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Awaiting Your Return FROM Shore |
Richards Bay was named
after Frederick William Richards, a Commander with the Royal Navy. When he
learned of the conflict the English experienced in Zululand, Richards
arrived with 250 men in support of his countrymen. He surveyed the coast in
1879. The result was a map where he showed the Mhlathuze Lagoon as Richards
Bay.
In 1906, development of the area got underway with the founding of the
Zululand Fisheries and the first ox wagon track leading inland to the sugar
town of Empangeni. In 1928, a hotel and store were built; gradually Richards
Bay developed FROM a fishermen's village into the economic center of
Northern Kwazulu-Natal.
The new deep-water port established in 1976 is second in size to Durban,
but handles more cargo than any other port in the province. In its wake, a
number of large and small industries, hotels, shops and restaurants have
sprung up, causing the town to develop at a record-breaking pace. The
surrounding area with its game reserves, exotic vegetation and native
villages provides the real attraction.
For many visitors to South Africa, Zululand is often the only taste they
get of the "real" Africa. It covers much of central Kwazulu-Natal and
includes the port of Richards Bay and the adjacent Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game
Park. The region is dominated by one tribal group, the Zulu; their customs,
historical traditions and culture are evident throughout the area. The name
Zulu derives FROM an early chief, whose descendants were called aba-kwa
Zulu, or people of Zulu. Their capital is Ulundi, located north of the
Tugela River. Much of Zululand consists of attractive rolling hills in the
interior and coastal areas, where it is usually hot and humid.
Please Note: Richards Bay has a very limited amount of
tour vehicles. Additional equipment has to be brought FROM Durban, making
the tours rather costly.
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Awaiting Your Return
FROM Shore |
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Complimentary
Spirits Await |
Return to Your
Suite and Sail Away to The Next Adventure |
Entertainment
and Dancing Await You |
