LIGHTHOUSES OF SOUTH AFRICA : UMHLANGA

Sunday 10 May 2026

We found easy parking for the cars and caravans behind the Ocean Mall and marched into the Oyster Box Hotel in our " camping clothes" and straight up to the Lighthouse Bar on the 3rd floor.

Neil loves this bar and whenever we are in Umchlanga we always come for sundowners.

Today we enjoyed morning tea and scones and a special view of the lighthouse. No.5.

How different this experience was compared to the other lighthouse quests so far! This journey is awesome!

KZN CAMPING TRIP 2026 : ZINKWAZI BEACH

Thursday 7 to Saturday 9 May

We camped 3 nights at Zinkwazi Lodge. It's great, particularily because it's so quiet - low season is here. 

Thursday afternoon we chilled and Neil and I cooked a great Massaman lamb shank curry. The evening was quite balmy but in the early hours of the morning the rain really came down. What's with the weather? Such late rains everywhere? Friday was a beach exploration day..Zinkwazi, Salt Rock and Sheffield.

We had a slow and lazy lunch at Mfino, one of our most beloved spots. Thank you, Eugene for your awesome food.

Saturday was slow too but we did have a fun time watching rugby at the Ski Boat Club on the beach.

Some days you do just need a few hours to catch up on admin, planning and blogs.

LIGHTHOUSES OF SOUTH AFRICA : TUGELA MOUTH

Thursday 7 May

A quick detour off the N2 to the quiet beach town of Tugela Mouth. A short walk to the beach and the lighthouse; this one is manned and at least looks fully operational. The security guard wouldn't let us in through the gate, but no worries...No.4 is done!

LIGHTHOUSES OF SOUTH AFRICA : DURNFORD POINT, MTINZINI

Wednesday 6 May

Through the rural town of Esikhaweni and along some unused tracks.

We found the unmanned and neglected Durnford Lighthouse. No.3!

These lighthouse journeys are so interesting and bringing us to places we'd never otherwise visit...We're embracing the challenge!

KZN CAMPING TRIP 2026 : MTINZINI, Umlalazi Campsite

Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 May

We stopped in Richard's Bay to shop and get a caravan tyre replaced. The Umlalazi Campsite was a delight with gorgeous trees, resident zebra and frolicking red duiker. We had it almost to ourselves.

It rained all evening, so we enjoyed our cheese and charcuterie inside the caravan.

Neil's new toy, an airfryer, crisped up our leftover Wimpy chips perfectly.

We loved the Mtinzini Beaches.

We spent some time in Eshowe, Andrew taking a trip down memory lane with visits to Dlinza Forest, his childhood home, high school and the golf club.