Sodwana Bay and Mabibi, Lake Sibaya and the Eastern Shores with Cape Vidol.
This itinerary gives you a complete range of accommodation options across the different places…. giving you the chance to truly get the feel of South African hospitality within an exceptional reserve.
Sodwana Bay.
Getting there- 4 hour drive from King Shaka Airport (329.5kms) on the N2 and you will go through tolls costing in 2024 for a light vehicle, R91. From the town of Hluhluwe continue on the R22 towards Sodwana Bay once at Mbazwana turn right in the town towards Sodwana from here it’s approximately 16km.
Sodwana Bay is one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. South Africa’s best coral reef complex is here plus the highest density of hippos and crocodiles in the country.
Drive through the small town to check into our suggested Mseni Beach Lodge. This is a perfect place for scuba enthusiasts! The lodge is close to the beach for lovely long walks. Swimming is possible all year round as the water is warm at around 22 degrees and higher in summer.
Sodwana is of course all about what is in the water. Visibility is usually good, averaging 12 to 15m. The protected marine area some 150km’s long and extends three nautical miles out to sea. The 50kms of coral gardens, reefs and overhangs are home to over 80 percent of South Africa’s fish species. These high altitude reefs and generally good visibility, make diving a pleasure. On the Indian Ocean seabed there are several canyons that cut the continental shelf.
There are 95 species of corals, as well as sponges and other invertebrates. There are over 1200 species of fish, including sharks, whale, the manta ray, rock cod and potato bass.
For scuba: the best diving spots are 2 Mile Reef, 5 Mile Reef, 7 Mile Reef (fantastic spot!) and 9 Mile Reef (a good dive site but not a good place out of the water-careful of theft from parked cars), each with unique characteristics. There is also excellent diving at Rocktail Bay and Mabibi. Shark diving is also good with regular sightings of Ragged Tooth Shark, Zambezi and Tiger Shark, even the Great White and occasionally in summer, the greatest of fish, the Whale Shark.
For snorkeling: Jesser Point, with its natural pools sheltered from the ocean. The depth is never over 6 feet/2 meters. The sea bed is made up of rocks interspersed with small coral, but also sea grass and sandy areas. See shoals of convict tang, small groups of sargo and sergeant major, as well as bright yellow raccoon butterflyfish plus the odd needlefish.
If you cannot scuba, this is the place to learn!
For fishing: Deep sea is where the action is and all year you can catch Sailfish, King Mackerel, Yellowfin Tuna and other game fish species. For Marlin fishing – November to May (Black Marlin, Blue Marlin and Striped Marlin) and Dorado game fishing is from November to March.
Just 34kms and it will take 1.5 hours. Mabibi is one of the last unspoilt and undeveloped wilderness beaches left on the African continent.
You need a 4×4 and a healthy budget as you will be staying at South Africa’s top beach lodge. It will be worth every cent! Arrange a hotel transfer if you do not have a 4×4.
Check in, grab a cocktail and nestle into barefoot luxury. The beach is utterly stunning and the lodge will organize a fantastic range of local highlight excursions. Scuba and snorkeling are excellent here, too. With pampering spa treatments, good food and luxury, you may be inclined to simply indulge and chill!
The alternative is to stay at the Mabibi Beach Camp. This is a simple and pristine spot with a few chalets with electricity and a few camping sites without electricity. You need 4×4 as the road is sandy and do not travel at night. The camp is closed between 07.00 and 18.00 hours.
Turtle egg laying and hatching
Mabibi and northwards is the chosen place for turtles to lay their eggs and you can watch both this as well as the hatching eggs with the little turtles racing from the nest to the sea. Only guided tours are allowed. We will advise shortly. From November to March.
Lake Sibaya
Just 25 minutes from Mabibi, this is the largest freshwater lake in South Africa and is bordered by enormous vegetation covered dunes which filter rainwater into the lake. No rivers feed it. It has several species of zooplankton that feed 15 species of aquatic clams and 43 species of terrestrial clams.
279 species of birdlife, some of which are at risk of extinction, can be found here and 62 of these depend on the lake to forage or nest. Up to 20,000 water birds can be observed at one time! A good way to view is from a kayak. You need a 4×4 for this soft sand area and your own kayaks unless you are staying at Thonga Beach Lodge.
The Eastern Shores
Grassland is separated by coastal dunes, which home the shy Red Duiker and the endangered Samango Monkey. In forest patches, forest birds abound, including the beautiful Narina Trojan. The dunes themselves are ancient and many exceed 160m in height. All are thickly vegetated with dense shrubbery and trees up to 30m high. There are many varied trails, both guided and self -guided. The ‘Mvubu Trail” is a must for birders. Game viewing on loop roads, from hides and on open grasslands is excellent. Mission Rocks is a great stop to enjoy the impressive rock pools and stretch your legs. Buffalo, hippo, common reedbuck, waterbuck, bush pig and zebra are regularly seen as as is leopard spoor. Keep your distance from the elephant as a couple are cheeky! Cheetah has been introduced. The Wetland Park is home to a total of 53 snake species, including the well camouflaged, Gaboon Viper and 42 species of lizards. The gate and office should have maps.
Cape Vidal Beach and Bay is a protected bay ideal for swimming and snorkeling during the entire year due to the warm Indian Ocean currents. During the winter months, one may also witness Humpback Whales breaching from the beach. Fishing from surf launched speed boats as well as shore, is excellent but a license is necessary. Crayfish are not allowed to be removed as this is a protected area. If the North Westerly blows, watch out as you will see blue bottles, glassy little balloons with long tails. The sting is ‘einaah’ (VERY sore). A dab of vinegar helps….so a little bottle on east coast holidays, is a good idea!
This really is the best of a bush and beach break as you can game view early morning and afternoon, and enjoy the sea in the middle of the day. The camp has good simple log cabins and well shaded and private campsites, both with electricity.
Leaving Cape Vidol, it is just 46 min (33,8km) via P237 to the town of St Lucia, on tar but allow for game viewing stops.
Note: These are protected areas and you need permits to collect, fish, spear fish and dive. When you arrive visit the KZN Wildlife office, and get the info you need for the very specific permit that you need. Even if you catch or collect in a non protected area, then walk through a protected area with your spoils, you will be charged unless covered by a permit. The rangers are VERY vigilant and will take your car away until very hefty fines, in the thousands, are paid. It also often means a court appearance, making your holiday even better! So do not even try to get around the rules.
