Umhlanga Tourism Information

Quick Facts: Umhlanga

• Natal Sharks Board: research institute
• Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve on the mouth of  the Ohlanga River
• Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Centre / Sibaya Lodge ( Sun International )
• Croc Valley Reserve
• Sport:  swimming, surfing, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, kiteboarding
• Whale and dolphin watching
• Several Golf Courses are in 15mins away from Umhlanga
• Microlight flips:  view the surf and sand from the air
• Plane flights: coastal flights
• Beaches: swimming, surfing
• Fishing – deep-sea fishing
• Shopping
• Umhlanga Hotels: Five star, ocean front, sea views, with direct access to the beach: Oyster Box and Beverly Hills
• Teremok Lodge, Umhlanga: five-star luxury guest house
• Protea Hotel Umhlanga & Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge
• City Lodge Umhlanga
• The Royal Palm, Umhlanga
• The Pearls, Umhlanga

Distance to Airport: 17 km

Distance to City: 2 km

Introducing Umhlanga

Umhlanga is a pretty tropical paradise situated 14km north of Durban in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal's province.  Umhlanga means “Place of Reeds” in the Zulu language. This is the place to have fun and relax on the excellent beaches with its warm Indian Ocean waters, hotels, restaurants and exciting shopping centres.The first beach cottage, the Oyster Lodge, was built on a rocky site overlooking the sea in 1869. The reflective roof of the cottage was also used as a beacon by passing ships captains to navigate safely around Umhlanga’s rocky headland.  The first hotel was built in the 1920’s. Other hotels soon followed, and it became the most sought after area for holidays.

The 3km promenade in Umhlanga along the coastline provides stunning views of the golden sands.  At the mouth of the Ohlanga River, which is further north, forested dunes fringing the beach form part of a nature reserve.Durban's coastal town of Umhlanga is a residential, commercial and resort suburb located on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.  Umhlanga is part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, which includes the greater Durban area.  The word Umhlanga means 'place of reeds' in isiZulu.

History of Umhlanga, Durban (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)

The resort town of Umhlanga in Durban is named after the Ohlanga River, which reaches the Indian Ocean three kilometres north of Umhlanga. Umhlanga was established in 1972 through the merger of Umhlanga Rocks, a seaside town, and the suburb of La Lucia.  Umhlanga has become the focus of development in the greater Durban area with many businesses relocating offices from central Durban.  The Durban International Airport has moved to La Mercy, near Umhlanga, and reopened as King Shaka International Airport.

Umhlanga Rocks, Durban (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)

Umhlanga Rocks is home to many luxurious hotels, resorts, Guest Houses and apartments most of which are located beautifully on the ocean with direct access to the beach, including the Cabana Beach Hotel, the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Oyster Box Hotel, the Umhlanga Sands Hotel and The Pearls of Umhlanga apartments. Many of these have views of the landmark lighthouse.

Umhlanga Ridge, Durban (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)

Umhlanga Ridge is a new retail, office and residential area situated on the hill in Umhlanga overlooking the magnificent Indian Ocean. Umhlanga Ridge was on sugarcane land by property development company, Moreland Estates, owned by the Tongaat-Hulett Sugar group.Located in Umhlanga Ridge are the Gateway Theatre of Shopping and other shopping centres, motor dealerships, a private hospital and many offices. The Umhlanga Ridge Town Centre is connected by a series of pedestrian-friendly roads, parks and public spaces. The Town Centre is easily accessed by a network of major highways, including the N2.

Tourism in or near Umhlanga (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)

Together, Umhlanga and Umdloti make up the so-called Sugar Coast of KwaZulu-Natal.  Attractions and places of interest in Umhlanga are the Umhlanga Country Club and the Mount Edgecombe Country Club in nearby Mount Edgecombe.