15 unforgettable ways to experience tourism and heritage in iLembe

iLembe’s Seventeen87 wine pays homage to the King of the Zulu nation who was born in 1787.

King Shaka’s legacy lives on in The Seventeen87 Wine Cellar which is at Sugar Rush.

There are 5 different cultivars i.e. Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Pinotage Rose, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The cellar also stocks 13 other wines from Cathedral Peak Wine Estate, in the Drakensberg.

Contact: Daniel Maerkl at 083 652 0396/daniel@enterpriseilembe.co.za.

Cost: R50 per tasting for 5 different wines. Wines range from R70 to R320.

Trading hours: Mon-Sun, 9am – 4pm.

Shaka Zulu, one of the most influential monarchs of the Zulu Kingdom, founded the town of KwaDukuza almost 200 years ago.

King Shaka is remembered for uniting the Zulu people and his skill in battle tactics.

He was ultimately assassinated by his half brothers Dingane and Mhlangana on September 24, 1828, aged 41.

This is commemorated every year in KwaDukuza as ‘Shaka Day’, the precursor to Heritage Day.

While Shaka Day is used to unite the Zulu clans, Heritage Day is about uniting South Africa as a Rainbow Nation.

While the exact location of Shaka’s grave is unknown, the King Shaka Visitor Centre in KwaDukuza serves as a memorial to his death, and houses the rock he is thought to have been sitting on at the moment of his death.

Contact: 032 552 7210.

If you are in Ballito and craving a traditional meal, pop in at Kasi Taste.

The African traditional restaurant is at the WoW Zulu marketplace in the Sangweni Tourism Centre.

They offer a variety of meals from steam bread and ox head, to fried chicken feet and mielie meal bread pudding.

Trading hours: 8am to 5pm. Public holidays 8am to 3pm.

Contact: 067 004 7183.

Visit the Luthuli Museum and sit in the very spot where African National Congress’ president-general and Nobel Peace Laureate, Chief Albert Luthuli, sat in conversation with New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy on June 8, 1966.

Kennedy later referred to Luthuli as one of the most impressive men he had met on his travels around the world.

Contact: 032 559 6822.

For just R160pp you can get a skiing session at Ballito Ski Park.

They also offer jet ski rides at R110, tube rides at R110, Viking slide for 1 hour at R70pp, or R130 for a day.

Paintball at R160pp (pre booking) and archery tag at R70pp for 30 minutes. 

On-site restaurant and day visitors welcome.

Contact: 082 337 6044/083 233 5165 | ballitoskipark@gmail.com | www.ballitoskipark.co.za.

Trading hours: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm. (In season). Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm. (Out of season).

Monkeyland KZN is a free roaming primate sanctuary, the sister sanctuary to Monkeyland Plettenberg Bay.

Enjoy a monkey safari and see multiple species of exotic monkeys – for example the black howler monkey, the loudest land animal in the world.

Their “roar” can be heard up to 7km away!

Kids will love spotting the ring-tailed lemur, the iconic monkey made famous by the Madagascar movie franchise. He likes to “move it move it!”

Contact: 032 004 0178.

The tidal pool at Chaka’s Rock, just north of the beach and directly opposite the campsite is perfect for first-time snorkelers and children.

It is very safe, calm and easy to access.

Thompson’s Bay tidal pool is another ideal spot with an array of marine life.

Further north, Sheffield Beach, with its plethora of rock pools, is one of the best spots for snorkeling in KZN.

We recommend Tidal Tao for excellent snorkeling excursions along the North Coast.

Contact: 079 307 0608.

At 22 Jump Street indoor entertainment centre in the Ballito Junction you will find everything from bumper cars and arcade games, to open jumping, dodge ball, basket ball and sponge pits, there is plenty on the go to keep both you and your children entertained for hours.

Contact: 032 586 1772 | info@22jumpstreet.co.za | www.22jumpstreet.co.za.

Cost: R100 an hour.

Trading hours: Monday-Thursday, 9am-6pm; Friday-Sunday 9am-9pm.

 

Just 15km inland from Ballito, Adventure Valley offers a 1.5km Zipline Tour with the first-in-the-world “Parazip”.

This guided adventure is suitable for ages 5 to 85.

The “Parazip” enables you to slide down on a 400m cable with a parachute attached to you.

Adventure Valley also offers “Discover Scuba Diving” in a 700 000 litre Scuba Pool.

The main pool is available for day visitors.

A takeaway snack shop is available on site.

Booking is essential.

Trading hours: Open 6 days a week (Sunday to Friday).

Cost: No entry fee (pay per activity).

Contact: 032 942 8014 | 082 414 2448 | clubventure@mweb.co.za | www.adventurevalley.co.za.

North Coast beaches are pretty as a picture and at Clarke Bay you can now take your snaps at the funky yellow photo frame.

After taking your photos, follow the promenade to Willard Beach.

Then its off the beaten track with a wonderful coastal trail from Ballito north to Salt Rock.

If you like a fast pace this can be done in an hour or two, but with its tidal pools and rock platforms, you can easily make a whole day of it.

There are several tidal pools en route, so don’t forget a swimming costume, mask and snorkel.

Check the tides before you set off as some of the coves become inaccessible at high tide.

Harold Johnson nature reserve is known for its rich variety of butterflies and birdlife.

The reserve is 40km north of Ballito on the banks of the Tugela River.

A small variety of wildlife is located on the reserve such as zebra, bush-pig and antelope as well as the iconic Ultimatum Tree, Fort Pearson and a museum that documents the life of King Shaka Zulu.

You can also enjoy a game drive at Rain Farm and Lodge on the Esenembe Road, just outside Ballito.

Contact: 032 815 1050.

One of the best crocodile tours in the country.

Restaurant, curio shop, crocodile leather goods, snakes, alligators and a kids play area.

Trading hours: 10am to 4.30pm daily.

Contact: 032 940 4444 | www.crocodilecreek.co.za | hello@crocodilecreek.co.za.

What better way to wash away the lockdown blues than by heading down to the North Coast’s very own brewery?

The Ballito Brewing Company offers a wide range of craft beers and gins to ensure that even the most discerning palate will find a taste they enjoy.

They offer tours at a cost of R180 per person, which comes with a complimentary 3 pack of beers.

No walk-ins allowed, booking is essential.

Contact: 032 032 0200 | greatrailroadbrewing@gmail.com | www.ballitobrewingcompany.co.za.

Trading hours: Monday-Friday, 8am – 5pm, Saturdays, by appointment only.

Activities: archery, abseiling, wall climbing, low ropes, group dynamics, indigenous games, football, team challenges, kayaking, raft building, zipline and hiking.

Contact: Samantha or Sthabile at 031 701 2845 | www.tvg.co.za | info@tvg.co.za.

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For more info on other places to visit, head to www.northcoast.org.za | 032 946 1256 | 032 437 5021

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