![]() ![]() courtesy simicdejanyu |
![]() ![]() courtesy wesselvictor |
![]() ![]() courtesy Denis Eryshev |
![]() ![]() courtesy Brent Abrahamse |
The small Zululand town of KwaMnonambi, meaning "Place where the Chiefs
gather", is situated alongside the N2 highway which runs from Cape Town through
Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban to the Mozambiquean border carrying both
tourist and business traffic. KwaMnonambi is home to mining giant Richards Bay
Minerals, and to the timber companies of Sappi and Mondi. The town is about a
half hour drive to two of the oldest game parks in Africa, Mfolozi and HluHluwe,
and to the wetlands and coastline of St Lucia, home to hundreds of various bird
species.
Sappi have three Estates in the Mtubatuba and KwaMbonambi area providing
visitors with impressive birding opportunities. The area can be covered in a
vehicle, but more importantly, it is easily accessed on foot via well laid out
network of trails allowing visitors to view the fauna and flora reasonably
undetected. The region is home to a large variety of bird life which includes
Pygmy Goose, Martial Eagle, Woollynecked Stork, Marabou Stork , Yellowbilled
Stork, Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Lesser Jacana and Cuckoo while mammals such
as honey Badger and Ant bear can also be found there.
The amazing diversity of this region is sure to leave visitors inspired, with
its mangrove swamps and lagoons, flanked by rolling green hills and indigenous
forests. A truly scenic area not to be missed out on. Visitors to KwaMbonambi
can enjoy an ox wagon ride which will take them to Zulu villages where they will
see bee hive huts and be allowed the opportunity to experience authentic
traditional Zulu hospitality. Another popular destination in the area is Ulundi,
where visitors can take interesting tours of the site of the final battle fought
in the Anglo-Zulu war, or take a short trip to the nearby Emakhosini Valley,
where a Number of Zulu Kings are buried. KwaMbonambi also also offers various
tour of the surrounding townships, showcasing modern Zulu life where visitors
can stop by taverns and shebeens and take in some well earned refreshment, or
visit a host of other attractions which include spaza shops and traditional
medicine shops. For golfing enthusiasts there is the KwaMbonambi golf club where
they can play a few rounds.