MAKING MEMORIES AT NO EXPENSE
12 Things To Do In The KZN South Coast That Don’t Cost A Cent!
THE MAGICAL DOZEN
This delightful sub-tropical paradise is sunny all year round and offers adventurous kindred
spirits an endless amount of natural treasures. The KZN South Coast is known for its natural
beauty and bountiful activities that bring you close to nature. Like most beautiful things, you
simply cannot put a price on the natural world, hence why we have complied a list of
magical dozen.
1. Beautiful Beaches
Take a dip in the deep blue, on golden beaches that allows for safe bathing. Lapped by the
warm waters of the Indian Ocean, the South Coast boasts the highest number of Blue Flag
beaches in Kwa-Zulu Natal, spoiling you for choice with five out the six internationally
recognised top-notch beaches in KZN, namely Marina Beach, Trafalgar, Southport,
Umzumbe and Hibberdene. Managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental
Education and by the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa, the Blue Flag
programme is an eco-award given to beaches that meet strict, specific standards of
excellence in safety, cleanliness, provision of amenities, environmental information, and
management.
2. Subtropical Forests
Stroll through the beautifully unspoiled and untouched Frederika Nature Reserve. This dune
forest has an abundance of flora and fauna such as bushbuck and blue duiker. It came into
being in 1977 when 30 beachfront residential sites were placed on the market. A concerned
environmentalist, Leo Driessen, realised the value of the biodiversity of the area and the
negative impact that development of the primary dune would have on Southbroom. He
then purchased all the properties on offer and donated them into the Delta Environmental
Centre, naming the Reserve after his wife, Frederika. Pack your picnic basket and enjoy the
views from the whale viewing deck! It’s unique sea frontage and rich history makes the
Fredericka Nature Reserve one of the KZN South Coasts best hidden treasures. For the
shortest walk to view Frederika, gain access to the beach at the Woodlands Road cutting
and continue south to Black Rock Road.
3. Ramsgate Marine Ramble
You may spot a whale in the distance or a school of cheerful dolphins dancing in the waves.
Take off your shoes and feel the sand between your toes, while the fresh ocean breeze
kisses your face and as you approach the beautiful village of Ramsgate. Be sure to include
the enchanting Tanglewood Forest as part of your walking tour. Situated on
Ramsgate’s main beach, between the vibrant Blue Lagoon and our beloved Waffle
House lies the dreamy Tanglewood sub-tropical forest that used to surround
the iBilanhlolo River. With gorgeous old, knotted, and twisted trees, she offers true
tranquillity and interesting gems for those willing to explore her depths. A cement
path leads you from the Waffle House to Ramsgate beach alongside the lagoon,
passing a couple of stone benches and seating areas that allows for marine ramblers to take a break and enjoy their surrounds. A little archway leads to a stone jetty
where you can spot their resident hippo (don’t worry, he is made of cement) and a
twist in the path leads you to a mock castle and its massive wooden door. What lies behind it? We don’t really know ourselves, that’s for you to decide. A few more twists
and turns take you to the mysterious resonant circle. By standing in the centre of it
and facing Southwest, say your name and you will hear its echo ringing in your ears.
This is something you must try and is one of the many wonders of the unspoilt village of Ramsgate. This glorious stretch of coastline offers magnificent views of the ocean, coastal forest and dunes. For walkers and nature enthusiasts the Marine Ramble is an easy-
to-follow and well-maintained 6km path from just before Margate in the north to
Southbroom in the south. You can enjoy this magical scenic route by following the
conveniently placed signs.
4. Spectacular Greenery
Wherever one visit’s the KZN South Coast you are struck by the magnificence of the
abundance of foliage! Everything grows in this subtropical paradise and there is an
extraordinary variety of plants, trees, and flowers to be found. Between the coastal towns
of Uvongo and Margate lies the Skyline Nature Reserve which has a beautiful
arboretum that includes almost 380 indigenous tree species, 76 of which are specific
to the coast, and 400 exotic tree species. Most tree species within the reserve are
clearly labelled. Together with the neighbouring Uvongo River Reserve, Skyline
Nature Reserve remains relatively obscure, visited only by those who know of these
hidden treasures. There are in fact three reserves around Uvongo – Skyline Nature
Reserve, Uvongo River Reserve and the Beach Reserve, hence why bird life in the village of Uvongo is so prolific. However, when visiting Skyline Reserve, one cannot only expect to site birds but also to encounter blue and grey duiker, bushbuck and many other small mammals scattered in amongst the trees. Be sure to leave your canine companions at home to allow these creatures the courage to reveal themselves.
For the inquisitive mind, most trees are carefully labelled and the reserve spoils you
for choice with hiking, cycling, bird watching and picnicking.
5. Magnificent Scenery
Take a drive through the magical Oribi Gorge and explore the geological glory of the KZN
South Coast! This canyon in southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 35 kilometres
north-west of Port Shepstone, which itself is 120 km south of Durban. Oribi Gorge,
cut by the Mzimkulwana River, is the eastern gorge of two gorges that cut through
the Oribi Flats of KwaZulu-Natal. This 24-kilometre-long gorge has been meticulously
carved out by the dreamy Umzimkulwana River and is home to over 250 bird species, baboons, leopards, and various small antelope. Having a rich and deep history, some of the
rocks found in the majestical Oribi Gorge are over 1000 million years old while the cliffs themselves have been formed from sandstone deposited about 365 million years ago.
