Richards Bay, Zululand
The town of Richards Bay lies at the sea edge of an ancient floodplain, almost halfway between Durban and Kosi Bay and forms the tourist gateway to Zululand and Maputaland.
Richards Bay began its life as a makeshift harbour, set up by Sir Frederick Richards, after whom it is also named, during the Anglo-Boer War of 1879. For many years, the town was little more than a sleepy fishing town until a hydrographic survey revealed that Richards Bay had even greater development potential than Durban. However, the transformation of Richards Bay into the country's largest harbour and the world's largest coal terminal only happened in 1976.
Despite this, Richards Bay has some of the most spectacular wetland scenery and unspoilt beaches on the north coast of KwaZulu Natal. The Zululand Birding Route includes Richards Bay Harbour and the Game Reserve, known also as New Mouth, on its route. This part of the route covers sandbanks, mud flats, extensive mangroves, freshwater pans and forest areas and bird watchers can spot a number of rarities such as the cuckoo hawk and pygmy goose. New Mouth features a number of aquatic birds as well as hippos and crocodiles.
Richards Bay is also fairly close to Gauteng and serves as a sea destination for many who want to escape the city life. It is a vibrant town that now actively markets a new concept in tourism - Industrial tourism. Groups in town for business are able to visit industrial plants, mines and other operations, particularly relevant for Richards Bay as some R1-billion is to be spent on expanding the export capacity of the harbour to 92 million tons of coal by 2008.
Richards Bay has excellent recreational facilities and visitors can enjoy art galleries, fishing, beachcombing, bird watching, surfing, swimming, canoeing as well as some wonderful drives in and around Richards Bay. One such example is inland from Gingindlovu to Eshowe, via the Nkwalini Valley to Empangeni - a gorgeous drive.
Additional Reading
For more info about Richards Bay see our articles on the SA Travel News Blog: • Richards Bay for outdoor enthusiasts
Travellers' Reviews
2 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
I stayed at a bed and breakfast i think it was La Rochelle in Meerense for about a month. The rooms and people there were so friendly and the whole lay out of the bed and breakfast was amazing. The weather is so nice and hot there. The restaurants and the people there are so friendly and helpful, definitely not anything of what i am used to. went to a game reserve saw elephants and most nights was at Majitos. I never once felt out or not meant to be there - it was the most welcoming place and the best experience and made so many friends while i was there. Going out in the night was such a pleasure. I just cannot believe how amazing everyone is there almost like they are saved from society. Everything is so close to each other, no far distances to travel. I loved it was a absolute pleasure!!
Kayleigh Nel (East London)
Verified review
Richard's Bay has so much going for it in terms of things to do, but all I can do when I'm there is indulge myself in hours on the beach. The water is warm and the days are boiling hot - the perfect ingredients to a summer vac!
Caitlyn Herbert (Somerset West)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Premier Splendid Inn Bayshore
The Premier Splendid Inn Bayshore in Richards Bay offers 102 hotel rooms featuring all the modern amenities you'd expect from a luxury 3 star hot...
Elephant Hills B&B
Elephant Hills offers accommodation in the upmarket suburb of Meerensee. All rooms are en-suite and fitted with air-conditioning for the warm, su...
Nyathi Lodge
Nyathi Lodge offers overnight accommodation in Richards Bay, a coastal town situated on a 30km² lagoon of the Mhlatuze River in KwaZulu Natal. Ri...
La Rochelle Inn
Surrounded by tropical gardens, experience warm and homely comfort. A stay at La Rochelle is like being in your own home whilst being treated to ...
Aristo Manor Guest House
Aristo Manor Guest House offers accommodation in the leafy suburb of Birdswood in Richards Bay. All rooms have air conditioning, a TV with DStv, ...
On the Bay 72
On the Bay 72 is located in the prestigious Mzingazi Waterfront Village in Richards Bay, alongside the canal joining the Richards Bay Harbour....
Mzingeli Guesthouse
Mzingeli Guesthouse is an up-market venue offering accommodation in Merensee on a golf estate. The guesthouse is perfectly located between the be...
Premier Hotel The Richards
Premier Hotel The Richards enjoys the reputation of being one of the best hotels in Richards Bay. Situated in the exclusive suburb of Meerensee, ...
62 on Tuzi Gazi
62 on Tuzi Gazi is a luxurious self-catering accommodation situated in a secure waterfront complex in Richards Bay. This property serves as an ex...
Seagull Lodge
Seagull Lodge offers accommodation only 500 meters from the Boardwalk Inkwazi Mall and 5 minutes drive from the ski boat club and Alkantstrand Be...
Minilitha Lodge
Minilitha Lodge provides accommodation in nine fully self-contained rooms in Richards Bay. The establishment has a garden and braai facilities......
Canefields Country House
Canefields Country House is a traditional sugar cane mansion converted into a homely country hotel. The property provides accommodation in tranqu...
