Attractions in Ilembe

THE KING SHAKA MEMORIAL

Shaka was born in Zululand in 1787, his mother being Princess Nandi, and his father, the Zulu King, Senzangakhona. In 1816, on the death of his father, Shaka, became King of the Zulus. At this time, he was living at his royal settlement, “Bulawayo” in the heart, of Zululand. He was engaged in forming a vast and very effective Zulu army of warriors (Impi).

LUTHULI MUSEUM

The Luthuli Museum is one of the many tributes to those who fought for the freedom and peace of a nation, risking their lives and reputations. They had as their vision a country in which citizens of all colours and creeds would be considered equal. Chief Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli was one of these freedom fighters, who was later awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.

The museum dedicated to this man is situated in the town of KwaDukuza Stanger (formerly known as Groutville) in KwaZulu-Natal, right in the home that Chief Luthuli occupied in 1927. This is just 45 minutes from Durban, which is the capital city of the province and offers an impressive array of cultural, natural and historical tourist attractions.

The Luthuli Museum’s exhibition includes old newspaper clippings, photographs, and mementoes dating back to the early years of the Apartheid regime in South Africa, when non-white citizens faced massive political and social injustices and even torment. These keepsakes tell the fascinating, exciting and sometimes sad story of the efforts of Luthuli and many of his comrades, and the roles these ones played in the turnaround that South Africa has experienced and undergone. This is all set within scenic gardens, and exudes a restful ambience.

The Luthuli Museum was opened in 2004, after having been declared a National Monument. In addition to Luthuli’s home, the museum includes an interpretive centre in which art exhibitions are hosted on a temporary basis.

Official tours of the museum are conducted for students, tourists and other members of the public in order to introduce these ones to some of the greatest political figures of the last few generations. Customised tours are available, as are specific art and poetry programmes that expose visitors to other fascinating aspects of South African people and their unique context. In order to open up this opportunity to as many folk as possible, entrance to the museum is free of charge.

Harold Johnson Nature Reserve

Harold Johnson Nature Reserve is spread across the banks of the Tugela River on KwaZulu-Natal’s North coast. The nature reserve protects KwaZulu-Natal’s indigenous floral habitat and wildlife.

There are walking trails, picnic sites, and a variety of bird life and wildlife. There are also a number of self-guided trails to explore, some of which are lined with medicinal plants traditionally used by the Zulu people and the early white settlers.

Fort Pearson and Ultimatum Tree are both national monuments and lie within the nature reserve. Their historical roots date back to the Anglo-Zulu wars.

There is a small entrance fee of R10 for adults and R5 for children (subject to change without notice).

THOMPSONS BAY BEACH

Thompson’s Bay Beach is a sheltered escape from the elements as well as from the non-stop buzz of city living. It is situated just north of Ballito and near Chakas Rock, along Marine Drive. This is a popular beach for its safe swimming conditions (because it is protected by shark nets and lifeguards), as well as for its warm waters, thanks to the Indian Ocean.

Because it is nestled in a cove, Thompson’s Bay Beach enjoys protection from the wind too, making it a fabulous option on days when other beaches may leave you feeling sandblasted. There is also a massive tidal pool, which is great for little ones to explore. Visitors may want to try snorkelling here too. However, sea urchins sometimes make the tidal pool a little tricky to navigate, so those wanting to venture into these waters may just need to check out the conditions first. This pool is known as Charlie’s Pool and, when the urchins aren’t around, is a fantastic spot for the whole family.

Chaka’s Rock is visible from Thompson’s Bay Beach, and is acclaimed as a top fishing spot in KwaZulu-Natal. Bring your rod along and try your hand at catching a big one for the table. Or, simply walk or jog on the warm sands to get the most out of your Thompson’s Bay experience.

Ice-cream can often be bought here. However, visitors need to bring their own food and water, as there are no stalls or restaurants at the beach. Remember too to bring along plenty of high-factor sunscreen and to keep reapplying it throughout the course of the day to avoid getting nasty sunburn. There are ablutions at Thompson’s Bay. The beach is less than an hour’s drive from the centre of Durban and about 25 minutes from the King Shaka International Airport.

FLAG ANIMAL FARM 

Flag Animal Farm rated the best animal farm in KZN, you will feel our passion for animal rescue, where the animals become part of our family, at peace, safe and they know that they are loved. We bought Flag Animal Farm 19 years ago totally run down, and over the years have built the farm up to be the best animal farm in SA yay!

Over the last 16 years we have saved over 14000 lives, it’s incredible to witness an animal love and trust again so easily. To know that they will always have a kind hand to love them and that there will always be another meal.

We provide a real farm experience where families can walk freely with so many loving animals.

