9 Things to try this Easter on the South Coast
Rather than settling for tried-and-tested holiday experiences, this is the year to try something really unique in the Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom.
This Easter holiday, the outdoors are in which means it’s time to get out and make some lasting memories with the family on the KZN South Coast.
Rather than settling for tried-and-tested holiday experiences, this is the year to try something really unique in the Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom.
“The KZN South Coast continues to remain a prime holiday destination because of our incredible natural tourism assets,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT).
“We’ve noted an increasing drive towards trying something different in the great outdoors, and we’ve tailored a number of tourism experiences in line with this requirement.”
1. Agri-CULTURE Tours
Enjoy a rural tourism excursion along the newly launched KZN South Coast Agri-CULTURE Tours. Explore the area’s lush subtropical farmlands and enjoy a taste of the KZN South Coast’s rich flavours.
2. Rickshaw Ride Experience
Head to the beautiful Margate Beach for a unique Rickshaw Ride along the beachfront. Operated by Nethezeka Tourist Transport and Projects, visitors to Margate Beach can now enjoy a spectacular seaside tour before spending a day swimming, surfing or relaxing on the golden sands.
3. Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide
For a distinctive wildlife experience, it’s worth stopping in at the Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide located near Oribi Gorge. This is an ecologically significant site where visitors get the rare chance to view the endangered Cape Vultures gather to feed, mate and nest in their natural habitat.
4. Great Drives Out
Enjoy a taste of the local culture through the Great Drives Out experiences. This is an authentic rural excursion that takes visitors into the area’s hinterland for something truly memorable.
5. The World’s Smallest Desert
In Port Edward near the Wild Coast, visitors will find a number of exciting tourism offerings. One of these is the Red Desert Nature Reserve which – at only 200-metres in diameter – is the world’s smallest desert.
6. Exciting Ocean Safaris and Diving in Marine Protected Areas
Two of the KZN South Coast’s Marine Protected Areas are also world-class dive sites attracting underwater adventurers from around the globe. Aliwal Shoal off Umkomaas and Protea Banks off Shelly Beach have been established to support healthy marine ecosystems which are now home to a variety of big marine life such as sharks, whales, turtles, rays, king fish, yellow fin tuna and barracuda.
7. Mzamba Fossils and Petrified Forest
The incredible Petrified Forest has great hikes among the trees which were actually washed down river and deposited in the area millions of years ago. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of this ancient forest, which includes viewing the Mzamba fossils – a series of marine fossil beds exposed along the prominent reefs near the Mzamba River.
8. Extreme adventures
Get over to Oribi Gorge and try one of the many Wild 5 Adventures on offer. These range from the adventurous to the extreme, all in one of the area’s most beautiful settings. Holidaymakers can experience some white-water rafting, paintball, quad biking or try the Wild Gorge Swing, which boasts the highest swing of its kind, dropping 55 storeys. Don’t miss out on taking a walk over the thrilling 80-metre cable suspension bridge, 130 metres off the ground or zipline across Oribi Gorge.
9. Surfing
The KZN South Coast is a renowned surfing destination, home to some of the country’s top surfers and surf instructors all ready to share their knowledge on the sport. Some of the best surfing spots to try out are Scottburgh, Umzumbe, Southbroom and St Michael’s-on-sea – although with 58 beaches along the 120km coastal stretch, there are so many spots to try.
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