MZAMBAMzamba is the northern gateway to the Wild Coast from the
south coast of KwaZulu-Natal. And it’s quite a
dramatic entry. | |
From KwaZulu-Natal, you will be travelling south along the
N2, passing through the picturesque but
unremarkable
resort town of Port Edward, when suddenly the land
falls away and you are descending a steep gorge, far more
dramatic than anything you will have encountered thus far
on your route. This is the Mtamvuna Gorge
– a
deep cleft through sandstone cliffs with vegetation
clinging precariously to its sides, and still
dark-brown water at its base. Cross a long steel bridge
– and you are now in Wild Coast country. | |
You will notice an immediate difference – it’s
almost as if you have entered another country. The
vegetation has changed entirely, buildings are sparse -
mostly huts and small cinder-brick houses - and there is
much more livestock wandering along the road. | |
Just across the river lies the Wild Coast Sun, the
biggest resort on the Wild Coast. It is situated on the
river mouth in a spectacular setting. With a huge casino,
world-class golf course and upmarket accommodation, this
is about as fancy as it gets. Most of the suites have
fabulous views of the estuary and the sea. A wander along
the beach will turn up some fossil beds – if you
know what
to look for. The cliffs are honeycombed with limestone
caves and are encrusted with fossils dating back about 60
million years. There are sharks' teeth, huge fossilised
tree trunks and about 120 different species of shells. | |
Just across from the Wild Coast Sun is the Mzamba Craft
Market, a noisy and vibrant tourist venue with stalls
arranged in a circle like a traditional Zulu kraal. This
is where you can get authentic crafts from all over
Southern Africa from friendly and ebullient stall-
holders. Adding to the activity is the taxi and bus rank
just outside. Clustering around the market is a sprawling
rural township, complete with all the necessary
accoutrements of children, chickens, lively music from
portable radios, stop-start taxis, brisk trade from open-
air shops, under-the-tree hairdressers and wandering
pedestrians.
This complex is the site of the Wild Coast Tourism
Information office. It is also the departure point for
Amadiba Horse Trails, a four-to-six day
excursion run
entirely by members of the local Pondo community. This is
probably the best way to experience the otherwise-
inaccessible coast in the company of the local people.
Local township tours and
canoe
trips can be booked
here. |
|
The hotel is also the terminus for a two-hour shuttle
service from Durban’s beachfront. Traveling by car,
the preferred route from Durban would be the N2 south to
Port Shepstone, and then continue south on the R51 to Port
Edward. Cross the Mtamvuna River...and you are there. | |
Places in the Mzamba district:Mnyameni
Sikombe
Mtentu
Mkambati Nature Reserve | |
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