Elephant Coast, KwaZulu Natal
KwaZulu Natal’s Elephant Coast stretches from the world heritage site of Lake St Lucia in the south to Kosi Bay, virtually on the Mozambique border. It is an extraordinary, untamed area fast growing in popularity for its incredible variety of habitats and eco-systems that combine into an unforgettable blend of adventure, unspoilt scenery and unique experiences.
Called the Elephant Coast after the country’s largest herd of indigenous African elephants that have lived in sand forests in this region for centuries, the Elephant Coast extends inland across to the Lubombo Mountains in the west, and includes the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, the oldest game park in Africa - home to the big five. It is not hard to understand why the Elephant Coast is regarded as the ecotourism mecca of the Zulu Kingdom. Sand dunes blend with swamps, coastal forests, rocky shores, coral reefs, mangrove swamps, woodlands, savanna grassland, and the largest protected wetland in southern Africa, iSimangaliso Wetland Park (the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park).
Highlights of the Elephant Coast include Cape Vidal (wonderful beaches for deep-sea fishing and famous for whale watching); Sodwana Bay Nature Reserve (the mainstay of scuba diving); Kosi Bay (one of the most unspoilt regions with numerous lakes where you can watch local fishermen); and of course both the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve and the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park are highlights of the Elephant Coast, for obvious reasons.
Destinations / Towns & Suburbs of Elephant Coast
Hluhluwe
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Hluhluwe
The village of Hluhluwe is in the heart of Zululand on South Africa’s east coast, home to the Zulu kings Dingiswayo and Shaka, who allegedly prompted the very first conservation laws and the oldest game reserve in the ... Hluhluwe information
Jozini
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Jozini
Jozini, a small town in North Eastern KwaZulu Natal on the main route to Mozambique, is synonymous with the dam of the same name - the Jozini or Pongolapoort Dam. This huge dam, on the Pongola River, provides a rather ... Jozini information
Kosi Bay
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Kosi Bay
In the northern reaches of KwaZulu Natal, the final stretch of South African coastline is a wilderness wonderland that is still largely unexplored and unexploited. Kosi Bay is a rich network of lakes that stretches ... Kosi Bay information
Lake Sibaya
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Lake Sibaya
Lake Sibaya is the largest fresh water lake in South Africa with a surface area of 77 km² and an average depth of 13 m. The lake was previously connected to the sea and with the closure of the estuary, numerous ... Lake Sibaya information
Mabibi
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Mabibi
Set in the remote region of the Maputuland coast in KwaZulu Natal, Mabibi lies between Lake Sibaya and Sodwana Bay, forming part of the Kosi Bay coastal forest reserve. It’s one of Natal’s most spectacular coastlines. ... Mabibi information
Mkuze
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Mkuze
The little village of Mkuze lies in the shadow of the Ubombo Mountains just 18 km west from the entrance gate of the Mkuze Game Reserve on the N2 north of Lake St Lucia. In this remote north eastern wilderness of ... Mkuze information
Mtubatuba
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Mtubatuba
Mtubatuba, which means ‘he who was pummelled out’, is a small town north of Richards Bay and close to the entrance of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. Initially established as a railway siding in 1903 in a swampland ... Mtubatuba information
Sodwana Bay
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Sodwana Bay
Sodwana Bay, meaning ‘little one on its own’ in Zulu, lies within the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, a World Heritage Site, and forms part of a continuous protected area stretching 150 km from the Mozambique border ... Sodwana Bay information
St Lucia
Where to Stay: Accommodation in St Lucia
When one speaks of St Lucia, really one is referring to the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, South Africa’s third largest park. On the north-eastern coast of KwaZulu Natal, this wilderness reserve covers some 280 km of ... St Lucia information
Elephant Coast
Featured and "Must See" Attractions in Elephant Coast
Emdoneni Game Farm
a small game farm, with sand forest vegetation. On the premises, you can walk with the wildlife including Impala, Nyala, Grey Duiker and other antelope. Birdlife is abundant. Emdoneni is a nature lovers paradise. The Emdoneni Cheetah and Serval Project cares for wild Cheetahs and Serval Cats, which have been orphaned or ... more information
Falaza Game Park
Falaza, a privately owned game park, protects the remnants of this once mighty sand forest which evolved over 150,000 years ago. For the bird watcher, Falaza offers an extraordinarily wide variety of birdlife, including rare species such as the Pink Throated Twinspat, the African Broadbill, Rudd's Appals and the ... more information
Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park
The Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park was declared South Africa's first Natural World Heritage Site on 1 December 1999. It is considered South Africa's third largest park and extends from Mapelane (Cape St. Lucia) in the South, to Kozi Bay in the North. The Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park incorporates ... more information
Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve
The Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park is the only park under formal conservation in KwaZulu Natal where the Big Five occur. Established in 1895, this is the oldest game park in South Africa along with nearby St Lucia Reserve. Set in the heart of Zululand this is the oldest game reserve in Africa, where Zulu kings ... more information
