Local Living In Sodwana Bay & Elephant Coast

Sodwana Bay is the ultimate diving spot in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, it is the oldest Maputaland Marine Protected Area in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Besides chilled beach vibes you will discover the rich Zulu culture and a beautiful underwater world. The best of both worlds!

Sawubona! (hello!)

Welcome to Zululand! This area is located in the province of KwaZulu Natal, home to one of our team members. Zululand is of course not a precisely defined area but is in fact an area of the Zulu Tribe.

But who are the Zulus? In short: the Zulus are a Bantu ethnic group and historically come from the province of KwaZulu-Natal. A large part of the population in South Africa is of the Zulu tribe. They strongly believe that the spirits of deceased people watch over humanity. If something bad happens in life it is due to evil magic or the spirits that have been offended. The famous Zulu warrior ShakaZulu founded a huge Zulu kingdom in the east of South Africa in the 19th century. This was at the time of the European colonists who arrived in the west of Africa and slowly traveled towards South Africa. Then the horrific Angola-Zulu war started that cost many lives.

ShakaZulu in turn used very violent and brutal methods to win this war. These methods were inspired by the animal kingdom. In particular, the Big Five of Africa served as muses, cunning and elusive as they are. Despite the many lives lost, ShakaZulu is seen as one of the greatest military leaders in history.

Today, the Zulu community is an integral part of South African culture. There are approximately 9 million Zulu people living in South Africa and it is one of the official and most widely spoken languages of the country. Although the KwaZulu-Natal region is still the Zulu heartland, you can find the Zulu throughout the country. The Zulus of today play an extremely important role in determining the national identity, politics, traditions and cultures of South Africa. In addition to the rich culture in the area, KwaZulu-Natal also has a very diverse landscape. The area is mainly a maritime system: endless sandy beaches, a rich underwater life, the oldest dunes in the world, grassland and gigantic swamps. Read more about the special areas in KwaZulu-Natal here.

Let's get to work

Because it can sometimes be difficult to learn more about the culture in a playful way, we have the perfect solution for you: the Zulu Cooking Class! You will literally taste the culture here. An afternoon of cooking, chatting, playing and enjoying! This is a fun activity where you can experience modern rural life in Zululand. You drive to the house of Stocks, Nomasonto and Nokwanda. Here you will be welcomed so warmly that you will immediately feel at home. Nomasonto and Nokwanda show you how they live and tell you a little more about the culture. Then it is time to roll up your sleeves - the cooking class is about to begin.

In the garden you will look for vegetables and pick the peanuts from the ground. Yes, they really come fresh from the ground, cool! Mash and peel the peanuts, mash the vegetables, make the fire and stir the porridge! Pretend you are at home and become one with the environment and this warm family.

Sundowner Lake Sibaya

Because sometimes you just want to enjoy yourself, we take you to Lake Sibaya, the largest freshwater lake in South Africa. It has a surface area of approximately 77 square kilometers, wow! It is part of iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal. Of course we want to show you this. And what could be better than enjoying a sunset on the shores of the lake? Jump in the back of the 'bakkie' and discover Lake Sibaya! But before we leave, we will stop by the liquor store, because of course a South African beer is part of it.

Lake Sibaya is a beautiful lake and was once one of the largest spring-fed lakes; so there is no river flowing into it. When you hear this, you immediately want to take a dip. But don't do that... because it is home to many crocodiles and hippos. It is such a nice lake that even the saltwater fish from the Indian Ocean have adapted to the fresh water. In the meantime, the lake has become a lot smaller and you can now drive with the 4×4 right through the old riverbed, between the cows, past the hippos. After a beautiful drive along the banks, you will stop right next to the lake to make a fire and braai a traditional ‘boerieroll’. A braai is an authentic South African barbecue. Here, wood is used instead of coal and it is all about slow food: large pieces of meat that you let roast for a long time. Cheers and enjoy your meal!

Elephant Coast

The bush to beach experience on the Elephant Coast is varied, unique and cultural in many ways. This area is located in the East of South Africa, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Sodwana Bay is ideal for a dive in the underwater life, in St. Lucia you will find hundreds of hippos (sometimes a single one even in the village itself) and in HluHluwe-iMfolozi you can spot the BIG 5.

The hippo capital of South Africa

We start at one of the most famous places on the Elephant Coast, St. Lucia. This is a special village that is surrounded by hippos, also called hippos by the locals. Jump in the tourist boat and take a cool tour along the hundreds of hippos, crocodiles and spot some African spoonbills and pink pelicans along the way. St. Lucia actually has only one street.. Here you will find a few cozy restaurants and bars. When you go back to your accommodation in the evening, don't be surprised if you suddenly see a hippo. Only in Africa.. we say!

For the rhino lover

Do you prefer to come for the rhino? The rolling hills of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi in KwaZulu-Natal are a paradise for the self-driver and rhino lover.. This park is located in the heart of Zululand and was founded in 1895 to protect the rhino population. There are currently around 1600 in the park, so imagine how long this beautiful animal has been hunted!

It is home to the Big 5, but you also have a chance to spot cheetahs and Wild Dogs. There is also an impressive bird population, for the bird nerds among us. There are several hides throughout the park, where you can watch the wild animals drink and play in the rivers. Check out more about this green game reserve here.

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1. Africa is our home

We know it from the farthest corners, and that results in amazing trips. We put them together by venturing out there ourselves. Believe us, you won't find these experiences anywhere else!

2. Local experiences

That means you'll visit local people in their villages and communities. Hike with the Masai, cook with your host family in a homestay, and cast a line with traditional fishermen.

3. You decide

So, what are you in the mood for? We'll custom-tailor the entire trip to your wishes. And you can count on us along the way, even in the middle of the night.

4. Travel responsibly

While you enjoy your dream trip, you'll be contributing to the development of local communities, economies, and the environment. That feels good!

Local Living In Sodwana Bay & Elephant Coast

Sawubona! (hello!)

Let's get to work

Sundowner Lake Sibaya

Elephant Coast