KwaZulu Natal

Top Surf Spots in KZN  Summer in KwaZulu-Natal is hot and the water appealing, but onshore northeasterly winds tend to make it choppy unless you get there at first light. Waves are generally smaller, less powerful and inconsistent during the warmer months, whereas winter brings groundswell, glassy conditions and longer rides. DID YOU KNOW? The first South African Surfing Championships took place in Durban in 1966. Broadly speaking, the KwaZulu-Natal coastline is divided into three zones: Durban, North Coast and South Coast. Durban, or Surf City, has The Golden Mile of perfect beaches tucked between a series of piers. These are all consistent beach breaks capable of holding sizeable winter swell and summer cyclone swell. The most popular of these are: Bay of Plenty; New Pier; North Beach; Wedge and Dairy . Further south towards the harbour, uShaka and Vetches only pick up when massive southerly winter swells wrap around the harbour and onto the reef. South of t

Spend the day in Action mode with Groovy Balls  Groovy Balls is one of South Africa’s Leading Parks situated in Durban, we are also known as one of the BEST Team Building and Adventure Venues in Durban. We are the only Park in KZN that offers Groovy Balls (otherwise known as Zorbing Elsewhere)! Our grooves/courses have been professional designed to ignite the senses and our friendly team is on hand to make sure you have the most amazing experience. Groovy Balls is set out to provide you with the most exhilarating activities in KZN. We have come a long way since 2010 to provide adventure teambuilding for corporates, schools and social groups alike. For those companies out there that truly want to spoil their working force, Groovy Balls offers exclusive venue hire with all the activities to your disposal. If you do feel there is a very specific outcome necessary to provide harmony in your workplace, we are willing to meet your requirements with a specialized itinerar

THE "GREATEST SHOAL ON EARTH" Article - @KZNSharksBoard Each year in June or July along the KwaZulu-Natal coast the word gets out and, within hours, crowds of frenzied human predators converge on the area to join sharks, gamefish, marine mammals and birds in a feeding orgy. It is a time of plenty for all as large shoals of sardines move in a band up the coast. Fresh, frozen, canned, pickled or bait - whatever way you consider them, sardines (also known as pilchards) will have featured somewhere in the lives of many South Africans. Like their close relatives, the anchovies and herrings, sardines  (Sardinops sagax)  live out their lives in huge shoals in the surface layers of the ocean. Although these fish are small, collectively they comprise nearly a quarter of the world's fish catch by weight, making them one of our most valuable groups of fish. Sardines are cold-water fish and are usually associated with areas of cold ocean upwelling, where deeper, cooler,

Enjoy Nature at Durban Botanical Gardens  For more than 450 years, botanic gardens have been at the forefront of human understanding and knowledge of plants and the environment in which they live. The Durban Botanic Gardens is currently the oldest surviving botanic garden on the African continent and our City's oldest public institution. It was developed in 1849 as a botanic station for the trial of agricultural crops. Today the Gardens has progressed as part of a network of botanic gardens internationally to focus on core areas of biodiversity, education, heritage, research, horticultural excellence and green innovation. The Gardens maintains both indigenous and exotic plant collections from the sub-tropics characterized by a good number of majestic tree species that dominate the landscape. The Gardens is responsible for a good number of conservation significant and threatened plant collections such as cycads and palms. The Garden's main plant collections are

The Morning Trade Market Anna Savage (former-chef, restaurateur and founder of Durban's award-winning 'I heart Market') has combined her market running expertise with her passion for good food and honest ingredients to create The Morning Trade - a weekly market platform for local farmers, artisan producers and organic merchants to share their wares with Durban’s public. The Morning Trade is a top quality weekly food market which focuses on providing an urban space for Durbanites to buy their weekly fresh produce, top quality meats, farm fresh ingredients, delectable specialities and community-conscious foods, as well as being a cool space to meet friends over delicious artisan food and drink... all in Durban’s coolest community-orientated development - the Station Drive Precinct. Join us every Sunday from 08:00 – 13:00 to source your locally-produced fresh and speciality goods, or just to meet friends over delicious artisan food and drink.

