ROCKTAIL BAY LODGE - MAPUTALAND:
For more information and photos please see the following web-site:
"http://AfricanAdrenalin.co.za/wildernesssafaris/rocktail.htm"

Situated in northern KwaZulu Natal, within the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve and adjoining the Maputaland Marine Reserve, is Rocktail Bay lodge. This lodge lies within a proclaimed World Heritage Site, and is situated in the forests just inland from the Indian Ocean, behind the first row of forested dunes. It offers perhaps the most secluded beach experience in South Africa on 40 kilometres of unspoilt, undeveloped and pristine coastline.

In addition to simply sunning yourself on the clean golden beaches, a variety of guided activities are available. The Indian Ocean is ideal for Scuba diving and snorkelling in search of tropical fish. The Scuba diving is world class, while surf and fly fishing is among the best on the east coast.

Nature walks through the coastal forest and grasslands, or drives in open 4x4 vehicles take you to Black Rock and other lOcalities. In summer, drives along the beach in search of egg-laying sea turtles are a highlight. We offer the Indian Ocean "Big Five" off Rocktail Bay: Placid Ragged-tooth Sharks congregate off rocky reefs, Humpback Whales migrate to the tropics in winter, Bottlenosed Dolphins and Whalesharks sometimes investigate the boat inquisitively, and huge Leatherback Turtles heave themselves onto Maputaland's pristine beaches to lay their eggs.

Birding is good and a number of rare coastal species occur here. Eleven wooden "treehouse" chalets (including one family room) are raised up on stilts into the forest canopy. The chalets have en-suite shower and toilet facilities and an outdoor shower.

There is a lounge/pub and dining area where meals are served under thatch or under the giant Natal Mahogany trees. A boardwalk winds from the lodge through the dune forest and down to the beach. There is a swimming pool and sun deck for those who want to relax around the lodge.

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
To/from Richards Bay 55 minutes
To/from Ndumo 40 minutes

AIR STRIP DETAILS
Mazengwenya (preferred airstrip) co-ordinates: S 27.16.00, E 32.45.00, 30 mins drive from the lodge, 800m long
Sappi Strip co-ordinates: S 27.11.18, E 32.39.57. It is 1300m long and compacted earth. Located about 50-60 minutes drive from the lodge and can be used by large twin piston and turbine aircraft.
Altitude: 200 ft.
Direction: North/South
Caution: Beware of fire fighting aircraft that may be using the airfield to refill with water in the event of local forest fires. Please note that fire-fighting aircraft take priority on this strip.

CLIENT COMMENTS:

To our friends at Rocktail Bay My experience at Rocktail Bay has been outstanding. I have really appreciated the resort, where you can have a real feeling of Africa, as well as the warm hospitality and the very professional approach of your staff. Your Diving Centre can be cited as an example of clean and professional operation. Last, but not least, your diving is fantastic. I hope to have the chance to come back and spend some more days. Ciao

Gianni Garafallo Vice President, Mares, and HTM Sport, SpA, Genoa Italy

We returned last week from the Lonely Planet trip , having done a little over 10 000 km by road , driving all the way to Vilanculos and back. Thank you very much for making the visit to Rocktail possible for us. The trip was great , and Tim was so impressed with Rocktail that he suggested that we include all the dive sites that we dived there in the book. So Rocktail is going to have a nice little section in their book. The diving was really good, and the acid test was the fact that both Tim and Olga were really impressed with the fish life in particular. ( diversity and size). As you know Tim lives in Guam, and dives and reports a lot about places like Palau , PNG and various other pristine locations in Micronesia , so from a really experienced international perspective, his experience of the diving at Rocktail is a good measure. Similarly , Olga spends most of her time as a dive master on Yap also one of the Micronesian islands. She was also impressed , again with the fish life in particular. Obviously Maputaland is essentially subtropical , so the coral cover is limited to "carpet " cover, with more soft coral cover, conditions are much different than the pacific islands in the tropics, however this is what makes the Maputaland reefs unique, and this uniqueness is what is attractive. We loved the total Rocktail experience, and also got good photographs of the turtles on the beach. The way that the diving operation is done at Rocktail is also very special , and unique , and we loved diving with Debbie and the crew. Debbie is outstanding of course. Thanks again for the visit to Rocktail. It was really great and the guys were really impressed by what you have there. They enjoyed their stay thoroughly ( obviously I did as well ). The staff at Rocktail was great , and the atmosphere there really pleasant - both at the lodge and at the diving centre. Please let me know when you plan to be around Gansbaai again. Cheers
JP Marine Dynamics. Gansbaai

