The subtropical climate and breathtaking scenery make the KZN South Coast a must-visit destination this Easter. From the Blue Flag beaches to the lush hinterland, this action-packed destination is an outdoor adventurer’s dream!
“There is a growing trend of travel-based experiences that can either be relaxing or adrenaline-inducing – but all fun!” says Deborah Ludick, Acting CEO of South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “The KZN South Coast has beautiful natural resources which, combined with adventure activities and cultural tours, make for an incredible outdoor adventure. This Easter, why not try one of these exciting activities?”
1. Ocean Safari
Home to 3 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and two world-class dive sites, there is much to explore on a KZN South Coast ocean safari. These ocean spectacles can be enjoyed by chartering a boat out into the ocean, with marine life sightings from the boat or swimming and snorkelling nearby. Ocean safari operators like Aliwal Dive Centre and African Dive Adventures provide everything from PADI instruction to equipment hire and epic ocean adventures.
2. River Cruise
Take in the KZN South Coast’s incredible sights with an Umzimkulu River Cruise. Experienced skippers will take visitors on a sedate cruise from Port Shepstone with sightings of incredible birdlife and wildlife along the way.
3. Water Sports
The Pont Water Sports in Port Edward, the southernmost tip of the KZN South Coast, is the perfect spot for a water sports holiday. Travellers can book a speed boat ride on the Umtamvuna River for skiing and tubing, an hour barge ride, as well as sunset and river cruises.
4. Scenic Aerial Trips
Those looking for an aerial outdoor adventure will enjoy a helicopter, light aircraft, or microlight flips available with companies like World of Wings Flight School and Airtrack Aviation. This is a great way to explore the KZN South Coast and catch sight of marine life.
5. Mountain Biking
Saddle up and take a mountain biking adventure on the remote and unspoilt KZN South Coast trails. Near the Umtamvuna River are the Clearwater Mountain Biking trails, with Rocky Bay Resort near Park Rynie going through indigenous forest and sugarcane farms. Lake Eland Game Reserve has trails of varying difficulty within the game-fenced area while Anew Hotel Ingeli Forest & Spa in Harding has great forest trails.
6. Wild 5 Adventures
Thrill-seekers will enjoy Wild 5 Adventures at Oribi Gorge. Get harnessed into the Wild Gorge Swing, the highest swing of its kind in the world, and jump 55 stories off Lehr’s Waterfall. There’s also the ultimate abseiling experience down the 110-metre cliff face alongside the waterfall; the Wild Slide a ziplining adventure 165 metres above the treetops; or the 84m-high suspension bridge for great views.
7. Fishing
The 120-kilometre coastal stretch boasts several incredible fishing spots for every level of angler. The year-round temperate climate and calm waters here make fishing a great recreational option every season, with charter boats for deep-sea adventures.
8. Dino Park
Uncover hidden adventures at Port Shepstone’s Dino Park. Find the 25 dinosaurs in the mini jungle, check out fossils in the Dino Gallery, and practice palaeontology in the fossil sandpit.
9. KwaXolo Caves Adventures
Heritage and adventure combine at the KwaXolo Caves Adventures. Hike along the mountainside into the caves which are covered in ancient San artwork. There is also ziplining, a suspension bridge, and a picnic site with views of the gorge to end the day.
10. 4×4 Trail
KZN South Coast welcomes 4×4 enthusiasts to its many hinterland locations. Go offroading at Lake Eland Game Reserve or along the coastal routes of the KwaNzimakwe Multi-Trails.
11. Vulture Hide
Stop by the Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide at Oribi Gorge. This is a 2-hour guided vulture viewing tour that gives visitors the chance to experience a wild colony of over 200 Cape Vultures in their natural habitat.
12. Game Drive
Go on a safari at Lake Eland Game Reserve and spot wildlife in the African savannah! Overnight stays in the African bush, campfires, and stars at night make this the ultimate outdoor adventure.
13. Animal Farms
The little ones will love an outing to one of the KZN South Coast’s animal farms. Meet emus, rabbits, goats, ducks, alpacas, chickens, turkeys, and pigs at B’s Guest House just outside Harding. There’s also Mac Farmyard, the animal farm at MacBanana where kids can feed the animals, and ride ponies.
14. Reptile Farms
Make this a memorable outing with a stop-in at one of the many reptile farms. Pure Venom Reptile Park in Shelly Beach, Riverbend Crocodile Farm in Southbroom, and Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh are home to unique and interesting characters.
15. Horse Riding
Experience the KZN South Coast by horseback with the Selsdon Park Estate beach horse rides in Trafalgar. There are horseback excursions along the beaches and into the farmlands and coastal forests, with guides able to assist everyone from beginners to equestrian professionals.
16. Quad Biking
Enjoy some four-wheel freedom with quad biking on the KZN South Coast. The Wild Coast Sun has great rides to Umzamba Bridge. NPS Adventures offers quad bike excursions in the rural outskirts of eMzumbe in KwaQwabe.
17. Surfing
The KZN South Coast is a top surfing destination with epic spots along the entire coastal stretch. A top surfing beach is St Michaels-on-Sea with its right-hand point break, while the Blue Flag beach, Lucien in Margate, Scottburgh, Port Edward and Southbroom all offer great surfing. There are local surf schools for those wanting to learn.
18. Farm Stalls
Get a taste of the KZN South Coast with a farm adventure. There are delectable, homemade goods using farm-fresh ingredients sold at various stalls. The Mac Banana Farm Stall in Port Edward is a great place to start, with endless fun activities on the farm. Ubumbano Farm Stall in Amandawe stocks freshly-made macadamia nut and rocket pesto, macadamia nut biscuits and brittle. This also forms part of the Agri Tours, a farm-based tour of the KZN South Coast.
19. Hiking
There are numerous hiking trails throughout the KZN South Coast for outdoor adventure! Among these are the Mission Tourism Route, 8km Weza Hiking Trail, 71km Umzumbe River Trail, the newly launched KwaNdwalane Adventure Experience and Beach-to-Beach Hike. Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve is also home to some epic hikes.
20. Nature Reserves
The many nature reserves and conservancies set the scene for outdoor adventure on the KZN South Coast, among them Mpenjati Nature Reserve near Trafalgar, and TC Robertson Nature Reserve in Scottburgh.
Get back into nature with a KZN South Coast breakaway! Find out more by following South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn. And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases. Watch why KZN South Coast is a top tourism destination here.
Follow the hashtags #uncover #uncoverkznsouthcoast #uncoveradventure #kznsouthcoast
CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.
Author: Agnes Matladi from Olivia Jones Communications on behalf of South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise.
Z-Boy
\”Spin doctors are: “professional political strategists, able on behalf of their clients to manipulate the media – planting a story here, a rumour there, a tip-off somewhere else – so that any piece of news is tailored to show them in the best possible light.” – Michael Shea
DreadSherX
\”The history of PR is… a history of a battle for what is reality and how people will see and understand reality. ~ #Stuart Ewen
Lady Petal
PR doesn\’t always have the best rep when it comes to ethics. Some people, because of bad things that they\’ve done in the past, have even been called propagandists. But there\’s a big ethical difference between real PR and simple propaganda, and here it is: PR is always solidly rooted in fact. PR is part of the good fight, as the wise people quoted below have recognized.