When we arrived in Margate, we were greeted by Bongi Thabede, our tour guide, dressed to the nines in her traditional Zulu attire, complete with the bead adornments. Her pride in KwaZulu-Natal shone through as she emphasized that there is always something new to discover, even for locals and frequent visitors.
Our first stop was Oribi Gorge, where we soaked in the lush greenery of Natal. With only 24 hours to spend in Margate, we aimed to make the most of our time. Margate exudes a relaxed vibe and offers a plethora of activities, leaving me feeling like I’d only scratched the surface of what the area has to offer.
We enjoyed a thrilling time at Oribi Gorge and found a charming eatery that added to the experience. For those in Durban looking for exciting day trips, Margate, being 1,5 hours away from Durban, is a fantastic option. With its relaxed atmosphere and a variety of activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Horseback riding at Selsdon Park Estate
We hopped along through the residential area on horseback in a file. One of the guests from the group before us had fallen off the horseback, thankfully she wasn’t injured. And of course she didn’t get back on the horse. She settled for pictures of some of us doing it. The neighbors were friendly, and the cars patient, because the last thing we wanted was a hasty driver hooting at the horses to move fast. Although, Doormat did gallop a bit when he realized everyone was leaving him behind—apparently, that’s the only time he runs.
The instructor, Jolene, told me to stay calm and relax when he gallops. She made a face that said, “I don’t have to tell you what’s going to happen if you’re stressed around horses, right?” in a friendly way though. This comes after learning that the horse I was on weighed about 800 kilos. Tell me to stress without telling me to stress.
I felt the slog to the beach in my novice hip joints. Jolene breeds horses for a living and has two of her own racehorses. Her face lights up when she speaks about each horse’s personality and the accomplishments of some her more prolific horses. I wanted her next to me so she could tell me exactly what to do in the unlikely event of an accident. The horses were really well behaved and made for a pleasant and memorable stroll to the beach.
Contact Mark via Whatsapp at +27 83 301 2941.
Quad biking at Wild 5 Adventures
At the adventure spot, we faced a choice: quad biking around the lush greenery of the gorge or the more daring option of bungee jumping. I was tired of always being the brave one and so I seized the opportunity to take a quad bike, and told myself I’d jump with the next group. Fisani insisted there was space for one more to jump right away and I honestly didn’t need that pressure. After quad biking I was hungry. What if I fainted during my jump? Not cute. I had to eat first, and that meant I couldn’t go jumping no more, least I shock the prawns.
Considering how long lunch took (a few of us were ready to go help them peel in the kitchen) I could have waited for the prawns to settle and went for a jump. But I too had to settle for clips of those who jumped instead. Go you all.
Nomazulu, a fellow adventurer and media hosted by Sho’t Left, described her bungee jump experience as feeling like she left all her problems in the gorge. She claimed it was worth more than all the therapy in the world. I had jumped at Bloukraans Bridge and Soweto tours before (brave me, I know) but no two leaps are ever the same and maybe the Oribi leap would be the more transformative jump.
Whether jumping into the Oribi was as powerful as Nomazulu made it out to be or just an adrenaline rush (maybe a cocktail or two as well) that moved her so deeply, I would like a bit of it next time.
Boat ride & lunch at Paddlers Restaurant & Bar
We stopped at Paddlers Restaurant and Bar and began our adventure with a boat ride along the Mtamvuna River, heading towards the CH Mitchell Bridge, which connects KwaZulu-Natal with the Eastern Cape and is reputed to be the second-longest bridge in South Africa. The ride offered breathtaking views as we cruised from the river to the sea and back, returned for lunch overlooking the river.
Call +27 (0) 39 311 2211 or email [email protected] to book.
Eateries
The PackShed Restaurant, Margate
There was a relaxing ambiance. However, unlike other places that will not be mentioned because the below average lunch took forever, the chefs here were hard at work with deep focus—they didn’t need us to help them peel potatoes. I ordered crackling, and subsequently had food envy, because the leg of lamb looked and tasted delicious.
Chef’s Table, Umhalanga
I had the crackling again (don’t judge me too harshly). The apple sauce they made to go with it, along with all the cute, colorful sauces, actually added significant flavor to the dish in a way that was balanced and not overbearing.
Grimaldi’s Restaurant, The Durban Country Club
I played myself by ordering oysters and sushi, when the menu had options like steak stuffed with mussels. Someone had their seafood pasta, and after asking to taste it, I know that now I have to go back for that dish.
Dukkah Restaurant & Bar, Durban
It’s a great spot for dinner, to see cute people and be seen by cute people. Order their Dukka Chicken—they named it after the place for a reason. Don’t be like me, nibbling on other people’s plates because you miscalculated your options.
Zai Restaurant, Durban
The Whiskey MasterClass on our last night quite a treat, hosted in a private dinning room that would make an excellent venue for a small private party. Their prawns, served to share, were the best I’d had on this trip. They didn’t have that rubbery texture or the overcooked feel, they were buttery tender.
Where I stayed
Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani, Durban North Beach
My stay at Elangeni Hotel hit all the right spots, especially after indulging in the spa. All the hotel rooms have a view of the ocean and promenade. Everything is always so fresh and clean. Despite over 700 rooms, room service is quite efficient, and they have two options for restaurants: one on the ground floor and another on the first floor, where you can enjoy a good view of the ocean over breakfast.
St Michaels Sands Hotel, Margate
We arrived quite late at night and went to bed after staying up for drinks at the bar. I didn’t explore this hotel enough, but it was a good enough spot for a sleepover in Margate.
Look out for my story about the Africa Travel Indaba coming out soon.