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A Date With Adventure In Addo Elephant National Park

Dreaming of your next holiday but cant decide between the sea, bushveld, or forest? Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape has it all.

A herd of Addo elephants at a waterhole.

Adventures

A Date With Adventure In Addo Elephant National Park

Dreaming of your next holiday but cant decide between the sea, bushveld, or forest? Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape has it all.

Sneak off to an esoteric tropical paradise A year ago, life came to a grinding halt, and we were forced to self-isolate at home. Work stopped, outdoor activity was banned and everybody became master bakers of banana bread. While some overworked employees enjoyed the time-out from life in the fast lane, most people didn't take well to the government-imposed house arrest and desperately yearned escape to a secluded place, away from all the Covid-19 madness and hot to trot lockdown police. Now that things are almost back to normal (at least for the time being) and we are free to go almost anywhere, it is time to plan that off-grid trip and self-isolate on your own terms. We've stumbled upon a remote piece of paradise where the warm Indian Ocean laps onto sea shell strewn beaches, separated by rocky outcrops and sheltered by coastal dunes and lush tropical forests. Crystal clear, warm water that accommodates more than 1200 fish species, create year-round ideal conditions for snorkelling. This coastal garden of Eden has no cell phone reception or electricity, so at night, billions of flickering stars pop against a jet black African sky. Welcome to Mabibi! Hidden on the remote shores of the Maputuland Coast, seclusion is one of Mabibi Beach Camp's most attractive features. As one of the last unspoiled and undeveloped wilderness beaches left on the African continent, this hidden treasure remains one of Mzanzi's best kept secrets and is only accessible with a 4×4. Mabibi Beach Camp is located between Lake Sibaya, Sodwana Bay and Manzengwenya in Northern KwaZulu Natal. As such, it forms part of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park (South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Maputuland Marine Reserve that exists to preserve bales of leather back turtles nesting in the area. With a bit of luck and impeccable timing, you may see leather back and loggerhead turtle hatchlings head for the sea. Enclosed with a series of amalgamated nature reserves and game parks that stretch all the way from St. Lucia to the Mozambican border, the nearest shop and petrol station is an hour away at Mbazwana, so you'll have to plan well and be self-sustained. Accommodation Eight private campsites, carefully carved into the milkwood-rich coastal forest, sleep a maximum of six people each. There is no electricity, but communal ablution blocks have gas geysers for hot water. "Individual campsites are protected by dense forest and you don't ever hear your neighbours," says Michelle Dragt who frequently visits Mabibi with her husband and two young children. The sand dunes buffer the campsite from the wind and the beach is only accessible via a walkway that ends with 62 large wooden steps down to the beach. This might present a challenge to elderly people, but Michelle says her seven-year-old twin girls navigated the steps like pros. "The campsites are very sandy and a ground sheet is essential. Also take a dust pan to remove sand that's been walked your tent, and a bucket or skottel for washing up as there are no dish washing facilities," advises Michelle. Ice is sold on site at nearby Thonga Beach Lodge and wood can be purchased from the ladies outside the gate, but you have to bring your own drinking water as the water at the campsite has a high iron content and is not safe to drink. "You have to be pretty much self-sustained and I would highly recommend bringing a reliable camping fridge and portable solar power kit as well as pressure washer to rinse sand off snorkelling gear and sandy feet after coming off the beach. It is also a good idea to take your own braai grid," Michelle adds. There are also three self-catering four-sleeper units with electricity and a kitchenette equipped with a stove, microwave, kettle, cutlery and crockery. For your convenience, Mabibi Beach Camp employs helpers to service the units and campsites on a daily basis and tips to show appreciation are always welcome. Mabibi Beach camp is situated in a low risk malaria area, but some surrounding game reserves are said to be high risk malaria areas. Consult your doctor regarding malaria prophylaxis and definitely bring mosquito coils. Activities Snorkelling Situated along Africa's most southern coral reef and in a marine protected area, Mabibi offers some of the best snorkelling in the country. However, conditions are tide dependent and you can only snorkel at low tide. Own snorkelling gear is essential. "The sea life is incredible! We saw honeycomb moray eels, lion fish, goldies, rays - to name a few - when we went earlier this month. The kids loved it!" says Michelle. Also keep your eyes peered for striking sub-tropical fish including Moorish idols, parrot fish and blue surgeonfish, along with bottlenose dolphins, whale sharks and a variety of turtle species. Surfing Surf is good in the bay and there is also a nice bowl wave for kids and beginner to intermediate surfers who are not comfortable at backline. Fishing The protected Maputuland coastline is a superb surf fishing and fly-fishing destination, especially Hulley Point. However, being a protected reef, only shore fishing is allowed, so rather leave the fishing skis and boats at home. Nearby attractions/Day trips Maputoland Marine Reserve boasts a 50 km reef complex that offers some of the world's top dive sites - accessible form Sodwana Bay.Scuba diving safaris and courses at Thonga Beach Lodge.Unforgettable sun downers at Lake Sibaya - the largest freshwater lake in South Africa - while observing hippo and crocodile activity.View the largest African elephants in the world at Thembe Elephant Park, along with leopard, buffalo, rhino and a variety of antelope.Hike through the tropical forests of Mapelane Nature Reserve.Guided turtle tracking at Thonga Beach Lodge (Nov-Feb).Isimangaliso Wetland Park - UNESCO World Heritage Site.Kosi Bay, Ndumo, Enseleni and Sodwana Bay nature reserves and parks.

Adventures

Escape the City for a South African Tropical Paradise

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Travel Advice

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Travel Advice

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Travel Advice

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Buyers Guides

Portable Camping Fridge Freezers Buyers Guide 2020

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Travel Advice

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