Umdloti, KwaZulu-Natal
Encyclopedia
Umdloti, , is a small resort town on the KwaZulu-Natal
North Coast, South Africa
that is situated at the mouth of the Mdloti River north of Durban
and now forms part of eThekwini
, the Greater Durban Metropolitan Municipality. The name Mdloti is the Zulu word for a species of wild tobacco
that grows here.
Umdloti has a permanent population of around 3,000 people but can increase by as much as tenfold during the Christmas and Easter holiday season. Due to Umdloti's single access road from the M4/N2 interchanges, the topography, the fact that North and South Beach Roads are both cul-de-sac's and limited public parking,the repercussions of the seasonal holidaymaker influx results in traffic congestion and frequent gridlock, mainly at year-end.
Umdloti real estate consists of full title, free-standing homes, mainly on the South Beach and sectional title apartments, located mostly on North Beach. Much of the latter is owned by non-residents as holiday homes or rental properties.
Umdloti, although still a small, peaceful town is situated ten kilometers north of Umhlanga Rocks. It has two commercial centres, a Post Office and several restaurants. The town is split in two levels by an ancient, mature sand-dune, creating an upper and lower area of the town. A natural Rock pool by the beach creates a safe swimming area. Its southern boundary consists of natural, sub-tropical bush and sugar cane fields. To the north, the Umdloti River and estuary. To the West, it abuts natural bush and behind that, the Tongaat-Hulett Sugar's Bellamont Estate.
Umdloti is famous for dolphins that swim very close to the beach early every morning and July to November is a very good time for Whale watching
when whales are seen from the beach.
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
North Coast, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
that is situated at the mouth of the Mdloti River north of Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
and now forms part of eThekwini
Ethekwini
eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality is a metropolitan municipality created in 2000 that includes the city of Durban, South Africa and surrounding towns. eThekwini is one of the 11 districts of KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The majority of its 3,090,126 people speak Zulu...
, the Greater Durban Metropolitan Municipality. The name Mdloti is the Zulu word for a species of wild tobacco
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
that grows here.
Umdloti has a permanent population of around 3,000 people but can increase by as much as tenfold during the Christmas and Easter holiday season. Due to Umdloti's single access road from the M4/N2 interchanges, the topography, the fact that North and South Beach Roads are both cul-de-sac's and limited public parking,the repercussions of the seasonal holidaymaker influx results in traffic congestion and frequent gridlock, mainly at year-end.
Umdloti real estate consists of full title, free-standing homes, mainly on the South Beach and sectional title apartments, located mostly on North Beach. Much of the latter is owned by non-residents as holiday homes or rental properties.
Umdloti, although still a small, peaceful town is situated ten kilometers north of Umhlanga Rocks. It has two commercial centres, a Post Office and several restaurants. The town is split in two levels by an ancient, mature sand-dune, creating an upper and lower area of the town. A natural Rock pool by the beach creates a safe swimming area. Its southern boundary consists of natural, sub-tropical bush and sugar cane fields. To the north, the Umdloti River and estuary. To the West, it abuts natural bush and behind that, the Tongaat-Hulett Sugar's Bellamont Estate.
Umdloti is famous for dolphins that swim very close to the beach early every morning and July to November is a very good time for Whale watching
Whale watching
Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and other cetaceans in their natural habitat. Whales are watched most commonly for recreation but the activity can also serve scientific or educational purposes. A 2009 study, prepared for IFAW, estimated that 13 million people went whale watching...
when whales are seen from the beach.
External links
- Umdloti official website with pages describing: climate and geography, nature and wildlife, diving spots, a whale register, tide tables, the activities of the Umdloti Conservancy, accommodation, restaurants, shops and services.
- http://www.capetimes.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=3531&fArticleId=vn20100305042335463C309995 Generally shy' green mamba bites tourist