KwaZulu Natal Travel Guide - Budget Accommodation, Game Lodges, Luxury Accommodation

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Province: Kwazulu Natal
Region: Dolphin Coast

Towns:
Zimbali |  Ballito |  Thompson's Bay |  Shakas Rock |  Salt Rock | 
Sheffield Beach | Umhlali | Tinley Manor |  Shakaskraal |  Blythedale Beach |  Zinkwazi |  Kwadaduza/Stanger


DOLPHIN COAST- NORTH COAST
Magical encounters with our planets most endearing sea creatures, a walk in the footsteps of Africa's mightiest king, gourmet delights overlooking a warm Indian Ocean…..Welcome to our idyllic lifestyle in subtropical, natural splendour.

The Dolphin Coast, an expanse of magnificent beaches and a panorama of waving sugar cane stretch across the malaria-free North Coast of KwaZulu Natal from Zimbali in the South to the mighty Tugela in the North. This is the playground of the bottlenose dolphins, which frolic in the waters close to shore and are visible all year round.

The dolphins favour this stretch of coastline because of it's relatively clear and shallow waters, allowing dolphins to swim close to shore in order to feed. Surveys of these waters suggest that they are frequented by a school of about 200 dolphins, which break up into smaller groups. Whales can also be spotted on their annual migration to Mozambique for the summer.

Beaches 
The beach is the main attraction for most visitors and the Dolphin Coast has a magnificent stretch of golden beaches and sheltered coves to lure the sun-lover. The main swimming beach in Ballito-Willard Beach has Blue Flag Status. It provides safe swimming with qualified life-guards seven days a week, and is protected with shark nets. It also has a fully equipped first aid station. Willard Beach is also a popular spot for the surfing and body boarding fraternity and competitions are organized regularly providing beach-goers with the best moves and grooves on the waves.

Lifeguards and shark nets are provided at a second beach, Clarke Bay, to ensure that parents have a worry-free holiday and the children one of pure pleasure. Further south of Clarke Bay is the Ballito tidal pool which caters for the big and small. The pools are well maintained, kept clean and are home to a wide variety of sea life.

Moving South is Salmon Bay, which is a launch area for watercraft. This beach is also popular for surfing. The Ballito Inflatable Boat clubhouse is located here. Ballito is home to plenty of fishing spots, which guarantee keen fishermen of at least a good bite and perhaps the catch of a lifetime. Fishing licences can be purchased at any of the local post offices. However licences for mussels, oysters and crayfish can only be obtained from the Nature Conservation offices at 25 Stella Road, Umbilo in Durban (031-2055278).

There are numerous diving spots for the spear fishermen and beautiful reefs for the scuba diver. One can either soak up the sun or take a leisurely stroll along our scenic beachfront promenade. Breathe in the freah air and feel the breeze on your face whilst taking in the natural beauty of Ballito's coastline on an easy 2.5km walk.

Accommodation
Accommodation is plentiful in Ballito. There are many time-share units, self catering apartments and houses, bed & breakfast and guesthouses, hotel and caravan parks available. You can choose a view of the rhythmic shorebreak, or peaceful green fields or stay close to where the action is.

You could also choose to make an investment and buy your own property in the heart of the Dolphin Coast. Estate agents will gladly show you what is available on the ever growing market. Apartment blocks are well looked after for absentee landlords and by local body corporates and maintenance companies.

Shopping Centres
Modern shopping centres cater for all your needs. There are supermarkets in three main shopping complexes and a variety of specialist shops where you can buy clothes, gifts, books, trinkets and curios. You can have your hair done or get pampered at a beauty salon or shop for fresh produce at the farm stall or Saturday morning market.

Entertainment/Restaurants
You can dance the night away or take in the latest movie. Whether you are looking for a fancy dinner, take-away or holiday snack there are restaurants and pubs to suit all tastes and occasions. The restaurants include Seafood, Italian, Curry, Portuguese and Mexican.

General
Ballito is home to the Sangweni Tourist Centre. Here you can get more information on what the Dolphin Coast has to offer to make your stay a memorable and unforgettable one.
For those unavoidable rainy days Ballito offers a comprehensive library service.

ENTERTAINMENT/ATTRACTIONS
For a detailed brochure please contact our Information Office (Details on back cover).

