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Province: KwaZulu Natal
Safaris Type: Scenic , Beach, Birding & Wildlife
NDUMO/KOSI BAY/MABIBI/MKHUZE
(14 DAYS CAMPING, 4X4, BIRDS AND BEACH)
DAY ONE
NDUMO GAME RESERVE
As you climb over the the Lebombo Mountains and drop down to the Makathinim Flats you will be able to see a vista of the area you will be enjoying for the next fourteen days.
Enter Ndumo and drive through the Terminalia veld to the camp where you set up camp at your chosen site. Take the time to familarise yourself with the flora and fauna of Ndumo and plan your next three days so you make the most of your stay.
DAY TWO
NDUMO GAME RESERVE
Join the vehicle tour around Nyamithi pan where sighting and photographic opportunities abound. The pan is full of hippos, crocs and a wonderful variety of water birds. In the fringing vegetation, families of nyala and the shy red duiker can be seen.
In the afternoon drive through to Shokwe pan and Red Cliffs where you can sit on the edge of the Usutu River, look into Mocambique, sip sundowners and watch the sun sink behind the Lebombo Mountains.
DAY THREE
NDUMO GAME RESERVE
Waking early, you meet your pre-booked field ranger and drive to the start of your bush walk. The walk takes you through thick fig forest to the confluence of the Pongola and Usutu rivers providing the chance to see narina trogans, Pell`s fishing owl and Neergaard`s sunbird.In the afternoon take the vehicle tour to Banzi pan where you can see pygmy geese and lesser jacana in among the water lilies.
DAY FOUR
KOSI BAY
Break camp and make your way out of Ndumo and east to KwaNgwanase where the road to Kosi Bay campsites, on the shores of Lake Hlange, begins.If you leave early enough, you will have time to visit Tembe Elephant Park which has some interesting 4X4 trails. The Ndumo Ltd stores at Ndumo and KwaNgwanase are your two opportunities to restock your supplies.
Set up camp and get out your fishing gear. Lake Hlange and Lake Mpungwini provide excellent fishing from boats and from the shore. You can also canoe on the lakes keeping a careful eye out for crocs and hippos.
DAY FIVE
KOSI BAY
Rising early, pack a picnic lunch and head back to KwaNgwanase and head north for the turn-off to Kosi Mouth.This sand track is definitely 4X4 country and as you climb up and down the main dune before the coast your driving skills will be taxed. There are magnificent views of the Kosi lakes system from the top of the dune and you can see lines of fish traps in the water below you.From the parking area you can walk to the beach for surf fishing and also snorkelling over the marine sanctuary near the outfall of the lake into the sea.
DAY SIX
KOSI BAY
For another day with 4X4 challenges exploring this beautiful part of the country, pack food and drink, fishing and swimming gear and head to KwaNgwanase and take the road to Sihadla gate into the Coastal Forest Reserve. Follow the tracks through to Banga Nek picnic site where the day is spent swimming and fishing and walking on this beautiful pristine beach.
DAY SEVEN
KOSI BAY
Spend the day fishing on the lakes and from the shoreline. Bird watching around the Kosi area is very rewarding with coastal grasslands, dune forest and the marine and water birds on the lakes.
DAY EIGHT
MABIBI CAMPSITE
Break camp early and make your way back to KwaNgwanase and into the Coastal Forest Reserve via the Sihadla gate. Follow the sand tracks until you get to the junction with the track to Banga Nek and turn south to Dog Point. Although you are no longer allowed to drive on the beaches, there are many places on your way to Mabibi where you can park and walk through to the beach. This beautiful coastline with its pristine grasslands and forests offers spectacular views none more so than at Black Rock where you can look down into the clear water and spot turtles and other marine life.
DAY NINE
MABIBI CAMPSITE
From the Mabibi campsite you can fish and snorkel up and down the adjacent beach at a number of beautiful spots each of which justifies a days outing on its own. Plan your activities around the tides as this movement of the sea affects fishing and at low tide beach walking is much more interesting as you are able to explore rock pools.
DAY TEN
MABIBI CAMPSITE
Spend the day bird watching in the dune forest and along the shores of Lake Sibaya. There are many areas to explore and lovely spots for refreshment breaks along the lake shore.
DAY ELEVEN
MKHUZE GAME RESERVE
Break camp early and head south towards the exit gate that leads to Mbazwana. Head south on the new SDI road and turn right (east) to Mkhuze Game Reserve. The road will take you between Mkhuze and Phinda to the N2 where you head north to Mkuze Village. You have taken the slightly longer route so you can restock your supplies at the supermarkets in the village.Emshopi campsite is near the entrance gate to the reserve and has some delightful spots under shady trees near the small river you crisscross on your way in.
Set up camp and make yourself comfortable for the next few days.
DAY TWELVE
MKHUZE GAME RESERVE
In the cool of the morning pack the skottle braai and breakfast supplies and drive past Mantuma Camp to Ediza pan picnic site or to Nsumo picnic site. At this time of the morning game viewing is excellent. When you get to your chosen spot relax and prepare your bushveld breakfast to the call of fish eagles and hippos. The Nsumo observation platforms allow you to take in all the toing and froing of the wildlife on the open water and in the reed beds.Complete the loop road back to Mantuma and the campsite.In the afternoon pack suitable drinks and refreshments and drive to the Kwa Malibala Hide and watch the birds and animals arrive, drink and move away again. In quiet periods the small inhabitants of the bush and water are worth spotting as they get on with their daily lives.
DAY THIRTEEN
MKHUZE GAME RESERVE
In the morning drive past Mantuma Camp to the KwaJobe cultural village and spend some time interacting with the people and their way of life and the crafts that they make and use.
Make your way back to camp for a late breakfast.As the day warms up pack lunch, drinks and snacks and make your way to KwaBube or KwaMasinga Hide.These are world famous and present wonderful photographic opportunities.In the afternoon drive to the south of the reserve along the Lebombo Mountains.This park reserve with its many different vegetation types and the corresponding wildlife provides many game viewing opportunities as you wind your way along the various loop roads and back to the campsite at sunset.
DAY FOURTEEN
MKHUZE GAME RESERVE
Packing for home is sad after wonderful holiday but after you have moved out of the campsite the reserve is still there to be enjoyed for as much of the day as you can spare before your drive home.
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