PLACES TO SEE
A description of places to see in KwaZulu-Natal, KZN, South Coast in South Africa includingAmanzimtoti, Scottburgh, Hibberdene, Port Shepstone, Shelly Beach , Margate, Port Edward for places of interest such as bird watching, butterfly farm, coffee estates and coffee growing tours, crocodile farms, sardine run, lighthouses, museums, nature reserves,snakes and reptiles
Bird Watching Butterfly Farm Coffee Growing Tour Crocodile Farms Sardine Fever Lighthouses Museums Nature Reserves Snakes and Reptiles
COFFEE GROWING TOURS back to top
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Beaver Creek Coffee EstateEnjoy a 30 - 45 minute walk about tour on the Coffee Estate and learn what goes into making that cup of coffee that you drink everyday. Tour times : Daily at 12:00pm. Includes your bottomless tasting Then lunch at our Estate restaurant
Take N2 south. At Port Edward traffic light turn right into Izingolweni Road. Travel 4,5km, then left at Beaver Coffee Estate sign
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Izingolweni Road Port Edward Kwazulu Natal
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Echo Valley CoffeeEstablished in 1965, on top of the Oribi Gorge KZN. Only premium, 100% Arabica Coffee is supplied and roasted at our roastery. Using a Probat 12 KG or a Benz 4 Kg roaster, we are constantly monitoring our roasting technique to achieve that "optimal roast". Each order is hand processed and packed individually to ensure the freshest of our coffee delivered to you. |
Cell: +27 (0) 824450163 Email: |
BUTTERFLY FARM back to top
RAMSGATE BUTTERFLY VALLEY
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At Ramsgate Butterfly Valleywe specialize in South African butterflies. Unlike most other butterfly farms which import pupae, we breed most of our own butterflies and are therefore able to present the entire life-cycle. For a fun and educational outing for the entire family, come and spend a relaxing few hours with us in our Valley of Butterflies. Please check out the rest of this site for more detail on what we have to offer. |
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Cell : 072 235 3688 Cell : 073 422 5357
Adults R70.00 Children R40.00 Open daily from 9am to 4pm Sundays from 10am to 2pm |
CROCODILE FARMS back to top
Hundreds of crocodiles and numerous bird species, curio shop, art gallery and famous Crocpot Restaurant
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Riverbend Crocodile FarmThe farm is open daily from 09h00 to 16h30. Crocodile feeding takes place every Sunday at 15h00 and every Wednesday at 15h00 in the summer months of December, January, February, March & April. The farm is closed on Christmas Day. A weekly snake demonstration takes place every Sunday at 14:30 and more frequently during holiday season. 19 different species are housed in modern enclosure
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Email us at: Tel : 039 316 6204 |
SARDINE FEVER back to top
If you are visiting the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast around mid-June to early August you may be lucky enough to witness our annual Sardine Run (sardiops sagax – also known as pilchards). Renowned internationally as ‘THE GREATEST SHOAL ON EARTH' , these small fish arrive in wave upon wave in shoals of up to 3 km wide and over 10 km long … literally tens of millions of fish!
Accompanying these seething masses are hundreds of thousand dolphins, sharks, game fish and seabirds all lunging and plunging to get their fill. From shore, armed with seine nets, wastepaper baskets, shirts and bare hands mankind joins in the feeding frenzy; annually harvesting around 700 tons of these highly nutritious fish from the sea. Then one day they simply vanish till the following year.
LIGHTHOUSES back to top
Three lighthouses offer protection for shipping along our KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.
From north to south these are:
- Green Point Lighthouse - sited between Umkomaas and Scottburgh it warns shipping off the Aliwal Shoal, a world famous dive site.
- Port Shepstone Lighthouse - on the southern shore of the large Umzimkulu River it was manufactured in England and shipped to South Africa in the 1890s to act as a signal station for the old Port Shepstone harbour. Call 039-682-2455 for more information
- North Sands Bluff Lighthouse - sited at Port Edward it marks the southern most limit of KwaZulu-Natal waters and offers a magnificant coastal view. Contact 082-374-4114 for more details.
MUSEUMS back to top
Coastal Treasures MuseumPort Edward
Tel. 039-311-1672 - coastaltreasures@webmail.co.za
Margate Art Museum
Largest art museum in KwaZulu-Natal. Vikings Road, Margate
Tel. 039-312-8392
Port Shepstone Maritime Museum
A graphic history of the trials and tribulations of the old Port Shepstone harbour
Tel : 039-682-2195
Wild West Museum RAMSGATE
A whole herd of surprises awaits you at Ramsgate's Pistols Saloon
Tel : 039-316-8463
NATURE RESERVES back to top
Bendigo Nature Reserve - OUTside Port Shepstone
Tel : 039-695-1137
Empisini Nature Reserve CLOSE TO UMKOMAAS
Exit 117 off N2 highway and follow signs
Wonderful birdlife, small mammals, hiking trails, overnight cabins, reasonable rates.
Tel. 039-973-0093 empisini@scottburgh.co.za
Mpenjati Public Resort Nature Reserve SOUTH OF MARGATE
Hugging the coastline this great little reserve comprises an interesting blend of marked walking trails amongst wetlands, beaches, sand dunes, lagoon, grassland and lush coastal forest. Birdlife abounds and there are picnic spots, with ablution facilities, along both sides of the lagoon.
Contact 039-313-0531 or KZN Wildlife on 033-845-1000 for more information.
Lake Eland Game Reserve
see Nature Trails & Adventures in Things to Do for information
Oribi Gorge Game Reserve
See giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, rockart and 250 recorded bird species. Take N2 Oribi Gorge turnoff and follow signs
Tel. 039-679-1644 Cell: 083-257-9468
Petrified Fossil Forest Port Edward area
A never-to-be-forgotten prehistoric experience
Tel 039-311-1211
River Valley Nature Reserve MARGATE
Follow sign off Seaslopes Road just after Margate Country Club
Scenic walks through grasslands, coastal and riverine forest, abundant birdlife and small game, riverside picnic spot. Also camping, climbing and horse riding.
Tel. 039-317-3474 Cell: 072-623-8568
Skyline Nature Reserve between Uvongo and Margate
Tel : 039-315-0112
Umtamvuna Nature Reserve closest to port edward
KwaZulu-Natal's southern-most nature reserve, Umtamvuna is a sub-tropical river-hugging botanical Eden that offers spectacular variety of one to three hour hiking trails. It boasts several antelope species, baboons and monkeys and a wide range of birds.
View-site picnic areas offer welcome resting spots overlooking the Umtamvuna River and Gorge.
Contact 039-311-2383 or KZN Wildlife on 033-845-1000 for more information.
Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve near Scottburgh
just a short drive inland near Scottburgh, this reserve offers 56 different mammal species and 300 bird species all sharing densely wooded coastal forest and rolling grassland. Accommodation is also available in the form of a rustic 20-bed tree house and 2-bed huts.
Contact KZN Wildlife on 033-845-1000 for more information.
SNAKES & REPTILES back to top
SA's largest educational reptile farm
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Pure Venom Snake & Reptile FarmSA's largest educational reptile farm, includes restaurant and curio shop. Port Shepstone area Bring your little ones to have a taste of farmlife.
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Tel. 039-685-0704 Cell : 082-492-8256 Adults R120.OO Pensioners R100.OO Children R90.OO (3yrs up) |
