Richards Bay is located in the KwaZulu-Natal Province in eastern South Africa. Situated on the coast of the Indian Ocean and at the mouth of the Mhlatuze River, this city boasts a large harbor as one of its main attractions. In addition, as it lies within a designated nature reserve, you can not only enjoy the great outdoors but also encounter many different species of plants and animals. Here, we’ve selected some notable tourist spots in Richards Bay to introduce to you—please take a look.
1. iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Made up of 13 reserves, the vast iSimangaliso Wetland Park is an impressive natural area that was registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1999. The name “iSimangaliso” means “wonder” in the local language—doesn’t that make you want to set foot in this incredible park?
It’s known as one of the largest hippo habitats in Africa and is home to around 130 species of mammals, including white rhinos, and over 530 species of birds such as pelicans and flamingos. More than 50 species of coral can be found here, and you might even spot humpback whales! It’s also a nesting ground for sea turtles, so depending on the season, you might get to see both whales and turtles.
With so much to see, iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a must-visit if you come to Richards Bay.
Name: iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Address: iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, The Dredger Harbour, Private Bag X05, St Lucia 3936
Official/Related Website: http://isimangaliso.com
2. Alkantstrand Beach
Alkantstrand Beach is known as one of Richards Bay’s beautiful beaches. Well-maintained, it’s a great place to relax and spend time at leisure. Taking a stroll while enjoying the beautiful scenery is a luxury in itself! There are also barbecue facilities available, so you might want to make use of them. Spend a peaceful and lovely time at Alkantstrand Beach, and be sure to capture the stunning views in photographs—not just in your memory.
Name: Alkantstrand Beach
Address: Richards Bay 3900, South Africa
3. Boardwalk Mall
If you want to enjoy shopping in Richards Bay, head over to Boardwalk Mall. With many shops lined up, you can fully indulge in a shopping spree. In addition, the mall has a cinema and plenty of restaurants, making it a facility where you can spend the entire day.
Name: Boardwalk Mall
Address: Mark Strasste Street, Richards Bay 3900, South Africa
◎ Summary
We’ve introduced three tourist spots in Richards Bay—did any of them catch your attention? Here, you can fully enjoy the great outdoors, encounter rare animals, admire beautiful beach scenery, and also shop to your heart’s content. Use this guide as a reference to make the most of your Richards Bay trip.