Mapelane

S 28 24.570 E 032 25.305

Mapelane is the southernmost reserve within the park, and just south of the town of St Lucia. There is excellent shore and deep-sea fishing as well as two self-guided hiking trails. The reserve is also home to South Africa's highest vegetated sand dune, standing 183 km high with a view that goes on for miles. It is a birder's hot spot, but there is other estuary wildlife as well including hippo, crocodile and monkeys, so be careful near the river edge and keep your swimming pursuits to the ocean. If this isn't remote enough, the camp issues up to three beach driving permits per day (R250) that allow you to drive on the beach up to 7 km south of Mapelane. To get there, take the P232 turnoff from the N2 near Kwambonambi. The road is tarred at first, but eventually becomes gravel. After 28.4 km the P232 becomes the L622. Continue 17.2 km more until you reach the Mapelane Camp Ground.

Tags: activities, area attractions, beach gear, crocodile, deep-sea fishing, estuary wildlife, hiking trails, hippo, hippo boat tours, national park, nature reserve, wildlife