What to do in and around Port Edward

Mzamba Tours is based at the Mzamba Craft Village near the Wild Coast Sun Casino
Call 039 305 9111

Themba Lamapondo Tours
Call Benny 073 743 7583

The Wild Five centre at Oribi Gorge offers some truly breathtaking activities. Try the Wild Gorge Swing, the highest swing in the world. Go Wild Water Rafting, attempt the highest natural commercial abseil in the world or slide along a 120m cable across the gorge itself (160m above ground). All this action is available amidst stunning scenery.

Keen golfer? You’ll be spoilt for choice with no less than nine outstanding golf courses on the South Coast, two of which are rated in South Africa’s top 12. Sanlameer and Wild Coast Sun are literally just around the corner, and Port Edward itself has a friendly nine-hole course, which is perfect for relaxing or when time is limited.

Galloping along the beach at the water’s edge is an exhilarating experience. For a two-hour ride (or lesson), the Ocean Trails Equestrian Centre is based at the Wild Coast Casino.

Ramsgate offers a much-loved memorable day canoeing and paddling on the lagoon or Bilanhlolo River.

Port Edward’s ‘Silver Beach’ and lagoon are just a few minutes stroll away. The South Coast boasts a number of international Blue Flag beaches.

There is a lovely marked footpath that follows the beach all the way from Glenmore Sands to Port Edward, passing perfect swimming spots along the route. Longer walks can be discovered at the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve. Hiking trails in the gorge are available through MzambaTours, South Africa’s first tourism initiative to be owned and run by a local community.

Whilst available throughout the year, these excursions are particularly impressive during the annual Sardine Run. This is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the months of June and July. Massive shoals of sardines (measured in kilometres) migrate along the coast followed by huge numbers of predators including dolphins, sharks, whales and gannets. Engrossed in their feeding, it is possible to get up close and personal with these wonderful creatures.

Five minutes away by car, you’ll find the Wild Coast Sun Casino. Here you can take in a lot more than just gambling on the tables or slot machines. There are numerous restaurants, a cinema, ten-pin bowling, and children’s amusements. The Waterworld water sports centre is also located on the casino grounds should you want to hire a boat, jet ski or take a scenic riverboat cruise.

Wild Waves Water Park at Wild Coast Sun offers the whole family a selection of slides like the Aqualoop, Superbowl, Boomerango and two steep body slides. The Park also offers a designated children’s area and a Lazy River.

The local Saverite and Spar as well as Blue Bottle and On the Rocks liquor stores offer visitors everything and more. We also have a Treasure Island Surf Shop in town, so if the weather is looking up and you didn’t pack your swimming costume, don’t fear!

You’ll also find the Migamed Pharmacy in the Spar centre.

For gifts and local craft, it’s hard to beat the flea market at Uvongo on Saturday mornings. You’re sure to find bargains here and you have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re buying things straight from the people who made them. For clothes and big store names, Shelley Centre and The South Coast Mall (both in Shelley Beach) are great. The bustling resort of Margate is the place to find traditional seaside shops selling everything from fishing gear to swimming costumes, buckets and spades.

Close to Port Edward, you will find Pure Venom, a world-renowned collection of snakes, five types of crocodiles, an animal farm and petting zoo. In December Pure Venom has a restaurant too. Even closer is the Riverbend Crocodile Farm where you can safely observe crocodiles from a few centimetres in length up to fully grown adults measuring over 3 metres.

Mpenjati Nature Reserve, Umtamvuna Nature Reserve and Butterfly Valley Butterfly Farm are all worth a visit.
The Oribi Game Reserve is less than an hour’s drive. At Oribi, you can see zebra, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, baboon, and many other species all from the safety of your own vehicle.

For ‘big five’ viewing, the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve is amazing. As this is about five hours by car, an overnight stop is recommended. Of course, you can simply stay right here at Seaverge to enjoy the antics of the Vervet monkeys that visit us almost daily.