Enjoy a day thats  for the "BIRDS"  The Umgeni River Bird Park was designed and built by Dr Alan Abrey. It is situated in an old quarry site which used to contain water and was visited by Alan as a young boy growing up in Durban. When looking for a bird park site, he remembered it as a perfect option. After a year of extensive land filling, landscaping and aviary construction, the Umgeni River Bird Park was opened in April 1984 by the then mayor of Durban, Councillor Sybil Hotz. The park is situated in 3.5 hectares of lush tropical landscaping and houses an ever-increasing collection of more than 800 birds from 200 species. Some species are the only representatives of their kind in Africa whilst others are commonly kept as pets. One of the main focuses of the park is education. Whilst this means different things to everybody, the programs we have in place and have planned for introduction by the end of the year will ensure something for everyone. Our education man

Johnny’s Roti Also known as Sunrise Chip ‘N Ranch, Johnny’s Rotis is an institution. You haven’t been to Durban if you haven’t eaten the triple cheese and chip roti with mutton gravy after a night of jolling hard. They’re open 24/7. 89 Sparks Road, Durban. Call: 031 209 2020. A trip to Durban is not complete without a trip to Johnny's” My love affair with Sunrise Chip 'n' Ranch started when I was a student at Natal University. I am sure this holds true for almost everyone in the province. If you needed a quick snack, you went to the garage, and if you needed a meal that would last you for days, you went to Johnny's. Its undeniably signature dish is surely the Chip 'n' Cheese Roti with (mutton) gravy. This thing is as long as your forearm and as heavy as a bag of potatoes and even the most gluttonous of patrons will regret eating the whole thing in one meal. Notoriously unashamed of its dodgy outward appearance, you may strike it lucky and f

The Benjamin Hotel Florida Road Durban  A warm welcome awaits you at The Benjamin, located 5-minute drive from Durban Beaches and in the heart of the vibrant entertainment strip in Florida Road. The hotel features gardens with an outdoor pool and a shaded terrace. Free parking is available on site. The Benjamin and offers free wi-fi. There are 41 rooms, where no two rooms are the same! Most rooms open onto balconies and and some onto the gardens. Benjamin’s breakfast is served in our open glassed conservatory style restaurant and offers a fresh continental breakfast buffet and plated hot breakfasts. Walk out of the Hotel into the restaurant road of Durban and enjoy your dinners and lunches in some of Durbans famous restaurants. The Moses Mabida Stadium, The Kings Park Rugby Stadium, SunCoast Casino, Durban ICC and uShaka Marine World are within 5km drive by car from The Benjamin. Forty one double rooms, all air-conditioned with en-suite bathrooms. All rooms with satellit

The Playhouse Company announces top-notch cast for its festive season production of The Sound of Music   The Playhouse Company is delighted to announce the cast for its festive season staging of  The Sound of Music , which opens in the magnificent Playhouse Opera Theatre on 24 November and runs until 30 December. This fresh, sparkling, new production will be directed by award-winning theatre director and actor, Ralph Lawson. This heart-warming production features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, as suggested by “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp. Popular stage and television actor, Craig Urbani, will play Captain von Trapp, the Austrian naval captain who employs Maria Rainer to look after his children after the death of his wife. Musical theatre audiences will remember Urbani well for his performance in the lead role in the smash hit  The Buddy Holly Story  in South Africa and on London’s W

Holiday Cooking Classes Lorets Kitchen will be hosting a number of cooking classes for young and old! SO why not join us and do something different, something yummy and something fun this festive season? Moms & tots – 13th / 22 dec 10 – 1 pm Ginger Bread Biscuits / Mini Burgers / Ccones & Pasta Salad. Each class R400.00 per team Moms & teens – 15th / 20th 10 – 1 pm Quiche Lorraine & Pear / Walnut Gorgonzola Salad / Mascerpone & Meringue Berry Ice Cream. Each class R400.00 per team Adults – 15th or 21st 6pm – Masterclass for 8 couples Brie & Peach Tartlets with Micro Herbs and Fresh Rocket Salad / Spanish Pork & Rice with Dukah Sweet Potato & Butternut Roasted. Mini Meringue layered Chocolate Cake with Marshmallow caramel filling Each class R300.00 per person Physical Address:  26 Laguna Seca Lee Barnes Boulevard Ballito Postal Address:  26 Laguna Seca Lee Barnes Boulevard Ballito Postal Code:  4399 Telephone:  +27(0)825611735 Mobile:  

