Things to Do in St Michaels on Sea

If you’re on holiday with kids along the Hibiscus Coast drive them straight to Pure Venom Reptile Park. Here they can eyeball some of the most fearsome and venomous snakes on the planet; count all 70 teeth of a crocodile and stroke the scales of an iguana. If you’re brave enough you can even have your mug shot taken while holding a python, mamba, cobra or viper! The park is situated on an old estate in Izotsha near Shelly Beach. The beautiful grounds are graced by enormous wild olive trees that date back to the 1800s. Publicized as the biggest reptile farm in Africa, it is home to an awesome collection of indigenous and exotic reptiles. This includes nine species of rattlesnake, the largest variation of this species outside the USA, and five species of crocodile. The highly threatened giant sungazer lizard breeds here and you might even witness the mating and courtship rituals of gaboon vipers, boomslang and mambas. Kids big and small will be thrilled as they get up close and personal with numerous snakes, iguanas and crocodiles. Pure Venom Reptile Park also presents an interesting educational experience. Here you will find out funky facts about snakes including the fact that egg-eating snakes have teeth in their necks and mole snakes have up to ninety five babies! Guided tours and snake demonstrations are on offer daily. Don’t miss witnessing the fascinating spectacle of crocodiles and alligators being fed on Sundays. +27 (0) 39 685 0704 Open daily 09:00 – 17:00.

Shelly Centre is easily the South Coast’s most popular seaside shopping destination. The light and airy complex houses a variety of shops and six cinemas, all under one roof.Situated on Marine Drive and just off the N2, getting there is easy. Three entrances into the parking areas provide effortless access for shoppers. Secure parking and the friendly environment make for a relaxed shopping experience.You will find Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Edgars, Foschini, Truworths, The Hub, @ Home and CNA as well as numerous specialist retail stores and specialist services.

Easily one of the most popular courses on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, Southbroom Golf Course continues to enhance its course and has become one of the top 100 golf courses in South Africa.The central point of Southbroom village, the course is surrounded by palm trees and lush tropical plants with superlative Indian Ocean views.The 18-hole Southbroom golf course is challenging enough, and becomes more so when the course gets windswept. The par-3 fourth is the best known of the two coastal holes. On calm days it's described as a wedge, but becomes a tiger when the wind is blowing into you.Players will encounter water in the form of both dams and a river. A cautious strategy is required to negotiate the features of this attractive course.Impressive views of unspoiled beaches and the ocean; the peacefulness of playing next to the indigenous foliage of the Frederika Nature Reserve; and the elegant atmosphere of Southbroom village make for a memorable golfing experience. Each of the 18-holes has a unique attribute and will even test the skills of the most proficient golfers.

Home to over 200 adult Nile crocodiles and numerous juveniles, Riverbend Crocodile Farm has become a popular spot for families holidaying in Southbroom. A number of bird species also share the space on this beautiful estate that has landscaped breeding enclosures similar to the feisty reptiles’ natural habitat. The snake house houses some of the southern Africa’s most deadly and handsome snakes. On Sundays and more frequently during the holiday season, interesting and informative snake presentations take place. The education centre’s displays uncover the mysteries and life cycle of crocodiles and snakes. It also gives an overview of the daily activities on the farm. The highlight of any visit is feeding time and when the crocodiles hatch during January and February. +27 (0) 39 316 6204 Old Main Road, Southbroom, KwaZulu-Natal.

The incredibly scenic Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve lies 21 kilometres inland from Port Shepstone, perfect for a day trip or weekend escape. Part of this Emzemvelo KZN Wildlife reserve’s appeal is the impressive gorge carved by the Umzimkulwana River. This photographer's and nature lover's paradise offers some lovely walks to picturesque spots. Numerous picnic sites are dotted along the river banks but don’t be tempted to swim or you may risk contracting bilharzia. The overnight camp has a reservoir swimming pool with a sundeck for residents’ use. The reserve is home to bushbuck, common reedbuck, oribi, blue and grey duiker and the rarely seen leopard. Twitchers will find Oribi a rewarding birding experience with a bird list numbers 250 species.

The Oribi Gorge is a 330 metre high abyss sliced by the Umzimkulu River. Just 20 kilometres inland from Port Shepstone, the scenically stunning area has become a playground for adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers. Here you can hurtle off the edge on a ‘bridge-swing’ or if you’re a little less daring you can try the 120-metre foefie slide. No trip is complete without white-water rafting down the frothing, seething chasm.The Wild Gorge swing is situated at the top of Lehrs falls and is the highest swing in the world. One steps off the waterfall to swing into the dark depths of the gorge in a 100 metre arc – an exhilarating experience that leaves you breathless. And if adrenaline is not your thing, the gorgeous scenery and tranquillity of this Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Reserve is just as delightful. The reserve offers numerous walks and self-guided trails and is a photographer's dream.

