M A P U T A L A N D   B U S H   C A M P

We will be happy to take you around in a 4x4 vehicle and show you our paradise. It is an adventure holiday, for young and old, where we will be out all day on the beaches, snorkeling, canoe on rivers, SCUBA or snorkel from a boat in open ocean and going to Tembe, a big 5 game reserve..

More about the camp - Maputaland Bush Camp is a small intimate lodge. We accommodate 10 people sharing in bush style chalets. Each huts have an on suite shower and bush toilet. We tried to preserve the bush experience. Solar panels provide enough lights at night. When essential a generator can supply a few hours of electricity per day.

We serve excellent home cooked meals (European breakfasts, lunches and dinners) served in the main house or a picnic lunch when on a day excursions / activities. We are an establishment managed by the owners. The region is very children friendly (we have two small children).

If the information and rates below is in order I will send you the bank details for the deposit to confirm the booking.

regards

Willie and Isabelle

read more for information and rates

Loggerhead Turtle

The common name is derived from the massive, block-like head and broad, short neck of the animal. It is the only turtle in the genus Caretta and is listed as a threatened species and the turtle is considered to be vulnerable worldwide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loggerhead_turtle

Turtle Tours - During turtle season (November to February) these amazing creatures, leatherback and loggerhead turtles; come back to the same place every year, after crossing oceans, to lay their eggs. It is an unforgettable experience and privilege to witness a giant leatherback (nearly 2 metres in length) or loggerhead turtle as she performs this miracle of nature.

The First important thing to know about Kosi and Maputaland is that attractions in the region can only be reached with a 4x4 vehicle. Therefore you have to go on daily excursions provided by your accommodation establishment or explore with your own your own 4X4. Kosi Bay is not a coastal town situated on thebeach. Kosi Bay town is still 30km away from the nearest beach.

The second thing is that in Kosi you can find the biggest mammal (whales), the largest land mammal (elephants), the largest sea turtles (leatherback turtle), the largest fish (whaleshark), the smallest antelope (suni), dolphins, a Pels fishing owl, a Palmnut vulture, the best birdwatching, the best fishing, the best diving, untouched coral reefs, untouched culture, pristine nature and the list does not end here... What are you waiting for?

Read on for a breakup of the different attractions and activities....

South Africa: 42 seasons of turtle monitoring in KZN

The results from the long-term dataset collected on the beaches of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were presented at the 26th Annual Sea Turtle Symposium, held in Crete from 3-8 April 2006. 

This dataset is the result of a monitoring programme that was initiated in 1963 by the Natal Parks Board (now Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife), under the leadership of Dr. George Hughes.  It had the explicit aim of protecting sea turtles while ashore and at the same time collecting data on morphometrics, site preferences and population status. 



Even though interactions by the local communities with turtles were relatively few, “bad habits” crept in and turtle numbers dwindled. 

The first conservation measures were introduced in 1916 but with little effect, such that in the first year of monitoring only six leatherback nests were counted in the index area. 

Lost trail of the north

By Khumo Ntoane

http://www.getaway.co.za/content/getaway/magazine/print.asp?id=1352

Along the secluded beaches, coastal dunes, lakes and swamp forests of Maputaland is an Eden with one of the best hiking trails in South Africa. But internal rivalry broke out in the community in Kosi Bay and the first camp was burnt while others were left to fall apart.

For a while the trail was lost. However, a few community members and tour operators have recently come together to resurrect the area. The old trail used to be a circular route, starting from the northern side of Third Lake at the hiking camp now burned. e new trail has been redesigned by Siyazenzela Co-Op and they’ve split it up into several flexible routes for both slackpackers and hardcore hikers who don’t want assistance. They’ve also included optional activities such as boat rides, snorkelling and horse riding.

I decided to take the easy way and slackpacked, starting in the south side at Maputaland Bush Camp.