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Umhlanga Ridge
Travel Africa

Umhlanga Ridge, Umhlanga Coast – South Africa

by Kojo Pocu
written by Kojo Pocu

Umhlanga Ridge is just what it sounds like—a ridge of land with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean that is located at the top of Umhlanga Rocks Drive. Numerous businesses, including Rand Merchant Bank, Unilever, Liberty Life, Discovery Health, and Deloitte, have their headquarters here. Additionally, it serves as the focal point of recent construction in this coveted region of Durban’s north.

The development of New Town, located in the centre of Umhlanga Ridge between Prestondale and the Gateway shopping centre, was built on around 50 hectares of property that belonged to Tongaat-Hullett. On Umhlanga Ridge, New Town has essentially merged with Gateway and St. Lucia Office Park Ridge. Just 15 kilometres from the Durban CBD, what was once sugarcane fields are now what is known as an “edge city”—a city on the outskirts of another city.

The work-live-play concept known as New Town combines office space, a sizable shopping mall (Gateway), a manicured park, tree-lined walkways, and mixed-use residential developments. Younger purchasers who would not typically be able to afford a home in the suburb are given the same opportunity to live here as individuals with significant financial resources for whom homes in these types of neighbourhoods are an investment.

And everything has been done with some thought. The ridge has become a totally modern, highly desired area of the city despite its high-density living and modern appearance due to the abundance of green space. Being close to shopping, beautiful surf and swim beach, La Mercy airport, and the outer ring road makes it the ideal area to stay. What else could you possibly ask for from a trip to the Umhlanga Coast?

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Umhlanga Rocks
Travel Africa

Umhlanga Rocks, Umhlanga Coast – Durban

by Kojo Pocu
written by Kojo Pocu

The vacation resort of Umhlanga Rocks was formerly a part of Sir Marshall Campbell’s sugar estate. It used to be a small, peaceful village, but it has since grown into a bustling district that provides all the services of a well-established town while maintaining the atmosphere of a welcoming seaside community.

The Umhlanga shoreline is surrounded by a spectacular variety of tropical fish and coral reefs, making it the ideal location for snorkelling and scuba diving. Warm waters off Umhlanga attract surfers who want to take advantage of some amazing surf locations. You’ll be happy to know that Umhlanga is home to one of the remaining drive-ins in South Africa if you feel like taking a journey down memory lane. At Umhlanga’s Drive-In, relive the good times while snuggling in the back seat and watching a fun movie.

Umhlanga Rocks is also home to “Gateway,” the largest retail centre in the Southern Hemisphere, which is situated just far enough away to avoid disturbing the picturesque and peaceful atmosphere. This is a real experience rather than merely a retail centre. Movie theatres, an Imax theatre, a wave pool, a skatepark (created by Tony Hawk), a climbing wall, an amusement arcade, nightclubs, restaurants, adventure drives, and much more can be found inside its bounds. Therefore, don’t be deceived by the sleepy coastal community. There’s a ton of fun stuff happening right now!

Umhlanga is renowned for a wide range of additional activities in addition to its fantastic shopping, surfing, diving, and swimming opportunities. The Umhlanga Lighthouse is one of them. It was built in 1954 and has since grown to be a famous landmark, drawing thousands of tourists each year. The intimidating tower is 21 meters tall and has a 25-meter focal plane height. So fill your picnic basket with delicious refreshments and set off to explore the area around Umhlanga Lighthouse.

Umhlanga is a well-liked tourist destination due to the abundance of things to do there and the breathtaking scenery. Umhlanga has something to offer everyone, whether they want to simply relax and take in the peace and quiet of the region or participate in a number of thrilling activities.

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Umhlanga Coast
Travel Africa

Umhlanga Coast Region, Durban – South Africa

by Kojo Pocu
written by Kojo Pocu

The Umhlanga Coast, which is only a short drive from Durban, starts roughly at the iconic lighthouse that dominates Umhlanga’s beach. From here, the long, sandy beaches are a cosmopolitan collection of white hotel structures and blocks of timeshare apartments that easily represent the way of life desired by many on this amazing stretch of coast, which is simultaneously a tourist hotspot and a seaside village that has resisted losing its small town charm.

A string of top-notch beaches and communities, including Umhlanga, La Lucia, Mount Edgecombe, and Umdloti, are nestled next to one another on South Africa’s east coast. These communities collectively rank among the most well-liked beach resort destinations in the world.

