About Richards Bay

Situated on a lagoon in South Africa’s Mhatuze River, Richard’s Bay - named after the British admiral who directed British naval operations during the Anglo-Zulu War – is home to a vast population of aquatic birds attracted to the area by a rich supply of fish.

Before Richard’s Bay was transformed from a small 19th century holiday town to a major port, crocodiles, sharks and hippos frequented its lagoon; indeed, the town was famous as the site where hunter John Dunn shot the longest crocodile ever recorded in South Africa – a whopping 6.7 metre beast – in 1891.

Today, part of the lagoon is a nature reserve surrounded by verdant Richard’s Bay Park and its inhabitants are rather less scary. Rare pink-backed pelicans have been spotted alongside flamingos, cormorants and waders while the waters are a nursery for grunter, salmon, perch and yellowfin. So do not forget your camera and binoculars when you go ashore here.