Join a heart-warming educational experience and support the gentle wildlife residents at Crag’s View Wild Care Centre. Situated on Crag’s View Farm, Crag’s View Wild Care Centre is the only official wildlife rehabilitation centre serving the lower South Coast region. Animals and birds that have sustained injuries or are orphaned mainly due to human influence are rehabilitated for release into the wild. Patients include the rare blue duiker, bush buck, other antelope and a variety of birds and small mammals indigenous to the area. Crag’s View Wild Care Centre offers their educational talk and experience from Monday to Sunday at 10 am by appointment only. +27 (0) 39 311 2488 wildlife@cragsview.co.za Crag’s View Farm, Izingolweni Road, Port Edward.

Ever wondered how your caffeine fix became a brew? Visit the Beaver Creek Coffee Estate and take their ‘crop to cup’ tour. Along with sampling fine coffees to experience the distinguishing flavours of the World’s coffee regions, visitors learn the skills that create the perfect cup. Booking is essential for the tours and there is a small fee. Beaver Creek also offers freshly roasted speciality coffees, light lunches and delicious cakes at The Estate Café. When it comes to good coffee you are in excellent hands. From Crop to Cup Tour: daily tour starts at 12:00 and cost R20. Booking is essential. Estate Café Restaurant Times: 08:00 – 16:00 every day of the year except for Christmas day. +27 (0) 39 311 2347.

Port Edward’s unusual claim to fame is the Red Desert, reputed to be the smallest desert in the world. At just 200 m in width, it stands in stark contrast to the surrounding lush, tropical vegetation. Extra-terrestrial landings, excessive overgrazing and many other intriguing tales are attributed to its origins. The surrounding grasslands, forests and wetlands are home to a number of rare endemic plants. Archeological artifacts have also been unearthed. Hit the trail on foot or mountain bike and check out the magnificent view over the Umtamvuna Estuaryfrom the cliff top. Clearwater Trails offer walking or mountain biking trips along the Umtamvuna Gorge starting at the viewing deck upriver, ending at the Umtamvuna Bridge. Photo credit: Dave Watson

The new multi-million Wild Waves Water Park at the Wild Coast Sun is guaranteed to thrill. This expansive water park provides exciting rides suitable for kids and adults alike. Try the “Boomeranga”, an exhilarating tube ride unlike any other. Or how about the “Aqua Loop” for a body-slide adventure in a capsule. Then there’s the powerful water force of the “SuperBowl” and “Speed Slides”, one of the tallest, fastest, steepest and most adrenaline-pumping water-spray experiences on the globe. Catch your breath on “The Lazy River” or join your little ones for fun in the safe children’s interactive AquaPlay area. Open daily from 09:00 to 17:00.

Umdoni Golf Course has a considerable reputation in Kwa-Zulu Natal, being regarded as breathtakingly beautiful and hugely pleasurable to play. The course of 18 holes is over truly striking terrain, with the front 9 running alongside the sea and the back nine stretching inland through dense indigenous forest vegetation. Anything but flat, Umdoni Golf Course and it's elevation changes not only translate into an adventure of judgment and shot-making but provides any number of 'view-site moments'. On a fine day, lush fairways underfoot and with the ocean swells just breaking into whitecaps, a round at Umdoni is food for the soul - this is how golf is meant to be.

Rated independently by Golf Digest magazine as a top 100 South African golf course, Selborne Golf Course is one of the most spectacular 18 hole golf courses in southern Africa. Wild coastal forest frames a superbly manicured course where the only disturbance may be one of nature’s creatures. The golf course is a superb masterpiece affording golfers breathtaking scenery as they weave their way through manicured fairways and coastal forest. Selborne is also situated on South Africa’s 'Golf Coast'. Within an hour's drive of Selborne are a number of other top golf courses – 11 of them in Golf Digest’s top 100 courses. In terms of the ultimate golfing experience, Selborne is the recipient of Complete Golfer's Five-star Golf Experience Award; based on service excellence, top-class clubhouse facilities, golf course conditioning and last but not least the overall lingering experience.

