Richards Bay is best known for its industrial wealth, but this small town on the northern coast of KwaZulu-Natal is also a place of great beauty. Clever environmental measures have protected its natural treasures while allowing the economy to thrive, and it is now a port of call for holidaymakers, maritime buffs, bird lovers and seekers of adventure.
Sir Frederick Richards
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Founded in 1879, the settlement was named after the first British naval commander to land troops on the Zululand coast. There were, of course, inhabitants in the area before that. Legendary King Shaka built his Zulu kingdom in the surrounding areas, and the last battle of the Anglo-Zulu War was fought near Ulundi in the same year that Rear Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards arrived.
Being somewhat out of the way, Richards Bay remained nothing more than a sleepy fishing village until the modern port opened in 1976. Since then it flourished because it offered the world’s biggest and most advanced coal export terminal.
Always Green
The triumph of Richards Bay is that it has retained its natural beauty while growing into a sophisticated, highly industrialised business centre that is able to offer top-class facilities and accommodation to the international traveller.
Environmental protection began as early as 1935 with the establishment of the Richards Bay Game Sanctuary to protect indigenous subtropical fauna and flora around the Mhlatuzi River lagoon. This was later expanded to form the Richards Bay Park, which is a haven for nature lovers.
A Wealth of Nature
Much of the original wetlands around Richards Bay have been preserved intact as a nature reserve, and are popular places for walking and game spotting. Because of the rich variety of bird life over a number of habitats, avitourism has become one of the area’s main attractions. Some of the best spots for bird watching are:
Thulasihleka Pan
This spot is aflock with waterbirds and has a well-maintained hide. Species such as the crab plover and broadbilled sandpiper, both rare in South Africa, are often seen in the harbour area.
Just north of the town is the Isimangaliso Wetland Park (formerly Greater St Lucia Wetlands) World Heritage Site, which has an abundance of birdlife.
Onyoge Forest
An hour’s drive from Richards Bay, this forest is filled with glorious endemic plants. According to experts this is the best area in the country to spot forest birds such as green barbets, Delegorges pigeons, twinspots and coucals.
Dlinza Forest and Nseleni Nature Reserves
Here birdwatchers are taken on boat trips to see rare herons.
Big 5 Country
Nearby Richards Bay are the game reserves of Hluhluwe and Umfolozi. These are home to the Big 5, as well as a host of other animals. Dolphins can be seen almost all year round in the waters, and majestic whales visit in the summer breeding season. Special whale-watching expeditions are offered by local tour operators.
Adventure Zone
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| |  Scenic Richards Bay | |
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Some holidaymakers like to do nothing more than lounge on a pristine beach with an occasional foray into the waves. More active sorts prefer hiking, climbing and flying. Richards Bay is ideal for both.
There are safe beaches with calm, warm seas and spectacular views for those who want to laze or paddle. And there are others with giant breakers for surfing enthusiasts. The mini resorts of Naval Island, Pelican Island and the Tuzi Gazi Waterfront provide equipment and expert guides for anyone keen on angling, canoeing, power-boating, jet-skiing or sailing.
Horse riding, helicopter flights, mountain- and quad-biking and microlight flights are other ways to experience the scenery.
Zulu Culture
When tired of the beach, visitors can drive along the magnificent Zululand coastline, stretching almost to the Mozambique border, and shop for attractive Zulu and Tsonga crafts to take home as mementoes.
The traditional tribal ways of life have been preserved in many parts, and visitors are invited to visit Zulu kraals (villages), such as Shakaland and Duma Zulu, which are open to the public year round.
Hippo Rally
In September the streets of Richards Bay purr to the deep-throated music of heavy-duty motorcycles as bikers from all over southern Africa converge on the town for the Hippo Rally. Close to 3 000 bikes have been known to arrive, and the mass ride through Richards Bay has become a colourful spectacle.
For the rest of the year, however, birdsong, muted industry and happy holidaymakers provide the soundtrack for this vibrant, progressive piece of Africa.
Image of Zululand courtesy and copyright of KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority
Image of hippos courtesy and copyright of Uthungulu District Municipality
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