The Monk’s Cowl Nature Reserve with its breathtaking vistas of sweeping grasslands on the lower reaches, to magnificent towering cliffs and waterfalls cascading for hundreds of meters makes this an area of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park worth visiting.
The National Road to Tsitsikamma runs through the dramatic Garden Route (between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth) – edged by the indigenous forest and Tsitsikamma Mountains on one side and coastal cliffs with seaside inlets on the other. The Big Tree is close to the charming little village of Storms River where one can stay nestled in the forest, book a zip-lining excursion, blackwater tubing, or Segway adventure tour, and also close to the magnificent Storms River Mouth – a jewel of the Tsitsikamma National Park that offers excellent hiking opportunities, snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, and kayaking into the ancient Storms River Gorge.
The Umhlanga Coast is characterized by long stretches of sandy beaches that promise stunning backdrops against which to swim, surf, or sunbathe. The Indian Ocean has particularly warm waters, averaging 24 to 26 degrees during the summer. The Umhlanga Coast is a magnificent stretch of the South African shoreline. It shows off the splendor and wonder of this country in a tranquil display that remains extremely powerful. There are a number of beaches along the Umhlanga Coast, spread through the areas of Umhlanga itself, La Lucia, Mount Edgecombe, and Umdloti.
