The iSimangaliso Wetland Park was listed as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site in December 1999 in recognition of its superlative natural beauty and unique global values.
The 332 000 hectare Park contains three major lake systems, eight interlinking ecosystems, 700 year old fishing traditions, most of South Africa’s remaining swamp forests, Africa’s largest estuarine system, 526 bird species and 25 000 year-old coastal dunes – among the highest in the world. The name iSimangaliso means miracle and wonder, which aptly describes this unique place.
Here you can experience the diverse experiences in the 10 jewels that make up the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Enjoy the endless beaches that stretch 220 kilometers from Maphelane in the south to Kosi Bay on the Mozambique border, view game on self-guided or guided trails and routes on the foothills of the Lebombo mountains in uMkhuze or in the coastal forests and rolling grasslands of Lake St Lucia’s Eastern Shores. See the spectacular coral reefs and colourful underwater life whilst diving or snorkeling or embark on adventures ranging from kayak trips to horse rides.
“iSimangaliso must be the only place on the globe where the oldest land mammal (the rhinoceros) and the world’s biggest terrestrial mammal (the elephant) share an ecosystem with the world’s oldest fish (the coelacanth) and the world’s biggest marine mammal (the whale)” –Nelson Mandela
The diverse terrestrial and marine habitats of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park ensure that visitors have a wide range of activities to embark upon when they come to the Park.
Beaches
Birding
Deep Sea Charter Fishing
Estuary Boat cruises
Game viewing
Horse Riding
Kayaking
Scuba Diving
Turtle tours
Whale watching
The 10 Jewels
Kosi Bay – Kosi Bay comprises four lakes linked by a network of channels. The Kosi estuary offers extraordinary snorkeling opportunities and is one of the world’s top fly-fishing destinations. Traditional fishing practices dating back 700 years are still passed down from one generation to the next. This is the only place where all South Africa’s mangrove species and the only stand of naturally occurring Raphia palms occur.
Accommodation:
The Kosi Bay Camp is situated on the western shore of Lake Nhlange, the largest of Kosi’s 4 lakes and is run by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The camp consists of self-catering cottages that are set in the bush and the campsites are situated in the vicinity of the Lake’s shore. Many private accommodation providers are in the area.
Activities:
Salt-water fly fishing
Fishing on the lake by boat, shore or from a jetty close to the campsite
Night fishing at the Kosi Bay Mouth
Hiking
Turtle tours (November – February)
Birding
Other places of interest nearby:
Kosi Estuary and viewing the fish kraals and snorkeling (permits obtainable from the Kosi Bay reception)
Bhanga Nek, Boteler Point, Dog Point, Black Rock
Park entry fee and opening times:
Gate opening and closing times: 06h00 to 18h00
Reception hours: 08h00 to 16h00 (Mon – Sat), 07h00 to 15h00 (Sun)
Entry fee: Vehicle charge R20, Adults R25, Children under the age of 12 R15
Community Levy: R5 per person
Camp contact details: +27 35 592 0236
Public facilities:
Ice, cold drinks and a small range of books are available at the Reception office. Annual fishing licences are also available. The Umdoni day-visitor area is shaded and has a number of braai facilities.
Coastal Forest – Accessible only by off-road vehicles, this section of the Park includes the pristine beaches of Mabibi, Island Rock, Rocktail Bay and Black Rock. Snorkeling and scuba diving are popular activities. Large Strelitzias and beautiful dune vistas are a feature of this section of the Park.
Accommodation:
There are four accommodation facilities in the Coastal Forest section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Rocktail Bay Lodge has 11 x twin / double en-suite units and 1 x 4-sleeper family unit and is situated at Rocktail Bay. Rocktail Beach Camp has 10 x twin / double en-suite units and 1 x 4-sleeper family unit and is situated at Island Rock. Thonga Beach Lodge with 12 x twin / double en-suite units and the Mabibi Campsite with 10 campsites (with no plug-points) are situated at the Mabibi Beach. Many private accommodation providers are in the area.
Activities:
Scuba diving at Mabibi and Island Rock
Snorkeling and swimming at Mabibi, Island Rock, Lala Nek, Rocktail Bay, Black Rock, Dog Point
Kayaking on Lake Sibaya
Birding
Walking
Salt-water fly fishing and rock and surf fishing
The maximum number of vehicles allowed at day visitor sites are as follows:
Mabibi – 5 vehicles
Island Rock – 5 vehicles
Lala Nek – 5 vehicles
Rocktail Bay – 5 vehicles
Black Rock – 8 vehicles
Park entry:
Gate opening and closing times: 06h00 to 18h00
Reception hours: 07h00 to 16h00 (Mon – Sun)
Entry fee: Adults R25, Children (under the age of 16) R15, Vehicle charge R20
Community Levy: R5 per person
Manzengwenya Camp (Island Rock) contact details: +27 35 574 8998
Kosi Bay Camp contact details: +27 35 592 0235
iSimangaliso 24 Hour emergency hotline: +27 82 797 7944
Public facilities:
Cold drinks and ice cream and a small range of resource books are available at the Reception office. Annual fishing licenses are also available.
