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    Awaiting Your Return From Shore  | 
    
     Richards Bay was named 
    after Frederick William Richards, a Commander with the Royal Navy. When he 
    learned of the conflict the English experienced in Zululand, Richards 
    arrived with 250 men in support of his countrymen. He surveyed the coast in 
    1879. The result was a map where he showed the Mhlathuze Lagoon as Richards 
    Bay.  
  In 1906, development of the area got underway with the founding of the 
    Zululand Fisheries and the first ox wagon track leading inland to the sugar 
    town of Empangeni. In 1928, a hotel and store were built; gradually Richards 
    Bay developed from a fishermen’s village into the economic center of 
    Northern Kwazulu-Natal.  
 The new deep-water port established in 1976 is second in size to Durban, 
    but handles more cargo than any other port in the province. In its wake, a 
    number of large and small industries, hotels, shops and restaurants have 
    sprung up, causing the town to develop at a record-breaking pace. The 
    surrounding area with its game reserves, exotic vegetation and native 
    villages provides the real attraction.  
  For many visitors to South Africa, Zululand is often the only taste they 
    get of the "real" Africa. It covers much of central Kwazulu-Natal and 
    includes the port of Richards Bay and the adjacent Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game 
    Park. The region is dominated by one tribal group, the Zulu; their customs, 
    historical traditions and culture are evident throughout the area. The name 
    Zulu derives from an early chief, whose descendants were called aba-kwa 
    Zulu, or people of Zulu. Their capital is Ulundi, located north of the 
    Tugela River. Much of Zululand consists of attractive rolling hills in the 
    interior and coastal areas, where it is usually hot and humid.  
  Please Note: Richards Bay has a very limited amount of 
    tour vehicles. Additional equipment has to be brought from Durban, making 
    the tours rather costly. 
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    Awaiting Your Return 
    From Shore  | 
  
  
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    Complimentary 
    Spirits Await  | 
    
     
    
    Return to Your 
    Suite and Sail Away to The Next Adventure  | 
    
     
    
    Entertainment 
    and Dancing Await You  |