Richards Bay

Once a little fishing Village, Richards Bay is now a busy Harbour Town and popular KwaZulu-Natal Holiday Destination. Where one can enjoy activities like: 'Swimming; Surfing or Bird Watching'. It was also had a Temporary Harbour during the Anglo Boer War of 1879. Richards Bay was named after; British naval Commander Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards. He had landed troops on the Zululand Coast in 1879. After this event, Richards Bay went from small fishing Village to a major Port, opened in 1976. Richards Bay now boasts one the largest Coal Export Terminals, in the Africa. (It loads 65 Million Tons every Year making it the largest in Africa.) The terminal is owned by the Richards Bay Coal Terminal Company Ltd, a consortium of shareholding coal and coal logistics Companies. (The specialised Ships, are a must-see for Maritime buffs!) Richards Bay also offers some of the most spectacular Wetland scenery and unspoilt Beaches. The Zululand Birding Route includes Richards Bay Harbour and the Game Reserve, known also as New Mouth. The Area of Richards Bay covers: Sandbanks; Mud Flats; extensive Mangroves; Freshwater Pans and Forest Areas. Avid, Bird Watchers can spot a number of rarities such as the Cuckoo Hawk and Pygmy Goose. New Mouth, features a number of Water Birds as well as Hippos and Crocodiles. During the formalising of Richards Bay, a Sanctuary was created on the Southern side on the Mhlatuze River which includes the Estuary. This Area has become one of the most important Estuarine Habitats, on the Zululand Coast! The large Marina provides a nursery for Fish, Crustaceans and a variety of Marine and Aquatic Organisms.