The History of Umhlanga
Umhlanga is a very popular town in the KwaZulu-Natal province. It was named after the Ohlanga River, which connects with the Indian Ocean a few kilometres to the north of the town. Umhlanga is located just north of Durban and borders the Indian Ocean, which provides warm waters and pleasant beaches all year round.
Umhlanga is roughly a 20 kilometre drive (or 20 minutes) on the N2 from Durban’s King Shaka International Airport and about 2 kilometres from the Gateway Theatre of Shopping. Umhlanga Rocks offers a variety of luxurious hotels such as the Beverly Hills hotel and the Oyster Box; which has been opened in the 1930’s. You will also find the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve with its coastal dune forest and aquatic habits.
Things to Do
Umhlanga has some amazing 4×4 tracks for off-road enthusiasts. With water traps and a few 40 degree tilts, you will definitely feel adventurous while you manoeuvre your off-road Nissan through this course. You can sharpen your skills with various canyons and ridges, while facing rocky river beds and enjoying an amazing view.
Another fun-filled activity is The Rock, the world’s highest indoor climb. You can enjoy casual climbing, rock climbing, or have an energetic birthday party for the kids. They also offer great climbing training sessions which will certainly be fun for the whole family.
Popular Events
One of the most popular annual events in Umhlanga is the Umhlanga Summer Festival, which features two weeks of beach events and outdoor activities. The carnival is usually held in December and features a variety of events such as the Hooters Air Show and the 16km Trail Run; which runs over the coastal area from the Breakers Resort. Surfers can also test their skills in the Lizzard Summer Surf Session, which is organized by the KwaZulu-Natal Surfing Association.
The Gateway to Fame is held at the Barnyard Theatre and it is the perfect event for talented youngsters to strut their stuff. It is a popular talent search competition that caters for anything from singing and dancing to performance acting. It is open to all children between the ages of 7 and 18 and the event is usually held in June every year.