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Welcome to the Elephant Coast - one of South Africa's most beautiful and unspoilt areas. This narrow strip of land approximately 200 kilometers long and just 70 kilometers wide is home to an incredible 21 different eco-systems. Dense evergreen forests of towering fig trees stand in a lush undergrowth of ferns and wild orchids hanging from the trees. Palm savannahs with thousands of wild date and lala palms dot the white sand of the undulating landscape. Swamp forests with large raffias and tangled masses of greenery that are home to myriads of exquisite birds and behind them mountainous sand dunes that appear to shift with the sighing of gentle winds.

Few areas in Africa have the incredible diversity of fresh water eco-systems found here. There are major rivers, broad flood plains, large coastal lagoons, deep clear coastal lakes, extensive papyrus swamps and small semi-permanent pans. Hippo crocodiles and small game can still be found in the wild and a phenomenal number of bird species abound. There is a wide variety of flora, with well over 2000 plant species, many of which are endemic to the region.

The Elephant Coast is bound in the north west by the Ubombo Mountains, in the East by the warm Indian Ocean and in the south by the Umfolozi River just below the St. Lucia Estuary which is part of a World Heritage site. The area is steeped in history and there are a number of paleantological sites of scientific importance.

This incredible area is a perfect destination for all ages and has something for everyone. There are dozens of game reserves, beautiful beaches, deep sea fishing and diving on a number of reefs, mountain trails, cultural activities and a number of historical sites. This is one of the few destinations where a visitor can see the big 5 at a game reserve and within a short half hour's drive be able to watch dolphins and whales. There is a variety of excellent accommodation to suit every pocket and a holiday to the Elephant Coast will be enjoyed by everyone from adventure lovers to those who just want to escape to the bush and commune with nature.

Situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, the coastal village of St Lucia is the gateway to the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, incorporating Mkuzi (a Big 5 reserve), Sodwana Bay (a world famous scuba diving destination) and Kosi Bay (a natural paradise). In close proximity to St Lucia is the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, home to the Big 5 and the largest population of rhino in the world. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park is a registered member of the Ramsar Convention and is a candidate for World Heritage Site status. Known as the jewel of KwaZulu-Natal, with five distinct ecosystems and a unique biodiversity found nowhere else on earth, it is not hard to see why the earliest name for St Lucia, given by Portugese explorers, was "River of the Sands of Gold".

To go hand in hand with St Lucia's 300 sun-filled days a year the area boasts magnificent self-guided walking trails through sub-tropical forests, grasslands and lily-covered pans which abound in animal life. Lake St Lucia, the largest estuarine water body in Africa, can be explored by means of a boat safari, bringing the visitors into close proximity with hippo lazing in the waters and crocodiles basking in the sun on the estuary's banks. Pelicans riding the thermals overhead and sights of Goliath Herons stabbing at fish in the lake make this a true African Experience.Kwazulu Natal Accommodation Elephant North Coast

Along the natural and unspoilt coastline, golden beaches stretch as far as the eye can see, lapped by warm blue waters from the Indian Ocean and bounded by the world's highest vegetated sand dunes. Whales and schools of dolphins frequent this spectacular coastline, also the natural breeding habitat for the leatherback and loggerhead turtles. These waters are renowned for big game fishing and the much sought after marlin are landed here. The warm Mozambique current attracts a kaleidoscope of colourful tropical fish that feed off coral reefs.