Umuzi Guesthouse
Umuzi Guesthouse is located in Meerensee and offers accommodation, excellent food and the ideal base of operation from which to explore the area....
On The Bay 98
On The Bay 98 offers accommodation in Richards Bay in the prestigious Mzingazi Waterfront Village, alongside the canal joining the Richards Bay H...
On The Bay 15
On the Bay 15 is an air conditioned, open plan holiday apartment in Richards Bay sleeping four guests. The living area has Wi-Fi and Smart TV wit...
Woodpecker Inn
Woodpecker Inn offers accommodation and the comforts of country living in thatched lodges in Richards Bay. Woodpecker Inn boasts 40 en-suite air-...
15 Waterways Estate
Nestled within the picturesque Water Ways Estate in Richards Bay, this stunning villa offers accommodation with ample space for families or group...
The Ridge Guesthouse
The Ridge Guesthouse offers accommodation in Meerensee, Richards Bay. Situated in a quiet suburb on a ridge overlooking natural bush with ocean a...
Pompano Place
Pompano Place has two units which can each accommodate two guests each. Each unit has a bedroom furnished with a Queen-size bed. There is a cosy ...
DuneSide Guest House
The Guest House is ideally suited for business executive or tourist seeking comfortable accommodation. DuneSide Guest House is located in the cit...
Nomusa Bed & Breakfast
Nomusa Bed & Breakfast is a secure, tranquil and homely establishment located in the leafy suburb of Veld-en-Vlei in Richards Bay, and caters for...
Villa Pesca
Villa Pesca is a holiday home in Meerensee offering self catering accommodation in Richards Bay. Villa Pesca is situated 1km from various shops a...
Xaba Guest Lodge
Xaba Guest Lodge in Richards Bay has rooms furnished with comfortable double bed or a double bed and single beds. Each air-conditioned room has a...
Hillton Manor Guest House
Hillton Manor Guesthouse offers accommodation in Meerensee, a delightful coastal suburb which overlooks the Mzingazi Lake. With our friendly natu...
La Mer Lodge
La Mer Lodge offers affordable accommodation in Richards Bay. Choose from any of our comfortable rooms and enjoy relaxing at the swimming pool, i...
Gecko Inn Holiday House
Gecko Inn Holiday House offers Richards Bay Accommodation, the true gateway to the most prestigious game parks, game lodges and sanctuaries in Zu...
Serendipity Guesthouse
Whether in Richards Bay for business or on holiday with family and friends, Serendipity Guesthouse offers a range of accommodation to meet your n...
On the Bay 108
On the Bay 108 is located alongside the canal joining the Richards Bay Harbour in the prestigious Mzingazi Waterfront Village in Richards Bay. Th...
Things to do in the area
Durnford Lighthouse
An unattended aceylene gas lighthouse, Durnford was originally erected in 1916 on a headland 15 kilometres south of Richards Bay. The headland on...
Alkanstrand
Dubbed the tourism gateway to Zululand and Maputaland, Richards Bay is characterised by its exquisite beaches and the gorgeous terrain that is so...
Boardwalk Inkwazi Mall
The Boardwalk Inkwazi Mall is one of the most popular centres of shopping and entertainment in Richards Bay. Here, more than 65 000 square metres...
Naval Island
Naval Island is one of the most popular beach attractions in Richard's Bay; both amongst the locals and the tourists that visit here every year. ...
Noteworthy attractions
AmaZulu Game Reserve
Situated in Northern KwaZulu Natal, on the banks of the Mkuze River, the Amazulu Private Game Reserve is the home of the Amakhosi and Mkuze Falls...
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is the only park under formal conservation in KwaZulu Natal where the Big Five occur. Established in 1895, this is the...
Ithala Game Reserve
This magnificent Ithala Game reserve, tumbling from the heights of the Ngotshe Mountains a thousand meters down into a deep valley, carved over t...
Mkhuze Game Reserve
Situated in northern Zululand, this 40 000 hectare reserve was proclaimed a protected area in 1912. Mkuze Game Reserve constitutes the north west...
Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve
Situated in the heart of historic Zululand in the South African province of KwaZulu Natal, Mkuze Falls is one of only two Private Game Reserves i...
Pakamisa Game Reserve
The Pakamisa Private Game Reserve comprises a pristine malaria free wilderness area of some 2500 hectares. Access to the reserve is restricted, e...
Pongola Nature Reserve
The Pongola Nature Reserve was first proclaimed in 1894 and is the second oldest reserve in the world and the oldest in South Africa. Pongola Nat...
Richards Bay Game Reserve
The Reserve has remnant stands of swamp forest, the Thulazihleka Bird viewing hide in small swamp and the Tidal Mudflats and shallows south of th...
Ubizane Wildlife Reserve
Ubizane Wildlife Reserve boasts a variety of wildlife including white rhino, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, most species of antelope, and over 350 s...
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