Area Profiles

The Hibiscus Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, is the most southern part of the province’s famous South Coast, south of Durban. It features an intimate collection of pristine beaches complete with sheltered coves and rock pools, numerous golf courses, nature reserves and one of the country’s most sought-after adventure tourism destinations. The Hibiscus Coast boasts six Blue Flag beaches at Margate, Marina/San Lameer, Ramsgate, Trafalgar, Umzumbe and Lucien. Blue Flag beaches are those that have achieved excellence in water quality and environmental education while adhering to international safety standards. A glorious coastline, protected pockets of sub-tropical...

Area Profile: Margate has always been one of South Africa’s favourite holiday and leisure destinations. It has become synonymous with fun-filled, exciting holidays, as it is undoubtedly the vibrant holiday centre of the South Coast. It is an energetic, colourful and cosmopolitan town; offering something for everybody. Its bustling CBD is home to many fine restaurants, shops, galleries, clubs, and sports bars – all within easy walking distance from the centre of town. For those who prefer a little South Coast souvenir shopping, Margate boasts some exceptional art galleries and craft shops, catering for all tastes and budgets.   Besides...

Area Profile: Port Shepstone On the banks of the mighty Mzimkulu river, the historic and charming coastal town of Port Shepstone is also the administrative, commercial, education and distribution hub of KZN’s South Coast.   Port Shepstone has an unbeatable location, conveniently situated just off the N2 highway, around the mouth of the Mzimkulu River, right on one of the most unspoiled coastlines in the world. With its easy access to the N2, Port Edward and the Wild Coast Sun is just over 50 km to the south, and Durban’s CBD about 120 km north of Port Shepstone. The scenic N2, which winds inland through breath-taking vistas of the Oribi plains and...

Area Profile: Ramsgate Ramsgate is definitely one of the most popular South Coast holiday and retirement destinations. The “sister” towns of Ramsgate and Margate both attract holiday makers from across South Africa and around the globe. It offers a wide range of accommodation options to local and international visitors; from self-catering apartments, bed-and breakfast establishments, to large residential homes, specially designed for expanded family holidays. Despite its close proximity to Margate, Ramsgate offers a decidedly different, more laid-back, secluded, “quaint village” experience. Another unique feature of Ramsgate, is how...

Area Profile: Shelly Beach Shelly Beach is a lively coastal resort and is one of the fastest developing commercial and residential towns on the South Coast. It offers a truly vast range of accommodation options to local and international visitors; from self-catering single units, bed-and breakfast establishments, to large residential homes, specially designed for expanded family holidays. A unique feature of Shelly beach, is how conveniently located this friendly, relaxed town’s accommodations are to all essential amenities; including a vast range of retailers, restaurants, banks, medical practitioners and entertainment venues (to name a...

Area Profile: Southbroom Southbroom can actually be described as a district; which includes the coastal villages of Southbroom, Trafalgar, San Lameer and Canaan. This picturesque part of the Hibiscus Coast of KZN stretches between the Imbezane and Mpenjati rivers.  The village of Southbroom itself, is a flourishing, up-market, yet welcoming village with a treasure trove of natural beauty, quality accommodation, and a vast array of attractions and activities to offer visitors of all ages! In fact, the district as a whole, has been described as the ‘jewel’ of the South Coast. Southbroom's wealth of vegetation is undoubtedly due to the...

Area Profile: Uvongo The picturesque village of Uvongo slopes gently down from elevated, evergreen coastal forests and rolling hills on the banks of the iVungu river. This charming coastal village offers sweeping, scenic vistas of the Indian ocean below, with secluded, unspoiled beaches, superb fishing spots, a nature reserve, beautiful scenery, and more. Uvongo, a Zulu word translated as “the place of rushing water”, truly has one of the most beautiful beaches on the South Coast. Its sheltered beach is situated in a cove, surrounded by huge rocky walls, and is well-known for its natural waterfall, where the iVungu River spills over into a deep pool...

KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa The garden province of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal is a subtropical region of lush and well-watered valleys, washed by the warm Indian Ocean. One of the country's most popular tourist destinations, the province stretches from Port Edward in the south to the borders of Swaziland and Mozambique to the north. Durban, the seat of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, is one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the world. Its harbour is one of the busiest in South Africa and one of the 10 largest in the world. Richards Bay is an important coal-export harbour. The capital of KwaZulu-Natal is Pietermaritzburg. The...

Mahikeng, formerly and still commonly known as Mafikeng and historically Mafeking in English (see § Name below), is the capital city of the North-West Province of South Africa. It is best known internationally for the Siege of Mafeking, the most famous engagement of the Second Boer War. Located close to South Africa's border with Botswana, Mahikeng is 1,400 km (870 mi) northeast of Cape Town and 260 km (160 mi) west of Johannesburg. In 2001, it had a population of 49,300. In 2007, Mafikeng was reported to have a population of 250,000 of which...