MAPUTALAND:
Maputaland in the northern-most region of KwaZulu-Natal is a vast remote and magical place of shimmering lakes, forests, bush and pristine beaches. It is the tribal land for the Tembe people. Maputaland is home to several unique game and nature reserves. The Sodwana Bay Coastal Reserve provides an ocean wonderland for scuba divers and snorkellers to explore the undersea forests of coral reefs brilliantly coloured and densely populated with tropical fish.
The magnificent Lake Sibayi provides another water-based natural wonderland on the far north. In the far north of Maputaland the unspoilt natural area of the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve combines a marine sanctuary with a wildlife reserve for those who delight in exploring a range of environments. From the Kosi Bay Marine Reserve in the north, marine sanctuaries extend southwards to include the Maputaland Marine Sanctuary, the Sodwana Bay National Park, and the St Lucia Marine Reserve down to Cape Vidal. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park is a wilderness reserve comprising Lake St Lucia and its estuary, a number of islands, a surround of wildlife reserve and a portion of the Marine Reserve along the coast.
The park has a complex eco-system with outstanding landscapes. The five inter-linked ecosystems in the park are: a marine system characterised by the warm Indian Ocean, containing the southernmost coral reefs in Africa, as well as sub-marine canyons and long sandy beaches; a coastal dune system consisting of high linear dunes and sub-tropical forests, grassy plains and wetlands; lake systems including two estuary-linked lakes of St Lucia and Kosi, plus the four large freshwater lakes of Sibaya, Ngobezeleni, Bhangazi north and Bhangazi south; the Mkhuze and Umfolozi swamps, with swamp forests and extensive reeds and papyrus marshes; an inland system which includes ancient shoreline terraces and dry savannah woodlands.
The coast of this area provides a special experience during November when the sea turtles come to the beaches to lay their eggs. Whales can also be seen off the coast from June to September as they slowly make their way southwards. A range of accommodation types is also on offer, from luxury hotels to simple bed and breakfast venues, from tents to self-catering chalets, caravan parks, rustic bush camps and the extravagant Rocktail Bay which offers every comfort and indulgence.
By contrast the Tembe Elephant Reserve on the border with Mozambique, provides those interested in drier pursuits with close encounters with some of Africa’s largest mammals including herds of elephants. Game drives and guided walks offer the tourist the possibility of eye to eye photographs of these enormous creatures. The Ndumo Reserve, also on the Mozambique border, provides another opportunity for exploration and discovery in one of Africa’s wild places and is home to over 400 bird species.
LAKE SIBAYA: MAPUTULAND - NORTHERN KWA ZULU NATAL - SOUTH AFRICA
Lake Sibaya
Designated 28 June 1991
Lake Sibaya, one of the complex of Ramsar sites situated on the coastal plain that makes up north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal, is the largest natural fresh water lake in the country, with an area of 60 to 70 km2. Surface water in the surrounding coastal plain often disappears completely during dry years, making the lake the only source of permanent water for birds and mammals. The wetland also supports rural people of the region, who in many cases are totally dependent on the water resource and its associated flora and fauna. Sibaya is also an important link between Kosi Bay and St Lucia, providing a stepping stone for the extension of tropical elements down the east coast.
The lake contains the second largest population of hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius and crocodile Crocodylus niloticus in KwaZulu-Natal. Eighteen species of fish occur in the lake and feeder streams. One of these, a freshwater goby Silhouetta sibayi, is endemic to the system. The fauna reflect a marine origin and have close affinities with tropical forms. Twenty two species of frog and eight reptile species are associated with the lake. Of the 279 bird species recorded in the area, 60 are closely associated with the lake for breeding, feeding and roosting. Numerous other Red Data species occur in the system including the only known population of Vanilla roscheri (a climbing orchid).
INTRODUCTION:
The largest fresh water lake in Southern Africa. Lake Sibaya has a surface area of 77 square kilometres and an average depth of 13 m. The lake was previously connected to the sea and with the closure of the estuary, numerous invertebrates and vertebrates were trapped in a fresh water environment.
It has no rivers running into it and is supplied by underwater springs. The lake is 20 metres above sea level.
It is a very, low nutrient system, so there is very little plant growth and therefore a very low diversity of fish species. Local people fish in the lake and their catch consists mainly of a limited variety of small fish. There are approximately 280 bird species listed Including rare birds such as Woodwoods' Batis and the Pygmy Goose. Apart from excellent bird watching you can see hippo and crocodiles on the lake.
BIRD SPECIALS:
Lake Sibaya hosts an impressive array of species, especially waterbirds. Goliath, Purple, Great White, Squacco, Green-backed and occasionally Rufous-bellied Herons are all recorded in and around the lake edges. Five stork species (Woolly-necked, Saddle-billed, Open-bill, Black and Yellow-bellied) can be seen in one day, as well as other specials such as African Marsh Harrier, Caspian Tern, Collared Pratincole and White Pelican. Check the water's edge for Lesser Jacana, Greater Painted Snipe and Allen's Gallinule. Pygmy Goose should be looked for amongst the waterlilies. Sibaya is also the best locality in Zululand to observe Great Crested Grebe.
Grassland specials recorded regularly include Denham's Bustard, Swamp Nightjar, Pink-throated Longclaw, Grey-rumped Swallow and Secretarybird.
The coastal forest surrounding the lake can turn up African Broadbill, Woodward's Batis, African Crowned Eagle, Livingstone's Turaco, Rudd's Apalis, Brown Scrub-Robin, African Yellow White-eye, Gorgeous Bush-Shrike, Grey Sunbird, Green Twinspot and Black-bellied Starling. |
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