The Dolphin Coast is the playground of the bottlenose dolphins, which frolic in the waters close to shore and are visible all year round. The dolphins favour this stretch of coastline because of it's relatively clear and shallow waters, allowing dolphins to swim close to shore in order to feed.

Surveys of these waters suggest that they are frequented by a school of about 200 dolphins, which break up into smaller groups. Whales can also be spotted along the Dolphin Coast on their annual migration to Mozambique for the summer.

KZN NORTH COAST BEACHES
The main swimming beach in Ballito - Willard Beach has Blue Flag Status. It provides safe swimming with qualified life-guards seven days a week, and is protected with shark nets. It also has a fully equipped first aid station. Willard Beach is also a popular spot for the surfing and body boarding fraternity and competitions are organized regularly providing beach-goers with the best moves and grooves on the waves.

Lifeguards and shark nets are provided at a second beach, Clarke Bay, to ensure that parents have a worry-free holiday and the children one of pure pleasure. Further south of Clarke Bay is the Ballito tidal pool which caters for the big and small. The pools are well maintained, kept clean and are home to a wide variety of sea life.

Some of the North Coast's other magnificent beach attractions include Thompsons Bay, Shaka's rock and Hole in the Wall.

KZN NORTH COAST GOLF COURSES
Umhlali Country Club
The sport-inclined visitor is also catered for and the gracious Umhlali Country Club, located just outside of Ballito, has a magnificent golf course. It's unique setting, superb greens and resident zebra make a round of golf an absolute pleasure. The club also has tennis courts, squash courts and bowling greens.

Zimbali
There is also the beautifully designed course at Zimbali, designed by international golfing supreme Tom Weiskopf. This course is both challenging and unforgettably beautiful, with breath-taking panoramic views of the undulating coastline and sea.

Prince's Grant
Half-an-hour drive north of Ballito is the Prince's Grant Golf Estate designed in the tradition of the links golf courses of old Scotland which offers a unique experience to the golfer. For the health and fitness conscious there is a well equipped gym in the area, with professional instructors to guide you.

Mount Edgecombe Country Club
This stunning country club with two courses is set in a residential golfing estate 20 minutes south of Ballito. Course 1: 6,243 meter long, par 72 course with attractive water features and multi-tiered greens. Course 2: This 72-par course has a cart path throughout the 18 holes with a total length of 6,265 meters.

KZN NORTH COAST NATURE RESERVES
Harold Johnson Nature Reserve
Harold Johnson Nature Reserve is situated on the banks of the Tugela River, north of Zinkwazi. This reserve is run by the KZN Wildlife and offers walking trails, picnic sites, a small variety of game and a large variety of bird life. Day trippers are welcome and the reserve also has a camp site for overnight visitors. Fort Pearson and the Ultimatum Tree, both of which are national monuments, lie within the reserve, the Fort was built in 1878 on a bluff overlooking the Pont-crossing on the Tugela River. Both of these monuments played a significant role in the Anglo- Zulu war of 1879. It was built to replace Fort Williamson and it was here that the British presented the ultimatum to representatives of King Cetshwayo. A few war graves can also be seen on site. Open campsites are available. For bookings contact (032)486 1574.

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Park
The North Coast is also close enough to take a drive north to the game reserves in Zululand. The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Park is approximately 257 km's north of Ballito. Most of the big game species including lion, elephant, white and black rhinoceros, buffalo, leopard and giraffe occur in the reserve. Apart from game viewing drives, there are two self-guided auto trails.


Glenshaka Trail
Situated on a sugar farm, the trail boasts indigenous forest, shady streams and open grassland. Enjoy the kzn wildlife with abundant bird life, bushpig and red duiker.

KZN NORTH TOUR OPERATORS
About Africa Tours
About Africa Tours is SATSA Bonded and is based in Ballito, the jewel of the North Coast, we are approximately 35 kilometers from Durban. We are a owner managed tour operating company that operates throughout South Africa doing tours, safaris and tailor made trips to most Southern African destinations. All our tours are tailor made and well organized to suit your requirements and meet your expectations. We want you to take home memories that you will treasure. For more information visit our web site www.aboutafricatours.co.za

KZN NORTH COAST CULTURAL SITES
The Kingdom
The Kingdom is situated in the Sheffield Beach area and offers a unique 'Three Cultures on One Estate' experience. It focuses on the Zulu, Indian and Colonial experiences. Accommodation is also available.

Shakaland
Shakaland is approximately an hours drive from Ballito. Here you can take a step back in time and enter a world of Shaka, King of the Zulus. The Nandi Experience is a three-hour daytime adventure named in honour of Shaka's mother, Nandi.

Morewood Memorial Gardens
This is the site of South Africa's first sugar mill, situated just outside Ballito in the Compensation area. The garden commemorates the life of Sir Edmund Morewood, who grew the first commercial sugar cane in South Africa and was the founder of the Sugar Cane Industry in 1851.

Albert Luthuli Grave Site
Luthuli, Albert John (1898-1967), South African political leader and the first African to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Luthuli won international acclaim for his efforts to use nonviolence to end state-sponsored racial discrimination in South Africa.

Fort Pearson
Fort Pearson and the Ultimatum Tree, both of which are national monuments, lie within the reserve, the Fort was built in 1878 on a bluff overlooking the Pont-crossing on the Tugela River. Both of these monuments played a significant role in the Anglo- Zulu war of 1879. It was built to replace Fort Williamson and it was here that the British presented the ultimatum to representatives of king Cetshwayo. A few war graves can also be seen on site.

OTHER NORTH COAST ATTRACTIONS
Croc Valley Nature Reserve
A fascinating encounter with crocodiles and other reptiles that used to roam freely in this area. Croc Valley offers crocodile and snake feedings, bird watching and a swamp forest.

Scuba Diving and Snorkling
The North Coast boasts several dive sites where varied and plentiful fish life and crustaceans are found. They cater for amateur and experienced divers alike, with average depth from 4 to 12 meters.

Flag Farm Animal Farm
Young and old will have a delightful time at Flag Farm Animal Farm - Salt Rock where you can spend the morning enjoying a real farmyard experience. Beautiful Fresian work horses, Welsh ponies and cart horses will take you for a ride around the yard. Enjoy a ride on a tractor and an opportunity to feed the chickens, milk a cow and see an amazing collection of exotic birds, bunnies, pigs, goats and sheep.

White River Rafting
Whether the mighty Tugela rises to challenge the adventurer or drifts lazily downstream, rafting the river is an unforgettably rewarding experience.

Skydiving
Experience the excitement of freefall and exit a plane from 10 000ft, attached to an instructor. During the canopy ride you can observe the beauty of the North coast and revel in the fact that no one else is having as much fun as you float to a tiptoe landing.

Dolphin Viewing
Experience the thrill of a launch through the surf in a rubber duck and view these magnificent creatures out on the open ocean. This is afterall the Dolphin Coast.

Microlight Flights
Take a scenic flight along the North Coast and see the coast from a different angle. Often it is possible to see whales and dolphins from the air with a birds eye view.

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