Airstrip

There is an airstrip at Mbazwana. It has a grass runway and can accomodate light aircraft and microlights.

Beach driving

Beach driving is not permissible on any of South African beaches. Sodwana Bay allows for beach boat launches. Applicable permissions and permits are required.
Ezemvelo Wildlife services Back to top Ezemvelo wildlife services are the official custodians of the Sodwana bay reserve. This forms part of the greater St Lucia Wetland managment area.
Entry to the park is controlled by this authority and is accessed via an control gate.

Banks

There are no banks at Sodwana Bay or Mbazwana.
Roads Back to top Sodwana Bay is accessible by tar road. Access is via Hluhluwe and Jozini. There is a gravel road of approximately 50 Km between Jozini and Mbazwana, this is in a good condition. Sodwana bay is in a rural area. Extreme care must be taken to avoid cattle, goats, donkeys and wildlife on the roads. The speed limit is 100 Km/h on all the tar roads.

Climate

Sodwana Bay may be classified as sub tropical. The days can be very hot and humid. Rain fall is likely in Summer. Nights are pleasant and rarely requires warm clothing

Mosquitos & Ticks

Mosquitos are the greatest nuisance. Sodwana is in a tropical climatic zone where these pests proliferate. Copiuos quantaties of insect repellant should be applied as soon as the sun sets. baticol is an excellent product. Citronella candles provide further detterent as does mosquito coils. Prophylaxis is often critisized by the populace and is essenially an individual choice. The location may carry a Maliaria warning and should be treated as such. It is common knowledge though that this disease has controlled to a large degree.

A plethora of spiders and other insects do exist in this paradise. This however is no different to the majority geographical distribution of the same throughout Southern Africa.

We reccomend Bayticol as an insect reppelent.

Snakes are prominent. However the vast majority are non venemous and harmless. At the same token though the mamba and viper family are prevalent. These snakes are very scarce and are easily frightened by human activity and presence.

Electricity

Eskom is the utility that provides electricity to this area. It is 220 Vac and utilises a round pin three pin socket.
Water Back to top All water that is dispensed from a tap. It is not recommended to drink water from any stream, dam or lake. Bottled water may be procured from the local shops if required.

Fuel

Fuel may be procured from Mbazwana and the Parks Board at Sodwana Bay. Common grades of fuel is available. Fuel may also be purchased at Jozini or Hluhluwe.

Food / Suplies

There are small shops at Mbazwana and Sodwana. These cater for all subsidence requirements and general supplies. There are no specialist stores in the area.

Currency

ZAR - South African Rands is the prominent currency of the area.
Tips / Gratuities Back to top Generally car guards are tipped between R2.00 and R5.00. Gratuity at restaurants or the like is 10% of the purchase.

Communications

Telkom S.A. is the primary fixed line operator in the area. Cellular providers include MTN, Vodacom and Cell C.

Medical Sevices

There are no resident doctors at Sodwana Bay. There are hospitals at Mseleni (20 Km), Richards Bay (200 Km). There is a paramedic at Sodwana bay MDS - Medical Dive Services)

Entertainment

There are a number of local services that cater for alternative activities which include interalia Deep sea fishing, microlighting, quad bike adventures, flyfishing and cultural visitations.