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Umhlanga is a relaxed beach town on the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) coastline, just north of the bustling city of Durban. It is best known for its beautiful beaches, which have safe waters for swimming and surfing and offer spectacular views across the Indian Ocean. There are also plenty of opportunities to explore native wildlife and indulge in incredible food.
If you’re already familiar with the area’s most popular attractions, you might be looking for things to do in Umhlanga that are a little off the beaten track. Here are 14 must-visit hidden gems that will help you see all that Umhlanga offers.
1. Umgeni River Bird Park
- Address: Riverside Rd, Durban North, Durban
- Opening hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily
Wildlife lovers and avid bird watchers will love a visit to Umgeni River Bird Park where a huge variety of native species can be seen up close. The park has a series of walk-through aviaries that provide visitors with fantastic views of the likes of macaws, kookaburras, and toucans. There’s also a free-flight bird show to enjoy that features owls, storks, Cape vultures, and the critically endangered Wattled Crane.
This is a fantastic opportunity to see these birds in unrestricted flight, but you’ll also learn a great deal about the species’ natural habitats, the threats they face, and the importance of conservation.
2. Mr. Funtubbles Fabulous Family Fun Fair
- Address: Shop E047, 1 Palm Blvd, Umhlanga Ridge, Umhlanga
- Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm Monday to Thursday / 9 am – 11 pm Friday & Saturday / 9 am – 9 pm Sunday
Mr. Funtubbles is an indoor fun fair that offers endless entertainment for families, particularly on rainy days when the kids can’t get outside to play. There’s a wide range of rides to choose from, arcade games, and a 4D theater, providing a fully immersive short film experience. All the rides are suitable for adults to accompany their children, so even young tots have the chance to ride, jump, and fly.
3. Moses Mabhida People’s Park
- Address: 65 Masabalala Yengwa Ave, Stamford Hill, Durban
- Opening hours: 5 am – 7 pm daily
The People’s Park is a welcoming green space that surrounds Moses Mabhida Stadium, and it’s perfect for a picnic, a peaceful stroll, or a short bike ride. Pedal karts and electric bicycles are available to rent, and once you’ve worked up an appetite, you can grab a bite at the People’s Park Cafe. There are also climbing frames to tire the kids out while parents enjoy a cup of coffee.
4. The Pearls of Umhlanga Mall
- Address: 6 Lagoon Dr, Umhlanga, 4320
- Opening hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily
The Gateway Theatre of Shopping is Umhlanga’s best-known shopping center, but The Pearls Mall is a smaller alternative that tends to be a little quieter and more relaxing. It’s a classy mall that houses high-end boutiques and a great range of restaurants and coffee shops for when you want to take a break from your retail therapy.
The Pearls Mall is located on Umhlanga Beach and it’s a fantastic place to drop in to cool down and grab a bite to eat after a stroll along the promenade.
5. La Lucia Mall
- Address: 90 William Campbell Dr, La Lucia, Umhlanga
- Opening hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily
La Lucia Mall is another great alternative to the Gateway Theatre of Shopping. This bright and airy indoor mall remains modern and stylish thanks to multiple renovations since its 1974 opening.
La Lucia Mall boasts 130 shops, four of which are department stores, and it also has a series of exhibition courts where product launches and promotions are on display. There are chill-out zones to relax in when you need a break and lots of fantastic eateries and coffee shops to recharge in.
6. Burman Bush Nature Reserve
- Address: Burman Dr, Morningside, Durban
- Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
Many visitors flock to Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve to see native wildlife and learn about local habitats, but Burman Bush Nature Reserve is not to be missed. It is comprised of 55 hectares (135 acres) of rare dune forest that has been undisturbed since 1850. There are three trails through the forest to choose from, and all of them end at the Umgeni River.
Observation points with wooden benches are dotted along each trail for you to take in the view, but keep an eye out for Vervet monkeys, who are renowned for stealing snacks despite the reserve’s no-feeding policy.
7. Snow Wonderland
- Website: snowwonderland.co.za
- Address: 1 Palm Blvd, Umhlanga Ridge, Umhlanga
- Opening hours: 11 am – 8 pm Monday to Thursday / 11 am – 10 pm Friday & Saturday / 9 am – 9 pm Sunday
Snow is rare in South Africa, which is why Snow Wonderland is such a popular attraction. It provides a wonderfully wintery experience throughout the year, no matter the weather. Slide down snowy slopes on a tube, enjoy snowball target practice, build a snowman, and then warm up with tasty s’mores and hot chocolates from the cafe. This is a great attraction for families, particularly on rainy days.
8. Umdloti Beach
- Address: Umdloti Beach, Umdloti, Umhlanga Coast, KwaZulu Natal
- Opening hours: 24 hours
The main beach at Umhlanga attracts tourists and locals in great numbers during the summer months, as do the beaches in nearby Ballito. La Lucia’s beach is also popular with swimmers, surfers, and snorkelers and can be very busy.
