Amanzimtoti

During a raid on the Pondos in 1828, King Shaka was given water from the river and said "Kanta amanzi mtoti" - "So the water is sweet".

From then on, the area was known as Amanzimtoti - or more usually 'Toti. The town is both a dormitory suburb of Durban, 30km away and a very popular resort in its own right with numerous hotels and holiday flats catering for over 300,000 visitors each year.

It is the centre of the Shongololo (millipede) Crawl, a trail of arts and crafts outlets. Part of the Crawl is the Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary Trail.

There are three hides in the sanctuary from which visitors may spot more than 150 species. There are plenty of picnic spots and a tearoom. The Ilanda Wilds has three trails of about 1km each. There are also picnic spots and toilets.

The trails wind through riverine forest and thornveld.

The beach is shark netted and has a large tidal pool. There are boats for hire in the Amanzimtoti River. Close by is the AECI Chemical factory at Umbogintwini ('Place of Stones').

It was once the largest explosives factory in the world. See Umbogavango.

The local Traffic Department resides in the fully restored homestead of Dick King.

Shongololo Crawl: 031 9032893

Illovo Lagoon Nature Reserve