Lake Sibaya – Sibaya is South Africa’s largest fresh-water lake. Tucked against forested coastal dunes, its crystal clear waters are home to KwaZulu-Natal’s second largest population of hippo and crocodiles.
Many private accommodation providers are in the area.
Activities:
Drive along the coastal forest road alongside Lake Sibaya.
Kayak on Lake Sibaya (booking through Thonga Beach Lodge)
Park entry:
Gate opening and closing times: 06h00 to 18h00
Entry fee: None
Sodwana Bay – Sodwana Bay is rated as one of the top ten dive destinations in the world. The coral reefs contain over 1200 species of fish as well as a variety of underwater seascapes and marine flora and fauna. The Coelacanth was discovered in the deep Jesser Canyon offshore from Sodwana Bay in 2000.
Accommodation:
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife runs self-catering log cabins and a wide range of campsites. Coral Divers has a number of accommodation options ranging from safari tents to en-suite huts and has a communal kitchen and restaurant serving meals throughout the day. Mseni Lodge has various units that can sleep 2 – 8 guests, and also has a restaurant on site. Many private accommodation providers are in the area.
Activities:
Swimming
Snorkeling
Scuba Diving
Walking (Mgoboseleni Trail)
Birding
Whale watching
Turtle tours
Fishing (shore, fly, deep-sea, fishing ski, fishing jetski)
Day Beach driving permit to Adlams or 9 Mile Reef (total of 10 permits issued per day) cost R300 per day, with R200 deposit payable Reception.
Private scuba divers are required to enquire about daily permits.
Park entry:
Gate opening and closing times: open 24 hours
Reception hours: 08h00 to 16h30 (Mon – Thur), 07h00 to 16h30 (Fri – Sat) 07h00 to 15h00 (Sun)
Entry fee: Adults R25, Children under the age of 12 R20
Community Levy: R5 per person
Camp contact details: +27 35 571 0051
iSimangaliso 24 Hour emergency hotline: +27 82 797 7944
Public facilities
Annual licenses to catch or obtain bait are available at the Reception office. A small supermarket is situated across the road from the main reception office. Fuel is also available.
uMkhuze – More than 420 species of birds can be found in this 38 500-hectare bird-lovers’ paradise! Leopard, black and white rhino, elephant, giraffe, wild dog, cheetah, hyena and various antelope are also to be seen. A guided walk through the Sycamore Fig Forest and a visit to the Nsumo Pan are favourite activities for visitors to uMkhuze.
Accommodation:
There are three accommodation options in uMkhuze. On the western entrance to this section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is the eMshophi Campsite . The main accommodation facility is found in the Mantuma Camp which has a range of cottages, rest huts and en-suite safari tents. The 8 bed Nhlonhlela Camp is a bush lodge where the services of a cook and an own guide are included in the rate. Many private accommodation providers are in the area.
Activities:
Self-drive game drives throughout the Park
Guided game and bird trails
Guided fig forest walk
Animal and bird sighting at various hides
Guided night drives
Park entry:
Gate opening and closing times
April to October 06h00 to 18h00
November to March 05h00 to 19h00
Office hours: 08h00 to 16h00 (Mon – Sat), 07h00 to 15h00 (Sun)
Entry fee: Vehicle charge R44 if < 10 people; R80 for 10-20 people; R150 if >20 people, Adults R35, Children under the age of 12 R25
Community levy: R5 per person
Camp contact details: +27 35 573 9004
Public facilities:
Ice, books, cold drinks and some basic supplies are available at the Reception office. The Rhin-o-Dino restaurant is open as follows: 07h00-09h30, 11h30-14h00 and 17h00-19h00.
False Bay – This area includes sand forest, thornveld and open savannah. Popular activities here include boating and fishing. Enjoy the view of Lake St Lucia at its widest point. Marine fossils – animal and plant – can be viewed in the local interpretive center.
Accommodation:
Accommodation options at False Bay consist of campsites and the rustic Dugandlovu Camp.
The campsites are currently closed due to a water shortage. Many private accommodation providers are in the area.
