MAPUTALAND · NORTHERN KWAZULU-NATAL · SOUTH AFRICA

North of ordinary

Explore the region Read the field guides

27°S · 32°E Ocean · Lakes · Sand Forest · Savanna

Where we are

Maputaland sits in far northeastern KwaZulu-Natal, between the Indian Ocean and the Lebombo Mountains, reaching up to the Mozambique border. Kosi and its lakes fill the northern corner. Lake Sibaya and the coastal forest run down the coast from there. Sodwana faces the reefs. Tembe and Ndumo are the inland wilderness.

People live and work all through this landscape. Fishing families, guides, conservation teams, lodge teams and communities are part of the same map as the reserves.

What is Maputaland?Getting here

Coastal Forest

Bhanga Nek, Lala Nek and Mabibi. Dune forest, grassland, wetland and long empty Indian Ocean beaches, reached on sand tracks and not in a hurry. This is where the turtles lay their eggs.

Explore

The Lakes

Kosi's connected chain of lakes, channels and estuary in the north. This is where you can visit the famous fish kraals. Lake Sibaya, a separate freshwater lake is farther south.

Explore

The Wild

Tembe's sand forest and elephants. Ndumo's floodplain pans, fever-tree forest and some of the best birding in the country. Found here are the amongst largest elephant tuskers in Africa.

Explore

The People

Fish-kraal families, local guides, community-owned lodges and conservation that happens on community land. A region that is lived in, not fenced off.

Explore

The Reefs

Tropical coral reefs dotted along our coastline create a serious scuba divers paradise. Named number 1 diving in the world by The UK publication "The Guardian".

Explore

Loggerhead turtle nesting on a Maputaland beach — Photograph by Andy Coetzee

Turtle Season

Every summer, loggerhead and leatherback turtles come back to these beaches to nest. It's one of southern Africa's great natural events. There are various guides and lodges that offer the unbelievable excursion in Maputaland that will bring you back time and again.

Read the turtle guide