Black Rock Beach
These include: basketball, netball, soccer, ballroom and Latin dancing, tennis, (cricket when organized), swimming, running (trail and road), cycling (mountain biking and road), diving, kite surfing, surfing, fishing, horse riding, kayaking, surfski, hiking, bird watching, frogging and orienteering. Further a field, climbing/abseiling can be done. Paragliding is offered just over the border in Mozambique.
The area itself is paradise: the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Reserve forms our eastern boundary, and Tembe Elephant park (with the last remaining wild herd of ele’s in South Africa and newly introduced lion) and Ndumu Game Reserve (with an excess of 450 bird species) nestle against our northern boundary. The Kosi lakes system and the Pongola river make ideal paddling and hiking expeditions, and the Ubombo mountain range to our west offers endless hiking, mountain biking, orienteering, abseiling and cave exploring opportunities. We are fortunate to be a stones throw (17km) away from Mozambique and the nightlife of Ponta D’Ouro. Lodges in our area as well as Mozambique offer diving and snorkelling activities and substitute for the lack of restaurants in the area.
INTRODUCTION TO MAPUTALAND
Introduction
o Maputaland is in the northern part of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Province that is tucked in between Swaziland, Mozambique, and the endless white beaches of the warm Indian Ocean coast. It is a vast remote and magical place of shimmering lakes, forests, bush and pristine seashore.
o Kosi Bay is the main town in this region. It is approximately 300km from Richards Bay, 250km from St. Lucia, 200km from Hluhluwe and 80km from Sodwana.
o Most guests think they will encounter an idyllic beach town. There are no bay in Kosi Bay so local residents refer to Kosi and not Kosi Bay. Kosi Bay is a misnomer. The town is 25km away from the coastline and to get to the coast you need a 4X4 vehicle or book into a place that will take you in their 4X4 vehicle on excursions.
o Kosi town is a vibrant colourful African village and the surrounds (because it is so remote and difficult to reach) are undiscovered paradise that offers diverse and some unique tourism activities and attractions in a fabulous subtropical climate.
o Kosi has grown tremendously over the last 3 years and you can shop for most things here.
History
o Kosi Bay, Manguzi, eManguzi, KwaNgwanase are all different names for the same place. Manguzi is the community in which the town is settled and KwaNgwanase is the district name.
o The name Kosi is said to be derived from the word Nkosi which means king. Ngwanase is the name for the Thonga King who fled from the Portugese Colonists in Mozambique. The original king was Mabhudu which the Portugese and English colonists mispronounced and misspelled respectively to Maputo and Maputa. The region is still known as Maputaland.
o The region is also known as Thonga Tembe Land. Historically this region was the orphan of South Africa and none of the previous governments made any effort to develop this region. Maputaland was/is completely self-governed by the Thonga people. The current king is Mabhudu Israel Tembe. Even today the Tembe Tribal Authority retains power and oversees everything regarding everyday life.
o The fact that the region have a King and chiefs, Local government, various other state bodies who have interests here and that large parts of Maputaland are national borders, world heritage area, state forest land, marine sanctuary and conservation areas do not make it easier to manage and purposefully develop Maputaland.
o In Maputaland first world dreams are conflicting with third world tranquillity and existence more than anywhere else. The stage was set when the Portugese and English colonists clashed in these regions during 1875 and asked the French prime Minister to arbitrate. With typical heavy handedness he drew a line on a map that divided the Thonga tribe in two.
Accommodation Types
o There are three luxury lodges in the region, two resorts with swimming pool, restaurant and pubs, various self-catering chalets and camping sites.
o The location of most places means that there are no supermarkets nearby. Provisions can be bought in Manguzi 10-20km away depending on where you stay. The town has grown tremendously over the last 3 years and you can shop for most things there.
o Because of the unique diversity in culture and nature (marine and on land) this region is a protected area and you will find that most accommodation establishments are located far from the beaches where development is not allowed. The Park Authority has earmarked some developments to be built inside the Park but they still need to be finalised with all role players before building will start. Most camps are situated outside the Park. There are some developments inside the Park but they have been developed without the proper environmental research and permissions.
o The traditional tourism to the region is one of getting into your car and exploring different beaches and lakes every day.
o Make sure your accommodation establishment can take you where you want to go if you do not have a 4x4 to drive everywhere.
o Accommodation establishments are further grouped around two areas – North and South of the Lakes. Tourists have to travel through town to go from north of the lakes to the south side of the lakes. The distance is only 30-40km but it generally takes an hour or more to travel round the lakes.
o The North Side has better access to the lakes and the most known attraction the Kosi Mouth.
o The South Side has access to more attractions and beaches, more remote bush but access only to the freshwater lakes.
The above information on 'Introduction to Maputaland' is taken from Wiilie Labuschagne’s tourism website http://www.maputaland.net . For more extensive information, including accommodation contact details, kindly contact Willie on
mail@maputaland.net
CEL: +27 72 7273079
