Things to do near
Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Nature Reserves
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Tembe Elephant Park (2.4 km from Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds) Situated in an area that was once the ancient ‘Ivory Route' linking Mozambique and Zululand, Tembe Elephant Park is renowned for having the largest elephants in Africa – and the planet!
The park is remote, lying deep in the sand forests and wetlands in northern Tongaland, right on the border between KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique. You will need a 4WD vehicle to negotiate the sand tacks and only ten vehicles are allowed into the park daily, but it’s definitely worth the effort. This is where you can meet over 220 of these elephants thriving in their ancestral birthplace.
Along with seeing these gentle giants, you can also spot the rest of the Big Five – lion, leopard, black and white rhino and buffalo. There is also the tiniest antelope, the Suni, and a spectacular variety of animals and over 340 bird species. The park consists mainly of closed woodland but offers a great diversity of vegetation, lying within a transition area between tropical and sub-tropical forms.
Nature Reserves
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Ndumo Game Reserve (23.7 km from Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds) Situated near Tembe Elephant Park on the Mozambique border, Ndumo Game Reserve is celebrated for its magnificent bird life and is home to a staggering 430 bird species.
Not only does Ndumo boast the highest bird count in South Africa, the reserve has a variety of habitats with many beautiful pans fringed by yellow fever trees, vast wetlands, acacia savannah and unique sand forest. The Pongola River flows through it to the confluence with the Usuthu River on the park’s northern boundary.
Birders should keep a keen lookout for Pell's fishing owl, the broadbill, southern banded snake eagle and a variety of tropical East African birds at the southernmost limit of their range. The wetlands are home to an astonishing range of waterbirds including pelicans, black egrets and pygmy geese.
Suni antelope, nyala, bushbuck, impala, red duiker, black and white rhino, hippo and crocodile are regularly spotted. Entomologists find Ndumo particularly exciting with a fascinating array of insects including 66 recorded species of mosquito!
Guided day walks or morning and afternoon drive tours can be arranged at the reception office. Certain areas of the reserve can be explored by visitors in their own vehicles.
Hiking Trail
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Kosi Bay (40.6 km from Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds) The guided slack packing trail at Kosi Bay offers terrain ranging from beach and mangrove forests, grasslands to mysterious waterways. Evenings are spent in comfort at various lodges so you don’t have to carry heavy packs.
Hiking in this spectacular wild paradise offers the chance of spotting humpback whales, dolphins, hippos, leatherback and loggerhead turtles, tiny Suni antelope; Pel’s fishing owls, palmnut vultures and numerous sub-tropical species of birds.
Hikes are tailored to suit each group and you can choose to walk for two or three days, over distances ranging from 8 km to 15 km a day. Find out more about guided hiking trails and other awesome activities when you make an enquiry at one of the Kosi Bay lodges – Maputaland Horse Safaris & Bush Camp, Amangwane Camp and Kosi Forest Lodge.
NOTE:
Kosi Bay is in a malaria region. If you are planning to travel to iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Kosi Bay please consult your doctor or travel clinic for advice and refer to our article on malaria.
Nature Reserves
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Kosi Bay (41.2 km from Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds) Situated in the northernmost section of the stunning iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Kosi Bay Nature Reserve is a wonderful sub-tropical wilderness escape.
Four interconnected lakes and an estuary link up to the ocean, offering a playground for canoeing, boat trips, snorkelling, hiking, bird watching and horse riding. The Kosi lake system is home to numerous birds and animals including hippos and crocs.
Humpback whales are regularly seen from the beach on their migration to calve in Mozambique. During December and January loggerhead and leatherback turtles labour up the sandy beaches to lay their eggs.
Community run trails offer a fascinating glimpse into the history and culture as well as an experience of the natural beauty of the area. The traditional fishing reed traps are definitely worth a visit. These structures have been handed down from father to son for hundreds of years. If you hook up with a local Tonga fisherman you could try and catch a few fish with their traps.
Access to Kosi Bay mouth and beach is a 45-minute drive requiring a 4WD vehicle. The route provides spectacular views across the fish trap dotted lake to the ocean from the top of the high coastal dunes.
NOTE:
Kosi Bay is in a malaria region. If you are planning to travel to iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Kosi Bay please consult your doctor or travel clinic for advice and refer to our article on malaria.
Dams Vleis
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Kosi Bay (44.5 km from Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds) The Kosi Bay estuary system consists of a series of interconnecting channels and four lakes that flow into the sandy estuary mouth before reaching the Indian Ocean. This subtropical paradise features spectacular wildlife, birds and plants, including interesting species of mangrove and palms.
Hippo and crocodile occur in the higher reaches. Leatherback turtles come here to lay their eggs in nests on the beach. Birds to tick off include Pels Fishing Owl and the endangered Palmnut Vulture. The sandy mouth offers great swimming and paddling for kids.
