezi Msani was one of the heroes of the uprising, sentenced to death in 1906 by the British Colonial Court. However, his sentence was lessened to 15 years of exile and hard labour on St Helena Island, where he died. The centre is a celebration of this rich African history, preservation of indigenous knowledge and reflection of the culture and creative arts of the region. The Ntelezi Msani Heritage Foundation also hosts the annual Ntelezi Msani commemoration which honours this uprising through a memorial lecture, public commemoration, and traditional ritual performed by the community stalwarts. There is also cultural music and dance, including Isigekle, Ingoma yeziNsizwa, Umzantsi, Shiyameni, Isibhaca, and Maskandi.  The heritage centre showcases local African history, as well as sharing indigenous knowledge and creative arts.
Cost: R140 per person for a minimum of five people per group
060 473 3712 

Nyandezulu is a semi-rural village located just nine kilometres inland from Shelly Beach, where one can enjoy the breathtaking scenery high above the ocean and a view of the settlements that are scattered across the green grassy hills and valleys of the hinterlands of KwaZulu-Natal. To grasp the true essence of Africa, with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean, start off your hinterland experience at the Mfihlo Guest House. Enjoy the hospitality of their local community, discover their fascinating arts and crafts, and for those entrenched in the spirit of adventure, take part in a guided hike or drive to the Ntantana Mountain, overlooking the phenomenal Nyandezulu Waterfall. 

This beautiful 80m high waterfall, unknown to the public at large, is a true hidden gem that is currently being developed as a community based tourism project. The hike to Nyandezulu Falls does require getting knee deep into the river a number of times, but you’ll be in awe once in proximity to the falls and can then discover the peace and tranquilly that this natural phenomena brings.

When Walking to the top of the Mdlungwana Mountain one can expect to see candles, coins and other signs of  worship, while hearing stories and whispers of the seven-headed snake, which resides in the waters under the mountain and causes many storms and floods when disturbed.
There are many ways to embrace mother Africa, whether by visiting a sangoma, or traditional healer to gain insight into their role in this community and to discover how much of an impact they still have today, or by picnicking on the KwaSaka Beach, on the banks of the Bhuqu River, or perhaps paying a visit to one of their vibrant shebeens or local taverns. Nyandezulu welcomes you to her environs with a warm embrace!

Nestled just 11km inland from Shelly Beach, lies the heart of our hinterland, Gamalakhe. This modern cultural village, set amongst the rolling grassy hills and prolific valleys of our hinterland, is home to an experience, locally known as the Kasified Eksperience. ‘Kasi’, being the Zulu word for town and ‘fied’, to amplify, ones knowledge of the authentic township experience.  Kasified Eksperience hosts a diverse range of events that empower and fully endorse their local community. All sound, lighting and bathroom facilities are sourced from Gamalakhe based businesses and their live entertainment consists only of local talent, such as resident DJs, jazz artists, RnB and gospel singers. Shisanyama vendors can too find a home in Kasified and are a welcome addition at all these events. It doesn’t stop there, and is certainly not just one big party. These gentlemen have not only created a unique township-tourism product but have also given back all the love and support received from the community, through the establishment of projects that evoke meaningful change. Having embarked on numerous indabas over the last four years that have contributed to the betterment of Gamalakhe, from food parcels, to back to school campaigns, clothing drives and student career expos. These folk are highly admirable and are fine examples of people who poses the best of all human qualities. When passing this unique venue, one is struck by the abundance of tastefully placed and beautifully expressed graffiti, done by our very own Banksy of the township, although we are told that he prefers to go by Menzi. Young Menzi Delwa is the man responsible for this divine creation in which he expresses the views and the heart of his township. His artistic creations are scattered throughout the Kasified establishment, and all pieces are unique, telling a tale of their own. But there’s one creation in particular, that projects the most striking story, and that is the map, pinpointing to Gamalakhe, shining a light on a paradise that has never been illuminated before.

Olilis is a private property set in the village of KweNkulu. Filled with the buzz and joy of the township, they host weekly artists such as actors, poets, models, jazz bands and traditional/afro musicians. It’s the perfect venue for those who are adventurous at heart and passionate about South African culture. The ambiance is incredible, beauty is undeniable, and the authenticity is pure. This unique family run lodge is in a league of its own, there’s nothing quite like it. Olilis was built from the ground up, by hand, with pure love and considerable creativity using African pop art and displaying it in ways that it has never been before.

Contact:079 871 3699 / 073 363 3831.

A significant experience within the Zulu culture is the annual Maidens Ceremony – Umgubho WeziNtombi – held at the KwaNyuswa Traditional Council on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. This traditional event includes a leadership and motivational seminar, sharing of indigenous knowledge and culture, as well as  workshops on dance and crafts – all of which happen alongside the Maidens Ceremony.
This culturally insightful and colourful ceremony, which attracts thousands of maidens from around the province, is a popular tourism attraction. 

Forming part of the celebration of traditional culture, this has become a platform to address the challenges and social ills that face young women, including teenage pregnancies, substance abuse, HIV/Aids and gender-based violence. Women are encouraged to live healthy, responsible lifestyles as well as focusing on environmental awareness as a way to connect young women with the traditional culture of respecting a life in harmony with nature.