The small town of Mtubatuba is situated fifty five kilometers north of
Richards Bay, close to the entrance of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, making
it an ideal base for exploring the park . The town was established in a region
largely dominated by swampland of reeds and papyrus in 1903 and named after the
local Zulu chief. The town's early years were hampered by flooding. An
additional setback occurred during World War I when a ship carrying essential
parts of what was to be the town's first sugar mill was torpedoed, resulting in
the mill eventually being constructed in 1916 at nearby Riverview.
Mtubatuba has developed a long way from its early days as a humble railway
siding into a strong sub-regional commercial, service, transport and
administrative centre for the entire North Eastern Zululand region. In the last
few years there has been substantial commercial growth in Mtubatuba with retail
and wholesale outlets springing up in the region.
A notable venue for unforgettable outdoor family activities is the nearby
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game reserve,
awesome home of elephants, lion, both rhino species, countless plains game
abundant bird life and the typical Zululand flora of thorny scrub and indigenous
bush. The Reserve offers interesting 4x4 trails, revealing the secrets of the
bushveld. The park also offers a number of self-guided hiking trails which vary
in length, and guide books are available for visitors to help them interpret the
many points of interest along these trails. There is also a 40 seater boat which
takes visitors on guided trips twice a day along Hluhluwe dam, though the water
level of the river is sometimes too low for boat trips.
A slightly shorter distance east is the equally but differently charming St
Lucia and its accompanying wetlands and eventually the Pacific Ocean, home to
countless species of tropical fish. To reach St Lucia from Mtubabtuba, the R618
passes through the magnificent, almost primordial Dukuduku Forest, famous for
among other things, its rare tropical butterflies. A walk through the forest
takes you to Furululu Lake, with its abundance of ferns, orchids and the water
loving hippo.
The nearby beaches of Cape Vidal provide safe swimming areas and an amazing
tranquil setting for guests that want to soak up the sun. Due to popularity of
deep sea and spear fishing in this area, selected launch site for ski boats have
been provided at Cape Vidal's protected bay. There are also a number of guided
hiking paths around the fascinating wetlands and the Lake Bhangazi shoreline,
not to mention the site of the Dorothea shipwreck which adds to the unique vibe
of the area.
Another of the many attractions in the Mtubatuba area is the Dumazulu cultural
village, where visitors are able to enjoy an authentic African cultural
experience whilst staying in the traditional, ethnic accommodation at Dumazulu
Lodge. The village offers visitors a unique and informative glimpse into Zulu
traditions including basket-weaving, spear and shield making, beadwork,
pot-making, Sangoma bone-throwing and spectacular Zulu dancing.