The district of Southbroom includes the coastal villages of Southbroom, Trafalgar, San Lameer and Canaan. Referred to as the Hibiscus Coast, the area is on the South coast of the Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa, stretching between the Mbizane and Mpenjati rivers. The Hibiscus plant, or wild cotton tree, is common in the area and produces a profusion of brightly coloured flowers amongst the lush green foliage.
Southbroom experiences subtropical weather with average annual temperatures ranging between 22° and 26° Celsius. The area can be visited year round, even in winter the weather remains mild.
Southbroom has the nature reserve and golf course along the coastline. The residents’ determination to keep the area ecologically sound, has ensured that Southbroom remains a sparkling example of natural beach frontage and pristine coastal dunes.
Top 6 reasons to visit Southbroom
1. You can spend a day at one of the many swimming beaches in Southbroom. Shark nets protect this section of the coast and both Marina and Trafalgar Beach have Blue Flag status. Children love to explore Granny’s Pool, a calm tidal pool. The beaches here are good for surfing too.
2. The 18-hole Southbroom Golf Club has been previously rated top fun golf course, yet challenging enough to require the use of all clubs. The large leguaan (water monitor) is frequently seen around the lakes.
3. Southbroom hosts an annual festive New Year’s Party, said to be South Africa’s biggest beach party. Tickets go on sale well in advance of the event.
4. Relax at the Camelot Spa at San Lameer. A 2-hour package includes a salt scrub, detox body wrap followed by a Swedish body massage, sure to leave you stress-free and ready for your holiday!
5. Hike the 8ha Frederika Nature Preserve on the trails leading through rare dune forest. The Preserve has a variety of buck species, birdlife and other smaller mammals.
6. A fun family outing can be enjoyed at the Riverbend Crocodile Farm. Crocodile feeding takes place every Sunday, snake demonstrations are conducted daily, the farm has an informative education centre and the hosts offer tours of a working banana farm.
Transport
Southbroom is 150km from Durban’s King Shaka International Airport. Margate airport is 15km from Southbroom for chartered flights. Various car rental agencies are based at King Shaka Airport or book your vehicle online. A few metered taxi companies operate from Margate, however, it’s best to hire a car.
Did you know?
Young Selso the elephant seal made the news when he was found stranded on Southbroom Beach in June 2013. He was rehabilitated, fitted with a tracking device and released. His movements showed that he journeyed 12000km in 1 year, travelling from the South African coast to the Arctic shelf and back. He has since been spotted on Marion Island, looking fat and fit, and is likely to remain there.
Visit Umkobi lagoon just before sundown to watch the masses of European swallow return to roost. The birds perch in the reed beds in the evenings, without building a nest and sometimes up to 8 on a single reed. This nightly return of the innumerable amount of birds, swooping over the lagoon, is a truly majestic sight.
