Northern KZN potential for wildlife tourism

"Tourism statistics from the Department of Trade and Industry reveal that wildlife is an important attraction for international tourists to South Africa and this is borne out by the enquiries we receive from overseas buyers wishing to acquire game lodges - mainly from Europe and the United States," said Bannerman.

The northern KZN area has major, untapped potential to capitalise on this growing trend. Already private wildlife housing estates are zealously targeting the overseas market, marketing R5 to R25 million homes to overseas buyers who seek to acquire their own truly African lifestyle residence.

Commented Lategan: “Most people are aware of the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park, but in this area we also have a very special slice of Africa - the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (formerly known as the Greater St Lucia Wetland), which offers eco-tourists some of the most diverse wildlife and outdoor experiences imaginable."

Astonishing variety of habitats

Besides Lake St Lucia - a unique, 38 000ha expanse of lake, islands and estuary - the park incorporates an astonishing variety of habitats ranging from the Ubombo mountains to grasslands, forests, wetlands, mangroves and vegetated dunes, with magnificent beaches and coral reefs and incorporates Kosi Bay, Lake Sibaya, Sodwana Bay, Mkhuze Game Reserve, False Bay, Fanies Island, Charters Creek, Lake St Lucia, Cape Vidal, Kosi Bay and Maphelane. Together these make up a 220 000ha wilderness of unrivalled beauty.

There are also other conservation areas, which extend along the N2 route all the way from Hluhluwe as far as the Swaziland border. These include the Phinda Munyawana Conservancy, Zululand Rhino Reserve, uMkhuze and Pongola. Further north is the Tembe Elephant Park and Ndumo Game Reserve.

Largely unspoilt region

Said Lategan: "Apart from the proliferation of highly rated game reserves, both private and state owned, this largely unspoilt region offers numerous other attractions, including fishing and some of the best snorkelling in the world. From one central point, such as Hluhluwe, visitors can explore a host of different tourist attractions appealing to a broad range of people - all easily accessible on day trips. As a result of this accessibility a private game lodge doesn't necessarily need to be on a sizeable estate - there are some successful game reserves of around 30ha that also have high appeal for the domestic market and which, due to their central location, afford easy access to numerous other tourism attractions. In addition there is an airstrip at Mkhuze, which is quite central to the entire area, and which is used by a number of establishments to fly their guests directly into the area.

Injecting capital into the local economy

"It's positive to note that currently the Hluhluwe hotel has recently been upgraded, and we are also seeing foreign-owned lodges becoming involved in community initiatives and projects which help inject not only capital into the local economy, but also will foster a sustainable tourism market. Hluhluwe's climate and appeal is such that this area has the potential to receive overseas visitors right throughout the year and enjoy a good occupancy," she said.

For further information contact Ian Bannerman on +27 (0) 82 927 7337 or Corinne Lategan on +27 (0) 82 789 1915 or email or .