Nature's Playground The North Coast is best know for its luxury sea-resorts, and the schools of dolphin which move up and down the coast. It is a malaria-free region of endless beaches and gentle rolling hills covered in "green gold" sugar-cane, extending from Port northwards to the might Thuleka River. This is where the 19th Century monarch, King Shaka, established a military camp, while handmaidens of the Royal household are said to have gathered salt from tidal pools along the scenic coastline. A memorials to King Shaka can be found at Stanger/ KwaDukuza. A fascinating cultural melting pot has been created on the North Coast by subsequent waves of colonial adventurers a moving into the area, the arrival of the French Mauritian sugar cane growers, indentured labourers and their descendants from the Indian sub-continent, combined with the colourful Zulu culture. The North Coast offers visitors a variety of ultra-modern facilities at sun-drenched seaside resorts, while providing endless opportunities for outdoor adventures, from fishing and surfing to hiking, horse riding and microlighting. Huge schools of up to 200 bottlenose dolphins favour this stretch of coastline because the water is clear and shallow, allowing them to move close inshore to feed. They can easily be seen from the beach frolicking in the waves almost every day. Whales can also be spotted from shore or from boats on their annual migration to the waters off Mozambique for summer. Zimbali is an up-market residential estate with an exclusive hotel set in pristine coastal forest, an unspoilt coastline and an immaculate challenging 18-hole golf course. Ballito is a bustling coastal town with miles of beachfront accommodation and a protected swimming beach. Take a stroll along the beachfront boardwalk overlooking a series of rocky bays or hike the more rugged route northwards past tidal pools and impressive rock formations to Thompsons Bay. Shaka Rock, Salt Rock, Tinely Manor, Blythhedale Beach and Zinkwazi tae you further and further north along this seemingly endless stretch of coast. KwaDukuza/Stanger is a busting commercial centre some 210 kms inland from Ballito, home to the King Shaka memororial and museum. The tourism operators offer an exciting array of activities and attraction from dolphin viewing to microlight flips, game reserve tours, golf tours and visits to crocodiles and animal farms, which are great fun for the kids. Accommodation from luxury to budget is plentiful, and the restaurants and café's serve everything from fresh seafood to spicy Indian curries. Visit the Harold Johnson Nature Reserve where you can enjoy the lush sub-tropical vegetation and abundant wildlife. It incorporates an interpretive facility for the Battles of Tugela and Ndondakusuka. Also in the vicinity is the Ultimatum Tree where the British handed over an ultimatum which ultimately led to the Anglo Zulu War of 1879.