The Jewel of the Zulu Kingdom, the idyllic North Coast, is characterised by golden beaches, exquisite bays and lagoons and rugged and interesting rock formations. Rolling sugarcane fields form the backdrop to this spectacular holiday coast. The gravesite of the legendary and feared king of the Zulus, King Shaka – the King Shaka Memorial - can be visited at KwaDukuza (Stanger). The story goes that
Shaka’s handmaidens would be sent to collect salt from tidal pools along the beaches where dolphins still play in the surf and gave rise to stretches of this coastline being called The Dolphin Coast. In Groutville, 10 km south of KwaDukuza you will find the Chief Albert Legacy Project. Chief Albert Luthuli was a South African human rights champion and a recipient of the 1960 Nobel Peace Prize and killed in 1967 amidst mysterious circumstances. Here you will be able to visit his grave site, church, and his home which is now a National Museum. Other important historic sites include the Ultimatum Tree, Fort Pearson, the battle of eNdondakusuka and Fort Tenedos. Traditional muti (medicine) trails and a Zulu interpretative centre are found at the Harold Johnson Nature Reserve. The past bears testimony to an interesting heritage of adventurers, Mauritian farmers and labourers from India who built the region into a thriving and prosperous agricultural and economic coastal hub. The Indian influence is particularly evident with many ornate and beautiful temples, spice and sari shops and curry eateries. Today the North Coast is a prime destination for affluent local and international visitors with luxurious villas, apartments and hotels offering relaxing Indian Ocean holidays. Many sub-tropical indigenous coastal forests border on the golden beaches. Zimbali, Ballito, Umhlali, Chaka’s Rock, Salt Rock, Tinley Manor, Sheffield Beach, Blythedale and Zinkwazi offer a wide selection of comfortable holiday accommodation and entertainment options. A diversity of activities from surf or shore angling, deepsea fishing, kayaking, scuba diving or shallow reef snorkelling, dolphin and whalewatching, horseriding, hiking and birding are available for nature lovers and adventure tourists. Microlighting is a popular sport from which you can experience the magnificence of the spectacular coastline and sightings of southern right or humpback whales if you’re lucky. For golfing enthusiasts the area boasts world-class courses: Princes Grant, Umhlali, Zimbali and Simbithi. Experience the North Coast – Jewel of the Zulu Kingdom.
