Page 294 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

292  THE EAST C O AST AND INTERIOR

2 South Coast Along the main beachfront
there is a variety of attractions
A year-round combination of sunshine, sand, sea and surf has for holiday-makers to enjoy.
created an irresistible attraction for visitors coming from the Among these are paddling
cooler inland climates. Some 30 resort towns form a coastal pools, a fresh-water swimming
playground that stretches for 162 km (100 miles) from Durban pool, water slides, a mini-
golf (putt-putt) course and
to the Eastern Cape border. Those towns closest to Durban ice-cream parlours.
are fairly built-up with holiday apartments, but the further Fishing is allowed off the
south you go, the more the coastline opens up to reveal pier and off Margate Rocks
beautiful beaches, secluded lagoons and nature reserves. and there are plenty of tackle
shops in town. Designated
surfing and boogie-boarding
Port Edward entrance offers a range of areas are on Main Beach and
Road map E4. N2, 20 km (12 miles) locally- crafted curios, such as at Lucien Point.
S of Margate. * 4,500. @ Margate. woven grass baskets, stone and
n Panorama Parade, Margate, 039 woodcarvings and beadwork.
312 2322. ∑ gosouthcoast.co.za The Umtamvuna Nature
Port Edward on the Reserve, some 8 km (5 miles)
Umtamvuna River is the north of Port Edward, protects a
southernmost beachside resort 30-km (19-mile) section of the
in KwaZulu-Natal. It is popular Umtamvuna River gorge. The
for swimming, fish ing and trails that explore the dense,
boating, and the estu ary is subtropical forest are excellent
navigable far upstream, making for bird-watching.
it ideal for ski-boats. It was
established in 1925 and named O Umtamvuna Nature Reserve
in honour of the Prince of Port Edward. Road to Izingolweni.
Wales, later King Edward VIII Tel 039 313 2383. Open Apr–Sep:
of England. 7am–5pm; Oct–Mar: 6am–6pm. &
Between 1976 and 1994 the ∑ kznwildlife.com
land south of the Umtamvuna
River bridge fell within the Margate
homeland known as Transkei. Road map E4. N2. * 26,800. Margate’s fishing area is one of
At that time, gambling was @ Beachfront. n Panorama the attractions of the town
illegal under South African law, Parade, 039 312 2322.
and a casino resort, the Wild ∑ gosouthcoast.co.za Uvongo
Coast Sun, was built here to lure Margate is the tourist capital of Road map E4. N2, 12 km (7 miles) N
visitors from Durban and the the South Coast. Its focal point of Margate.
South Coast. Today, it overlooks is a broad expanse of golden Just before it empties into the
an unspoiled coast line covered sand lined by the tall, white sea, the iVungu River plunges
in dense forest and grassland. A towers of dozens of hotels down a 23-m (75-ft) waterfall
challenging 18-hole golf course and apartments. into a lagoon. High cliffs,
stretches from the banks of the The approach to the sandy overgrown with wild bananas,
river to the shores of the lagoon. beach leads across well- protect the sheltered lagoon
The Mzamba Village Market tended palm-shaded lawns with its spit of sandy beach
opposite the resort’s main that attract many sunbathers. separating the river from the
ocean. It is popular with families
with young children for
swimming, and pedal boats
can be hired to explore the
upper reaches of the river.
There are also walking trails
in the Uvongo River Nature
Reserve, which falls on both
sides of the river. A two-hour
circular walk winds through
beautiful coastal forest full of a
wide variety of indigenous trees,
ferns, orchids and plentiful
birdlife, including such rarities
as the buff-spotted flufftail,
purple-banded sunbird and
A luxurious hotel resort on the South Coast the grey waxbill.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p389 and pp407–8

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