Kosi Bay Nature Reserve
The Kosi Bay Nature Reserve is situated on the coast in the northern part of KwaZulu Natal and surrounds the Kosi Bay lake system. The system consists of four lakes and a series of inter-connecting channels which drain via a sandy estuary into the Indian ocean. It is home to a variety of birds and wildlife ... more information
Lake Sibaya
Lake Sibaya is the largest fresh water lake in South Africa with a surface area of 77 km² and an average depth of 13 m. The lake was previously connected to the sea and with the closure of the estuary, numerous invertebrates and vertebrates were trapped in a fresh water enviroment. Lake Sibaya is a ... more information
Mapelane Nature Reserve
Mapelane Nature Reserve is the southernmost reserve within the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park. The Mapelane Nature Reserve is situated on the south bank of the Umfolozi River where it enters the sea, opposite the little village of St Lucia. The reserve is an enchanting one offering splendid walks through tropical ... more information
Mkuze Game Reserve
Situated in northern Zululand, this 40 000 hectare reserve was proclaimed a protected area in 1912. Mkuze Game Reserve constitutes the north western spur of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park a World Heritage Site. A place of great beauty and high contrasts, Mkuze is renowned as a mecca for bird lovers ... more information
Ndumo Game Reserve
Ndumo Game Reserve (adjacent to the Tembe Elephant Park) is a small but impressive game reserve. Proclaimed in 1924 Ndumo Game Reserve is one of South Africa's oldest reserves and considered to be one of the finest in KwaZulu Natal. Ndumo Game Reserve is situated in the Maputaland region of ... more information
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Come face-to-face with lions and rhino before breakfast, swim with dolphins after lunch and catch a marlin before dinner - that's the Phinda experience, one of the most exciting safari destinations in South Africa. Located between the azure waters of the Indian Ocean and the lush waterways of the World Heritage ... more information
Pondoro Private Game Reserve
The Pondoro Private Game Reserve comprises a pristine malaria free wilderness area of some 2500 hectares. Access to the reserve is restricted, enabling guests at Pakamisa to enjoy the exclusive experience of natural African bushveld with its unparalleled abundance of wildlife and exotic vegetation. Guests can ... more information
Pongola Game Reserve
The Pongola Game Reserve was first proclaimed in 1894 and is the second oldest reserve in the world and the oldest in South Africa. Pongola Game Reserve is a sanctuary to a large variety of wildlife, including elephant, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, impala, hyena, buffalo, rhino and leopard ... more information
Tembe Elephant National Park
The largest African elephants in the world, along with rhino, buffalo, leopard, hippo and antelope species in a 300km² park on the South Africa / Mozambique border. Excellent birding opportunities exist and scuba diving on the nearby Tongoland reefs. Situated in Maputaland, the north-eastern region ... more information
Ubizane Wildlife Reserve
Ubizane Wildlife Reserve boasts a variety of wildlife including white rhino, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, most species of antelope, and over 350 species of birdlife. You can view the game from the comfort of equipped game viewing land rovers, on foot for a more thrilling encounter or on horseback for a ... more information
Kuleni Nature Park
Weavers Nature Park is wonderfully situated in the heart of Southern Maputaland. Within a 1/2 hours drive you can be anywhere you choose. On the beautiful beaches of Sodwana Bay or the famous Hluhluwe Umfolozi Big "5" Game Reserve. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (a world Heritage Site) is just 10 minutes ... more information
Zululand Rhino Reserve
The Zululand Rhino Reserve in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, was created in 1995 in a strategic partnership between the World Wildlife Fund, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and property owners, to provide a haven for the fast dwindling black rhino population. This has culminated in the creation and preservation of 23 000ha of ... more information
Elephant Coast
Featured Things To Do in Elephant Coast
Visit the Emdoneni Cat Rehabilitation Centre
Where: Hluhluwe
How much (per person): R1 to R100
Join us for an up close and personal tour and learn more about South Africa's endangered wild cat species. Come and be mesmerised by the bea ... more information
Day Cruise on board Shayamanzi
Where: Lake Jozini
How much (per person): R501 to R1000
Enjoy a day cruising on board Shayamanzi. Relax in the jacuzzi, fish or game view from her tender boats; enjoy the breeze from her elevated ... more information
Turtle Tracking in Kosi Bay
Where: Kosi Bay
How much (per person): On Request
Turtle tracking is offered every night from 15 November to 15 January at Kosi Forest Lodge in Kosi Bay. These excursions (including transfer ... more information
Scuba Diving at Thonga Beach Lodge
Where: Mabibi
How much (per person): On Request
Mabibi lies adjacent to Africa’s southern-most coral reefs making it the only tropical dive site in South Africa. In global terms, Mabibi of ... more information
Game Viewing on Horse Back
Where: St Lucia
How much (per person): On Request
On the shorter rides we begin at the Iphiva Campsite in St Lucia and ride in the Reserve just to the south of the Greater St Lucia Wetland P ... more information
Elephant Coast
Holiday Accommodation in Elephant Coast
For accommodation in Elephant Coast see:
• Kosi Bay Accommodation
• Mabibi Accommodation
• Lake Sibaya Accommodation
• Sodwana Bay Accommodation
• Mkuze Accommodation
• Hluhluwe Accommodation
• Pongolapoort Accommodation
• Jozini Accommodation
• St Lucia Accommodation
Or to see accommodation in all towns in the region, visit Elephant Coast Accommodation.
Visiting Elephant Coast?
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