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ROCKTAIL BEACH CAMP KWAZULU NATAL
Rocktail Bay Lodge is situated in the northern reaches of the iSimangaliso
(formerly Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park in northern KwaZulu-Natal. This
whole area has been declared a World Heritage Site.
The lodge is situated a stone's throw from the warm Indian Ocean and one of
the most incredible beaches in South Africa. Built out of the wind within
the canopy of evergreen dune forest, Rocktail Bay Lodge offers a very
different beach holiday. Accommodation is in 11 tree-house chalets
(including a family unit). |
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By Road
The camp is easily
accessible by normal sedan vehicle. Visitors in non-4X4 vehicles will be
collected at a safe pick-up point for the final transfer into camp.
Scheduled transfers can be arranged at 10:00, 14:00 and 16:00.
By Air
Flying Times
To/from Nelspruit 1 hour
To/from Durban 1 hr 26 minutes
To/from Johannesburg 1hr 50 minutes
To/from Skukuza 1hr 10 minutes
To/from Sabi Sands 1hr 10 minutes
Airstrip Details
Manzengwenya coordinates: S 27.16.00, E 32.45.00, (900m x 15m tarred
surface)
30-min drive from the lodge.
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Each en-suite room has its own private balcony and an additional outdoor
shower surrounded by indigenous forest. The main lodge area has a convivial
lounge and meals are enjoyed either in the separate dining room or on an
open wooden deck under an inviting Natal mahogany tree. A boardwalk also
winds from the Lodge through spectacular, ancient dune forest and down to
the beach.
At Manzengwenya, 11km south of the camp, we have our own fully accredited
dive centre where we offer boating excursions out to sea around low tide to
enjoy scuba diving (and snorkelling) on the pristine coral reefs offshore.
(Please take special note that dive certification and pre-booking is
compulsory for scuba activities).
The dive operation
is unrivalled in South Africa for its exclusive access to pristine reefs
hosting a wide array of marine biodiversity. Snorkelling can produce
sightings as spectacular as the diving outings. The lodge is also involved
in conservations projects to protect the leatherback turtles The sight of an
750 kg turtle will be staying in your memory forever.
Both snorkelling and
diving in the warm ocean are excellent all year round with different seasons
bringing a variety of wonders: in summer the whalesharks and pregnant
ragged-toothed sharks; in winter the humpback whales.
Children of all ages
are welcome.
The following guided
activities are on offer:
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Scuba diving on 15 exclusive access reefs.
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Snorkelling outings to productive Lala Nek.
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Outings to the geological and scenically spectacular Black Rock.
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Outings to Gugulesizwe Cultural Village for quad-biking, horse riding,
stargazing, Zulu dancing and sangoma visits (some at additional cost).
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Forest walks for birding, botanising and small mammal spotting,
including guided trails through the forest.
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Catch-and-release saltwater fly fishing.
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Swimming (there are no lifeguards however) and lazing on the 40km beach.
Turtle Research
Drives: Guests at Rocktail Bay Lodge can join a resident expert on a “turtle
drive” at low tide. Between mid-October and mid-March female leatherback and
loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on the beaches of their birth. From
January to the end of March, the hatchlings can be seen on the drives.
Guided activities which are included
Forest walks
Snorkelling at Lala Nek
Excursions to Gugulesizwe & Black Rock
Non guided
activities which are included
Birdwatching
The beach
Surf/rock fishing (tackle provided)
Swimming
Activities which are not
included (prices available on request)
Scuba diving
Turtle Drives
Quad biking
Horse riding
Sangoma visits
Zulu dancing
Star gazing
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