Journeying deep into the Gorge, travellers will come across the 400-meter deep and five-kilometre-wide canyon that was once the home to a large family of elephants, until settlers hunted them to extinction. Today, the rich green subtropical vegetation
is home to smaller mammals such as buck, leguaan lizards, many bird species and fish eagles who can be spotted gracefully gliding across the sky. The gorge being one
of our unspoiled crown jewels, boasts forests, cliffs, scenic hiking trails, idyllic picnic sites and waterfalls. A true phenomenal natural paradise!
6. Experience The Wonders Of Marine Life
There’s a constant presence of dolphins and whales in the warm waters of the South Coast
that can be spotted from decks located in Ramsgate, Margate and Umtentweni. This allows for the perfect opportunity to pack a picnic and watch the sun set over the glorious coast.
From July to September whales navigate north to their breeding grounds off the
Mozambique coast, allowing for curious eyes to spot them from our sandy coastal
shores. This is until they return from September to November to fulfil their natural cravings for the nutrient-rich waters of Antarctica. The thrill of seeing such magnificent creatures in their natural habitats is a divine experience like no other that
offers something truly special.
7. Surfs Up
The Sunny South Coast is the ultimate all-year round destination. Visit our subtropical
paradise in winter to escape the cold city as our coastlines offers good consistent surf with swell and light offshore winds blowing every morning, you are in for the ride of your life!
The 120km stretch of coastline offers countless world class waves along its golden beaches as well as hidden in the many coves framed by glassy lagoons and palm trees. The Indian Ocean’s water is warm all year round, although a short spring suit
might be required for the occasional colder winter morning. For surfing, the best time of the year to visit would be during the winter months, between May and August
when the coastline gets very consistent swell and light offshore winds blow almost
every morning. When you pull into a perfectly groomed, cylindrical wave at
Scottburgh Point as the African sun rises behind you over the Indian Ocean, then
you will begin to understand the intensely laid-back vibe of the beautiful, unpolished
crown jewel of South African surfing that is the South Coast.
8. Fishing
Wishing to be fishing? Who said that it’s got to be expensive! Fish from the rocks and
shoreline of our beautiful coast and we’ll have you hooked! This subtropical coastal stretch
boasts some of the best fishing grounds in Kwa-Zulu Natal namely Amanzimtoti,
Umkomaas, Scottburgh, Hibberdene, Port Shepstone, Shelly Beach, Margate,
Southbroom, Port Edward and of course the offshore Aliwal Shoal and Protea
Banks.
9. Historical Landmarks
The South Coast possess two awe-inspiring lighthouses that were built in the mid 20th
century, one in Port Shepstone and the other in Port Edward. These beacons of light were
vital to the safe trafficking of ships navigating the coast and possess many stories of great historical value. The unique Port Shepstone lighthouse is painted in black and white chequered blocks and is located off the R102, Off Princess Elizabeth Drive and the equally beautiful and mysterious Port Edward lighthouse is situated in 130 Milford Road, Port
Edward.
10. Bird Lovers Paradise
This sunny subtropical paradise is a bird watchers delight! With 380 species of unique,
diverse, and rare birdlife, it ranges from raptors to seabirds and coastal varieties. There is
also an abundance of birds inhabiting woodland, grasslands, bushveld areas and forests, as
well as those who favour wetter habitats such as estuarine, freshwater, and riverine zones.
The South Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal has a wide range of reserves for all bird life enthused visitors to explore namely Oribi Gorge, Frederika Nature Reserve, Skyline Nature Reserve,
Uvongo Nature Reserve and many more! Even though there are many reverses where birds bound, they are nevertheless and ever presence phenomena wherever you may go on the
Kwa-Zulu Natal South Coast.
11. Tranquil Lagoons and Rocky Coves
The beautiful village of Uvongo is well known for its scenic waterfall that plummets 23m
down into one of the countries deepest lagoons. There’s nothing quite like sunbathing on a
beach with an enchanting waterfall. Travelling further south to Margate one comes apron the appropriately named Tragedy Bay. In the early part of the 20th century, a ship went down, and the bodies of the hapless sailors were washed up on the beach of a small cove on the boarder of Margate and Ramsgate. This was then appropriately named Tragedy Bay and this gorgeous rocky cove, despite its history, offers great beauty and tranquillity today.
12. Treasure Hunting
Geocaching, the grown-up version of the beloved childhood pastime of treasure hunting!
This high-tech worldwide treasure hunting game combines GPS tracking with outdoor
adventure, and it’s fun for all ages. Geocachers place a geocache (container) somewhere in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geocache’s
existence and location online. Boxes come in all different shapes and sizes but it’s usually small and can withstand the elements, hidden safely in a non-intrusive place. It’s more than
just what’s in the cache, it’s the fun of the hunt, the thrill of discovery, and the sheer delight
of finding new places! Log your experience online at www.geocaching.com