Elephant Coast - KwaZulu Natal Travel Guide - Budget Accommodation, Game Lodges, Luxury Accommodation

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Province: Kwazulu Natal
Region Elephant Coast

Elephant Coast Towns or Villages:
Hluhluwe| Jozini | Kosi Bay | Mkuze | Mtubatuba | Sodwana Bay | St Lucia


Welcome to the Elephant Coast - one of South Africa's most beautiful and unspoilt areas. This narrow strip of land approximately 200 kilometers long and just 70 kilometers wide is home to an incredible 21 different eco-systems. Dense evergreen forests of towering fig trees stand in a lush undergrowth of ferns and wild orchids hanging from the trees. Palm savannahs with thousands of wild date and lala palms dot the white sand of the undulating landscape. Swamp forests with large raffias and tangled masses of greenery that are home to myriads of exquisite birds and behind them mountainous sand dunes that appear to shift with the sighing of gentle winds.

Few areas in Africa have the incredible diversity of fresh water eco-systems found here. There are major rivers, broad flood plains, large coastal lagoons, deep clear coastal lakes, extensive papyrus swamps and small semi-permanent pans. Hippo crocodiles and small game can still be found in the wild and a phenomenal number of bird species abound. There is a wide variety of flora, with well over 2000 plant species, many of which are endemic to the region. 

The Elephant Coast is bound in the north west by the Ubombo Mountains, in the East by the warm Indian Ocean and in the south by the Umfolozi River just below the St. Lucia Estuary which is part of a World Heritage site. The area is steeped in history and there are a number of paleantological sites of scientific importance.

This incredible area is a perfect destination for all ages and has something for everyone. There are dozens of game reserves, beautiful beaches, deep sea fishing and diving on a number of reefs, mountain trails, cultural activities and a number of historical sites. This is one of the few destinations where a visitor can see the big 5 at a game reserve and within a short half hour's drive be able to watch dolphins and whales. There is a variety of excellent accommodation to suit every pocket and a holiday to the Elephant Coast will be enjoyed by everyone from adventure lovers to those who just want to escape to the bush and commune with nature. 


Seven Safaris of the Elephant Coast of KwaZulu-Natal
The Elephant Coast is a particularly unique safari destination – as it combines the best of both the terrestrial and marine natural environment. The Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park – a World Heritage Site since 1999, are both world- class conservation areas.

The Seven Safaris include a Birding Safari, Fishing Safari, Big 6 Safari, Ocean Safari, Action Safari, Wellness Safari and Cultural Safari.

Birding Safari 
The Elephant Coast is regarded as the birding hotspot of South Africa, with over 70 different birding spots and 600 species in a huge variety of habitats. Mkhuze and Ndumo Game Reserves each have recorded more than 400 species within their respective areas. The Zululand Birding Route, a non-profit project of Birdlife SA focuses on conserving birds and their habitats by promoting and developing birding tourism in the greater Zululand region.

Fishing Safari 
The unique marine, lake and wetland ecosystems of the Elephant Coast are home to many fish species. Traditionally, domestic visitors have flocked to this area, with fishing being a prime activity. Since the ban on driving on beaches, and the drought in the area leading to the closing of the estuary mouth, ‘fishing tourists’ have stayed away from the area. The fishing safari campaign aims to highlight the wide range of angling experiences that are still available – tiger fishing on the Jozini Dam and Pongola River, Fly fishing at Cape Vidal and Kosi Bay, Deepsea launches from St Lucia and Sodwana Bay, Rock and Surf Fishing

Big 6 Safari 
The Elephant Coast offers excellent viewing of the Big 5 (rhino, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard) in reserves. The Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve and Tembe Elephant Park are the two Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife properties that offer a Big 5 experience. Two private game reserves within the destination also have the Big 5 – namely Thanda Private Game Reserve and Phinda Private Game Reserve. Advantage Tours and Charters is the Sole Permit Holder of the SA Whale Route, and base their boat-based whale watching tours from the town of St Lucia. They offer money- back guarantees on the trips that they run during the Whale Season from June – November

Ocean Safari 
240 kms of pristine coastline from Maphelane in the south to Kosi Bay on the Mozambique border offer unparalleled marine experiences. Apart from whale watching and deep sea fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling and turtle tours add to the marine activity list of the Elephant Coast. The southern-most coral reefs of Africa situated off Sodwana Bay are home to 95 identified species of hard and soft corals and over 1200 species of fish. From the end of October to January Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles come ashore to nest and in January and February the tiny hatchlings return to the sea.

Action Safari 
A number of product owners have started offering exciting action-oriented activities. Horse Safaris, ranging from 1 hour, half day and full day rides to multi-day outrides are available in St Lucia, False Bay, Sodwana Bay and Kosi Bay. Sea Kayaking and Canoe trails are increasingly popular. Off-road trails for quadbikes and custom-built ‘buggies’ are on offer. Kiteboarding at Sodwana Bay is starting to become a serious drawcard for this coastal resort. Wilderness Trails offered by KZN Wildlife on the Eastern Shores of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and in the Imfolozi Game Reserve provide an amazing encounter with nature.

Wellness Safari 
Three properties in the Elephant Coast have developed wellness centres that add an extra allure to visiting this destination. Services at these lodges range from massages (kahuna, swedish, hot stone therapy, Indian head) to facials, pedicures and manicures and body wraps.

Cultural Safari
The Zulu and amaThonga cultures form the basis for an interesting cultural experience on the Elephant Coast. The ancient fish traps of the Kosi Lakes are testament to an age-old interaction of human residents of the area with their natural environment. Cultural tourist villages and authentic walking trails through rural communities provide an insight into some of the cultural aspects of the residents of the Elephant Coast. Furthermore, important historical sites such as the Battle of Ghost Mountain, Dingane’s Grave and Border Caves add to the wealth of archaeological and historical features of the area.

Affordability and Accessibility are key factors in the decision-making process for prospective visitors. On the affordability front, each of the above experiences is possible for the full range of accommodation types on offer in the Elephant Coast, with a wide range of options including camping, self-catering units, bed and breakfast establishments, hotels and lodges and exclusive hideaways.

The Elephant Coast is a short 2,5 hour drive from Durban, with the closest airport being Richards Bay. The road from Hluhluwe to kwaNgwanase (Kosi Bay) has now been tarred as part of the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative and has thus made Sodwana Bay, Lake Sibaya and Kosi Bay much more accessible.