Delightful road trips a stone’s throw from Durban

Based in Durban, or heading there with family for the holidays? If the thought of pushing your way through crowded beaches this summer fills you with dread, why not escape the heat and get out of the city.

There are many exciting and quirky smaller towns within easy reach of Durban so why not pack the family in the car and hit the roads in search of an adventure?

KwaZulu-Natal is an ideal destination for road tripping, with many cool sites and attractions along the way.

Where to, you say? Whichever direction you choose will be spectacular, but here’s our advice for the South Coast.

Where to create lasting memories

Head South on the N2 from Durban and drive through the stunning seaside resorts and towns of Illovo Beach, Port Shepstone, Shelly Beach, Uvongo, Margate, Ramsgate, Southbroom and down towards Port Edward.

Stock up on sunscreen, pack your swimming gear, and don’t forget to stop and take in the scenery as much as possible – there’s lots to see! Look out for pristine beaches, boating, diving, fishing, wildlife, hiking, adventure sports and activities, and plenty of places to eat or grab some souvenirs or a bite to eat.

And the best part is the distances are short so you can do a whistle-stop tour over a weekend or take your sweet time over two weeks.

Where to eat:

The Waffle House in Ramsgate was established in 1957 and has consistently served the most interesting selection of sweet and savoury waffles you will find on South African shores. Expect breakfast waffles with sautéed mushrooms and scrambled egg, bacon and maple syrup, or simply hot waffles with melted butter and homemade preserves. Savoury waffle toppings include chicken a la king, bobotie, vegetable curry, or the likes of classic cheese and tomato or ham, cheese sauce and mushrooms. And decadent dessert toppings range from classics with macadamia nuts or chocolate chips baked in, to banoffee, chocolate mousse or lemon meringue waffles. Hungry yet? With all these options, as well as unique daily specials, Waffle House is absolutely not to be missed on any trip to the South Coast.

Casa Toscana (literally meaning Tuscan Home) opened in 2007 and over a decade has cemented their reputation as the South Coast’s “venue of choice for Italian dining with a Tuscan flair”. Owners Mario and Marisa Toniolo moved to SA in the early 90s and decided to combine their love for their new home (a charming stone villa overlooking the Mpenjati lagoon in Port Edward) with their passion for Italian cuisine – serving up food that now attracts people from all over the world.

Fish on the River sits right on the banks of the Mzimkhulu River in Port Shepstone. Serving up a wide variety of seafood, as well as classic grilled or fried fish or calamari with good old slap chips, the restaurant offers the ultimate lunch with a view at bargain prices. They’ll also soon be serving up pizza and pastas from a wood-fired oven.

Where to find remarkable experiences:

- The Rotary Club of Hibiscus Coast’s craft and flea market has run since 1988 in various locations and has operated from its current location in Uvongo for almost 20 years. The market runs on weekend mornings, with around 160 stalls selling fresh produce, clothing, toys and games, second hand items, handmade crafts and more. Stall rentals provide funds for Rotary to support various charity projects.
- Marina Beach, between Southbroom and San Lameer on the Hibiscus Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, is dubbed “the Honolulu of the South Coast” owing to its soft white sand, clear tidal pool and excellent facilities. All of this, as well as the year-round presence of lifeguards, has earned this pristine beach Blue Flag status.

Where to stay in Durban, Umhlanga and surrounds:

Just 20 minutes south of Durban, Protea Hotel Karridene Beach has all the facilities to start your holiday right. With mini-golf, squash courts, a kiddies play-park, billiards, trampolines, table tennis and three swimming pools, not to mention its proximity to Illovo beach, it is the perfect spot for family fun. The beachfront hotel also boasts the latest in conferencing equipment and venues that can accommodate up to 200 people, including an award-winning caravan park.
Known for its elegance, Protea Hotel Durban Edward is a great place to have as your base camp.
Centrally-located Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Durban Umhlanga Ridge is within easy distance of as many fun things to do as you can imagine.
Views for days of the KwaZulu-Natal coast are available at Protea Hotel Durban Umhlanga
Enjoy off-road luxury at African Pride Audacia Manor Boutique Hotel

All these amazing places and experiences could be yours: book now for the first step on a Durban road trip adventure: https://protea.marriott.com/