MFABENI/MISSION ROCKS

 
TRAILS AND HIKES
The wilderness area in this wetland park and World Heritage Site is on the eastern shores of Lake St Lucia and this area has been subject to minimal human interference so hikers have the opportunity to experience natural landscapes which are undisturbed by man.
While on the hiking trails or doing day walks there are wonderful opportunities to observe a variety of wildlife, including elephant, black rhino, buffalo and leopard.

BOOKING DETAILS FOR MZIKI TRAIL AND EMOYENI TRAIL.
The Officer-in-Charge
Mfabeni/Mission Rocks
P O Box 52
St Lucia Estuary
3936
Telephone:035 5909002
Fax:035 5909090
E-mail:rossouwd@kznwildlife.com

MZIKI TRAIL
The Mziki trail is a three day trail which is made up of three circular routes, each returning to Mount Tabor, the trails base camp. From the base camp one has a unique view of the St Lucia lake in the west and the Indian ocean in the east. Hikers arrive at Mission Rocks and park their vehicles in the allocated parking area then make their way on foot to the base camp (approximately 2 km or 40 minutes walk). Please arrive by 15h00. From here they may choose which trail they do each day of their stay. Accommodation is provided in the old radar station hut which sleeps eight people. Beds and mattresses and crockery and cutlery are supplied and there is a two plate gas cooker. A gas fridge with a small freezer compartment is available.
Ablutions are in the form of a bucket shower and a long drop toilet.

TRAIL PROFILE:
Trail 1:
South Coast loop, 10 km, circuit, return to base camp at Mount Tabor in the evening. Open grassland, dune forest, beach, freshwater pans and hippo paths. Trees of interest include the ornamental coral tree in the open grassland, the long lived milkwood tree of the dune forests and the rare forest fig.
Trail 2:
Lake loop. 10 km. circuit, return to base camp at Mount Tabor in the evening. The lake trail heads in a westerly direction through indigenous forest past the Mfazana freshwater pan where you can see waterfowl, hippos and crocodiles and on to the lakeshore of Lake St. Lucia. Beware of the hippo as they sometimes leave the water to graze during the day.
Trail 3:
North Coast loop, 18 km. circuit, return to base camp at Mount Tabor in the evening. The trial heads northwards along the Mount Tabor Ridge, through some pine plantations and then drops down into Bokkie Valley. The trail leads through forested dunes and along 3 km of uninhibited coastline back to Mount Tabor.

EMOYENI TRAIL
Four rustic campsites offer breathtaking views of Lake St Lucia and Lake Bhangazi. There are cold water bucket showers and long drop toilets at all the camps, as well as a table and benches. Water is drawn from rainwater tanks and must be used sparingly. Tents need to be taken as there is no shelter at the campsites.
One should arrive at Mission Rocks before 12h00, in order to arrive at the campsite before nightfall.

Day I: 7 km, from Mission Rocks, where you park your car, to the first campsite, Jock's Mess. The trail winds through dune forest, skirting wetlands and forest patches, to reach the shores of the lake. It follows the lake edge to the first overnight camp at Catalina Bay.
Day 2: 18 km, this part of the trail heads in a north-westerly direction, through forest patches, crossing the swamp forest of the Nkazama stream. The trail continues close to the lakeshore, meandering through wetlands, forest and grassland, to the second overnight camp, Jumangoma.
Day 3: 11 km, the trail continues east through forest and grassland to enter the fringes of the Tewati Wilderness area where you walk through uMdoni parkland and past the edge of the eDunyini stream and swamp forest. The third overnight camp is located near the shore of Bhangazi lake.
Day 4: 16 km, the path skirts the southern side of Lake Bhangazi, down the eastern edge of the Mfabeni swamp and then up the forested dunes south of Cape Vidal, to Banel's Folly overnight camp.
Day 5: 11 km, the trail heads out of the dune forest and onto the beach and rocky shoreline. You turn off the beach at Mission Rocks and return to the car park. from which you started.

DAY WALKS FROM MISSION ROCKS

Visitors may book day walks (a day in advance please) which depart from Mission Rocks Office and take them to the lake shore to view hipppos, crocodiles, antelope, buffalo and a great variety of birds. An armed Field Ranger is provided to walk with you. The duration varies from four to six hours and can be adjusted according to the walkers wishes. On this walk you will come into close contact wilh the wetlands of Lake St Lucia and its different ecosystems. Walkers must provide their own refreshments and water. Tariffs: Please phone us on 035 5909002 for information on tariffs.
N.B. No children under the age of 12 years are allowed on this walk.

Other sites to visit in the area:
Visit the rocky shores of Mission Rocks to look at fascinating marine life at low tide.
A guided visit to the hides at Mfazana Pan. Please book a day in advance.
Private game viewing trips and night drives can be arranged through concessionaires in St Lucia. Enquire at the office at Mission Rocks. A trip on the KZN Wildlife Santa Lucia launch up the narrows of Lake St Lucia to see hippos, crocodiles and a great variety of birdlife.