Dolphin & Whale Marine Excurions
Snorkelling, Scuba Diving, Swimming, Surfing, Body Boarding
Fishing both Off-Shore and Deep Sea 

Crocodile Farms, Animal Farms, Gold Mine Farm
Nature Reserves, Nature and Coastal Trails, Nurseries, Lagoon Cruises

Golf, Horse Riding, Microlights, Quad Bike Trails, Ten Pin Bowling, Mini Putt Putt, Cinema

Museum, Monuments, Grave Sites, Historical Sites
Temples & Mosques, Paper Mills, Estuaries, Bird Hides, Arts & Crafts

SPORTING FACILITIES
The sport inclined visitor to the Dolphin Coast is also catered for. There are three magnificent golf courses situated on the Dolphin Coast. The gracious Umhlali Golf Course situated just outside of Ballito with its unique setting, superb greens and resident zebra make a round of golf an absolute pleasure. There is also the beautifully designed course of the Zimabli Golf Estate, designed by Tom Weiskopf. This course is both challenging and unforgettably beautiful, with breathtaking panoramic views of the undulating coastline and sea. Half and hours drive north of Ballito is the Prince's Grant Golf Estate designed in the tradition of the links of golf courses of Old Scotland, which offers a unique experience to the golfer. 

For the health and fitness conscience there is a well equipped gym, tennis and squash courts and lawn bowls.

GAME & NATURE RESERVES 
The Dolphin Coast is close enough to take a day drive north to the game parks in northern Zululand and to the World Heritage Site at St Lucia. The Hluhluwe/Umfolozi game park is approximately 257 kilometers north of Ballito. Most of the big game species including lion, elephant, white & black rhinoceros, buffalo, leopard and giraffe occur in the reserve.

Nearby is the Mkuze park with over 200 different species of birds, a bird watchers paradise. Harold Johnson Nature Reserve is situated on the banks of the Tugela River, north of Zinkwazi. The reserve offers trails, picnic sites, a small variety of game, a large variety of bird life and a cultural center. Camp sites are available on the reserve. (032-4861574)
The Fort Pearson and the Ultimatum Tree, both national monuments lie within the reserve. The Fort was built in 1878 on a bluff overlooking the Pont-crossing on the Tugela River. Both of these monuments played a significant role in the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879. It was here that the British presented the ultimatum to the representatives of King Cetshwayo. A few war graves can alsobe seen on the site.

The Amatikulu Nature Reserve just north of the Tugela offers camp sites, walking trails, picnic sites and river canoes. (035-3401836)

The Kingdom
The Kingdom is situated in the Sheffield Beach area and offers a unique 'Three Cultures on One Estate' experience. It focuses on the Zulu, Indian and Colonial experiences. Accommodation is also available. (031-5732808)

Shakaland
Shakaland is approximately an hours' drive from Ballito. Here you can take a step back in time and enter a world of Shaka, King of the Zulus. The Nandi Experience is a three-hour daytime adventure named in honour of Shaka's mother, Nandi. (035-4600912)

Morewood Memorial Gardens 
This is the site of South Africa's first sugar mill, situated just outside Ballito in the Compensation area. The garden commemorates the life of Sir Edmund Morewood, who grew the first commercial sugar cane in South Africa and was the founder of the Sugar Cane Industry in 1851.

Durban is merely a 25-minute drive south of Ballito and many interesting places can be visited:
The Natal Sharks Board -
Situated in Umhlanga, 20 minutes south of Ballito. Watch and audiovisual and a shark dissection and see the internal machinery of one of the oceans most awesome predators. There is also a display hall and curio shop. (031-5660400)

Funworld-
Durban's only amusement park, situated on Marine Parade. It is filled wit hexciting rides, bumper cars, children's carousal and kiddies rides. (031-3329776)

Waterworld-
A variety of gentle, pulsating and looping water propelled rides which you can enjoy as many times as you like. (031-3376336)

Umgeni River Bird Park-
Visit one of the world's most finest bird parks with a spectacular collection of over 3000 exotic and indigenous birds. (031-5794600)

Victoria Street Market-
Open 7 days a week. Offers a variety of Indian herbs and spices, ebony and ivory ornaments, wooden carvings, brass and copper ornaments, African curios and traditional art. (031-3064021)

GENERAL INFORMATION
Weather 
Temperatures:
Hot Summers (24 - 30 degrees celsius)
Mild Winters(20 degrees celsius)

Water Temperatures:
Summer Average 25 degrees celsius
Winter Average 18 degrees celcsius

Rainfall:
Average 900mm per year