Tourism Overview
The Elephant Coast
The tourism industry in the uMkhanyakude District has grown steadily over the past few years, with a recent upsurge. The need to promote and establish bankable tourism activities in the district is now more important than ever.
The Umhlosinga Development Agency has been mandated by the parent body, UMkhanyakude District Municipality to facilitate large scale economic growth in the tourism sector.
Engagements with relevant stakeholders, including tourists, have indicated that the Elephant Coast needs to map out the destination as far as tourism is concerned to highlight the unique tourism products abd experience that the destination has to offer.
Hence, the Agency undertook a study to investigate the possibility of a tourism route. An educational tour was conducted, in partnership with the district and local municipalities, followed by extensive desktop research was done in June 2010.
Six routes were been identified and themed according to the experiences and products each route has to offer. This is a mere guideline pending the feasibility study:
- Wetlands Route – it covers iSimangaliso Wetland Park (Dukuduku, St Lucia up to Cape Vidal). Although route is aimed at promoting the World Heritage Site but Dukuduku area also offers cultural experience.
- R22/ Lebombo Route – it stretches from Mtubatuba, Hluhluwe, Mbazwana up-to Ponto do Ouro. This is mainly aimed at attracting tourists en route Mozambique or from Mozambique to South Africa through Ponto do Ouro.
- Wildlife Route – it aims to link game and nature reserves within the district from Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park up-to Tembe Elephant Park and Ndumu Game Reserve.
- Adventure Route – this route is anticipated to offer adventure activities e.g. mountain climbing, bungee jumping, 4X4 trails, etc; from Tshaneni (Ghost Mountain), Border caves up-to Usuthu Gorge.
- Royal Route – A more cultural route with more emphasis on heritage, e.g. King’s palace at Ingwavuma, royal burial sites, and a proposed multi-cultural village at Phelandaba.
- Coastal Route – this links Kosi Bay with Sodwana on the coastal shores, with abundance of ocean experience.
After careful consideration, it was then decided that one major route will be developed first, of which the other routes will feed into this main route; and this route being R22/ Lebombo Route.
