iSimangaliso Wetland Park

This fascinating video on iSimangaliso Wetland Park presented by ‘Africa Travel Show’ is a must see. The uMkhuze section of this World Heritage Site is approximately 17kms from Ghost Mountain Inn. Our intimate and award-winning hotel is the ideal location from which to explore the game and coastal reserves of Zululand and the Elephant Coast – see a detailed map on our location and proximity to all places of interest in the area HERE.

View video on YouTube HERE.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE PARK:

Late Nelson Mandela said that the wetland park is “The only place on the planet where the world’s oldest land mammal (the rhinoceros) and the worlds biggest terrestrial mammal (the elephant) share an ecosystem with the world’s oldest fish (the ceolacanth) and the world’s biggest marine mammal (The whale)”

1. The park is the largest estuarine system in Africa
2. It’s 332,000ha in size (332,000 Rugby fields)
3. It was listed as a World Heritage site in 1999
4. It houses 526 species of bird
5. iSimangoliso means: Miracle and Wonder
6. The Catalina Pan was specifically kept aside for young Benghazi women to talk and meet
7. The area has rehabilitated itself after the lakes were used by Catalina flying boats during WW2 when the area housed a military base
8. The park supports SA’s largest population of hippos
9. The most popular ways to explore the park are on a horse safari, game drive, hike or boat
10. It offers 280km of unspoilt coastline
11. 2 species of sea turtle come ashore to lay their eggs in the park, one being the giant leatherback turtle
12. Thought to have been extinct for over 70 million years, divers recently discovered the coelacanth in waters of the park
13. The local community is actively supported by the park and are encouraged to produce and sell traditional products and crafts

To find out more about the surrounding areas of Ghost Mountain Inn please click HERE.