|
Picture a pristine marine ecosystem where sultry saltwater currents swirl against unspoilt coral reefs, caressing tropical beaches stretching as far as the eye can see. And within this perfect paradise, for one moment envision governmental organisations and private enterprise forging a partnership with rural communities, working together towards a common goal. Imagine all of this is not a dream ... now imagine Maputaland. Once one of South Africa's best-kept tourism secrets, the past decade has seen Maputaland fast evolving to become one of our country's most popular wilderness destinations. Game fishermen, 4x4 fundis and eco-tourists have long journeyed into these northernmost parts of Kwazulu-Natal, but it is only very recently that the many attractions inherent to the region gained widespread appeal. Most notably, this tourism upswing may be attributed to key developments in the region, foremost the declaration of the greater St Lucia wetlands system as a World Heritage Site and the re-introduction of elephant into the area. Encompassing a vast swathe of Northern KZN, Maputaland stretches from the scenic splendour of St Lucia in the south to South Africa's border with Mozambique in the north. Enfolded between the azure shimmer of the Indian Ocean in the east and the rugged Lebombo mountains in the west, the region is blessed with a diverse range of ecosystems and a fitting degree of natural splendour. Together with the world-renowned St Lucia wetlands, the Kosi Bay estuary and majestic Lebombo ranges, the turgid flow of the Pongola shapes the topography of this ancient land. Surging from the sluice gates of Lake Jozini - a 17 000 hectare body of water once known as the Pongolapoort Dam and regarded as one of the follies of the old regime - the mighty river meanders along the eastern base of the Lebombo mountains. | 
