Located in the traditional homeland of the once mighty Zulu kings, the town of Mbazwana is the gateway to spectacular diving sites along this section of the South African coastline. The ecologically sensitive area is known as the Elephant Coast and is home to two of the country’s most significant reserves, the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game Park and the iSimangeliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mbazwana is surrounded by pineapple plantations, game farms, lakes and natural, evergreen vegetation. The town is close to legendary dive spots where dive operators practice eco-tourism to minimise impact on the environment. The pristine beaches lay untouched with only the occasional tell-tale sign of an evening visit by a breeding turtle while the sea is active with whales passing along their migratory routes and dolphins playing in the shallow water.
Visitors seeking a complete, African eco-friendly experience should consider visiting the Elephant Coast and using Mbazwana as a base from which to start the journey.
Top 8 reasons to visit Mbazwana
1. Take a walk into town to meet the friendly locals. The market should be your starting point to purchase fresh fruit and learn about herbal medicines referred to as muti. Look out for ladies sporting brightly coloured hand-woven hats called isicholos. These hats are worn by married women.
2. Sodwana Bay has over 100 dive sites in the warm Indian Ocean waters and operators are available to transport visitors to the best spots for snorkelling and scuba diving. Many operators offer diving courses from beginner to Master Diver by PADI-certified instructors.
3. The iSimangeliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site has 5 eco-systems, one of the largest estuarine systems in Africa, wetlands, ancient dunes and forests, swamps, teeming birdlife and the park is a breeding ground for various marine species.
4. In summer, giant loggerhead and leatherback turtles arrive on the beaches to lay their eggs. Evening tours are conducted by KwaZulu-Natal wildlife personnel for guests to watch the turtles deposit clutches of up to 100 eggs under the cover of darkness.
5. Once an estuary and cut off from the sea over the passage of time, Lake Sibaya is a pristine and untouched fresh water lake north of Mbazwana. Visit the lake to do some birdwatching. Over 250 species have been recorded here, the most striking being the fish eagle. The lake is home to vast numbers of hippo and crocodile.
6. Travel to the 30000ha Tembe Elephant Park to see the many elephant herds that thrive in the area. The park hosts the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) and a unique resident is the suni, the smallest buck species standing a mere 12 inches at the shoulder.
7. Experience the remote golden beaches, marine life, fossilised dunes and dune forests on horseback. Ask your host to arrange a horse riding trip along the coast.
8. Charter a boat at Sodwana Bay for deep sea fishing and the chance to catch game fish such as tunny and the fiery barracuda.
Transport
The nearest airport is in Richards Bay, 180km from Mbazwana, however, Mbazwana has a small grass airstrip for max 12-seater charters. Fly in to Richards Bay via one of the three international airports (Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg). Hire a car from any of the rental agencies at the Richards Bay airport or order a vehicle online. There are no formal taxis in the area, however, a number of tour operators in Sodwana and Richards Bay offer shuttle services to and from the airport. The recommended means of transport is a 4x4 hire car to freely enjoy the region.
Did you know?
Zulu is mostly spoken in Mbazwana. The area is distinctly rural and many locals follow a simple way of life. Education has in the past been a problem and you may have to learn the phrase ‘Ukhuluma isingisi?’ meaning ‘Do you speak English?’ (…the letter u is pronounced oo)
It was a stroke of luck that Sodwana Bay avoided succumbing to industry. The bay was originally surveyed as a possible bulk cargo port in the 1970s. Fortunately Richards Bay further south was considered a better option and Sodwana’s pristine coral reefs now remain ecologically sound.
