Coral reefs, interconnected lakes and wetlands give Umkhanyakude a distinctive natural character. The iSimangaliso Wetland Park encompasses South Africa’s largest marine protected area. The sea takes centre stage at Sodwana Bay, while Kosi Bay, Lake Sibaya and False Bay offer different waterside landscapes. The area is also home to sand forests, wildlife viewing and a Thonga cultural fishing tradition.
Coastal reefs and turtles
Sodwana Bay is home to the southernmost coral reefs on Earth and is internationally regarded as one of the world’s ten best diving destinations. During the nesting season, visitors can join guided turtle tours there. Sea turtles also return to nest at Kosi Bay: in summer, loggerhead and leatherback turtles lay their eggs on the beaches. Guided night walks offer the chance to encounter nesting turtles there. In the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, licensed operators offer guided tours in all areas of the park.
Lakes, wetlands and sand forest
Kosi Bay consists of four interconnected lakes, characterised by raffia palms and mangroves. The landscape also offers a distinctive cultural experience: visitors can see the Thonga’s traditional sustainable fishing practices and reed fish traps first-hand. The traps are locally called utshwayelo; knowledge of how to make and use them is passed down through generations. At Kosi Bay, visitors can discover nature and a living fishing tradition together.
Lake Sibaya is not fed by any rivers. It is the largest natural freshwater lake in southern Africa and a Ramsar wetland of international importance. Classified as an Important Bird Area, it also offers a specific point of interest for birdwatchers: 279 bird species have been recorded at the lake. The sandy tracks along the shore are suitable only for four-wheel-drive vehicles.
False Bay forms part of the western shore of Lake St Lucia, Africa’s largest estuarine system. The area protects rare sand forest ecosystems and wetlands, as well as hippos, crocodiles and numerous bird species. The mix of shoreline and forest landscapes can be explored on three self-guided walking trails.
Hiking and wildlife viewing
The Mphophomeni Trail is about 2 km long and passes through sand forest and woodland. The Ingwe Trail is 7 km long and rated moderate; it leads deeper into sand forests and woodland, where nyala, duiker and bushbuck are often seen. At about 9 km, the Dukandlovu Trail is the longest of the three routes described. It is rated moderate to long and connects forest sections with shoreline sections along Lake St Lucia. Hikers can look out for hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds there. The trails differ clearly in length and difficulty, and do not need to be combined into a single route.
uMkhuze also combines landscapes with wildlife viewing. It is home to the Big Five, cheetahs and African wild dogs. Waterholes between the kuMasinga Hide and the Ramsar-listed Nsumo Pan offer opportunities for wildlife viewing and birdwatching. The banks of the uMkhuze River are also home to Africa’s only pristine indigenous fig forest of its kind. Fever trees and old fig trees shape the landscape of the area.
History in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
The nature experiences are complemented by a long history. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is steeped in history, dating back to the Early Iron Age and the heyday of the Zulu Kingdom under King Shaka. In Umkhanyakude, wildlife viewing, cultural traditions and historic landscapes come together.
Discover more destinations: Santa Lucia, Mtubatuba, Mkuze, Hluhluwe, Ugu, Umgungundlovu, Zululand, East Griqualand.
For the main travel overview: Kwazulu-Natal.
