The Elephant Coast of South Africa stretches from the Unesco World heritage site of Lake St Lucia in the south of Kwazulu Natal to the town of Kosi Bay which is situated close to the border of Mozambique and also extends westwards inland to the Lubombo Mountains.
It has been named the Elephant Coast as it is home to the largest herd of Elephants indigenous to South Africa that have been present in the sand forests of this region for centuries. This area of Kwazulu Natal also includes the oldest game park in Arica, the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, home of the big five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard).
Aside from the big five which includes the largest herd of Elephants in South Africa, there is also a profusion of other game, fish, animals and rare species of trees and birds in this area in the Elephant coast of Kwazulu-Natal. This is an extraordinary experience while touring South Africa.
There is an overabundance of activities available in the area of the Elephant Coast of Kwazulu Natal. There are the wonderful Indian Ocean beaches of Cape Vidal which is famous for Whale watching, and Scuba diving at Sodwana Bay Nature Reserve.
Kosi Bay, the northernmost part of Kwazulu-Natal is best known for its unspoilt beaches and its lovely system of lakes extending from Lake Amanzimnyama to Lake Zilonde. These lakes are included in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a world heritage site.
There are so many other activities for tourists when not viewing game. There is the option of hiking, horse riding and diving or even just relaxing on a boat viewing humpback whales and dolphins. It is even possible to see turtles on the beach laying eggs.
Accommodation along the Elephant Coast is not a problem as there is a wide choice of guest houses and lodges to stay in.
With all the wonderful sites and activities to be experienced it is easy to realize why the Elephant Coast with its Savannah grasslands, swamps, coral reefs, forests wonderful game parks and beautiful coastline is regarded as the ecotourism paradise of Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa.
