PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Attention
23 March 2022

10 unique experiences to try on the KZN South Coast this Easter

This Easter holiday, the #outdoorsarein 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. As a way to minimise the fuss of holiday planning, we’ve compiled a list that includes 10 of the region’s truly unique tourism excursions to try this Easter.”

1.       KZN South Coast 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. Sample freshly grown produce, locally brewed coffee and farm-fresh baked goods on a guided tour of the farming process. Fish, hike, quad bike or simply relax in this rural coastal setting. Included along the tour are BBS Farm, Animal Farm at B’s Guesthouse, Ubumbano Homestead, Beaver Creek Coffee Estate, Mac Banana and Mpenjati Coffee.

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. Nature lovers can enjoy the privilege of viewing this breeding colony of around 150 Cape Vultures up close.

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. There’s the KwaXolo Caves Adventures, a mountainside hike along a cable-and-rung system to caves covered in ancient San artwork. The KwaNzimakwe Multi-Trails is a lovely trail network from Mpenjati Nature Reserve and, just inland of Shelly Beach is the Nyandezulu Experience, a guided tour across the Ntantana Mountain. Discover more about the local history at Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre, a facility that touches on African history, indigenous knowledge, culture and creative arts.

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. The beautiful red soil of this archaeologically significant site contrasts against the green coastal forests and sparkling blue Indian Ocean!

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. There are several local dive charters for those wanting to go scuba diving, shark cage diving, freediving or even snorkelling in these areas, as well as boat charters for those who prefer to remain dry!

7.       Trendy Beach Club and Shisanyama

Visitors in search of mouthwatering braai meat in a great outdoor setting should stop in at Senzi’s Shisanyama in Margate. The restaurant is centrally located and gives patrons a great opportunity to sample the local flavour.

This beachside club is a turnkey solution for all corporate function requirements, catering for everything from small get-togethers to larger conferences and celebratory events. Then for the thrill of night life there’s newly opened Level 10 Lounge, Bar and Grill. Found in the heart of Margate, it offers a serene day setting with expansive views and great meals, transitioning to the ultimate night club when the sun sets. The from the exclusive VIP section to the illuminated dance floor, bar and pool area, customers are kept entertained.

8.       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.

9.       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.

10.   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!

The KZN South Coast will also be hosting its Easter Extravaganza holiday programme running from 18 March to 2 April, 15 March to 18 April, and 27 April to 2 May from 10am to 2pm at various locations. Don’t miss out on the chance to have some family fun this Easter!

To view the full Easter Extravaganza programme, find out more about these KZN South Coast offerings, and to make booking or enquiries, download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple stores or visit www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za. Alternatively, check out ‘South Coast Tourism’ on Facebook or YouTube, @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram, or ‘Info Ugu South Coast Tourism’ on LinkedIn. Follow the hashtags #outdoorsarein #extendyourstay #beautifulbeaches #kznsouthcoast.

For access to all previous USCT press releases, please visit: https://www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za/category/press-release/

/ENDS

All images are complimentary for media use, provided the correct photographer credit is included and the images are published in conjunction with the content supplied.

(Images: Supplied by USCT)

Oribi Gorge Wild 5 Extreme Adventures.

KwaXolo Caves.

The Red Desert Nature Reserve.

Senzi’s Shisanyama in Margate.

Mzamba Fossils and Petrified Forest.

BBS Farm.

Level 10 Lounge, Bar and Grill.

Beaver Creek Coffee Estate.

Animal Farm at B’s Guesthouse.

KwaNzimakwe Multi-Trails.

Mpenjati Coffee.

Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre.

Nyandezulu Experience.

The KZN South Coast is a renowned surfing destination.

Ubumbano Homestead.

About Ugu South Coast Tourism

Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) is the official destination management organisation of the Ugu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The Ugu District comprises four local municipalities that include Umdoni, Umzumbe, Umuziwabantu and Ray Nkonyeni. USCT’s mandate is to grow tourism within the KZN South Coast. This involves implementing marketing and development initiatives that are aimed at showcasing the diverse offerings and experiences of the South Coast as tourist destination. A board of directors oversees USCT, headed by CEO, Phelisa Mangcu.

About KZN South Coast
Known as the ‘Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom’, the KZN South Coast stretches 120 kilometres from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland to Harding. Here, the spirit of adventure can be discovered among the many cultural experiences, as well as the 35 nature trails and 58 beaches, ideal for activities like river rafting, abseiling, suspension bridges, paintball, surfing, SUP, canoeing, beach horse rides, shark cage diving and free diving. Nicknamed ‘The Golf Coast’, there are 11 golf courses on the KZN South Coast ranging in difficulty, with endless hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails for more rugged excursions. Promoting sustainability, the KZN South Coast has a growing agri-tourism sector that offers world-class produce and hosts tours and excursions. The region boasts a number of permanently managed Blue Flag beaches, and is home to some of the world’s top diving sites, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. The originality continues with the annual Sardine Run, coined the #GreatestShoalonEarth, which is the largest biomass migration on earth and a marvel to witness. The region’s many nature reserves are inhabited by indigenous bird and wildlife, and it holds the title for ‘smallest desert on earth’, The Red Desert in Port Edward. The KZN South Coast is a fast-emerging MICE destination which also plays host to a number of high-profile events including the The Bike Fest, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu Jazz, Ugu Film Festival and the South Coast Fever MTB & Trail Run Series.

Issued on behalf of: 
Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT)

Disseminated by:
Olivia Jones Communications

For more information please contact:
Olivia Jones Communications
Cell: 083 653 1720
Email: media@oliviajones.co.za