Some new things

  • Dora, Marshall, Chase, Elsa, Sofia, Mickey, Minnie Mouse shows
  • Pirate ship
  • Indoor Play centres
  • Reptile room
  • Wolves
  • Tractor rides, train rides, horse rides
  • Loads of Playgrounds
  • Obstacle Course
  • Prayer room facilities
  • Splash Waterpark
  • New Fire engine ride

And many more surprises so that every time you visit something new awaits whoop whoop!

Sugar Rush Park

A forest of adventure, magical pathways, immense beauty & scenic grassy fields, children running freely, playing & exploring the farm, wandering around lazy walks, run or cycle, there is much to choose from & so much to offer. A relaxing and breathtaking place for all ages. A lovely venue for the family or for any occasion for a day out, with activities for adults and children. No mask, no entry. Strict covid protocols in place. Enjoy this beautiful venue, lots of open spaces, in Covid times you can have a day out and easily be socially distant.

Clubventure

Looking for adventure just around the corner? Clubventure is located 15km inland from Ballito and offers adventure activities.

You can enjoy life from a bird’s eye view on a 1,5km Zipline Tour including the first in the world “PARAZIP”. Enjoy the view as you zipline from the top of the mountain with a parachute attached to you.

Clubventure also offers AWESOME value-for-money teambuilding packages. We can also tailormake to your budget and requirements.

School Day Excursions are offered on an exclusive basis and there is loads of fun for all ages.

There is something for everyone, even for those who like to venture into the water. The Scuba diving training facility boasts an 800 000 litre scuba training pool. PADI Scuba courses are offered as well as the 3 hour “Discover Scuba Diving” for those who want to experience breathing under water for the very first time.

NDLONDLO REPTILE PARK

The Ndlondlo Reptile Park is in Ballito, KwaZulu Natal and houses over twenty species of reptiles, including anacondas and pythons in unique, underground enclosures.

Guided tours of the Park are available and they will also host children’s parties. The Park has a Tea Garden so Mums can sit back with a cup of tea while their children explore the enclosures and learn about the different snakes.

Hazelmere Dam

Hazelmere Dam is a combined concrete gravity type dam located on the Mdloti River, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. It was established in 1977 and its primary purpose is to serve for irrigation and domestic use. The hazard potential of the dam assembly has been ranked high.

Hazelmere Dam and Resort is the perfect location for water sports, fishing, camping and caravanning. A day’s outing at shady picnic sites will reward you with sightings of zebra and impala amongst other antelope, and many birds. Caravan and camping is allowed with shaded or open electrical sites, hot and cold water ablutions, grassed sites. Luxury accommodation is available at the new Lakeside Lodge, and also at Forest Lodge, set in a secluded woodland overlooking Hazelmere Dam. Both Lodges are fully equipped and provide the ideal family getaway.

Recreational Activities at Hazelmere Dam

The park is rich in environmental resources, nature lovers can enjoy leisurely walks, or a picnic at the waters edge. The dam has many species of fish for the fishing enthusiast. For the gaming enthusiast, the reserve boasts impala, wildebeest, zebra and a wide variety of birds. All forms of water sports such as canoeing and boating are also available. A fishing permit and boat registration are required and are obtainable from the gate. A kiosk supplies braai pack, soft drinks and snacks.

Fly fishing

If you are a fly fishing fanatic why not try your luck at something a little different. Inanda Dam offers some of the finest and most challenging fly fishing available for species such as Tilapia (both Blue and Red-Chest), Barbel (catfish), Scalies (yellow-fish) and Carp. Especially in the spring and autumn months large specimens of all these species are to be found visibly throughout the dam, and with some perseverance you may just hook and land a new species on the fly. Nagle, Hazelmere and Albert Falls Dams also have well stocked dams for an enjoyable fishing experience.

 Crocodile Creek

Nestled in sub tropical coastal bush, overlooking the Utongati River flood plain, mid way between Ballito and Tongaat, north of Durban, in Kwazulu Natal (KZN) Crocodile Creek, established by the Watson family in 1983, has built a solid reputation as one of South Africa’s ‘Best Activities’, and for good reason.

With roughly 10000 Nile Crocodiles, West African Dwarf Crocs, Slender-Snouted Crocs, American Alligators, Deadly Mambas and a wide array of Snakes, Tortoises, Rabbits, Wild Monkeys, Banded Mongeese and more, this well-thought-out attraction is a Fascinating, Hands-on, Interactive, Fun and Adventure for All, whether you’re a family, individual, tourist, school tour, group, birthday party, bulls party, you name it.

With 100 years combined experience, our passionate guides, Sean, Timan, Daneel and Peter, will give you a unique insight into the fascinating lives of these Carnivores, which have existed from prehistoric times, in fact, for 240 million years.

