The South Coast - Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom

Tourism Hints for Visitors to the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal

South Coast Map

Climate

The South Coast enjoys a temperate, sub-tropical climate with warm to hot and humid summers and mild winters along the coast. Midday temperatures generally hover around 20 to 25 degrees centigrade. Inland temperatures are generally mild but cooler at night. The temperatures around Harding can drop significantly at night with occasional winter snowfalls on the Ngele mountains.

The South Coast is a summer rainfall area with prolonged spells of light rain from November through to March. However rain clouds never obscure the sun for too long and the sun shines all year round.

Winter weather is beautiful with endless still, sunny days, and calm seas for swimming, diving, fishing or surfing.

Sea temperatures hover around the low 20s and seldom drop below 19 degrees centigrade.

The average minimum and maximum temperatures and rainfall figures for this area are as follows:

Month     Min. Temp Max. Temp Rainfall (mm)
January   21        27        117
Febuary   21        27        118
March     20        26        154
April     18        25        77
May       15        24        61
June      13        22        40
July      13        22        37
August    13        22        57
September 15        22        82
October   17        23        114
November  18        24        118
December  20        26        123

zoom Source: ARWORKS

Distances from Durban

Town          Distance 
Umkomaas       45km
Scottburgh     55km
Hibberdene     67km
Port Shepstone 117km
Southbroom     131km
Port Edward    172km

Population

The South Coast has a population in the order of 200 000 individuals.

Official Languages

There are eleven official languages in South Africa. On the South Coast Afrikaans,English and Zulu are widely spoken.

Banking

Banking hours are from Monday to Friday 09h00-15h30 and Saturday 08h30-11h00. Automated teller machines (ATMs) operate 24 hours and can be found in most shopping centres on the South Coast. The specific banks that are found in this area are Standard Bank, ABSA, Nedbank and First National.

zoom Samango Falls - Oribi Gorge Photo:KZN Wildlife/Rodger de la Harpe

Credit Cards

Most departmental stores, shops, hotels and restaurants accept international credit cards i.e. American Express,VISA, Diners Club, Mastercard.

Currency

The currency in South Africa is the Rand. Bank notes currently available are R200, R100, R50, R10 and coins of R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, and 1c. There are 100c in R1.

VAT

14% tax is charged on most purchased goods and services. However, foreign tourists are able to reclaim this money on their departure from the country provided that the goods purchased exceeds R250. Ask for more information at the airport on arrival.

Hospitals/Medical Care

There are several well-equipped and professionally staffed public hospitals and clinics on the South Coast, as well as private medical facilities. Ambulance services are just a phone call away.

Margate Hospital (private): 039-317 3201
Port Shepstone Hospital (govt): 039-682 1111
Hibiscus Hospital (private): 039-682 4882
Scottburgh Hospital (govt): 039-976 1300

zoom Samango Monkey - Oribi Gorge Photo: KZN Wildlife

Important Telephone Numbers

Essentials to pack

- Light cotton clothing (shorts, short sleeve shirt) - Hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Swimming costume
- Binoculars
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Camera and lots of film

Tourism Information Offices

Hibiscus Coast Tourism - Head Office
Telephone:(039)6827944
Fax:(039)6821034
E-Mail: margate@venturenet.co.za

Margate Information Office
Telephone:(039)3122322
Fax:(039)3121886
E-Mail: margate@hibiscuscoast.org.za


Hibberdene Information Office
Telephone:(039)6993203
Fax:(039)6993203
E-Mail: hibberdene@hibiscuscoast.org.za


Regional Tourism Information Office
Shelly Centre
Telephone:(039)3155168
E-Mail: sctourism@venturenet.co.za

Port Shepstone Information Office
Telephone:(039)6822455
Fax:(039)6827337
E-Mail: portshepstone@hibiscuscoast.org.za

South Coast Web
Telephone:(039)3122537
Cell:(083)2914079
www.039.co.za

Port Edward Information Office
Telephone:(039)3111211
Fax:(039)3111211
E-Mail: portedward@hibiscuscoast.org.za

Tourism Scottburgh Coast & Country
Tel: 039-976 1364, Fax:039-978 1364
E-mail: publicity@scottburgh.co.za
http://www.scottburgh.co.za

Tourism Umdoni, Coast & Country (Scottburgh Information Office)
Telephone:(039)976 1364
Fax:(039)978 3114
E-Mail: piblicity@scottburgh.co.za

Harding Town Board
Tel: 039-433 1205, Fax: 039-433 1208
www.umuziwabantu.org.za

KZN Wildlife
General Enquiries: (033) 845 1002
Reservations Office for hutted accommodation and wilderness trails
P.O. Box 13069
CASCADES,3202
Telephone: (033) 845 1000
Fax: (033) 845 1001

zoom Port Shepstone Publicity Association and Museum

Immunisation

The South Coast is a Malaria Free Zone. Malaria is only endemic in the low-lying areas of coastal Zululand and Maputuland, especially as you get close to the Mozambique and Swaziland borders. It is advisable to take precautions when visiting these areas, especially in the hot summer months. Consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Airports

Durban International Airport
Durban Airport is situated approximately one hour's drive away from the South coast. It handles international flights as well as domestic flights to and from all major centres throughout South Africa.

Margate Airport
SA Airlink operates daily flights between Margate and Johannesburg International Airport.

Margate Airport also handles charter flights, scenic flips and micro light flips.,b>Enquiries: 039-317 3267.
Reservations for SAA and SA Airlink: 031-250 1111.

Post and Tele-Communications

There are excellent tele-communications services provided by Telkom throughout the South Coast, and there are post offices in all towns and most villages. There are two cellular telephone service providers. Reception is almost 100% all the way along the coastal areas. Inland, the reception is limited to the main road routes and major towns.

Accommodation, Restaurants and other tourism services

Accommodation
Tour Guides
Tour Operators
Shopping Centres
Restaurants

Marine Licences

All sea life along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, including the South Coast, is protected, and permits are required for fishing (surf and deep sea) or for removing crayfish, mussels, octopus, oysters, sea lice and mudprawns.

Permits are obtainable from any post office, or from the KZN Wildlife offices at the Mpenjati Nature Reserve and the Shelley Beach Ski Boat Club. (Permits for mussels, mudprawns, sea lice, octopus and oysters are only obtainable from KZNW offices).

Crayfish season is from 1st March to 31st October.

Enquiries: Durban Marine Permits Office, Tel: 031-205 5278.

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