The charming Zululand Coastal town of Mtunzini is situated just off the N2 highway, 130 kilometres from Durban. Mtunzini gets its name from the Zulu word emthunzini which means "a place in the shade" , though historically the name refers to the area under the milkwood trees where the white Zulu chief John Dunn, would meet with the other tribal elders and leaders.

The small town has strong policies regarding conservation in the area, and the results are magnificent unspoilt beaches, a beautiful lagoon, and interesting walks along the pristine coastal dunes. Mtunzini was declared a Conservancy in 1995 and has also gained numerous awards for its commitment to the preservation of its natural heritage. Closely associated with the town's ecotourism policies is the Rapphia Palm Monument; a grove of raphia palms which were planted in Mtunzini in 1916, with the idea of them being used for a prisoner's broom making project. Today the palms are a national monument, and are home to Palmnut Vultures South Africa's rarest bird of prey, which only makes its nest in, and feeds on the palm nuts. Images of the Palmnut Vulture and the Rapphia Palm have been incorporated into the official town emblem of Mtunzini.

The town boasts a wide variety of leisure activities which include a challenging nine-hole 71 par golf course, fishing, waterskiing, tennis, bowls and horse riding. A perfect base in Zululand, Mtunzini is situated within comfortable range of Durban City, Umfolozi Game Park, St Lucia and its wet wonderland, Cape Vidal and the divers paradise of Sodwana Bay.