It’s called the ‘Untamed Spirit of the Zulu Kingdom’, and if you’re looking for wild and wonderful adventures, look no further than KwaZulu Natal’s Elephant Coast.

The Elephant Coast stretches from St Lucia (in the South) to Kosi Bay (in the West), not too far from the Mozambique border.

For those who want to take a self-drive along this coastline, there really is so much to explore. The recently built Lubombo Road makes this journey possible, up until a few years ago – it was impossible to reach the unspoilt places in this area due to lack of  adequate roads.

Here is a list of must-see’s for your journey:

• The Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, recently renamed iSimangaliso Wetlands Park – became a World Heritage Site in 1999. This complicated lake system offers up incredible bio-diversity and there are a number of bed & breakfasts, small guesthouses and modest hotels in the region.
• The quaint seaside town of St Lucia is the gateway to the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park and there are loads of activities on offer.
• Make sure you go to Cape Vidal – renowned for spectacular beaches and a firm favourite with those who love to go deep-sea fishing. You might also be lucky to see the famous humpback whales that often appears in these waters.
• The Elephant Coast is famous for breeding endangered leatherback and logger head turtles and this area is one of the most eco-sensitive areas on the planet.
• The Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Reserve is a major attraction. Home to the big five and lots of birdlife and smaller game, this national park is an absolute must on any trip to KwaZulu Natal. Ensure that you meet with all of the rules and regulations set out by the Emzelo KZN Wildlife. Details included at the end of this document.
• Sodwana Bay Nature Reserve is known as a scuba diving heartland. It has been called South Africa’s Barrier Reef for good reason. Sodwana has its own special marine flora and fauna, the coral reefs situated off Sodwana are home to over 95 identified species of coral and over 1200 species of fish. Visit the region from November to January and you may be lucky enough to catch a sighting of the Loggerhead Turtles who come ashore to nest.
• Kosi Bay, along the Lubombo Road, is one of the most unspoilt regions. Stay over in self-accommodation right on the water and spend some time watching the local fisherfolk weave their magic.
• Wherever you go along this route you’ll find swamps, mountains, coastal forests and a spectacularly good road.
• There are also excellent adventure activities all along this coastline, from birding  to hiking trails to turtle tours and whale watching, not to mention numerous opportunities to explore Zulu culture.

Safari Style:
There are seven suggested safari types suggested by the tourism authorities in the region, namely:

Ocean Safari

Marine life is a real highlight in this part of the world – just think about it: you have 240kms of pristine coastline to explore. The coral reefs off Sodwana are home to a myriad of fish and coral. For those who love nature, remember that this is turtle country too.

Big 6 Safari

The Big Six include rhino, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and whales. Along the Elephant Coast you can sight all six. Make sure you take in the Tembe Elephant Park or the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve or enjoy the whale season from June to November.

Cultural Safari

One simply can’t visit this part of the world without getting to know a little bit more about the Thonga and Zulu cultures. There are a number of cultural villages, Zulu battlefields and local arts and crafts projects to explore and enjoy.

Birding Safari
The Elephant Coast is a very popular birding destination with over 600 species in a huge variety of habitats.
Enquire about the Zululand Birding Route.

Fishing Safari

An excellent fishing hotspot, try out tiger fishing on Jozini dam, fly fishing from Cape Vidal and deep sea fishing in Sodwana.

Wellness Safari

Three notable lodges along the Elephant Coast have created wellness centres that offer special complimentary therapies – massages, hot stone therapies, and all of the beauty treatments.

Roads and Infrastructure

• The Elephant Coast is a 2 to 2,5 hour drive from the busy port city of Durban.
• One can fly from Johannesburg to Richards Bay and hire a car from here.
• The tarred Lubombo Road from Hluhluwe to Kosi Bay gives self-drive tourists easy access to the wonders of the entire Elephant Coast.

Self Drive Tips and Hints:

• Ensure that you have a detailed map with you. This map can be downloaded from the Elephant Coast website.
• All driver’s must be in possession of an international driving permit which can be obtained before leaving South Africa.
• There is no driving of vehicles allowed on the beaches of South Africa.
• There are sometimes long distances between the particular places you would like to visit, ensure that you do your homework and have enough time to relax and enjoy the journey.
• Travelling during daylight hours is always advisable.

Links:

• The official website for the Elephant Coast can be found at: www.elephantcoast.kzn.org.za. where you will be able to find maps, accommodation details, national parks details and all the information you will need to plan your trip.
• The Automobile Association of South Africa is an excellent organisation with branches all over the country.
  Purchase detailed maps of any region from their many offices. Visit; www.aasa.co.za for more information.
• For information about the big five game reserves visit the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife website on: www.kznwildlife.com
• For info on Sodwana visit www.sodwana.co.za
• For more information on what to do and see in KwaZulu Natal, visit www.zulu.org.za