What is more amazing than watching a newly hatched Loggerhead Turtle make it’s way to the sea? Or watching a female Leatherback Turtle (the world’s largest turtle) come to shore to lay her eggs?
Rocktail Beach Camp is located within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park on the north-east coast of South Africa (quite close to the border of Mozambique). Every year endangered Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtles come to the area to lay their eggs on the beach. A few months later (usually during January and February) the eggs hatch. The camp runs turtle safaris during the breeding season. During low tide the guide takes guests out to the beach and drives along the beach looking for hatching turtles of turtles coming in to lay eggs. The guide drives below the high water mark to avoid the nests. The guides also record information on the turtles to help with the turtle research project in the area.
In February 2012 i had the opportunity to do a turtle safari and was lucky enough to see a newly hatched Loggerhead Turtle AND a female Leatherback Turtle.
A Turtle Safari should be on everyone’s bucket list.