Thanks for a wonderful stay. Very friendly staff and excellent food. Wished we could have stayed for longer.
C.H. and L.H., South Africa

I have not yet had the opportunity to thank you for organizing my filming of Rocktail Bay for National Geographic Channel. They have received the footage and are completely thrilled with it. I would also like to compliment you on the way Wilderness Safaris have handled everything. Firstly, Jeannie Warren who set everything up initially...she was extremely prompt and efficient. But it doesn't stop there...the staff at Rocktail are brilliant, as are your dive team of Debbie & Daryll, who are professional and experienced. And finally, the reefs at Rocktail are superb! There is nothing quite like it along the entire coastline. There are no fishermen, no other divers, no commercialisation in any form that you see in other parts along the coastline. The net result is more game fish in greater quantity and variety - species like the Tropical Kingfish and Potato Bass. The hard corals are pristine with no sign of bleaching or human destruction and the life on them is as it should be...abundant. Oh...and before I forget...I must thank the mother and calf Humpback Whale for showing up on que to be filmed. Frankly, there is a lot more I can say about Rocktail Bay and Wilderness, some of it went to National Geographic, but I feel I will keep it short... Basically...Well Done!

Adam J. Cruise

Definitely will return to enjoy the wonder of nature! Will be sure to spread the word as to what an amazing hideout and courteous friendly and professional yet comfortable surroundings you have.

MAPUTALAND COASTAL FOREST RESERVE:
KwaZulu Natal is extremely proactive in preserving its exceptional natural heritage and the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve of the north-east corner of South Africa, is a World Heritage Site.

The reserve stretches all the way from the Mozambique border in the north to Sodwana Bay in the south. This sub-tropical paradise encompasses pristine forests and wetlands with strings of lakes and marshes, and marine ecologies including deserted beaches and coral reefs.

Incorporated in the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve are a number of small protected areas:

Lake Sibaya Nature Reserve contains the largest freshwater crystal clear lake in South Africa and is separated from the coast by impressive sand dunes rising to 536 feet (165 metres). The lake contains some crocs and hippos, and there are boats (with skipper) for hire for fishing trips. The pristine coastline of this reserve stretches for 62 miles (100km).

Kosi Bay Nature Reserve is a coastal reserve with a string of four lakes and a wide variety of terrain and unique eco systems in the fig tree and palm forests, mangrove swamps, freshwater lakes, sand dunes, pristine beaches and coral reefs. It is home to the Tonga people who use ingenious fish traps made from reeds, to make their daily catch in the tidal lagoon.

The lakes contain crocs and hippos, while antelopes inhabit the dry inland parts of the reserve. The mouth of the lake system is considered to provide some of the best snorkelling in South Africa. But the area is most famous for its leatherback turtles, that lay their eggs in the soft beach sand from the end of October through to January. Turtle viewing is allowed with wildlife rangers.

Rocktail Bay is a (40km) stretch of unspoilt, undeveloped, pristine coastline where a sophisticated conservation model has been successfully implemented, between conservation authorities, local communities and Wilderness Safaris tour operator. A small number of visitors stay at Rocktail Bay Lodge and can experience nature walks into the coastal forest, watching turtles laying their eggs, boat trips out to sea, scuba diving and snorkelling. This eco-friendly tourism project is successfully helping to preserve the area and create jobs.

The warm sea of this coastline attracts a great diversity of marine life including loggerhead and leatherback turtles, ragged-tooth sharks and enormous whale sharks, bottlenose dolphins and humpback whales, plus a myriad of colourful reef fish and other sea creatures.

SEASONS
Rainy Season: the climate is hot and humid in the rainy summer months of October to March.
Dry Season: The dry season lasts over winter from April to September and the temperatures are very pleasant with warm days and cool nights.

MAPUTALAND MARINE RESERVE SPECIALITIES
· Egg laying turtles
· Pristine deserted coastline
· Exceptional snorkelling and diving
· Fishing on Lake Sibaya
· Whales, dolphins and sharks

FACTS
This is a malarial area