The KwaZulu-Natal province is well known for its pristine waters. From the topof the Drakensberg Mountains to the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean the landdrops thousands of metres. The rivers that make this journey, fed by millionsof seamless streams arising high in the catchment, tumble into 
gorges cut deepinto the mountain slopes and then meander through verdant valleys to the sea.The scenery is breathtaking but more than that the wildlife in KwaZulu-Natalwaits to be explored and enjoyed in a way different to the usual game viewing.
Earth, Sky and Water
Nothing quite beats the feeling of standing on a rolling boat staring at the blue sky in anticipation of a great sighting and suddenly a huge curl of water is blown into the air and there it is - one of the water world’s greatest creatures, the whale. This sensational feeling is common to those that enjoy game viewing on water. There is no batter place to do this than the beautiful KwaZulu-Natal waters.
Paddling the KwaZulu-Natal waters for an up close and personal interaction with the animals is one of the best ways to engage with the wild. You can have a close encounter with a variety of the four-legged friends including buffalo, blue wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, elephant and large numbers of impala, waterbuck, common and mountain reedbuck, nyala, kudu, bushbuck, steenbuck, duiker, warthog, black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and jackal. There are the sea creatures and, of course, the singing birds to compliment the often tranquil estuaries.
If this is the kind of adventure that rejuvenates your soul, KwaZulu-Natal is there for you to explore in detail. Almost every nature and game reserve has this type of experience on their menu.
Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park
Just a few years ago St. Lucia was a small town that received just the occasional tourist, mostly fishermen from Gauteng. Today St. Lucia Estuary stands tall as the biggest estuarine system in Africa housing a number of game reserves and the Indian Ocean. This World Heritage site has both aquatic and land mammals right on its doorway.
The St. Lucia estuary is itself not just your ordinary estuary. It stretches an astounding 64 kilometres in length and 21 kilometres in width. Take a boat ride down the estuary’s banks teeming with birds that would draw the envy of any bird watcher elsewhere.
But birdlife is only the beginning of the journey into the wildlife by boat. St. Lucia boasts the continent’s highest number of hippos and crocodile in a single area, with over 500 crocs and 900 hippos.
Although it is the prehistoric crocodiles that strike fear in any man, be aware that it is actually the hippo that you should fear. These four-legged fatties can charge at high speeds of over 40 kilometres per hour when agitated and their fang-like teeth have killed more people than any other mammal on the African continent. However, a closer look at the famous hippo yawn while on the boat is a treasured experience. If you are a keen photographer the close up to the 180 degree opened mouth with its dangerous spike-like teeth harmlessly glaring in the air is indeed irresistible.
If you are a lucky paddler, you might come across bigger monsters of the waterworld, like the rugged tooth and Zambezi sharks.
Hluhluwe Umfolozi Dam
Boat trails at the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Dam are designed for the convenience of visitors who wish to discover the secrets of the bushveld from the seclusion of their boats. There are boats on Hluhluwe Dam which take visitors on guided trips. It is important to note that the water level of this river is sometimes too low for boat trips. There are over 300 species of bird scattered along the dam - any twitcher’s dream. Here you can also sight hippopotamus family pods and the elusive Nile crocodile.
Shongweni Dam
Another super spot for game viewing and birding on water while you enjoy the spectacle of the province’s best flora and fauna is the Shongweni Dam. Situated a mere 30 minutes drive from Durban the Shongweni Dam and Game Reserve, with its 15 conservancies, boasts the highest concentration of fauna and wildlife in the Zulu Kingdom. Shongweni is also rated among premier bird sanctuaries, more than 200 species have been recorded among the spectacular sandstone cliffs, sheer gorges and valleys, blossoming forests and open plains.
Shongweni Dam is a vast body of water that is also ideal for recreational activities, lying in a deep depression formed by the Mlazi, Sterkfontein and Ugede rivers. Down the rivers you can bump into two of the famed Big Five, the rhino and buffalo, at their watering hole.
Krantzkloof Gorge Nature Reserve
You won’t need to travel too far from Shongweni Dam to enjoy the company of other feathered friends. The Krantzkloof Gorge Nature Reserve, dramatically sculpted by the Emolweni River, offers meetings with the small antelope, bush pigs, monkeys and several cats that call this protected wilderness home.
Blend the joy of sailing on the country’s famous waters with viewing the wildlife wonder that KwaZulu-Natal offers and you have a holiday worth sticking high up on your memorable moments book.
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