Overview
Umhlanga Rocks in KwaZulu-Natal is known to most folk in South Africa simply as Umhlanga. It's a very popular medium-sized beach resort town, which for all practical purposes is part of greater Durban (it's located on the outer edge of the metropole). It does however have a much more laid-back family atmosphere. As with Durban you'll still find hotels and holiday apartment blocks right on the beach's edge - it is a commercial beach holiday destination. However, in contrast with Durban proper, there's no city behind the above-mentioned high-rise beachfront buildings - just a medium sized town.

If you prefer totally unspoilt non-commercial KwaZulu-Natal beaches far from civilisation rather head north towards Cape Vidal, Rocktail Bay, Sudwana or Kosi Bay.

Umhlanga does feature a small central business district with a few restaurants, coffee shops, pharmacy, photo development, laundromat, etc. Most of the entertainment and restaurants in town are centred in the various hotels, which include family orientated resort-type hotels. Umhlanga also offers a good range of guesthouses and B&B's, some of them right on the beachfront.

Beachfront
The O'Conner Promenade, a pathway with distance markers and park benches all along the Umhlanga beachfront, is ideal if you like getting in some walking or jogging during your holidays. The main beach has lifeguards in attendance. The town is located in a sub-tropical region, which makes for warm swimming weather and water year-round. It offers good surf close to sandy beaches. Umhlanga is also known for its historical lighthouse. Various local operators offer marine activities including scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and whale and dolphin watching cruises (Africa Deluxe Tours will gladly pre-book any of these for our clients).

Other attractions
Away from the beach the immediate surrounds of Umhlanga offers 5 very good golf courses. The town is also home to the world renowned Natal Sharks Board. The institution is tasked with protecting bathers from shark attacks - its activities include extensive research on sharks. Daily tours at their premises are offered to the public. You also have the option of joining one of the early morning 2-hour long sharknet patrols out on the ocean.

If you do feel the urge for a bit of commercial entertainment there's always the nearby (5 minute's drive) excellent Gateway Shopping Centre, one of the biggest and best shopping centres in South Africa (A smaller shopping mall, perfect for stocking up on groceries / accessories - but not for entertainment -, is the La Lucia Mall located on the southern edge of Umhlanga). The SugarMill Casino at neighbouring Mount Edgecombe, is only a short drive away. While Umhlanga does take you out of the city's hustle and bustle, central Durban with all its attractions is only a 20-minute drive away (outside of peak traffic times).

Flights
Durban International airport is approx. 50km out of town. Umhlanga does also have a small-plane airport (Virginia Airport) served by SA Express and ideal for charter flights.

Umhlanga is Africa Deluxe Tours' preferred destination for clients who want to include Durban in their tour itineraries.