Port Shepstone

Description

Port Shepstone is a beautiful seaside town at the mouth of the Mzimkulu River, the largest river on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. With zip line tours and the world’s highest commercial abseil, as well as golden beaches and abundant water sporting opportunities, it’s no surprise Port Shepstone is such a popular tourist destination for both adventure and leisure holidays.

Set 120km south of Durban, Port Shepstone forms the administrative, educational, and commercial hub for southern KwaZulu-Natal. It was founded in 1867 at the discovery of marble nearby, and it still has plenty of working industries today, including a sugar mill, lime works, and a marble quarry, while timber, wattle bark and subtropical fruit are also produced in the region.

With 18km of golden beaches and warm ocean waters, Port Shepstone is a water lover’s paradise. Water sports include swimming, fishing, snorkelling, scuba diving, ski boating, boating, jet skiing, and more on the river and sea. Whales and dolphins are often spotted in the surf during the winter. The Mzimkulu River, meaning “home of all rivers” lives up to its name with a wealth of opportunities to admire the wildlife and birdlife along its banks, as well as river rafting, canoeing, windsurfing, and water skiing prospects.

The Mzimkulu River cuts inland and meets up with the Mzinkulwana River to form the 24km long and 330m high Oribi Gorge. It is here that you can enjoy the world’s highest commercial abseil at 110m. Keep an eye out for the Overhanging Rock and the cascading 170m Lehrs Falls. Oribi Gorge is also fantastic for hiking and birding with 250 species of birds in the area, as well as buck, baboons, and monkeys. Other adventure activities include zip lines, game drives, fishing, 4x4ing, hiking, and horse riding at Lake Eland Game Reserve.

There is plenty to do in Port Shepstone. Learn about the town’s history at the maritime themed Port Shepstone Museum, or grab a few photographs of the famous 27,000 candela Port Shepstone Lighthouse. This lighthouse was built in the 1890s at the mouth of the Mzimkulu River and its black and white chequered exterior is a prominent landmark to navigators at sea. Port Shepstone also has several spectacular nature reserves that are home to leopard, baboon, antelope, and an abundance of birds. Plan a trip to Uvongo Nature Reserve, play a round on the greens at Port Shepstone Golf Course or Wild Coast Sun Golf Course, and relax on one of the beautiful South Coast beaches. What’s not to love?

With so much to do and see, Port Shepstone offers the ideal getaway for couples, adventure lovers, and families alike.