Beaches
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Kosi Bay (45.1 km from Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds) Stretching south of the Mozambique border, the gorgeous sandy beach at Kosi Bay Nature Reserve has much to offer nature and ocean lovers.
Part of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the beach lies parallel to the Kosi lakes and long strip of high sand dunes interrupted by a sandy estuary.
Dolphin and whale watchers will be delighted by frequent sightings, particularly during winter when humpback whales migrate north to calve in the warmer Mozambique waters. You could take a boat trip to see dolphins and whales and there is some great snorkelling on the reefs.
December and January is a particularly exciting time in Kosi Bay, for this is when loggerhead and leatherback turtles haul themselves up the beach to scoop out nests and lay their eggs.
Access to Kosi Bay estuary and beach is a 45-minute drive requiring a 4WD vehicle. The route provides spectacular views across the fish trap dotted lake to the sea from the top of the high dunes.
NOTE:
Kosi Bay is in a malaria region. If you are planning to travel to iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Kosi Bay please consult your doctor or travel clinic for advice and refer to our article on malaria.
Beaches
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Kosi Bay (46.2 km from Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds) Kosi Mouth, Kosi Bay - northern-most tip of South Africa.
Beautiful white sand beaches that stretch forever. Snorkel in the sanctuary or let your kids play in the lagoon. Look out for eels, lion fish, boxies, triggerfish.
Bars
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Ponta do Ouro (48 km from Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds) Fernando's Bar is located opposite the market in the middle of Ponta do Ouro.
Famous for his "R&Rs" and his warm hospitality, this little bar has grown from a tiny little bar to a huge attraction in the area.
Popular Attractions
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Ponta do Ouro (48 km from Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds) When it comes to the thrill of deep-sea fishing, the waters off Southern Mozambique offer the best around.
Test your skills against challenging fish varieties such as marlin, sailfish, dorado, king mackerel, tuna and plenty of others. Fishermen are welcome to bring their own boat to Planet Scuba – staff will assist you in launching your boat and wash it on return. Your catch will even be cleaned and put in freeze.
If you don’t have a boat, Planet Scuba can arrange charters for you.
Beaches
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Ponta do Ouro (48.1 km from Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds) Scuba diving in Ponta Do Ouro is a unique and magical experience. There is an incredible variety of marine life to be seen, including whales, dolphins, sharks, fish, frogs and turtles.
One of the passionate professionals from Devocean Diving can guide you through the paradise of Ponta, and if you'd like to continue learning more about diving they even offer a few courses.
Popular Attractions
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Ponta do Ouro (48.1 km from Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds) Quad bikes are a great way to explore the area around Ponta do Ouro. Travel north towards Ponta Malongane and beyond.
Quad bikes can be rented on an hourly, half-day or daily rate. Guided quad adventures are also available which include snorkeling, bird watching, meals, sun downer cocktails and snacks.
Beaches
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Ponta do Ouro (48.2 km from Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds) Live your dream and swim with dolphins in Ponta do Ouro. The four-day dolphin encounter includes an introduction to dolphins in the wild, research undertaken in the area and the dolphin care in-water code of conduct.
Tours include three early morning launches to observe and interact with dolphins as well as snorkeling at magnificent reefs. Depending on the season, guests could also spot humpback whales, mantas and whale sharks!
Beaches
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Ponta do Ouro (48.5 km from Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds) Ponto do Ouro boasts wonderful beach based activities including surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, turtle watching tours, hiking trails, horse riding trails and canoeing.
Venture off the beach and there’s still so much to do – elephant interactions, quad biking and mountain biking are just some of the amazing activities on offer.
Four By Four Trails
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Ponta do Ouro (48.6 km from Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds) The area around Ponta do Ouro is a 4 x 4 paradise with soft sand roads winding through the dense and unspoiled dune forest, inland flood plains and numerous lakes/marshlands.
In summer the rain can sometimes turn the roads into large, muddy pools, and in winter the sand roads dry out leaving a fine-grain surface; both of which resulting in conditions that can be more challenging than they appear. You may find your driving skills tested to the limit.
As in South Africa, 4 x 4 vehicles are not allowed on the beach unless you have a permit.
Beaches
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Mabibi (54.6 km from Tembe Elephant National Park and surrounds) One of the last pristine and undeveloped wilderness beaches left on the African coastline, Mabibi Beach is a sub-tropical paradise and perfect playground. This magical sandy Maputaland beach is hidden in a sheltered bay surrounded by coastal forest. The crystal clear, warm water offers tranquil swimming, awesome snorkelling on coral reefs and exclusive offshore scuba diving. Situated in the heart of iSimangaliso Wetland Park (formerly Greater St Lucia Wetland Park), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mabibi is just 25 km north of Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.