Given the warm Indian Ocean waters, the rocky beaches that provide ample opportunities for shell hunting and paddling, and attractions like the O’Connor promenade, which connects Durban View Park to Breakers Resort and is frequently used by a wide variety of walkers, joggers, and amblers, it is not difficult to understand why.

The attractive coastline that is already well-liked by scuba divers, snorkelling enthusiasts, and surfers is further enhanced by the abundance of bars, restaurants, retail malls, and nightclubs along the Umhlanga Coast.

The Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve, where the remains of a Stone Age shell midden are visible at the mouth of the lagoon, the Hawaan Forest, a stunning indigenous woodland that has been allowed to maintain its natural state for centuries, the Beachwood Mangrove Nature Reserve, and various dive sites are just a few of the action-packed attractions that can be found in a very small area.

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Umhlanga
Travel Africa

Umhlanga, Durban – All You Need To Know

by Kojo Pocu
written by Kojo Pocu

It is difficult to imagine that Umhlanga, a vibrant residential, business, and vacation area just outside of Durban, was originally a beachfront resort community known as Umhlanga Rocks. It amalgamated with La Lucia in the early 1970s to become Umhlanga, which is Zulu for “place of reeds” and is pronounced Umhlanga.

Since the town became a suburb, things have altered quite drastically. It is still a very popular seaside resort, with broad, sandy beaches bordered by upscale hotels in Umhlanga and apartment buildings. The beaches are crowded with people lounging under umbrellas and enjoying the sun, and after dusk, locals wander the promenade with excitement.

However, businesses have moved here from central Durban, much like Sandton did in Johannesburg, and Durban International Airport will soon relocate to a neighbourhood called La Mercy.

Umhlanga’s residential area has also expanded tremendously. Gated communities and opulent estates have spread throughout the suburb. Umhlanga Ridge, which was primarily utilized for sugarcane production, is now a highly sought-after location for offices, residences, and retail, in large part because of its breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean.

One has little need to leave Umhlanga while staying there thanks to Gateway Shopping Centre, one of the largest shopping malls in the nation. The only challenge is deciding which of the many excellent restaurants along the O’Connor promenade, which runs from Durban View Park all the way to Breakers and the beginning of the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve, to stretch one’s legs right by the sea. It also passes the well-known Umhlanga Lighthouse.

Umhlanga

History

The Zulu name for Umhlanga, which refers to the reed beds growing along the Umhlanga River north of Umhlanga Rocks, is “place of reeds.” Before the town was ever established, in 1869, the Oyster Box, a luxury hotel since the 1950s, was constructed as a beach hut. Sir Marshall Campbell established the area in 1895. A shop, a lighthouse, the Natal Anti-Shark Measures Board (now known as the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board), and more hotel expansions were built after the town’s first hotel opened in 1920.

On August 1, 1972, the town of La Lucia and the coastal resort of Umhlanga Rocks were combined to become the Borough of Umhlanga. Former La Lucia town board chairman Mr Rodney Rindel was chosen to serve as mayor of the borough of Umhlanga. The residents of La Lucia, according to Mr Rindel, had made it clear that they opposed the amalgamation and were unhappy with the name, but now that it had happened, they would try to make the best of the situation.

A small village east of the M4 highway was transformed into a big town in the 1980s, taking up much of the region east of the N2 highway and south of the Hawaan Forest. The city is growing in areas close to the Hawaan forest, which is home to many different animals, including the vervet monkey. The monkeys frequently enter the city in search of food from locals and careless visitors.

Umhlanga

Umhlanga Rocks Activities

In a secure setting, provides some of the top tour companies in South Africa, as well as a ton of entertainment, dining options, and nature trails. The magnificent Gateway shopping centre and Sibaya Casino are just a couple of the noteworthy attractions that Umhlanga Rocks has to offer. Surfing, deep-sea fishing, whale and dolphin watching, scuba diving, kiteboarding, and microlight flips are just a few of the many activities available on this spectacular length of coastline. Ocean lovers and outdoor adventurers will be right at home. There are numerous outstanding golf courses all within a 15-minute drive to the district for golf aficionados. Umhlanga is a haven for those who love romance, with many couples choosing to get married or spend their honeymoons here.

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