South Africa’s first Unesco World Heritage Site, iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KZN, has opened a new tourist attraction on its eastern shores, the Amazibu Pan Hide. It was opened by Chairman of Bhangazi Community Trust, Ephraim Mfeka, iSimangaliso Board Chairman, Mavuso Msimang, and iSimangaliso CEO, Andrew Zaloumis.
Given the Zulu name for lilac water lilies, Amazibu Pan Hide overlooks a perennial pan and features an abundance of birds and wildlife species. Its original inhabitants, the Bhangazi people, own this section of the park.
Amazibu Hide is one of many new visitor sites built as part of the R120-million infrastructure upgrades throughout iSimangaliso. Other improvements include the revamped Cape Vidal campsite; day visitor ablutions throughout the eastern shores and St Lucia beaches; viewing decks at Lake Bhangazi, Catalina Bay, Mission Rocks, and Mount Tabor view; additional and expanded game drive roads to allow for bus access in more areas; and picnic sites and disabled access at certain sites. On the western shores, uMkhuze and Sodwana Bay, numerous facilities have also been refurbished and developed.
