Stretching from Amanzimtoti to Port Edward, South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal South Coast is all about stunning beaches, excellent fishing and fantastic golf locations. Well-developed resort towns dot this lush coastline and cater to every need from diving to dining, with top-notch golf courses often forming the basis of holidays to the area. Animal lovers flock to the Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary, home to 150 bird species including Giant Kingfisher and Hamerkop. Adventure sport enthusiasts can take a brave leap at the Oribi Gorge’s Wild Gorge Swing, the highest swing in the world, equivalent to a 55 storey building. The KwaZulu Natal South Coast offers visitors an endless summer with a variety of activities including excellent swimming, snorkelling, hiking, birdwatching, dolphin spotting and viewing the annual sardine run.
Located on Kwa-Zulu Natal’s coast within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Sodwana Bay is known primarily as a top diving destination. The Southern Coral Reef is the only tropical dive site in South Africa and one of the few places in the world where dive sites are reached by weaving a path through breaking waves. Divers can enjoy warm water; deserted beaches; exciting coral reefs; and a great diversity of seascapes, marine life and spectacular night dives. In summer, loggerhead and leatherback turtles can be seen nesting on the beaches, and dolphins, manta rays, whales, and black, blue and striped marlin are prevalent here. Other popular activities include: boating, angling, fishing, whale watching, snorkelling and canoeing. For those who prefer staying on land, there is still plenty on offer in the form of nature walking, and bird watching, while the more adventurous can try microliting.
Scattered across the undulating plains of KwaZulu Natal, a wonderful array of game reserves can be explored. These magnificent parks are renowned for their dramatic hilly countryside, diversity of flora and fauna, high standards of conservation and their invaluable contribution to protecting endangered species, including the white rhino, from extinction. It is possible to see the famous ‘Big Five’ animals, as well as a variety of other animals. The area is a bird watcher’s paradise, with the Mkhuze Game Reserve alone home to 420 different species of birds, and species like the Pel’s Fishing-Owl and Pink-throated Twinspot making special appearances. Visitors can enjoy a host of activities including day and night game drives, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, hiking and guided walks. Many of the parks include stunning beaches, which feature turquoise, warm Indian Ocean waters and soft white sands.
Perched on a steep slope along the shores of False Bay, Simon's Town is renowned as one of South Africa's oldest settlements. Just 35km from Cape Town, this enchanting locale boasts a rich maritime legacy and houses the South African Navy. The town's quaint streets showcase a blend of Victorian and Georgian-style residences, reflecting its colonial heritage. Dive into the deep seas with a variety of fishing experiences or marvel at the free-roaming African penguins at Boulders Beach, adding to the town's unique charm. Embark on a boat journey to Seal Island, an eight-nautical-mile voyage from Simon's Town harbour, home to a vast colony of Cape Fur Seals and a prime hunting ground for Great White Sharks. Wind down by strolling along the boardwalks, dip in the sandy public beach, indulge in a day spa in the Old Village, or savour fresh seafood in one of the town's outstanding restaurants.
Set at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans and backed by the iconic Table Mountain, the bustling city of Cape Town presents an alluring combination of drawcards. Incredible powdery white beaches, highly acclaimed wine routes, and astonishingly beautiful mountain trails surround a cosmopolitan hub. This diverse metropolis is filled with superb shops and restaurants, extraordinary heritage monuments, a multitude of entertainment venues, and a spectacular, chic waterfront harbour. Highlights include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art; Table Mountain's jaw-dropping views; Boulders Beach, where penguins might swim right up to you in the warm Indian ocean waters; the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where you can walk along a treetop canopy among incredible native flora or watch an open-air concert at the base of the mountain; Robben Island, where visitors can see the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years; and many more.
