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A view of Amanzimtoti |
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Wildlife |
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- Amanzimtoti has some patches of forest and wetlands where a wide variety of indigenous species still exist. Many of these are rare or endangered and housing developments continue to pose a threat.
- Most of the wildlife can be found along the Amanzimtoti River or in the coastal dune vegetation. A Nature Reserve was proclaimed along the banks of the river called Ilanda Wilds. This small area of land contains various habitat types, ranging from steep rocky slopes to various riverine habitats, forest and small patches of grassland. There is also a bird sanctuary along one of the tributaries of the Amanzimtoti River which is home mostly to waterbirds (both domestic and indigenous).
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Fish of Amanzimtoti |
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About |
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Amanzimtoti is a coastal town just south of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. According to local legend, when the Zulu king Shaka led his army down the south coast on a raid against the Pondos in 1828, he rested on the banks of a river. When drinking the water, he exclaimed "Kanti amanzi mtoti" (isiZulu: "So, the water is sweet"). The river came to be known as Amanzimtoti ("Sweet Waters"). The Zulu word for "sweet" is actually mnandi, but, as Shaka's mother had the name Nandi, he invented the word toti to replace mnandi out of respect not to wear out her name. Locals frequently refer to the town as "Toti". In 2009 the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Geographical Names Committee recommended changing the town's name to eManzamtoti. |
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Attractions |
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- Amanzimtoti is renowned for its warm weather and its beaches. It is a popular tourist destination, particularly with surfers, and the annual sardine run attracts many to the beaches. Many South Africans flock here during the summer to get away from it all. Its location on the N2 national highway, approximately 11 km from Durban International Airport makes it a convenient destination. It has several malls, arcades and a water park.
- There are well established sports facilities in Amanzimtoti, situated at Hutchison park. Included is a tennis-, squash-, cricket-, rugby-, soccer-, cycling- and bowls club.
- Arbour Crossing, a major new shopping development, opened on November 20th 2008, with a Pick 'n Pay Hypermarket being the key tenant. The Galleria, a second development in the same area, opened on November 26th 2009, with 198 shops including a bowling alley, a skating rink, an 11-screen Nu Metro cinema and key tenants Checkers Hyper, Edgars, Game and Woolworths.
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Interesting Species of Amanzimtoti River and Ilanda Wilds |
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- Fish:
- Burrowing Goby - Croilia mossambica (Rare), River Goby - Glossogobius callidus, Freshwater Goby - Awaous aeneofuscus, Golden Sleeper - Hypseleotris dayi (Rare), Broadhead Sleeper - Eleotris melanosoma, Dusky Sleeper - Eleotris fusca, Cape Moony - Monodactylus falciformis, Natal Moony - Monodactylus argenteus, Large-scale Mullet - Liza macrolepis, Freshwater Mullet - Myxus capensis (Rare), Estuarine Round-herring - Gilchristella aestuaria, Glassy - Ambassis sp., Mozambique Tilapia - Oreochromis mossambicus, Banded Tilapia - Tilapia sparrmanii, Southern Mouthbrooder - Pseudocrenilabrus philander, Sharptooth Catfish - Clarias gariepinus, Bowstripe Barb - Barbus viviparus, Longfin Eel - Anguilla mossambica.
- Larger Mammals:
- Blue Duiker - Cephalophus monticola bicolor, Bushpig - Potamochoerus porcus koiropotumus, Cape Clawless Otter - Aonyx capensis capensis, Large-spotted Genet - Genetta tigrina, Banded Mongoose - Mungos mungo taenianotus, Water Mongoose - Atilax paludinosus paludinosis, Large Grey Mongoose - Herpestes icheumon, Porcupine - Hysterix africaeaustralis, Greater Cane Rat - Thryonomys swinderianus, Vervet Monkey - Cercopithecus aethiops pygerythrus.
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Climate |
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Amanzimtoti receives about 783mm of rain per year, with most rainfall occurring mainly during mid summer. It receives the lowest rainfall of 16mm in June and the highest rainfall of 109mm in January. The average midday temperatures for Amanzimtoti range between 22.1°C in July to 27.2°C in February. |
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Suburbs of Amanzimtoti |
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Amanzimtoti is surrounded by suburbs such as Athlone Park, Warner Beach, Illovo Beach & Kingsburgh. |
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