The Southern Route of the Elephant Coast stretches from KwaMbonambi in the south to Fanie’s Island in the north, and from the iMfolozi Game Reserve in the west to St Lucia and Cape Vidal on the coast. This section of the Elephant Coast is famous for its crafters.
Maphelana, south of St Lucia where the iMfolozi River meets the sea, is tucked into a sheltered bay on the south bank rivermouth and is the southernmost camp in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park.
Mtubatuba (the name comes from the local Zulu chief) is a small, busy and vital center which offers local communities access to supplies, markets and other facilities. It also provides an ideal overnight stop for travellers going north or south – and access to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park reserve from the south. iMfolozi forms the bottom half of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, giving visitors to the area access to ‘Big Five’ game-viewing.
Khula village borders the Isimangaliso Wetland Park and provides visitors with a unique look into the lifestyle of a peri-urban Zulu community. Experience current expressions of Zulu life and traditions with one of the families that offer home stays or visit the purpose-built traditional village.
Charter’s Creek and Fanie’s Island are situated on the western banks of Lake St Lucia. They are accessible from the N2 and provide great trails for mountain bikers and hikers as well as being a favourite for anglers and bird watchers as the area is teeming with terrestrial and aquatic birds. Facilities here include picnic sites, ablutions, swimming pool and boat launch access.
