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Road Tripping From Durban To Umngazi Hotel & Spa: What To Expect And Where To Stop Along The Way

Posted on: January 1, 2024, in Latest News

Road Tripping From Durban To Umngazi Hotel & Spa: What To Expect And Where To Stop Along The Way

Umngazi Hotel & Spa is a mere six to seven hour drive from King Shaka Airport in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal. You can opt to drive it in one go or take it slow and stop along the way. 

Banana plantations, sugarcane farms, rocky beaches, and other beautiful tropical scenery awaits you on your journey. If you’ve never driven the route before, we’ve put together a list of popular pit stops, as well as some tips to make sure you’re as prepared and comfortable as possible for the drive ahead.

(If you’re not interested in driving to the hotel, and would rather arrive by air, we’ve got a Fly-In service available for you. Check it out here). 

Coffee Stops to Break the Trip

MacBanana and Beaver Creek are two unique coffee shops situated in Port Edward, approximately 2.5 hours from King Shaka airport and just off the N2. 

MacBanana is the perfect place to stock up on car snacks, or as the South Africans would say, padkos. They have everything from olives and biltong to fresh-from-the-hive honey and other delectable sweet treats. There’s also a quaint restaurant on-site with a lovely dam view, so make sure to enjoy a cuppa before you hit the road. 

Beaver Creek offers caffeine-lovers the chance to stop and enjoy a range of delicious coffee using beans grown on-site. Enjoy a farm tour, or pop in at the deli to purchase a range of unique (and tantalising) local products to enjoy on your holiday. 

Detours to be Aware of

Once you’ve passed through Port Edward and Bizana and are driving the R61 to Port St. Johns (en route to the Umngazi turnoff), it’s important to note that it is recommended to take the detour around Flagstaff rather than drive through the town, which can get very busy during the day.  Flagstaff is approximately 4.5 – 5hrs from the airport.(https://www.umngazi.co.za/location/)  There will also be two stop go’s following the detour – one just after Flagstaff and the other after Port St Johns. 

Petrol & Toilet Break

As you start nearing the Umngazi turnoff, it’s a good idea to stop off at the Lusikisiki Engen petrol station to fill up your tank, have a loo break (R2 will get you entrance to the sparkly clean toilets), and grab some refreshments for the last hour of your drive. We highly recommend this garage as a final pit stop before making your way to the hotel (which is now just over an hour away)!

Umngazi Hotel & Spa | Umngazi 

Finally, you have reached your destination. You deserve to kick off your shoes, let down your hair, and enjoy the perfect holiday filled with beaching, eating, sleeping, spa-ing, and exploring the spectacular Umngazi surroundings. We offer a selection of adventurous, outdoor activities, as well as relaxing spaces to lie in the sun and completely unwind. 

If you’d like to discuss routes, transport options or anything else related to your trip to Umngazi, or for booking your stay with us, please email us at requests@umngazi.co.za or call us on 047-564 1115/6/8/9. We would love to be a part of your journey. 

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