The Zululand village of Riverview, situated just off the N2 highway, a short distance from Mtubatuba and St Lucia, owes its existence to the destruction caused by the heavy flooding of the Umfolozi River in 1918 and again in 1924. The sugar cane farmers of the Mtubatuba region chose Riverview as the site of the 3rd sugar mill to be built, (the other two having been previously destroyed by the floods), because of its elevated position, out of range of further catastrophe. Riverview village developed around the mill and concrete canals were built to drain the swamps.

A pretty, if small town, Riverview is perfectly positioned on the outer edge of the Dukuduku Forest with easy access to the popular tourist destination of St Lucia in the east and the world renowned Umfolozi Game Park a short distance west.

Its proximity to long stretches of sandy beaches, pristine wetlands teeming with bird and wildlife and having a "big five" Game Park virtually on its doorstep, make Riverview a sugar town in every sense of the word.