MTUBATUBA

Mtubatuba is about 200 kilometres North of Durban, 55 km North of Richards Bay and Empangeni and 25 kilometres from St. Lucia. Mtuba as it is known has developed to a strong commercial establishment. Zululand surrounding nature reserves can easily be explored from here.

Some History:

Mtubatuba is surrounded by large forest plantations and is conveniently situated for access to the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park as well as numerous other attractions. Mtubatuba is named after a Zulu chief in the area whose mother battled to give birth to him. Mtubatuba is just 20 minutes drive from the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park (previously Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park), which stretches from Mapelane in the South to Kosi Bay in the North.

Battlefields:

The famous Battlefields Route is nearby and some of the battle sites near Eshowe, Melmoth and Ulundi are less than one and a half hours drive from Mtubatuba. The famous Battlefields Route is nearby and some of the battle sites near Eshowe, Melmoth and Ulundi are less than one and a half hours drive from Mtubatuba.

Industry:

Mtuba has a successful industrial sector with numerous engineering businesses supporting the sugar growers, the sugar mill based at Riverview , the timber harvester sand some small scale manufacturing companies.

Activities:

There is much to offer in the region, there are scenic walking trails, farm resorts, Zulu culture, both modern day and traditional, hunting and fishing tours, quality bed and breakfasts, economic back packers lodges and so much more.

Manukelana Art and Nursery

Established when a group of people started a campaign to prevent the total destruction of one of the most beautiful forests in South Africa. The Dukuduku Forest is under threat from the local population who are practicing a policy of total removal of the forest to utilise the land for agricultural farming, as well the indiscriminate use of raw materials gathered from the forest. This practice has been eminent for a number of years and is not understood by the general population why this cannot be stopped. Numerous attempts to have the forest dwellers removed from the forest failed . Resistance to the continued destruction of the citizens of South Africa's natural and historical heritage will continue. Legend has it that Chaka King hid and trained his elite troops within the Dukuduku Forest, during the early days of his reign. Today most of the people living within the Dukuduku forest are not educated, unemployed and living well bellow the bread line.