Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has introduced a new tourism route called Beach2Bush, connecting the coastline of iSimangaliso Wetland Park with the bushveld of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.
The route links key biodiversity zones in the province, offering visitors an itinerary that spans estuarine, coastal and savannah ecosystems. “Beach2Bush has been designed for all types of leisure travellers: for conservationists, families, school groups and corporate teams,” said Ebrahim Mulla, Commercial Operations Executive Manager at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
The route starts at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, a 96 000-hectare reserve known for its rhino conservation efforts. The park is home to the Big Five and several heritage sites linked to King Shaka Zulu. From there, the route continues to iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that spans marine and terrestrial ecosystems, home to over 6 500 species.
Key stops along the Beach2Bush route include:
- Hilltop: A lodge offering self-catering and non-self-catering accommodation options as well as accessible facilities
- Game Capture Museum
- Emaphumulo Picnic Site
- Emagangeni View Point
- Esiweni Samakhosikazi: An outdoor area for picnics and brunch
- St Lucia Estuary Boat Cruise and Crocodile Centre
Accommodation ranges from self-catering chalets to family lodges such as Mthwazi, Gqoyeni, Hlathikhulu and Masinda, which come with varying levels of service including private cooks and guided drives. Siphelele Luthuli, Senior Manager: Sales and Marketing at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, said a key feature of the route is the “bush braai” – a barbecue dinner served under the stars with cultural storytelling.
As part of the rollout, Ezemvelo has implemented upgrades at key sites. Work at Hilltop has included chalet refurbishments, decking repairs and pathway lighting with further upgrades planned for Mthwazi Lodge.
