Umlalazi Nature Resort

Umlalazi Nature Resort is a lovely coastal reserve and conveniently situated one km from Mtunzini on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.

The resort was established as a protected area in 1948 and is 1 028 hectares in extent. Home of the palmnut vulture, which is one of the rarest birds of prey in South Africa, Umlalazi Nature Resort offers several forms of relaxation.

Limited water-skiing and good fishing are enjoyed in the lagoon, but crocodiles and sharks may be present at times.

The beach is popular for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, angling and other water sports. Recreational facilities include trampolines, a tennis wall, swings and other playground equipment.

The resort has a swimming pool.

By arrangement guests can enjoy a sumptuous beach braai in the evening combined with a barge cruise on the river.

Three trails have been laid out in the reserve. There is an easy walk through one of the best examples of mangrove swamps in South Africa, where several species of mangrove can be found.

A second walk leads through the dune forest where bushpig, bushbuck and red, grey and blue duiker may occasionally be seen.

A third trail leads through dune forest and mangrove swamp along the edge of the river. Wildflowers and a great variety of bird life can be seen. Visitors may also come across colonies of fiddler crabs and fascinating mudskippers.

There is well stocked curio shop which sells local crafts and curios, books, beer, wine, cool drinks, light snacks and ice creams.

Please Note in terms of recent legislation all persons operating crafts in these inland waters must be in possession of a appropriate & valid skippers ticket.

Accommodation at Umlalazi Nature Resort:
Umlalazi camp features thirteen four-bed log cabins set into the lush coastal dune forest.

Each log cabin consists of two bedrooms, a combined lounge/dining room, a fully equipped kitchenette, a bathroom with shower or bath, verandas and barbecue facilities. All 13 units are equipped with DSTV.

Cots and highchairs are available for children. Cabins are fully equipped, but visitors must bring their own provisions and are responsible for their own cooking and washing up. The cabins are serviced daily. There are no razor plug points.

This beautiful coastal reserve is conveniently nestled in the dunes and thick coastal forest was established as a protected area in 1948 and is 1 028 hectares in extent. Umlalazi Nature Reserve has the rare distinction of offering two unique and unusual attractions: it is home to the Palmnut Vulture, which is one of the rarest birds of prey in South Africa and also home to the fascinating Raffia Palm Monument. The raffia palm is the largest palm in the world.

The estuary provides an ideal nursery ground for juvenile fish and you can often see shoals of young mullet swimming on the surface.
Water-skiing, boating and canoeing can be enjoyed on the Umlalazi River and the surf and lagoon fishing is also excellent. Vast stretches of uncrowded beaches are outstanding for swimming, surfing, windsurfing and angling as well as for long beach walks. Recreational facilities include trampolines, a swimming pool, a tennis wall, swings and other playground equipment.

Three trails have been laid out in the reserve. There is an easy walk through one of the best examples of mangrove swamps in South Africa, where several species of mangrove can be found. A second walk leads through the dune forest where bush pig, bushbuck and red, grey and blue duiker may occasionally be seen.
A third trail leads through dune forest and mangrove swamp along the edge of the river. Umlalazi is superb wildflowers and for birding, with a great variety of bird life to be seen. Visitors may also come across colonies of fiddler crabs and fascinating mud-skippers.

WHAT TO DO ON ARRIVAL
All visitors who have reserved accommodation are requested to check in at the reception office by 16:00 on the day of arrival.
Late arrivals can complete the register at the entrance gate and check in at the reception office the following morning.

GENERAL
- Food supplies, beach equipment, medical facilities and supplies are available in Mtunzini village.
- Curios, souvenirs, charcoal, bait (sardines, shrimp and squid) may be purchased from the reception office during reception office hours.
- Canoes for use on the river are available for hire from the reception office.
- Fuel and oil can be obtained at the garage near the Mtunzini turn-off.
- A washing machine and tumble drier are available.
- No pets are allowed in the reserve.
- Portable generators are not allowed.
- Visitors are advised to take precautions against malaria before, during and after a visit to the area.
- The entrance gates to the reserve open at 05:00 and close at 22:00 throughout the year.

