December is undoubtedly one of the best times to enjoy South Africa. Great weather means great opportunities for fun outdoors which couldn’t be more important as the world battles Covid-19. The KwaZulu-Natal South Coast is a one-stop, family friendly holiday destination with its Blue Flag beaches and nature reserves home to a variety of exciting sites and activities.
“While all our tourism establishments are mindful of the new Covid-19 variant and its potential impact, Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) is encouraging adherence to the strictest safety protocols to keep our tourists safe this summer holiday,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of USCT.
“With outdoor, well-ventilated spaces the preferred option, we’re really privileged that the KZN South Coast boasts some of the world’s best in nature-based activities and excursions. To guide our potential visitors, we’ve highlighted a few of our top attractions.”
Blue Flag beaches
The KZN South Coast is home to the highest number of Blue Flag beaches in the province, including Hibberdene, Umzumbe, Southport, Ramsgate, Marina and Trafalgar beaches.
This is an internationally-recognised certification indicating the high standard of quality, safety, environmental education, services and environmental management. In addition, the KZN South Coast has the highest number of tidal pools providing protected bathing along the coast.
Golf courses
Stretching from Umkomaas to the Wild Coast and inland to Harding, there are 11 quality golf courses found on the ‘Golf Coast’. Among them are Selborne Park Golf Estate, one of country’s premium residential golf estates; Southbroom Golf Club, one of the area’s most popular courses; and the Wild Coast Sun Country Club which is one of the top 10 courses in the country.
Diving, fishing and ocean safaris
Further offshore, there’s an entire world to be explored. Here visitors can find two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) – Aliwal Shoal off Umkomaas and Protea Banks off Shelly Beach.
With the abundance of marine life, these are considered two of the world’s top sites for scuba divers, free divers and snorkellers. For the avid anglers, there’s ample opportunity for spearfishing, deep-sea fishing or rock-and-surf fishing. There are also numerous charter boats that take visitors out for a close-up ocean experience viewing dolphins and migrating whales.
Extreme adventures
For those who enjoy living on the edge, the KZN South Coast is a thrill-seeker’s paradise! Wild5Adventures in Oribi Gorge has the Wild Gorge Swing, the highest swing of its kind that drops visitors 55 storeys.
There’s also the 80-metre cable suspension bridge some 130 metres off the ground; epic white water rafting and ziplining across Oribi Gorge. Lake Eland Game Reserve, with its wild inhabitants and great views, is another exciting location for an African adventure.
Great Drives Out
Visitors can experience local culture in the outdoors with the Great Drives Out experiences. These authentic rural excursions in the hinterland include the KwaXolo Caves Adventures, a mountainside hike along a cable-and-rung system to the caves adorned with ancient San artwork.
The KwaNzimakwe Multi-Trails is a beautiful network from Mpenjati Nature Reserve and, just inland of Shelly Beach is the Nyandezulu Experience, a guided tour across the Ntantana Mountain. Local history can be learned at the Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre, a facility that touches on African history, indigenous knowledge, culture and creative arts.
Biking, running, walking and 4×4 trails
Get out and get active in the KZN South Coast’s natural reserves and agricultural lands whether mountain biking, trail running, hiking or embarking on a 4×4 excursion. Some of the area’s top spots for outdoor adventure include Rocky Bay Resorts, Burry Stander Bike Park, 5. ANEW Resort Ingeli Forest, Beaver Creek Coffee Estate and Clearwater Trails.
Birding and picnicking
Enjoy a family adventure in one of the many KZN South Coast nature reserves – the ideal spaces to go birding before stopping off for a scenic picnic. The region is a renowned birding destination, home to a number of unique species to tick off the list. These can be spotted in TC Robertson Nature Reserve, Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve, Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide, Ventures by Sweetdale and Red Desert Nature Reserve – among many others.
