The Umhlanga coastline is perfectly situated on the east coast of South Africa and the Indian Ocean just north of the vibrant port city of Durban. Some of the best beaches, conservation areas, nature trails and activities, nearby golf courses and Sibaya Casino, are just some of the key attractions the region has to offer.
The charming affluent suburbs of Mount Edgecombe, La Lucia, La Mercy, Tongaat, Durban North, Umdloti and Westbrook offer world-class retail experiences and accommodation. Umhlanga boasts a plethora of restaurants; in this vibey coastal town you will experience a unique blend of cultures from east to west, with the pulse of Africa at its heart. Mediterranean-style restaurants rub shoulders with Asian, Middle Eastern and exotic African restaurants, many of which include a panoramic view over the ocean.
An Umhlanga holiday offers plenty to do. Ocean enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers will be in their element. Surfing, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, kiteboarding and microlight flips are all available.
While enjoying the outdoors you can also explore a heritage trail, or take to the forests and revel in nature that is aeons old.
‘Umhlanga’ is Zulu and means ‘place of the reeds’. It is so named because of the profusion of reeds on the banks of the Ohlange River that flows just north of Umhlanga. The area was part of an ancient coastal dune forest system which today still provides sanctuary for small wildlife.
After enjoying Umhlanga itself why not use the town as a base to discover treasures further away? Umhlanga’s golden sandy beaches stretch northwards for more than 200km, all the way to the spectacular Isimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site. Inland from Umhlanga, endless fields of sugarcane give way to the undulating landscape of the Valley of 1000 Hills, Hazelmere Dam, the mystical hidden valleys of Zululand and the spectacular Drakensberg.
Lastly, certain times of the year in Umhlanga offer additional activities. The Umhlanga Summer Festivals, Easter Festivals and Winter Festivals have been staged in their present form since 2005. They take place annually at Main Beach during the popular holiday season when thousands of visitors flock to Umhlanga Rocks.
Festivities have included beach games and entertainment, beauty pageants, charity Christmas Carols evenings, trail runs, fun runs, water sport contests and street parades.
For more information, tel: 031 561 4257, email: info@umhlangatourism.co.za, or visit www.umhlngatourism.co.za
