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    Port Edward

    South Africa

    Port Edward

    City

    Port Edward is the southernmost town on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, right on the border with the Eastern Cape. Quiet beaches, the Umtamvuna Gorge, and the Red Desert make it a relaxed stop on the South Coast.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. South Africa
    7. KwaZulu-Natal
    9. Port Edward
    Port Edward is the southernmost town on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, right on the border with the Eastern Cape. Quiet beaches, the Umtamvuna Gorge, and the Red Desert make it a relaxed stop on the South Coast.

    Sights in Port Edward

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    The Red Desert

    1The Red Desert

    The Red Desert is not a true desert, but a small area of red, eroded sand in the middle of the green coastal region north of Port Edward. A short detour for a walk and photos is worthwhile, most beautiful in the soft light of the morning or late afternoon.
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    Umtamvuna Nature Reserve

    2Umtamvuna Nature Reserve

    The Umtamvuna Nature Reserve protects the deep sandstone gorge of the Umtamvuna, forming the border with the Eastern Cape. Marked trails traverse forest and grassland to gorge viewpoints. Mornings are cooler; you'll spot more birds.
    Open in Google Maps
    Wild Coast Sun

    3Wild Coast Sun

    Resort with casino, water park and golf course, just over the Eastern Cape border, minutes south of Port Edward.
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    Restaurants & Cafes

    1

    E.A.T (Extraordinary, Always, Tasty)

    Restaurant in Corner of Lincoln ave.
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    Culture

    The South Coast is shaped by Zulu culture; south of the border lies the Xhosa and Mpondo territory. Port Edward itself is a quiet holiday resort; you'll find major cultural attractions rather in Durban.

    On the go

    Port Edward is most easily reached by rental car via the N2 and R61 from Durban. Public transport is scarce. Locally, you'll also need a car for the Umtamvuna Reserve, the Red Desert and Wild Coast Sun.

    Accommodations in Port Edward

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      Trip to Port Edward

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      • 1The Red Desert3 days
      • 2Umtamvuna Nature Reserve4 days
      • 3Wild Coast Sun5 days
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    Nearby

    Port Shepstone

    Port Shepstone

    Port Shepstone lies at the mouth of the Umzimkulu and is the supply hub for the KZN South Coast. For you, the town is primarily a base for the surrounding beaches and Oribi Gorge.
    Port St. Johns

    Port St. Johns

    Port St. Johns lies at the mouth of the Umzimvubu on the Wild Coast, flanked by two tall, wooded mountains forming a gateway over the river. The small, somewhat sleepy town is a starting point for beaches, coastal hikes, and excursions into rural Pondoland.
    Wild Coast

    Wild Coast

    The Wild Coast is a roughly 250 km stretch of Eastern Cape coastline from East London to the KwaZulu-Natal border. Green hills dotted with Xhosa rondavels reach cliffs, secluded bays, and river mouths. Most famous is the rock arch Hole in the Wall near Coffee Bay.
    Coffee Bay

    Coffee Bay

    Coffee Bay is a small town on the Wild Coast, approximately 90 kilometers southeast of Mthatha. Backpackers, surfers, and hikers come for the bays, the Xhosa villages on the hills, and the Hole in the Wall rock arch a few kilometers to the south.
    Mthatha

    Mthatha

    Mthatha is the largest city of the former Transkei and the gateway to the Wild Coast. Here stands the Nelson Mandela Museum, and nearby are Mandela's birthplace Mvezo and his childhood village Qunu.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Pexels. Each photo carries its credit.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI