On the northern side of the city of Durban are the Umgeni River Mouth and the up-market areas of Durban North and Umhlanga. Umhlanga means "Place of Reeds" in the Zulu language, referring to the beds of reeds that accumulate on the banks of the Ohlanga river a few kilometres North of present day Umhlanga Rocks.

The area used to be part of a coastal dune forest system many years ago and provided sanctuary to a multitude of bird and wildlife species, of which many can still be found in bird, marine, and wildlife preserves in and around the area today.

Umhlanga is a popular holiday area noted for its fine beaches, surrounding environment and excellent leisure and shopping centres. This seaside resort of Umhlanga was originally part of the sugar estate of Sir Marshall Campbell, who introduced the colourful rickshaws to Durban’s beachfront. When a track was made from Mount Edgecombe to Umhlanga Rocks, the area became popular with the local farmers who leased small plots on the shoreline of the ocean and built vacation cottages. In 1931, Umhlanga Rocks became a village and additional cottages, hotels, guest houses and stores were built.

The first beach cottage, the Oyster Box, was built in 1869 and became the present day Oyster Box Hotel. The tin roof of this cottage was used as a navigational beacon, until the automatic lighthouse was built in 1953. The Natal coast is Great White Shark territory and in the late 1950’s a number of serious shark attacks occurred, so in 1962 the first shark nets were erected. Now you can swim in safety and sunbathe on the glorious beaches.

Just 15 minutes north of Durban, Durban North and Umhlanga have become the playgrounds of the young and old who visit this Indian Ocean resort to experience miles of attractive beaches and an array of sophisticated shopping malls. In spite of Umhlanga's phenomenal growth rate, much of its village ambience has been retained and Umhlanga has become a premier holiday resort for sun worshippers and fun seekers alike. The Gateway Shopping and Entertainment Centre, is the largest shopping and entertainment centre in the Southern Hemisphere.

Durban North and Umhlanga have excellent swimming and bathing conditions, making the golden beaches a popular destination even for Durban. Umhlanga offers a 2,7km paved shoreline route, which is ideal for a scenic jog or relaxing stroll in the sunshine.

The Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve is situated on the North Bank of the Mgeni River, and has the largest population of mangrove trees in the Durban area, while fiddler crabs and mudskippers inhabit the swamp. The black mangrove, the red mangrove, and the white mangrove may be seen. The area is used as a Nature Conservation Education Centre. There are three trails in the reserve, taking the visitors to the bird hide and to the swamp, where waders come to feed. On the shoreline, there are sand dunes where creeping plants and pioneer scrub are to be found. There is some birdlife, including the Mangrove Kingfisher, Curlew and Water Dikkop. The Natal Nightjar may sometimes be heard.

The 18-hole Mount Edgecomble Golf Club has one of the country's highest-rated courses.

A natural sheltered bathing area in Umhlanga caused by two rocky outcrops. The ski boat launching site is used by local fisherman and boasts a fascinating array of small marine life.

This beautiful forest is a unique, indigenous woodland area that, after centuries, still remains unspoiled. Preserved in its natural environment, the Hawaan forest is home to a large number of animals and a wealth of birds. Containing many different tree species with tropical attributes, it is a must for the nature and bird lover. To continue preservation of this unspoilt area, the Hawaan trails are not open to the public. Walks may however be arranged with the Umhlanga Centre of the Wildlife Society.

There are more than one hundred species of shark in the waters around South Africa, from the pygmy shark to the whale shark and including the great white. As a consequence of seven shark attacks on the KwaZulu Natal South Coast in one week in 1957, the Natal Sharks Board was formed to research sharks and to develop measures to prevent a recurrence of the attacks. You can visit the Sharks Board, the only organisation of its kind in the world, for demonstrations, talks and shark dissections. There is an audio visual show and a curios shop on site, and you can also book to go out with the Sharks Board boats at dawn when they check the shark nets that keep Durban's beaches safe.

The SAAF and Durban participate in the annual air show at Virginia Airport. The Air Show takes place at the height of the July holiday season and offers a full programme of events featuring a non-stop series of high-powered flying demonstrations, thrilling air acrobatics and new aircraft on display.