fauna of iSimangaliso

"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly." - Proverb

Have you ever wished you were someone or something else when times get tough? That you can grow wings and fly away? Now and again I fantasize about turning into a hippo in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu Natal and spending my days lazing about, sleeping and eating!

While it is impossible for humans to physically change so dramatically–a weekend getaway in the bush can only take us so far!–I am consoled by knowing that I am privileged to experience all the wonders of nature in the world that surrounds me. When guiding and spending time on safaris in the bush at Makatana Bay Lodge in KZN, I am in a world where I continually discover and learn more. I am fascinated with those little creatures that have figured out how to escape one reality to begin a new one.

Trust us to find all these baby chameleons in the month of Love! Teeny, tiny, Flap-necked Chameleons (Chamaeleo dilepis), the size of a child's thumb are all over the Western Shores and around Makakatana at the moment.

We have had some fabulous sightings of them while out on our night drives. Chameleons are mostly found throughout Africa and Madagascar, but they are not limited to these locations. For someone who has never seen a baby chameleon before, it is easy to mistakenly assume that they are dwarf chameleons. The Setaro's dwarf chameleons (Bardypodion setaroi) are endemic to the area but are more prevalent on the Eastern Shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Before going on a safari adventure at Makakatana, our knowledgeable guides might ask you if you have any fears or phobias. Our aim is to add a more meaningful wildlife experience and take you on a conservation journey that will leave you with a deeper understanding and connection to the miracles and wonders that surround us. Sometimes we come across creatures not fully understood or appreciated and most of the time they are the small things that are ignored and sadly disregarded. One such creature is the friendly spider. Now, before you close the tab in horror, let’s take a quick look at the importance of these unique members of the Arachnid family that live in the biodiverse eco-systems in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
.... DON'T BE AFRAID OF THOSE LEGS.

Spring and summer months in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park bring on the rumbling warning signs of thunderstorms that begin to roll through the beautiful hills and plains of KwaZulu Natal. The excitement levels rise around Makakatana Bay Lodge as we know the rain is coming and with it the increase of new wildlife. The Burchell’s Coucal, commonly known as the Rainbird, is the first warn of the rain on its way, while the frogs gather and prepare for reuniting in orchestral celebration and the veld waits for its boost to explode with colour as the flowers and grasses thrive with newfound vigour.

For those who have a thing for stats….keep reading to get to our 10 year rainfall records!

There is a general misunderstanding on the difference between field guides and game rangers. Even though both lines of work overlap in duties and roles, they differ when it comes to core purpose in the industry of conservation and tourism. Makakatana Bay Lodge plays a role in the world of both of these lines of work, since we help provide equipment through donations given by the guests to support rangers in anti poaching units of the park. This empowers them to manage the park as well as protect the animals and surrounding nature inside of it more effectively, forwarding the success of the park as well as the local community that benefits directly or indirectly from the park.