HOW TO GET THERE
Follow the N2 freeway to the Mtunzini turn-off, which is situated 132 km north of Durban.
The reserve is signposted at this junction and access to the reserve, approximately 4 km further on, is through Mtunzini village.

Facilities and Services:
FRONT OFFICE
Reception including the curio shop is open from 08:00 16:00 daily.
Laundry facilities

GATE OPENING AND CLOSING TIMES
Summer: 05:00 22:00
Winter: 05:00 22:00

CURIO SHOP
Our curio shop is stocked with curios, books, cards, beers, wines, cool drinks, wood, charcoal and bait and is open every day between 08:00 16:00.

CHECK OUT
We request you to check out by 10:00 on the day of your departure to afford us sufficient time to prepare chalets for our next guests.
Please keep your checkout receipt safe as it will be requested from you when signing out at the main gate.
Should you require checking out earlier than 07:00 please make arrangements a day before.
Please be advised that should you not vacate your unit by 10:00 you will be charged the additional full daily rate.

HOUSEKEEPING
Your chalets are serviced daily between 07:30 and 14:00. Should you require your towels to be changed please leave them on the floor.

LAUNDRY SERVICES
Coin operated washing machines, tumble dryers and hand wash facilities are available at the rondavel complex.
Only automatic washing powder can be used. No attendant is available to operate the machine. Change can be requested at the office. A coin operated washing machine and tumble drier is available at Inkwazi camp.

BATHROOM RETRACTABLE DRYING LINE
For your convenience each chalet has been equipped with a retractable drying line, where light items of laundry may be hung.
Please do not hang any washing on the verandah.

CHALETS KEYS
All chalets are equipped with locks and keys which are obtained upon check-in.
Please ensure that your chalet key is left at reception when checking out.

FIREARMS
Firearms must be declared on arrival

CANOES
Canoes for use in the lagoon are available for hire.
Please enquire at the reception office.

SWIMMING POOL
The swimming pool is located at the northern end of the resort and is available for the use of residents only.
There are no towels provided at the swimming pool therefore guests are requested to bring towels their own towels. No diving is allowed at this pool and children are not allowed to swim unsupervised.

BRAAI FACILITIES
Each self-catering chalet is equipped with a braai stand.

FILLING STATION
Fuel is available at Mtunzini garage about 2km from Umlalazi Resort.

MAINTENANCE
Should you find that something in your room does not work, please inform the reception office for their immediate attention.

BLANKETS AND TOWELS
Additional blankets are stored in the wardrobes.
Should you require extras please contact housekeeping through reception.
Please do not use the towel for wiping the floor or as a beach towel.

ICE / CHARCOAL / WOOD
Ice is available for purchase at the curio shop.

ELECTRICITY
Although our chalets are supplied with Eskom electricity,
Please do not use double adaptors in the plug points.

COMPLAINTS
Should you have concerns of any nature, we would like to be given an opportunity to address these at the earliest convenience, so please speak to the Hospitality Manager at reception.

MONKEYS
Feeding monkeys is strictly forbidden.
Do not leave food unattended.
Please keep all the windows and doors to your chalet closed thereby avoiding temptation for the monkeys.
Displaying of fruit and food will tempt them to enter your chalet.

ANTS
We request your assistance in keeping areas clean at all the times by ensuring that there is no food over-spill, particularly oil and sugar, as these are an attraction to ants.

TV`S IN CHALETS
Each chalet has been equipped with DSTV with hotel bouquets only.
Please see enclosed TV instructions.

DRINKING WATER
Our tap water is safe to drink and a filled water bottle is in your refrigerator.

KITCHEN STOVE
Please do not use the oven and the large plate of the stove at the same time.

CASUAL LABOUR
Casual labour for chores may be organized at the office.
Their wages will be paid directly by your selves.

BEACH ABLUTION FACILITIES
User-pay beach ablutions because or our community out reach policy, we create business opportunities whenever possible and one such opportunity is the service of the beach ablutions.
Members of the community, who will be rendering such services will be charging R2,00 per person.