Butcher Boys know what's right when it comes to #STEAK  There is this place nestled in the quaint suburb of Morningside Durban where a particularly awesome smell seems to hang around the neighborhood . Fillet , Rump , Sirloin ,  T-Bone mmm sounding good doesn't it ? The Butcher Boys journey began on 1 November, 1999 when two impeccably well aged and obviously grain fed “boys” Laz and Derryck decided to realize their dream of an authentic steak house. This was no flash in the pan and 16 years on, Butcher Boys continues to be a hot spot for great food and even greater company on the Florida Road strip. The atmosphere boasts a laid back "Chilled" vibe , being by the coast and loving good #Meat is what they are all about . These sanctuaries for meat lovers serve the best grain fed beef South Africa has to offer and their wet & dry aging process results in exceptional quality and texture.  Their in house butcheries will cut

Paradise found: Romance at Azura Retreats As far as romantic getaways go, an idyllic retreat in a remote location is hard to match. The beauty of the wild, coupled with a sense of being on your own is the ideal way to spend some one-on-one time. A getaway to Azura Boutique Retreats in Mozambique or Tanzania goes beyond this though – the exceptional and personal service, special once-in-a-lifetime natural encounters and level of seclusion give it an x-factor that’s hard to find. These three secluded properties offer pristine environments and astounding natural beauty, but also the ultimate in luxury – your itinerary will be tailored to you entirely, so that your trip for two is exactly what you want it to be, whether that’s a few days of total downtime in the sun and the spa, or it’s an adventure-filled trip of exploring your destination’s unspoilt natural wonders. Azura Benguerra Island and Azura Quilalea Private Island in Mozambique are the ultimate in outdoor bliss

Red Rock brewing Company .. The Local brew http://www.redrock.co.za/ The inspiration behind RedRock. Taking inspiration from rock legends and songs, the RedRock range celebrates life, music and great times. For many, Rock is not merely about the music; it’s a way of life that symbolizes freedom, rebelliousness, creativity and non-conformity – a universally shared history. RedRock beers are a celebration of all that is good. Celebrating the best in life, under African skies. The perfect amalgamation of beautiful red African sunsets, vibrant people and cultures with a little bit of the American dream and rock music added to the brew, RedRock’s range of beers celebrates the open freedom of our country and the endless roads that need to be explored. “Red” denotes the colours and passion of our people, breathtaking sunsets and the hues of a rich and fruitful earth. “Rock” is derived from the original South African artists, the San people and their mos

BE DAZZLED THIS NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE OYSTER BOX WITH ‘A NIGHT AT THE TAJ MAHAL’ Busy Tuk Tuks transporting people to and fro, fragrant food stalls, hookah pipes, the gleaming white Taj Mahal and the heady smell of incense in the air – you would be forgiven for thinking you were in a colourful Indian bazaar. But this will be the backdrop for The Oyster Box’s lavish New Year’s Eve party, ‘A Night at the Taj Mahal’. Marvel at the flame throwers or steep yourself in henna in the mehndi lounge all while enjoying the strains of a live Bollywood Band or Jani Punjab’s sweet melodies. Dazzling women elegantly draped in saris of crushed silk and dapper men in their bejewelled turbans will be the order of the evening, as they ring in the new year with a traditional Indian feast. It will be a night of charm and romance as we enter a bygone era of India’s intoxicating hospitality of old. Date:   Saturday 31 December Time:   19h00 Venue:   Grill Room, Pearl Room and Ocean