Umhlanga, a premier beach destination in the heart of Durban, South Africa. A Destination like no other. With extensive indoor as well as outdoor entertainment and things to do, Umhlanga makes a perfectly, well-rounded holiday destination for singles, couples and families alike. Think of it as your very own playground.

Did you know, Umhlanga means “place of reeds” in Zulu? The reason for this is that the area is characterised by the beautifully warm Indian ocean, magnificent sandy beaches, fields of sugar cane and lush greenery, and a subtropical climate that rarely drops below 19 degrees Celsius.

With all of this in mind, here’s why Umhlanga should be on your list as the next destination to visit on holiday.

(Image courtesy of: Natural World Safaris)

Perfectly Positioned

Situated on the East Coast of Africa, Umhlanga is perfectly situated a little North of Durban’s harbour. Set on a rocky shoreline, Umhlanga has 2 beautiful beaches with one promenade stretching the span of them. Apart from being right on the coastline, Umhlanga is a mere 2 hours from the Drakensberg Mountains if you travel in land and roughly 2 hours from some of the top big five game reserves in KZN. You’re really spoilt for choice.

Subtropical Temperature

Don’t get us wrong, Umhlanga definitely experiences a little of every season but for most of the year you can enjoy beautiful subtropical temperatures that rarely drop below 19 degrees Celsius. Prepare for endless days outdoors or on the beach taking in the breath-taking beauty that Umhlanga has to offer. One of our favourite things to do when it’s warm out is visit the iconic Lighthouse bar at the Oyster Box hotel and enjoy a lovely sundowner on their terrace with the Lighthouse in front of you and beach as far as the eye can see.

Shop your heart out

Gateway Theatre of Shopping is home to over 400 stores, a world-class movie theatre, an arcade, a theme park, a water park, and plenty of varying food and entertainment options. As one of the 50 largest malls in the world, Gateway Theatre of Shopping takes having something for everyone to another level. Whether you’re looking for some great deals at your favourite stores, a bit of comfort eating, some entertainment for the kids or fun activities for the whole family, you cannot go wrong at Gateway. Consider yourself warned!

(Image courtesy of: Gateway Umhlanga on Twitter)

Delicious Dining

Aside from the beaches, the shopping, the travel opportunities and the overall beauty and attraction of Umhlanga, food has got to be a deciding factor, right? Well you’re in luck if you’re a dedicated foodie. Umhlanga’s infamous Chartwell Drive, also known as “The Village ”, is home to some of the most exquisite dining experiences. Whether you’re looking for some Italian, Greek, local and lekker or a bit of fine dining creativity, Umhlanga offers some of Durban’s most sought-after restaurants. Not only is the food great but the atmosphere one can experience on Chartwell Drive is unmatched.

(Image courtesy of:  North Glen News)

Convinced? Get in touch with Umhlanga Holidays today and let us help you with your accommodation options for the duration of your stay. We offer some of the most exquisite self-catering apartments and holiday homes that are bound to make your holiday just a little more special.

Umhlanga, the ideal holiday destination for holiday-makers from across the world. Home to the most incredible sparkling sea and blue sunny skies, it’s no wonder it’s the go-to for the most luxurious beach holidays. What’s more, the signature red and white lighthouse is a must see for many!

With summer in full swing, we thought we’d give those of you visiting Umhlanga a few tips on some must-do and see things throughout your stay; after all, Umhlanga has some phenomenal malls, beaches, restaurants, hotels and more for you to make use of whilst enjoying a nice relaxing break on the sunny Durban coastline.

Let’s walk you through the beaches you have the choice of visiting during your stay. Yes, you heard right, Umhlanga has more than one definitive beach which makes visiting during summer even more appealing to most.

• Umhlanga Main Beach (aka Umhlanga Rocks Beach)
• Bronze Beach and,
• Lighthouse Beach: home to the famous Umhlanga Rocks red and white lighthouse as well as the magnificent likes of the Oyster Box and Beverley Hills hotels.

All 3 beaches are within close proximity to one another and the Umhlanga promenade makes for the perfect adventure whilst walking between them all. Enjoy some sight-seeing, some tasty food, a quick cuppa or some curio shopping whilst walking along the breath-taking Umhlanga promenade and exploring Umhlanga main beach, Bronze beach or Lighthouse beach.

A benefit of holidaying in Umhlanga, is the fact that you are in close proximity to a wide range of restaurants, and malls that provide an array of activities for you to enjoy.

Gateway Theatre of Shopping doesn’t go by it’s name for nothing, providing guests and visitors with an array of entertainment and activities takes the term “theatre” to a new level.

One of the most sought-after attractions at Gateway is none other than the WavePark.

Home to an array of activities and facilities such as the Flow Rider, super tubes, a skate park, a splash pad, a toddlers zone and some inflatables, you and the family are bound to have a day filled with fun, laughter and pure bliss. What’s more, you can also enjoy some delicious snacks and drinks from the wonderful Tap and Board House, a modern foodie hang out that allows you to enjoy delicious hand-crafted style foods in a great atmosphere. The kids get to enjoy milkshakes and a waffle bar and play in the Tap and Board House kids’ zone.

Looking for somewhere to leave the kids whilst you enjoy a bit of shopping or get a few errands done? Gateway and it’s WavePark are the perfect pit stop for you.

Looking to do something a little more relaxed and outdoors? Umhlanga is home to a few beautiful and local parks that are the perfect spot to enjoy a nice relaxing picnic or day out with friends and family. If you’re lucky and you holiday at the right time, the parks themselves sometimes host an array of music and foodie type events that are always a must see and do!

Our top 2 parks are definitely suitable for families and friends, whether you’re holidaying with the kids or without.

• Umhlanga Ridge Children’s Park: this park is equipped for kids of all ages. Compete with jungle gyms of all shapes and sizes, sitting areas and more, it is a must if you have littlies that you’d like to take out for the day. Pack your picnic basket and enjoy.

• Chris Saunders park: open from 6am to 10pm daily, Chris Saunders park offers guests a serene and beautiful large lake equipped with a water feature, a large amphitheatre and is cleaned and well maintained with clean and pleasant ablution facilities. Pay close attention to their events calendar and you may just be in for a treat during your stay.

For those of you who potentially aren’t visiting with children or like a more active lifestyle. Umhlanga offers some beautiful trails that can be enjoyed by run, walk or bike.

The Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve is one of our favourites. Just short of the Indian Ocean, this magnificent nature reserve encloses the Ohlanga River’s lagoon and mouth with a forest that forms a natural extension of the less accessible Hawaan Forest. The beauty of this nature reserve is that it hosts a number of picnic sites, the remains of prehistoric shell midden, a number of walking trails and a walkway and pedestrian bridge that span the lagoon. So, pack those takkies and take some time out to enjoy the spectacular beauty of Umhlanga from a different point of view. Another way to enjoy walking, hiking, running or biking is by simply taking advantage of the Umhlanga promenade. Stretching a distance of 3km’s it makes for the perfect holiday jog. What’s more – as we’ve mentioned before – you can enjoy some delicious coffee, spectacular views and a bite to eat when you’re done!?

Does all of this sound like the ideal beach holiday this summer? Why not get in touch with Umhlanga Holidays today and let us help you find the perfect holiday home for your stay?

Umhlanga, the beautiful bustling metropolitan in Durban; South Africa is a vibey, fun and dedicated tourist attraction spot. Being close to the beach, there are many fun tourist type attractions in the surrounding area for everyone to enjoy and so we have decided to identify 10 of the best things to do and see in Umhlanga whether you’re a tourist or a local Continue reading…