EXPLORING INGWAVUMA AND SURROUNDS (click on headings for websites)
Sunset in IngwavumaThere are no malls in Ingwavuma, and it's a 3.5 hour drive to the nearest cinema, but often it's more relaxing to watch the sunset on a still evening. The best places we've found to watch the sunset include:
Fancy StitchFancy Stitch is a show room for embroidery by local women, with a tea garden. It's a lovely place to spend a lunchtime, with great milkshakes and a famous bacon-butternut quiche. The embroidery products (bookmarks, bags, key-rings, cards etc) make wonderful souvenirs or gifts for family members.
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Sunset on the airstrip.
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Border CaveThe turnoff to Border Cave is about 30 minutes drive from Ingwavuma. It requires 4x4 access to drive to Border Cave, but it is a worthwhile trip with spectacular views of Swaziland. There is a 25 minute walk to get to the cave.
Tembe Elephant ParkTembe Elephant park is about 40 minutes drive from Ingwavuma. It is the home of the largest elephants in the world, and it is possible to see the Big Five at the park. If you are working at the hospital it is possible to get a discount for a week-end package.
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Tembe Elephant Park
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Sodwana BayIt can take about 1 hour 45 mins to get to Sodwana Bay (depending on how fast you drive!). This is the best place to do your Scuba Divers course, at Coral Divers. There is also reasonably priced accommodation at Coral; the safari tents have beds inside and are comfortable. There is a great atmosphere at this dive centre with lots of young people doing their courses.
Sodwana is not our favourite beach for lying in the sun because there is a lot of activity on the beach and it's often a bit windy, but there are many other activities to do here such as fishing, snorkeling, surfing etc. It's also a beautiful place for a long walk on the beach! If you're looking for places to eat, we enjoy pizza at the Lighthouse. Maak 'n Jol is the place for an evening out, where you can find drinks, dancing and perhaps even some sokkie. |
Scuba diving course in Sodwana Bay!
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Mozambique: Ponta d' OuroIt is a 1 hour 45 minute drive to the Mozambique border, and a 20 minute 4x4 drive to Ponta d' Ouro. If you don't have a 4x4, you can phone your Ponta accommodation and ask if they can recommend a shuttle service from the border. This is usually a local driving a minibus taxi with amazing skill over sandy roads. It's incredible how such a short distance away from Mosvold you can feel like your're in a different world!
The best time to go to Ponta d' Ouro is anytime when it isn't raining, and when it isn't busy. Usually the small holiday town is quiet and relaxing, with beautiful warm waters, cute craft/souvenir stalls and wonderful food at the many restaurants, but on long week-ends and school holidays it is bustling and crowded - not recommended. Ponta is a great place for great scuba diving, tanning on the beach, various water sports, quad biking, walks on the beach, wonderful swimming, or a fun evening out at a beach restaurant/bar. The accommodation ranges from camping or rustic and inexpensive backpackers, to luxury chalets. Take your pick, it's one of our favourite "week-end away" destinations! |
Ponta d' Ouro beach.
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Kosi BayWe usually stay at Utshwayelo Lodge, about 1 hr 45 mins from Mosvold Hospital. It has reasonable prices (remember to ask for hospital staff discount) and a lovely swimming pool. Another great place to stay is Thobeka Backpackers. The beach at Kosi Bay is a 30 minute walk from the gate, in hot sand... but it's worth it! If you'd like to drive instead, you need a 4x4, or you can ask your accommodation to drop you off at the beach for a small charge.
Kosi Bay has a system of lakes which make for a beautiful view on the walk/drive down to the beach. The river mouth is great for snorkeling and swimming, although you should ask for details about tides etc to keep safe. The sea is not ideal for swimming, as there are dangerous rip currents, but it's a beautiful beach for a walk; it's never busy and has the feeling of being untouched. When staying in Kosi Bay you can organise a guided turtle tour at night to watch the baby turtles hatching and the mothers laying eggs. These tours run from about November to February each year. It is probably best to go in January to get a chance of seeing the laying and hatching all in one trip. Make sure you use an official trained tour guide and not just a local who can speak English well. It's worth paying a little more to have a tour guide who is well informed, and they will also be able to instruct you on appropriate behaviour to prevent disturbing the turtles - very important! |
Watching the turtles hatch along the northern KZN coastline.
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St LuciaSt Lucia is part of Isimangaliso Wetland Park. The town itself is cute and full of restaurants, and there are many activities to do in the area. Some examples are a day at St Lucia beach, a tour of the estaury, a hippo and croc boat cruise on the estaury, a day trip to beautiful Cape Vidal or a trip to the nature reserves nearby. For more info about Cape Vidal click here.
If you'd like to stay in cheap accommodation, try Budget Backpackers or Shonalanga Backpackers. Hluluwe-Imfolozi Game ReserveLess than 2 hours from Ingwavuma, this large park is great for big game viewing. The whole of the big five is available for viewing and it is possible to see many white rhinos in one day! The accommodation at Hilltops is expensive in comparison to backpacking, but it is a great experience.
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Rhinos having a mud bath at Hluluwe Game Reserve.
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SwazilandSwaziland has many beautiful sights and attractions, but one of the biggest attractions for young hospital staff is the Bush Fire Festival in the end of May every year. It is approximately 2 hours drive from Ingwavuma to the Golela border post into Swaziland.
BUSH FIRE FESTIVAL "Currently in its 7th year, MTN BUSHFIRE is Swaziland’s acclaimed international music and arts festival held each year at House on Fire, an inspired venue set against a breath-taking rural landscape in the heart of the Ezulwini valley. MTN BUSHFIRE‘s annual Pan-African explosion includes a multi-faceted line up of the highest quality featuring live music, theatre, poetry, film, circus, dance and visual arts from all over the globe. Each year a diverse audience of up to 20,000 people come together over three days to celebrate cultural meeting points, fuelling a feast of magical performances from Africa and beyond." - Tonik.co.za This festival is worth a visit if you are interested in African music and the arts, or if you just want to chill out with some friends in a relaxed environment, look at the craft market, enjoy the food stalls and catch some winter sun on the grass. We stayed at Sundowners Backpackers, 10 minutes drive from the festival. The helpful staff at the backpackers charge a small fee for a shuttle service to and from the festival, with flexible drop off and pick up times. |
Mozambique Giant Puppets at Bush Fire Festival, Swaziland.
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Tiger LodgeTiger Lodge in Jozini (1 hour drive away) is a good place for a week-end lunch and a swim. The swimming pool has a stunning view of Jozini dam. Another popular activity is a sunset cruise on Jozini Dam, where you may be able to see crocodiles and hippos.
Ndumu River LodgeNdumu River Lodge (40 mins drive away) has been making a lot of improvements and developments recently. It is a favourite getaway for birders, with other activities such as a sunset cruise on the river, fishing, canoeing, game walks. It is also a good venue for a week-end lunch. Ask for discounts for hospital staff.
Ndumo Game ReserveNdumo Game reserve (45 mins drive) is smaller than Tembe elephant park and Hluluwe-Infolozi, but it is particularly good for birding. There are wonderful hides at beautiful wetlands where you can view an abundance of crocodiles and hippos alongside the rich birdlife.
The accommodation offers camping or 2 bed chalets, and the novelty of Ndumo Game Reserve is that even when the accommodation is full it feels private and quiet because there are only 7 chalets and 8 campsites available. The swimming pool is pristine and the staff are helpful. |
The view of Jozini dam.
Hippos at Nduma Game Reserve.
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