Live like a local on South Africa’s Elephant Coast

South Africa is a truly incredible country; with a rich historical tapestry, nature of incomprehensible vastness, mouth-watering cuisine and of course, wildlife straight from your childhood dreams. Most visitors pinpoint Kruger National Park and Cape Town for their first trip and head up the west coast; a popular route which has plenty to offer. However, the Elephant Coast offers an alternative journey around South Africa, which offers wildlife, great food and pristine coastline, while also getting to the roots of South Africa’s tribal heritage. Read on for our top reasons to visit South Africa’s Elephant Coast.

What’s special about the Elephant Coast?

South Africa’s Elephant Coast is a lesser-visited region in KwaZulu-Natal.  A haven of ecotourism; the locals here are big on promoting local arts and produce, upholding their traditional ways of life, and protecting the animals that wander among their homeland. Rural, rugged and thrillingly varied, exploring this region provides beautiful insight into a pre-colonial Africa. Let’s get into the memorable range of activities that await you on the Elephant Coast…

Hippos, crocodiles and turtles in St Lucia

The small town of St Lucia is a haven for visitors who crave a sprawling coastline for relaxed beach days, easy access to the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, and exciting wildlife encounters. Here is a place where the boundary between town and wilderness are blurred – monkeys bounce along walls and hippos even wander the streets at night, to the delight of those who catch sight of them (though you’ll want to keep a safe distance!). A sunset boat cruise on the estuary gets you up close and personal with crocodiles and a brilliant array of birds and river biodiversity.

If you’d rather immerse yourself in an underwater world, snorkeling in nearby Cape Vidal is some of the best in the country, with angelfish, damselfish, octopus and anemones waiting to greet you. The area also hosts some of the most prominent nesting grounds for loggerhead and leatherback turtles, where at the right time of year (November to January), you can watch hundreds of baby turtles hatch and then descend onto the water’s edge. For nature and wildlife lovers, you’re quite literally spoilt for choice in this laid-back, underrated South African hot spot.

Drink tea with the locals of KwaZulu-Natal

The Elephant Coast winds through South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, a region rich in the cultural heritage of numerous Zulu communities that date back hundreds of years. Generations of stories, traditions, and artistic expression are rooted here, and experiencing them authentically is a true highlight. The best way to do that is with a local expert or guide who can introduce you to a real, working village, an experience far more meaningful than visiting a commercialized version. Chances are, the locals will greet you warmly and invite you in for tea and snacks, offering a genuine opportunity to exchange stories about culture, traditions, and daily life. You might even be treated to a traditional dance or drumming performance, just be ready to join in!

Self-drive the ‘Midlands’ of South Africa

Jumping in a four-wheel drive and embarking on your own self-drive South Africa adventure is the perfect way to explore this wild and rugged area of KwaZulu-Natal. The Midlands Meander is a stunningly picturesque stretch, joining the route between Pietermaritzburg and the Drakensberg Mountains – and with its lush greenness and rolling hills, it’s often compared to the English countryside. Absorb the gorgeous scenery as you traverse a region of vast green meadows, waterfalls and lakes; historic monuments such as the Nelson Mandela wall; and various Zulu settlements. On the way, be sure to stop at numerous villages, all are full of arts and crafts stores. This area of South Africa is excellent for picking up an array of high-quality, locally-made goods such as leather, pottery, artwork, candles, cheese, chocolate and much more.

Read more: A guide to hiking in South Africa’s Drakensburg

Witness the fishing traps at Kosi Bay

Tucked away in Kosi Bay is one of the nation’s most remarkable heritage sites. Firstly, Kosi Bay itself is glorious; a system of four interlinked lakes that is both peaceful yet alive with wildlife. Here there are pristine estuaries, mangrove swamps and dune forests that all flow into the Indian Ocean. What’s more, the fishermen of Kosi Bay partake in a fascinating traditional fishing technique, carried through generations for over 700 years.

These woven fish traps, called fish kraals, meander through the water in an almost alien pattern, and were once part of a dying art that was slowly disappearing. Since the area has been recognized as an area of natural beauty, this has helped to protect the fishing traps as a tribute to ancient Zulu heritage and traditions. It’s always fascinating to witness the fishermen hard at work, as they have done for almost a thousand years, whatever time of day. However, watch them at dawn, as the sun rises over the still water and birds call out across the mangroves, for an experience that feels truly memorable.

Experience impressive national parks

The chance to encounter some exotic four-legged creatures is always a big draw when traveling in South Africa, and this route along the Elephant Coast is no exception. There are plenty of opportunities to venture into the wilderness and see incredible animals roaming free, most notably in iSimangaliso Wetlands Park. This is the largest area in the region, covering 3,280 square kilometers of natural ecosystems, including the forests and beaches of St. Lucia and the stunning lakes of Kosi Bay, stretching all the way to the border with Mozambique. As you might expect, the variety of animals here is vast: elephants, buffalo, leopards, antelope, hyenas, and baboons, plus dolphins and whales off the coast.

But it’s not just iSimangaliso, there are several other parks dedicated to wildlife conservation and combating poaching. Tembe Elephant Park is owned and operated by the local Tsonga people and is located in an area that was once heavily affected by illegal poaching due to its position along the “ivory trade” route. Today, it’s home to over 200 protected elephants, some of the largest in Africa, with tusks measuring up to 2.5 meters long.

Meanwhile, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is one of Africa’s oldest conservation centers and is famous as the birthplace of white rhino conservation. When white rhinos were most endangered, fewer than 100 remained in the wild, all at iMfolozi. Today, you’ll find healthy populations of both black and white rhinos living peacefully in a beautiful landscape of golden grasses and twisting acacia trees. It’s clear that the local communities here are deeply committed to protecting their wildlife, making it a truly heartwarming and rewarding experience to see these majestic creatures up close.

Make it happen

If you’re dreaming of exploring South Africa’s Elephant Coast, reach out to our local experts. Based right in South Africa, they’ll craft a custom itinerary tailored to your interests—so you can experience the magic of this unforgettable region your way.