Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
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21 Nov 2017

iSimangaliso Wetland Park a bush and beach destination for travellers

Judi Davis (South Coast Herald) Picture: Maphelane, the southernmost jewel in iSimangaliso, really comes into its own at this time of year.

“Popular family activities include boat cruises on the Lake St Lucia Estuary, boat-based whale watching, turtle tours, horse riding at St Lucia and False Bay, snorkelling, scuba diving at Sodwana Bay, cycling, guided kayak tours and fishing.“

With the December holidays just round the corner and many families revving up their engines for the annual trek to the sea or the bush, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park team reminds South Africans that their World Heritage Site is the perfect family destination.

With 332 000ha of marine and terrestrial interlinking eco-systems, the park is an incredibly diverse bush and beach destination and offers a bit of magic for everyone.

Its 220km of golden beaches lapped by the warm Indian Ocean are a universal draw card, the busy hubs of St Lucia, Sodwana Bay and Kosi Bay being the the most frequented coastal areas. Seaside accommodation is also offered at Maphelane, Cape Vidal, Thonga Beach Lodge, Mabibi campsite and Rocktail Beach Camp.

Popular family activities include boat cruises on the Lake St Lucia Estuary, boat-based whale watching, turtle tours, horse riding at St Lucia and False Bay, snorkelling, scuba diving at Sodwana Bay, cycling, guided kayak tours and fishing. The popular Charters Creek day visitor area also reopens in December with new ablutions and improved facilities.

iSimangaliso boasts excellent game and bird viewing on the Eastern and Western Shores as well as at the big-five uMkhuze section, a birders’ paradise that is home to 530 bird species.

Offshore, iSimangaliso offers one of the richest warm water coral reef systems at Sodwana Bay. Shallow, safe snorkelling trips are also available.

False Bay is starting to re-emerge as a destination as the Lake St Lucia water returns after a long drought and thanks to the ongoing rehabilitation of the estuarine system by the iSimangaliso Authority. Camping is available on grassy lawns at the lake’s edge. An intensive tree-labelling exercise has added great value to the self-guided walks in this section. Trail running and birding are excellent.

Kosi Bay, the Park’s northernmost destination, is truly a place out of a time, offering sheltered beaches, a natural aquarium, fishing and boat cruises. It is the best place to witness one of nature’s miracles, turtles nesting and laying eggs on the beach.

The newly upgraded hides, entrance gates and day visitor facilities in the uMkhuze section have made visiting this oldest portion of the World Heritage Site even more of a pleasure. With the reintroduction of more cheetah and lions in the next few weeks, chances are even better of spotting these magnificent predators along with wild dog, hyena, elephant and leopard.

 

Online Article