Sizzle City Richards Bay Umhlathuze Tourism

Sizzle City Richards Bay Umhlathuze Tourism – In the early 1970’s Richards Bay was a small and sleepy coastal village that attracted many a fishermen. In 1976 Richards Bay developed a deep water harbour to export coal and so began the boom that attracted many other businesses to the town.

Today “Sizzle City” Richards Bay has become the commercial hub of Zululand and provides a wide variety of services.

• A medium-sized regional airport in Richards Bay provides an entry point for local and foreign visitors on about 40 maximum seat planes.
• International tourists also arrive by passenger liners at the Richards Bay Small Craft Harbour.

Sizzle City Richards Bay Umhlathuze Tourism – Where Situated

“Sizzle City” Richards Bay is situated about 20 km’s east of the N2 highway and about 180 km’s north of Durban. The N2 highway is the main road transport route in Zululand.

From Richards Bay it is a leisurely 1 hour drive to the South African World Heritage Site, Isimagaliso Wetland Park, Whale and Turtle Watching and Big 5 game reserves. The main Battlefields area between the Zulus, the British Empire and the Boers (Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift, Battle of Talana) is about a 3-hour drive.

Sizzle City Richards Bay Umhlathuze Tourism – Climate

Richards Bay is classified as having a subtropical climate with an average annual rainfall of about 1000 mm. The lowest rainfall is in June (winter) and the highest in February (summer). The average midday temperature ranges from 23 degrees C in June to 30 degrees C in January. Throughout the year the weather is ideal  for the beach and outdoor activities and an enticing climate for international tourist. However, it gets very hot and extremely humid in mid-summer, hence the description “sizzle” in Sizzle City.

Sizzle City Richards Bay Umhlathuze Tourism – Culture

The City prides itself on its multi-cultural diversity similar to much of South Africa, but we have the largest tribe in the Zulu, known as The People of Heaven. The area is also influenced by the many Indians in the City who arrived many years ago with the Indian Indenture.

Sizzle City Richards Bay Umhlathuze Tourism – Local Happenings

Outdoor and sporting enthusiasts can take advantage of the subtropical climate. The Alkantstrand Beach and Richards Bay Waterfront are both popular places to visit. The Richards Bay Port Festival, The Annual Beach Party (December), Indian Fair “Colors of India” and The Dolosfees (Afrikaans Music Festival) are popular annual events. There are also a number of monthly markets taking place in Richards Bay.