Sodwana Bay INFORMATION

By Sodwana Bay

Sodwana Bay INFORMATION LINK Find – search – book! www.sodwanabayinformation.co.za Can’t find what you looking for in Sodwana Bay… Use our INFORMATION listing website to find all and everything!   Originally posted 2016-03-15 11:58:46.


Hyena mauls camper

By Sodwana Bay

PJ Theron from Nelspruit was camping at Cape Vidal when he was bitten by a hyaena through an opening in his tent PHOTO: Supplied A HOLIDAYMAKER’S stay at Cape Vidal in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park was cut short when he experienced a frightening encounter with a hyena. PJ Theron from Nelspruit was asleep on a stretcher in a small tent with the window flap open when a spotted hyena bit through the gauze and grabbed him in the face. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning and was immediately reported to the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s Cape Vidal Hospitality Manager. Theron was assisted by fellow campers before being taken to a hospital in Empangeni. En route to the Bhangazi (Cape Vidal) gate, he was met by the Eastern Shores Conservation Manager at about 3.30am. Once at hospital, Theron received treatment for cuts on his head and a broken nose. According to a statement from iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, a trap has been set for the hyena so it can be tested for rabies. ‘The public is reminded that iSimangaliso has dangerous game where negative animal encounters are possible, especially when animals are being fed by visitors or have access to garbage. ‘We ask visitors to be vigilant and report any incidents or observations to the park’s 24-hour emergency line (082 7977944),’ said iSimangaliso Media Officer, Siyabonga Mhlongo. Originally posted 2016-03-08 22:02:53.


Sodwana redevelopment gets R72m

By Sodwana Bay

Sodwana redevelopment gets R72m DAILYNEWS/NEWS /  01 September 2015 at 12:20pm By: ZAINUL DAWOOD Sodwana Bay in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is scheduled for a R72 million facelift in the next 24 months, which will aim to better preserve the area, while unlocking development. Work will include a new visitor reception and gate complex, new parking, new craft markets, and new recreational areas for day visitors. Siyabonga Mhlongo, iSimangaliso Wetland Park spokesman, said a number of specialist studies were commissioned to better understand the dynamics of this area, with a view to enhancing and protecting the ecology of the area and promoting economic development. This part of the park contains rare forest types and species and is a popular tourism destination for beach lovers, divers and fishermen. “The studies considered how best to modernise day visitor facilities to improve the visitor experience, and create jobs. Specialists in the fields of dune dynamics and estuarine management as well as civil engineers, landscape architects, architects and professionals who have successfully managed and implemented rehabilitation programmes along the KwaZulu-Natal coast line were involved,” Mhlongo said. The studies, done over a two-year period, included vegetation surveys, ecological functionality assessments, coastal dune dynamics, estuarine functional assessments, cultural heritage assessments and ecological rehabilitation. The breakdowns of the costs are: * R11m for a new entrance gate complex; * R50m for visitor facilities and ecological rehabilitation; and * R10m for road upgrades. The redevelopment of Sodwana’s day visitor areas includes the replacement and relocation of the existing dive shop, compressor facilities, convenience and food outlets; new community safety and first aid facilities; replacement and new ablution facilities (one of which was completed in the first phase of the project); improved parking; new signage and park furniture, such as picnic tables; and the rebuilding of the craft trading area. All facilities will be disabled-friendly. “The facelift will also require the removal of structures that are inappropriate or ‘not fit for purpose’, including those within the estuarine basin, and those that compromise the ecology and ‘sense of place,” Mhlongo said. Alien plants will be removed to restore dune functioning and growth of indigenous vegetation on the primary dune will be encouraged. The increase in visitor numbers to the area has increased pressure on the ecosystem, already strained by the planting of Casuarina trees in the 1960s to aid dune stabilisation. Mhlongo said natural processes had led to sand “starvation” at Jesser Point, which has been significantly eroded, resulting in the need to remove infrastructure and arguably contributing to sand choking in the bay. “Heavy seas have compounded the negative ecological impacts from Casuarina trees on Jesser Point, resulting in the collapse of infrastructure – including ablutions and beach ramps critical for launch site operations,” Mhlongo said. The park is known for its world class coral reefs, more than 1 200 species of marine fish (including coelacanths) and scuba diving. It also has rare and endangered forest types and a highly sensitive and dynamic dune system. Park chief executive, Andrew Zaloumis, said good planning and public input had resulted in a balance between ecological conservation and development. “The construction will provide 164 jobs with additional new permanent jobs during the operational phase. This will benefit the community surrounding us,” Zaloumis said. iSimangaliso’s business director, Terri Castis, said: “We are managing the park, not only for the benefit of this generation, but for our children and our children’s children.” Originally posted 2015-09-01 21:58:02.


Advertise about Sodwana Bay ~ What are we about?

By Sodwana Bay

Sodwana Bay Information and Directory. We are a locally based in Sodwana Bay and would love to help your business grow. Our focus is to promote and give useful Travel Information to possible futures visitors to our loved Sodwana. If your think your business can Sustain and upkeep Sodwana Bay you are more than welcome to join our Directory. Our services aren’t just for local businesses in Sodwana Bay but surrounding areas as well. We understand that exposure is KING… without being known your business will not succeed! So, GREAT news – We have FREE text only listings and also paid listings which will give you more exposure on our Sodwana Bay Directory.   Help us help you? Give us a call and we will gladly assist you in any means possible. info@sodwanabayinformation.co.za   Originally posted 2015-05-20 12:37:38.


We Advertise @ Sodwana Bay ~ South Africa

By Sodwana Bay

We would love to promote your business on our Sodwana Bay Information Directory. We have a wide variety of packages ranging from FREE to Fully paid LISTINGS. Don’t worry if you do not have the funds right a way – You can signup with a FREE text only listing and later upgrade… Asks us how? info@sodwanabayinformation.co.za Originally posted 2015-05-14 15:32:15.


Tribute to a Legend – Peter Timm.

By Sodwana Bay

Tribute to a Legend! Tributes continue to pour in for the late world-renowned diver and researcher, Peter Timm. Timm was part of a team of divers who re-discovered the Coelacanth in Sodwana Bay…in northern KwaZulu-Natal in 2000. Originally posted 2014-06-20 12:42:13.