Umzinto

Umzinto, is located on the Umdoni Coast, on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, 10km inland from Park Rynie. Umzinto is named after the Mzinto River.

Umzinto, was one of the first sugarcane growing areas in the old Natal and the town was set up as the centre for the nearby sugar mill. The first public sugar mill company in Natal was established at Umzinto in 1858, but sadly 7 years later the mill was struck by lightning which lead to total bankruptcy.

Umzinto, is predominantly an Indian-influenced town, giving it an exotic air and the architecture is a mixture between Colonial and Indian. Shopping in this little town is a charming “Eastern” experience.

Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve is an half an hour away, a 2189ha reserve combining open grassland and coastal forest with more than 300 confirmed bird species and a wide range of wild animals including Eland, Implala and Bushbuck. Accommodation facilities in the reserve are available.

Getting there: Umzinto is 72km south of Durban on the N2. Turn off to Umzinto at Park Rynie.