An Adventure outing to Western Shores

Grasslands, Palm Trees & Wind That Never Lets Up

Within minutes of entering the Western Shores, you’re greeted by wide-open grasslands, dotted with date palm trees swaying dramatically in the wind. And when I say windy—I mean windy. Gusts rolled across the plains, bending the grass and making the palm leaves rattle like dry rain.

On days like this, animal sightings are never guaranteed. Many species hide deeper in the vegetation to shield themselves from the elements. Even the birds struggled, beating their wings hard as they fought their way across the sky.

The iMpaha Loop: 22 km of Quiet Wilderness

About few km's from the enrance to park, we turned left onto the iMpaha Loop—a 22 km gravel road that forms a long half-circle and eventually joins back into the main route. Here, the landscape becomes even more unique with the Wild Date Palms.

Roughly 5 km into the loop, we crossed the iMpaha River, a low-lying bridge that is sometimes inaccessible in the rainy season. Luckily for us, the river was only a gentle stream. Water lilies drifted peacefully in the pond next to the bridge — one of those small scenes that make you stop and appreciate the quiet beauty.

We continued at a slow, easy 10 km/h—no need to accelerate, just letting the vehicle idle along in second gear. It felt like a Sunday afternoon drive in the best possible way.

Monkeys, Waterbuck & Their “Follow Me” Signals

Soon we were watching monkeys play next to the road, followed by a full herd of waterbuck grazing close by. Their famous white ringed rumps were clearly visible—nature’s version of a high-visibility sign. These rings act as a “follow me” marker, helping the herd stay together when fleeing predators through tall grass.

The Search for the Tower of Giraffe

One of the Western Shores' biggest attractions is its giraffe population—affectionately called a tower of giraffe. There are plenty in the park, including many cute calves wobbling around on spindly legs. But today, they were nowhere to be found.

Instead, we spotted buffalo, and at one point, we passed a group of about ten blue wildebeest, grazing quietly in the wind.

After finishing the 22 km loop, we rejoined the main road and headed north, still hoping to spot the giraffe.

Hippos, Herons & Buffalo Hiding from the Heat

At a pond along the road, a huge pod of hippo bobbed gently up and down, their ears flicking above the water. A grey heron stood statuesque at the water’s edge, while a few white egrets searched through the reeds.

Just a little further up, we reached a beautiful picnic site shaded by enormous trees. There are a few picnic tables, benches, braais, and clean ablution facilities—perfect for a break. Across the road, a large herd of buffalo lay low in the grass, trying to escape both the heat and the relentless wind.

Inside the car, the temperature gauge read 33°C, climbing to 34°C not long after. No wonder the animals were keeping a low profile!

Final Stop: eMgadankawu Hide

We continued to eMgadankawu Hide, another viewpoint with ablutions. Even with the wind howling, the views of the wetlands and rolling landscapes were worth the stop. From here, you truly appreciate how huge and varied the Western Shores are.

A Day of Wind, Heat & Hidden Animals—But Still Magical

Even with difficult weather, the iSimangaliso Western Shores never disappoints. From grasslands dancing in the wind to hippos, waterbuck, and wildebeest along the way, it was a peaceful and beautiful day out in one of South Africa’s most special wild spaces.

Next time, the giraffe owe us a proper appearance—but that’s the magic of nature. You never know what you’ll find, and every trip tells its own story.