South Africa, a land of diverse landscapes and vibrant culture, is a popular destination for tourists seeking an African adventure. While Cape Town and Kruger National Park often dominate the tourist agenda, the South Coast offers a wealth of unique experiences and attractions waiting to be explored.
Where is the KZN South Coast?
The KZN South Coast starts just outside Durban in the bustling town of Amanzimtoti and stretches along 120 kilometers of glorious coastline down to Port Edward. It includes well-known towns like Scottburgh, Hibberdene, Shelly Beach, and Margate but also includes evergreen gems like Winkelspruit, St Michaels-on-Sea, and Ramsgate.
When is the best time to visit?
Any time of the year is a good time weather-wise. The winters are mild, and the summers are typical of a sub-tropical paradise. 365 days of perfect holiday weather await you!
South Africa is a vast country and is home to several different climates, from the arid Kalahari desert to the snow-capped mountains of the Drakensberg. For the rest of the country, the average hovers around the 22°C (72F) mark in most places, although during the peak summer months (November - February) temperatures in excess of 30°C (86F) are quite common.
Pro-tip: As the name implies, South Africa is located in the Southern Hemisphere, meaning the seasons are reversed from the perspective of Northern Hemisphere visitors.
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Accommodation Options
There is a wide choice of accommodation, such as caravan parks, B&B’s, self-catering establishments, beach homes, as well as high-end Hotels and luxury apartments.
Here are a few options to consider:
- Margate Hotel: Located in Margate, offering free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge).
- Blue Marlin All-Inclusive Seascape by Dream Resorts: A 3-star beach hotel in Scottburgh with free breakfast, WiFi, and parking.
- Margate Beach Club: Beach apartments in Margate with free parking and outdoor pools.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change.
Things to Do on the South Coast of KZN
The KZN South Coast is one of the few destinations that offer something for everyone. Whether adventure sport is your thing, or you are a keen golfer, or a shopaholic, or want to do nothing but lay on the beach ‘working’ on your tan, this is the place to be.
Here are a few ideas for activities:
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- Beaches: The beaches of KwaZulu-Natal stretch along 600km of coastline with beaches to match the very best on the planet.
- Diving: Just off KwaZulu-Natal's South Coast are Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks - two popular deep-sea diving haunts.
- Adventure: If you're looking to up your adrenaline visit Oribi Gorge. This 27km-long, 400m-deep gorge cuts its way through 365 million-year-old rock and is a haven for thrill-seekers.
- Bird Watching: The South Coast, with its sub-tropical vegetation, sustains an abundance of birdlife - more than 400 bird species have been recorded along the coast.
- Shopping: On the commercial side, apart from many smaller centres, there are two massive shopping malls along the South Coast; the Galleria in Amanzimtoti and the Shelly Centre in Shelly Beach.
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Must-See Experiences Beyond the South Coast
South Africa overflows with sights and activities for tourists. Yet, despite the country being nearly twice the size of Texas, just two destinations dominate tourists’ agenda: the coastal city of Cape Town and the famous Kruger National Park.
- Greet the heat with a Durban bunny chow: Possibly South Africa’s most well-known dish, the bunny chow has its roots in Durban, the country’s third-largest city, on the east coast.
- Hang ten at Jeffreys Bay: On the Eastern Cape’s southern coast, about an hour’s drive from the city of Gqeberha, Jeffreys Bay is known for its iconic right-hand pointbreak, Supertubes-a fixture on the World Surf League’s Championship Tour.
- Hike the Drakensberg: A range of jagged peaks named after its dragon-back likeness-its Zulu name, uKhahlamba, means ‘barrier of spears’-the Drakensberg runs more than 600 miles up South Africa’s eastern flank.
- Safari in the Karoo: A safari in the expansive semi-desert Karoo region that sprawls across inland South Africa is refreshingly different.
- Witness the world-famous sardine run: The sardine run takes place in June and July, when millions of sardines swim up South Africa’s east coast, attracting diving gannets, super-pods of dolphins, shivers of sharks, and even the occasional Bryde’s whale.
- Stargaze at Sutherland’s dark skies: Visiting Sutherland (a four-hour drive from Cape Town) is a truly extraordinary experience.
- Explore Johannesburg’s city center: Johannesburg (aka Joburg or Jozi) is hard to beat for its combination of history, culture, restaurants, diversity, and “incredible energy”.
- Listen to Zulu war stories on the battlefields: You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate the storytelling skills of the guides working on the battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal province, home to the sites of 19th-century Zulu conflicts and the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War, among others.
- Wonder at millennia-old rock art in the Cederberg: Two to three hours’ drive north of Cape Town, the Cederberg is a mountainous area known for its rugged hiking trails.
- Sip your way through Hemel-en-Aarde: Two hours east of Cape Town, veer off the Whale Coast and you’ll find Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth). This wine valley isn’t as popular as Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, but it’s home to some of South Africa’s best wineries for pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, and chardonnay.
South African Cuisine
Like the rainbow nation itself, South African cuisine is well-known for its diverse influences including from African, European, and Asian cooking styles.
- Braai: One of the most famous dishes is simply known as “braai” (pronounced ‘brai’) and basically translates to barbecue.
- Bobotie: Another well-known dish is called “bobotie”, and it has its roots in Cape Malay culture.
- Snoek: Seafood is also a popular choice, especially if you’re traveling along the country’s extensive coastline. Arguably the most well known is “snoek” (pronounced ‘snook’), a large species of fish only found in Southern Hemisphere waters.
- Potjiekos: Other famous foods include “potjiekos” (pronounced ‘poi-kee-kos’, a hearty meat and vegetable stew.
- Melktert & Koeksister: For sweet treats we would recommend “melktert” (pronounced ‘maelk-ta-rt’) which is a sweet milk tart, and “koeksister” (pronounced ‘kuk-sis-ter’), a deep-fried pastry coated in delectable syrup.
Transportation
South Africa has one of the most developed transportation networks in Africa, including several international airports as well as an extensive highway system.
- Rail: If you are looking for an interesting and high quality rail journey through the country, we suggest checking out the luxurious ‘Blue Train.’ The modern and recently built Gautrain system also links the urban centers of Johannesburg and Pretoria.
- Minibus Taxis: Another popular method of transport for locals in South Africa are minibus taxis, basically taxi vans which criss-cross the country, although these can be confusing to use for tourists.
Safety Tips
Personal safety is a concern for many travelers visiting South Africa, and while the overwhelming majority of people experience no issues on their trip, crime is something to be aware of.
- It is also a good idea to keep your wallet and phone out of sight when not needed, and when driving around do not stop on the side of the highway unless instructed to do so by uniformed police.
- As previously mentioned, it is also a good idea to not venture into impoverished areas such as townships by yourself.
- Finally, due to a rapidly expanding population and aging infrastructure, the electrical grid sometimes suffers from temporary outages known as ‘load shedding’. This means the electricity may be out for a few hours in a day.
Additional Information
Here are some quick facts about South Africa:
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| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Official Languages | 11 |
| Average Visitor Spend (excluding airfare & accommodation) | $613 USD |
| Average Year-Round Temperature | 17.5°C (63.5F) |
Enjoy exploring the beautiful South Coast of South Africa!
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