Activities:
Fishing from the Lake shore and by boat (check levels of the Lake prior to arrival)
Hiking (two self-guided trails)
Horse Riding
Birding
Getting There
Park entry:
Gate opening and closing times: 06h00 to 18h00
Office hours: 08h00 to 16h00 (Mon – Sat), 07h00 to 15h00 (Sun)
Entry fee: Adults R25, Children (under the age of 12) R18
Community Levy: R5 per person
Camp contact details: +27 35 562 0425
Public facilities:
Ice, books and cold drinks are available at the Reception office.
Western Shores and Charters Creek – See elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard, as well as giraffe, tsessebe and other antelope species – or sit back and enjoy panoramic views of Lake St Lucia and the Eastern Shore dunes.
Accommodation:
Currently the accommodation at Charters Creek is closed due water shortage. There are many private accommodation providers in the area.
Activities:
New Western Shores Section
Self-drive game drives – enter at the NEW Dukuduku gate or the Nhlozi gate and enjoy the new section of the Western shores; key attractions include; uMphate Loop with Kweyezalukazi lookout Kwelamadoda Pan – abundant birdlife and amazibu water lily, uBhejane picnic site, eMgadankawu hide, Kwelezintombi Pan, uMdoni loop taking you to the uMthoma aerial boardwalk, uMthoma aerial boardwalk overlooping the Lake St Lucia narrows and with magnificent views from Maphelane to Cape Vidal.
Guided game drives and night drives can be taken in the NEW Western Shores section. The following operators can be contacted;
Heritage Tours & Safaris – 035 590 1555 heritagetoursandsafaris.com
Jabisa Tours – 035 590 1635 www.eurozulu.com
Charters Creek
Currently open to day visitors only
fishing from the shore and by boat (enquire about Lake levels prior on arrival)
Park entry:
New Western Shores section – Dukuduku and Nhlozi gates
Gate opening and closing times
April to October – 06h00 to 18h00
November to March – 05h00 to 19h00
Entry fee: Adults – R35
Children under the age of 12 – R25
Community Levy: R5 per person
Vehicle charge R45 if < 10 people; R80 for 10-20 people; R145 if >20 people,
Western Shores (Charters Creek entry)
Gate opening and closing times: 06h00 to 18h00
Reception hours: 08h00 to 16h00 (Mon – Sat), 07h00 to 15h00 (Sun)
Entry fee: Adults R25, Children (under the age of 12) R15
Community Levy: R5 per person
Camp contact details: +27 35 550 9000
Lake St Lucia – Lake St Lucia is Africa’s largest estuarine system. It is 80 kms long and 23 kms wide at its widest point. Home to over 800 hippos and 1200 crocodiles, this dynamic system hosts large flocks of pelicans, flamingos, ducks, waders and a variety of fish and other aquatic species.
Accommodation:
There are two campsites situated close to the Lake St Lucia Estuary and the Iphiva Campsite is situated close to the Crocodile Centre, north of the town of St Lucia. There are many private accommodation providers in the area.
Activities:
Fishing (shore, deep sea, jet ski, fishing ski, boat)
Whale watching (June – Nov)
Horse Riding
Birding
Self-guided nature trails
Walking or swimming at the beach
Guided night drives
Visit to the Crocodile Centre
Boat cruise on Lake St Lucia
Kayaking on Lake St Lucia
Public facilities:
Ice, books and cold drinks are available at the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Reception office. Monthly and annual licences to catch fish or obtain bait are also available.
Eastern Shores and Cape Vidal – The Eastern Shores is the ideal beach and safari destination. A number of game viewing roads offer intimate access to varied habitats including dunes, grassland, lakes, pans and coastal dune forest. Lookout points provide panoramic vistas over a landscape shaped by human residence in Iron Age times and by the Bhangazi people. Popular beach destinations are found at Cape Vidal and Mission Rocks.
Accommodation:
A range of accommodation is available at Cape Vidal, all of which are operated by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The campsite consists of 50 sites for camping and caravans, there are a number of 8 and 5 sleeper log cabins, a range of other self-catering units known as the Fishing Cabins and the 8-sleeper Bhangazi Bush Lodge. There are many other private accommodation providers in the area.
Activities:
Fishing (shore, deep sea, fishing ski, jet ski)
Game Viewing (guided and self-guided)
Walking on the beach
Birding
Turtle tours (November – March)
Horse Safaris
Guided Night Drives
Kayaking on Lake St Lucia
Park entry:
Gate opening and closing times
April to October 06h00 to 18h00
November to March 05h00 to 19h00
Reception hours: 08h00 to 16h00 (Mon – Sat), 07h00 to 15h00 (Sun)
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