With hundreds of bird species, Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve is a twitchers delight as well as a stunning place to chill out in nature for the day. This 'island' of coastal evergreen forest, bush and grassland mosaic, streams, dams, marshes in a 'sea' of sugarcane, gum plantations and tribal lands. This 2 139 ha oasis is home to over 300 bird species, 100 of which can easily be recorded in a summer morning's birding. These include a number of forest and grassland specials and the magnificent African Crowned Eagle and Martial Eagle.Other fine feathered friends to look out for are the Black Sparrowhawk, Lemon Dove, African Emerald Cuckoo, Green Malkoha, Narina Trogon, Brown Scrub-Robin, Yellow-throated Woodland-Warbler, Blue-mantled Crested-Flycatcher, Black-bellied Starling, Green Twinspot, Red-winged Francolin, Broad-tailed Warbler, Short-tailed Pipit, Plain-backed Pipit, Lazy Cisticola, Zitting Cisticola, Wing-snapping Cisticola, Pale-crowned Cisticola, Mountain Wagtail, African Pygmy-Kingfisher, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Greater Honeyguide and Lesser Honeyguide.Need to know? The Reserve is managed by the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. Facilities include good gravel roads, walking trails, picnic sites and toilets, and a small hutted camp. Day visitor Entry fee: R10 per adult R5 per child. Gate Opening and Closing Times: Summer (October to March) 06h00 to 18h00 Winter (April to September) 06h00 to 17h00.Check out http://wiki.sabirding.co.za

Scottburgh Golf Club offers an undulating 18 hole course that travels along the coastline through the small village of Scottburgh. With the lush sub-tropical vegetation in your surrounds and glorious ocean views in the backdrop, this golf course offers a relaxed atmosphere throughout the challenge of the course.

Nature lovers and hikers look no further than the Mkhambathi Nature Reserve. This subtropical walker’s paradise has much to offer with a long stretch of coastline and an extensive choice of hikes. Characterised by open grasslands, indigenous forest patches and swamp forests, Mkhambathi Nature Reserve is fringed by the beautiful forested ravines of the Msikaba and Mtentu Rivers. Most of the reserve is rolling grassland, supporting an intriguing diversity of plant life. Of all the rivers running through the reserve, the sparkling pools and series of waterfalls on the Mkhambathi River are the most stunning. The Horseshoe Falls is particularly awesome. Downstream the river cascades over the Strandloper and Mkhambathi Falls before crashing into the ocean. Birds to spot include the Ground-hornbill, Red-shouldered widow, Yellow-throated longclaw, Common waxbill, Croaking cisticola, Orange-throated Longclaw, Gurney’s sugarbird and Greater double-collared sunbird.

Scottburgh Beach is a hub of activity throughout the year. With shark nets in place and lifeguards on duty all year round, it is a safe bathing beach with a host of fun things to do for the whole family. Activities on the beach include a super tube waterslide, mini-golf, canoe hire (fabulous for leisurely trips up the lagoon), fishing, body board and surfboard hire. During peak season orbing and abseiling is also on offer. Scottburgh Beach is close to numerous restaurants, bars, curio shops, surf shops and takeaway outlets.

Find out how many teeth crocodiles have and other amazing facts. Daily crocodile tours offer a fascinating experience where visitors can learn about the lifestyle of crocs from newborn hatchlings to 100-year-old giants during their feeding times at 11:00 and 15:00. The lush park comprises gardens and indigenous forest where numerous reptiles, mammals and birds can be viewed safely in their natural habitats. A farmyard section offers young visitors an experience of a variety of domesticated animals including sheep, goats and horses. On site is a curio shop and the Crocodilian Restaurant with great views over the park.

Warner Beach offers excellent surfing conditions and is home to some of the top surfers on the planet. It's also a popular kite surfing beach and has a lovely little beach shop and take-away outlet, ample parking and showers. Not far lies the legendary Aliwal Shoal, one of South Africa’s best dive sites. Whales and dolphins can often be spotted from the shore. The annual Sardine Run passes Warner Beach, attracting scores of tourists, divers and fishermen to the area.

Home to the Baggies Surf Pro, Baggies Beach is a hot surf spot and playground of international surfer Frankie Oberholzer. The beach kiosk makes the best 'Surfer Special' sandwiches. Sometimes called Warner Beach, the long sandy beach is popular with locals who come to watch the kite surfers or the sun go down. In season lifesavers are on duty and it is one of the best places to hang out on the South Coast during summer holidays. Baggies Beach has a stunning natural tidal pool teeming with sea life. Bring your goggles and flippers and swim amongst the fish. During June and July residents and visitors flock to the beach to witness the phenomenal annual Sardine Run, considered one of the largest migrations on the planet. This major event on the diving calendar attracts numerous international photographers and documentary film-makers eager to capture images of the spectacle.