In warm climates you need a running grass. The clumping types like Fescue, Rye grass need too much water and will generally die unless you live in Tasmania, or are happy to spend your retirement fund on excess water rates. Laying turf or planting runners is better.
There are 2 new Sterile Kikuyu types, Kenda and Village green. Both have more Rhizomes and are faster growing across the ground than normal Kikuyu, but about the same mowing. Recent research by the DPI in Qld shows Buffalo wears much better than Kikuyu in shade. In full sun Kikuyu will recover faster but the mowing, edging, is it worth it. If you do not have a lots of gardens then Kikuyu is feasible, but if you have gardens avoid Couch and Kikuyu at all costs. Kenda and Village green are hot new grasses with councils on sporting fields as they wear better and are not escape experts. By that I mean they do not seed. Normal Kikuyu is a real problem as the seed comes up everywhere, in gardens, bushland and native grass land. If you want Kikuyu at least get Kenda or Village green. If you want to really reduce edging of Kikuyu around the garden apply triple rates of Primo, a growth regulator. It will really slow it down. For Buffalo use double rates around the edge. Empire you don't need to bother as it grows slower so edging is minimal. Primo is available from elders rural supply stores, and is not available retail.
To remove Kikuyu out of Buffalo do it as soon as you see any. Don't mow for a week. Use a glove or paint brush dipped in round up. Wipe the Kikuyu carefully with the round up trying not to get it on the Buffalo. You may need to repeat a few weeks later. I have done this many times and it works.
Finally if you want to grow Empire Zoysia in moderate shade, up to say 40%, you have to leave it much longer. eg; 60mm minimum. Buffalo is best in shade according to the DPI research. The buffalo that did best in shade in the research was Sapphire. Basically Kikuyu and couch can only handle 15% shade, Empire 30 to 40% shade and Buffalo 50 to 70 % shade depending on care and wear. Again leaving it longer in shade is the key.