Riverview, Zululand
In the midst of Zululand, just south of Mtubatuba, lies the little village of Riverview, sometimes written also as River View. The little town is convenient for a number of reasons, not least because it lies just east of the N2, making it an easy stopover venue and a good place to base yourself because of its proximity to a number of major tourist attractions of Zululand.
Riverview is close to both the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (more commonly known as St Lucia despite the World Heritage Site's renaming), and the Umfolozi/Hluhluwe Game Reserve - both but a fifteen to twenty minute drive - whilst remaining virtually untouched itself by development and industry, if you discount the sugar mills just south of here. It lies in the midst of typical Zululand vegetation with rolling hills and little to disturb the peace and quiet of bird calls.
iSimangaliso is one of the most incredible places to visit in the country. It is a complex system of swamps, lakes, beaches, wetlands, coastal forests and coral reefs that support an amazing array of land and marine life. It stretches all the way from the nearby town of St Lucia up to Kozi Bay in the north. It has a 60 kilometre river mouth, the world's highest forested sand dunes, the largest estuarine system in Africa, and a feast of wildlife.
Which means that Riverview can claim effortlessly long, sandy beaches, protected wetlands and the Big 5 on its doorstep. It also helps that Riverview is perched on the outer edge of the Dukuduku Forest - one of the few remaining tropical coastal forests.
Although incorporated into the Isimangaliso Wetland Park since 2000, the forest is under pressure of deforestation, but the butterfly population is said to be one of the best and during summer one can see the black mamba swordtail, laumans and novices. Look out for the Isiphaphalazi Butterfly House, run by the local community.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
During our time in Riverview, we visited both the Umfolozi/Hluhluwe Game Resreve and iSimangaliso and were blown away. What a fantastic spot to spend our holiday. We were sorry to leave and can't wait to get back to see some more of the animals and beauty of SA!
Rachel (Tampa, Florida)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
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Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
The lodge is ground breaking in being the first private facility within Africa's oldest proclaimed reserve, Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park. With access t...
![](https://www.sa-venues.com/visit/emdonenilodge/01g.jpg)
Emdoneni Lodge
Emdoneni Lodge is a proud nominee in the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2015! Emdoneni Lodge in Hluhluwe offers guests intimate and comfortable 3-Star...
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Bonamanzi Game Park
The 4000 ha Bonamanzi Private Game Park was proclaimed a natural heritage site for it's diverse habitats and outstanding natural features. The ac...
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Zululand Lodge
Zululand Lodge is a privately owned tented camp located in the uKuwela Wildlife Conservancy just outside of Hluhluwe. We offer nine safari tents ...
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Amakhosi Safari Lodge
AmaKhosi translated from Zulu means "The Place of the Kings" - at AmaKhosi Safari Lodge, guests can expect luxurious accommodation, outstanding c...
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Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa offers accommodation in Hluhluwe in an intimate holiday home. The holiday home has a beautiful garden and is within close proximity to...
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Imani Bush House
Imani Bush House is a stunning and peaceful self-catering unit situated in a private setting in the sand forest of Kuleni Game Park, a 220-hectar...
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Falaza Game Park & Spa
Situated in Hluhluwe, Falaza Game Park is a privately owned lodge offering luxury tented accommodation, a spa and a range of authentic bush exper...
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Umuzi Guesthouse
Umuzi Guesthouse is located in Meerensee and offers accommodation, excellent food and the ideal base of operation from which to explore the area....
Noteworthy attractions
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AmaZulu Game Reserve
Situated in Northern KwaZulu Natal, on the banks of the Mkuze River, the Amazulu Private Game Reserve is the home of the Amakhosi and Mkuze Falls...
![](https://www.sa-venues.com/attractions/gallery/kwazulunatal/205/1.jpg)
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is the only park under formal conservation in KwaZulu Natal where the Big Five occur. Established in 1895, this is the...
![](https://www.sa-venues.com/attractions/gallery/kwazulunatal/206/1.jpg)
Ithala Game Reserve
This magnificent Ithala Game reserve, tumbling from the heights of the Ngotshe Mountains a thousand meters down into a deep valley, carved over t...
![](https://www.sa-venues.com/attractions/gallery/kwazulunatal/214/1.jpg)
Mkhuze Game Reserve
Situated in northern Zululand, this 40 000 hectare reserve was proclaimed a protected area in 1912. Mkuze Game Reserve constitutes the north west...
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Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve
Situated in the heart of historic Zululand in the South African province of KwaZulu Natal, Mkuze Falls is one of only two Private Game Reserves i...
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Pakamisa Game Reserve
The Pakamisa Private Game Reserve comprises a pristine malaria free wilderness area of some 2500 hectares. Access to the reserve is restricted, e...
![](https://www.sa-venues.com/attractions/gallery/kwazulunatal/221/1.jpg)
Pongola Nature Reserve
The Pongola Nature Reserve was first proclaimed in 1894 and is the second oldest reserve in the world and the oldest in South Africa. Pongola Nat...
![](https://www.sa-venues.com/attractions/gallery/kwazulunatal/222/1.jpg)
Richards Bay Game Reserve
The Reserve has remnant stands of swamp forest, the Thulazihleka Bird viewing hide in small swamp and the Tidal Mudflats and shallows south of th...
![](https://www.sa-venues.com/attractions/gallery/kwazulunatal/227/1.jpg)
Ubizane Wildlife Reserve
Ubizane Wildlife Reserve boasts a variety of wildlife including white rhino, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, most species of antelope, and over 350 s...
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