Red desert

Located just 10km from Port Edward is one of the KZN South Coast’s most unique geographic formations, as well as the smallest feature of its kind in the world – the Red Desert. The desert is only 200m in diameter, 11 hectares in entirety, consisting of red soil which is in stark contrast to the surrounding lush tropical vegetation. This internationally-protected heritage site is home to a number of archaeological artefacts that date back millions of years. Despite the myth of alien landings, the desert origins are most likely the result of overgrazing by cattle herds of age-old Zulu tribes. This would’ve led to desertification and the unique desert ecology.