Sodwana Bay National Park, South Africa
Fast Facts
ACTIVITIES
Snorkeling
Scuba Diving
Fishing
Wildlife
Horseback Riding
Camping
 
Kid-Friendly Hotels

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Points of Interest Nearby
 
 
 

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Sodwana Bay National Park may be one of the smallest reserves in iSimangaliso Wetland Park but it is the gateway to its largest playground, Africa's southernmost coral reef. Fish, snorkel and dive. More than 1200 species of fish are found here! Watch sea turtles - leatherback and loggerhead - nest and hatch. Watch humpback whales from shore. Hike a self-guided birding trail. Explore coastal forests and dunes. Search for ancient shell middens. Spot small mammals - bush babies, genets duikers and striped mongoose. Or simply relax; there are miles of pristine beach from which to choose.
History & Culture
 
The shell middens found on coastal dunes from Sodwana Bay to Lake St. Lucia are the remains of an ancient meal. The Nguni tribes that lived here seasonally during the early and late Iron Ages (250 - 1840 AD) harvested a black mussel called Perna perna.
Maps
 
Online maps are a great family travel planning resource and great way to get the kids involved in a family vacation. Use online maps of KwaZulu Natal to pinpoint your family travel destination, identify points of interest and plan your itinerary. And use online maps to learn about the history, geography and politics of the land.
Books
 
Books are a great way to introduce younger children to a new adventure and get teens and tweens ready for a family trip. Find recommended reading lists for family travel to South Africa and, in addition to learning about the country and the people, discover wildlife and nature.
Music & Sound
 
Music is a great way to introduce children to a vacation destination and embark on a journey through sound. Listen to local radio and explore the sound of the Zulu language. Listen to bird sounds and bird songs. Learn to identify birdcalls. How many bird species can you identify by their sounds, songs and calls? Brush up before you depart and test your skills on a birdwatching trip. Hold a competition and find out which member of your family can identify the most.
News
 
Local newspapers provide insight to local culture in a way books can't. Read South African news online and brush up on South African current events. Get South African news and, in addition to discovering what South Africans are reading, find out what's happening in KwaZulu Natal and test your Zulu language skills.
Kids' Stuff
 
Online resources make learning lots of fun. Get fun facts about South Africa. Learn about conservation and wildlife. Play wildlife games online. Use an online dictionary to translate words from English to Zulu. Listen to key phrases and unlock the sound of the Zulu language. Test your knowledge before you depart and again when you return. Print the information you find fascinating and take it with you on your family trip. Explain your findings to your family members and use the things you learn to make your travel journal really cool.
Organizations
 
Associations and non-profit organizations are a valuable resource as well as means to get involved. Learn about a few of the organizations active in the South African province of KwaZulu Natal. Find out who's doing what to conserve wildlife and the environment and preserve natural treasure such as iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Recommended Reads for Family Travel to South Africa
Free Travel Journal
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Travel Trivia
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