The venue covers a large area with all sections cleverly connected with walkways, decks and paths and with plenty of viewing spots it’s easy to watch these prehistoric reptiles doing their thing.
It also includes several covered Learning and Party areas, with plenty of seating and space, as well as a fully functional Cafe / Restaurant that serves great, simple, budget-friendly food.

Fun, Fear, Fascination and Entertainment, in one tour and demonstration.

Willard Beach

As one of Ballito’s most popular beaches, Willard Beach promises plenty to see and do. It is the main beach of the town and is a prime getaway for the whole family on a balmy KwaZulu-Natal day. In recognition of its educational value, gorgeous setting, safe conditions, and excellent amenities, Willard has been awarded as one of the few Blue Flag beaches in the country.

This is a prime surfing beach and hosts the annual Ballito Pro; a leg of one of the world’s largest surfing competitions (presented by Billabong). Surfers can head out to four main surf spots (Bathers, Bog, Sunrise and Surfers) to test their skills and forget about the worries of the world. The tidal pools are ideal for families with little ones that want to splash around in calm waters with no waves.families that are making the most out of t sunshine and fresh coastal air. The nearby skateboard park is massively popular. There are shops and restaurants at Willard Beach that invite visitors to relax, indulge in some retail shopping, or enjoy a meal with some of your favourite people.

The promenade is a hotspot for joggers, those with prams, and dog walkers. Life guards and shark nets mean that Willard Beach is fantastic for swimming, body-boarding, stand-up paddling, SCUBA diving, and snorkelling too. The warm waters are a massive bonus, making this the perfect beach holiday destination almost all year round.

Cappeny Estates

Cappeny Estates is KwaZulu-Natal’s newest and arguably its most popular hydroponic strawberry farm. It is the only commercial strawberry farm in Ballito. Nestled between the rolling hills of iLembe and the Indian Ocean, a visit to Cappeny Estates is exciting as it is inspiring. The 17-hectare farm was built entirely from scratch by the Gumede Family, who are first-generation farmers and proud members of the Ballito community.

Their journey is one of research, courage and passion. It is an idea that began its first steps in 2010, in a region not synonymous for growing strawberries but sugar cane. What started from a broad vision led to extensive worldwide travels in research to various strawberry farms. Converting this vision into reality has resulted in Cappeny Estates featuring on several local and global media platforms. This is Cappeny Estates’ strawberry farming journey.

Granny’s Pool

Although Granny’s Pool is a tidal pool on the larger main beach of Salt Rock, it has earned its status for being the spot of choice for families that are after safe and fun swimming. It is shallow (about waist high to an adult at its deepest spot), enjoys the warm water of the Indian Ocean, and is a little more secluded than the main beach areas.

Granny’s Pool has a rocky section and a sandy section, making it a real delight for little ones to both swim and explore. Even the not-so-little will love having a quick dip and cooling down here, while the ripples of the waves that break on the outer rocks of the beach are relaxing.

This tidal pool is situated on the main beach of Salt Rock, which is a swimming and surfing hotspot. Stand-up paddling and catching waves on a body-board are also very popular here, thanks to consistently good conditions. Lifeguards and shark nets mean that this part of the KwaZulu-Natal coastline is relatively safe for those heading into the waters.

Burnedale Farm

Burnedale Farm & Nursery, a farm transformed into a beautiful venue where you can be inspired, get creative, shop for unqiue things & enjoy a meal, the children can have endless amount of fun:- visit the farm yard, play on the jungle gyms or rally up a group of friends and play hide n seek ! BURNEDALE is named after an Irishman, JOHN BURNE.

Dlinza Forest Nature Reserve

Dlinza, 250-hectares of incredibly beautiful forest bisected by numerous walking trails and a 10-metre high aerial boardwalk, is extremely popular with bird lovers, has good picnic facilities, and is particularly special considering the urban environment in which the forest exists.

For those who want to remain in the car, and miss the opportunity of sighting the Dlinza Forest Pinwheel, a snail that only occurs here and is the forest’s most endangered species, then the Royal Drive passes through the centre of the reserve and offers a quick alternative to the average day trip.

Here for the day, Dlinza easily becomes the playground of children who delight in climbing along the wooded walkway to spot monkeys and birds and exploring the forest.

Eshowe is at the heart of the Zululand Birding Route, no surprise when you consider the rarities at Dlinza such as the spotted thrush and Delegorgue’s pigeon.

But really it is the butterflies that take centre stage, particularly in Autumn when 70 or so recorded species that include the mocker swallowtail (Papilio dardanus), mother of pearl and the gaudy commodore, take to the air and provide a lightness and dash of colour to Dlinza that is hard to beat.

The forest trail leads from the picnic sites on the western side of the forest and offers roughly two hours’ through the forest accompanied by bird calls. And if you venture here at the best time of the day – early mornings – a chorus of frogs, cicadas and other insects will accompany you on your journey.