For a change of pace, head to Umdloti Beach, which lies seven miles north of Umhlanga. This pretty beach is in a relatively quiet town, and lifeguards are on duty every day to keep the waters safe. A popular feature here is a natural tidal pool, which is a fantastic spot for young kids to swim and play. At low tide, you can spot small fish and other marine life in the rock pools.
9. Gandhi Settlement
- Website: phoenixsettlement.co.za
- Address: 120518 St, Bhambayi, Inanda
- Opening hours: 10 am – 4 pm daily
Mahatma Gandhi spent many years in South Africa developing his philosophy of peaceful resistance to political injustice. He founded the original Phoenix Settlement in Inanda, which is a 30-minute drive from Umhlanga.
Visiting the settlement is a fantastic way to appreciate Gandhi’s vision for a self-reliant community. You’ll get to explore the home where he lived and learn more about his life from a series of exhibits dedicated to him and his wife, Kasturba.
10. Ndlondlo Reptile Park
- Website: ndlondlo.net
- Address: 1 Esenembi Rd, Compensation, Dolphin Coast
- Opening hours: 9 am – 3 pm Tuesday to Friday / 9 am – 4 pm Saturday & Sunday
Ndlondlo Reptile Park shares insights into South Africa’s indigenous reptiles, including black mambas, reticulated pythons, and anaconda. Reptiles, and snakes in particular, are often misunderstood and mistreated, which is why the park focuses on educating visitors about the habitats and behaviors of the reptiles in their care. Expert handlers lead tours of the park and offer opportunities for visitors to safely handle some of the reptiles themselves.
11. Village Table
- Website: villagetable.co.za
- Address: 6 Lagoon Dr, Umhlanga, Durban
- Opening hours: 9 am – 9 pm Tuesday to Thursday/ 9 am – 10 pm Friday to Saturday
There are many good restaurants in Umhlanga, but the Village Table is an understated hotspot that avid foodies shouldn’t miss. This eatery serves delicious food and drinks in a stylish environment, and the relaxing ambiance is perfect for chilling out after a busy day of sightseeing.
The menu features classic, unfussy dishes such as pizza, flame-grilled chicken, and fried fish. Despite the menu’s simplicity, everything is aesthetically plated and incredibly tasty, giving you a high-end experience with a low-key atmosphere. If it’s drinks and light bites you’re looking for, ask for the innovative cocktail menu and choose a platter of tasty small dishes to share with the table.
12. The Ocean Terrace at The Oyster Box
- Address: 2 Lighthouse Rd, Umhlanga, 4319
- Opening hours: 7 am – 10.30 pm daily
The Oyster Box is one of Umhlanga Rocks’ best-known hotels thanks to its impeccable service and lavish decor. Luckily, you don’t have to book a room in the hotel to experience its luxurious atmosphere. Instead, book a table at the Ocean Terrace restaurant, which offers ocean views and exceptional bistro-style dishes.
Be sure to try some of the restaurant’s seafood dishes, or opt for its famed curry buffet so you can try a variety of flavors inspired by Indian cuisine.
13. La Spiaggia
- Website: facebook.com/LaSpiaggiaUmhlanga
- Address: 22 Lagoon Dr, Umhlanga
- Opening hours: 8 am – 8 pm daily
La Spiaggia is considered one of the best restaurants in Umhlanga, so if you’ve got a craving for Italian food, be sure to book a table here. This spot lies just beyond the famed Whalebone Pier and offers gorgeous views of the beach for those who want to dine al fresco.
The menu is vast, but the pizza and pasta dishes are the most popular. La Spiaggia is open throughout the day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so it’s also a great place to drop in for a light bite if you’re spending a day at the beach.
14. Cape Town
There might be some 1,000 miles between Cape Town and Umhlang, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit South Africa’s legislative capital city during your stay in KwaZulu-Natal. Adventurous explorers can take an epic road trip and reach Cape Town in a few days, staying at various cities along the way. Alternatively, take a 2.5-hour flight to Cape Town and spend a couple of days exploring the cosmopolitan city.
Cape Town is packed with fascinating museums, historic sites, and art galleries that showcase the history and culture of both the Western Cape and South Africa.
The city is also surrounded by epic scenery, with the rugged Table Mountain National Park offering endless hiking trails and mesmerizing views. If you’ll be traveling overseas to vacation in Umhlanga and want to make the most of your trip, it’s well worth visiting Cape Town for a few days to get a deeper understanding of the beautiful country of South Africa.
Discover Your Favorite Umhlanga Hidden Gems
There are some fantastic hidden gems to discover in Umhlanga when you venture off the beaten path. Which of these must-see spots will you visit on your South African vacation?
