The Elephant Coast is a narrow strip of land about 250km long and 70km wide in northern KwaZulu Natal. Parts of it are known as Maputaland and Zululand, and the World Heritage Site of Greater St Lucia Wetland Park is also in this region. It is home to an incredible 21 different eco-systems, including evergreen forests, palm savannahs, swamp forests, coastal lagoon, flood plains, rivers and sand dunes. Due to this, the area has a huge variety of flora, with over 2000 plant species, and a profusion of wildlife. It is also an exceptional birding region.
The Elephant Coast is roughly from Richards Bay up as far as Kosi Bay, close to the Mozambique border. It is an incredibly naturally rich region, with a huge amount to offer both on land and in the sea, as well as being culturally rich.
Beaches
Lapped by the Indian Ocean, the Elephant Coast beaches are long and sandy, and mostly backed by coastal forest. The clear blue waters rarely drop below 20°c here (and can reach 29°c in summer) and they are home to one of the richest reefs ecosystems in the world, with over 1250 fish species, sharks, rays, 95 coral species and a wide variety of plant life. This is also one of the world's few remaining breeding grounds for the rare leatherback and loggerhead turtles. Nesting is from the end of October to January, and they hatch in about January and February.
Beaches include: Kosi Bay; Cape Vidal; Rocktail Bay; Sodwana Bay; St Lucia.
Parks & Reserves
There are some fine game reserves and parks within the Elephant Coast, some of which are home to the 'Big Five' (Hluhluwe, Phinda, Tembe, and Thanda).
Parks include: Greater St Lucia Wetland Park; Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve; Itala Game Reserve; Ndumo Game Reserve; Phinda Private Game Reserve; Tembe Elephant Park, Thanda Private Game Reserve.
Water-based activities
This is one of South Africa's best diving and snorkelling areas, particularly Sodwana Bay. Diving is good all year here, but best from about April to September. It is also a superb area for fishing.
Zulu Culture
This region is Zulu, and there are various places where you can get an insight into the traditional life and culture of the Zulu people.