Lake Sibhayi, also known as Lake Sibaya, is the largest natural freshwater lake in South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

, with a surface area of 64 km². The lake is also wrongly known as Sibaya or Sibayi.

The lake is located in the Maputaland

Maputaland

Maputaland is a region of southern Africa situated in the northern part of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and may also refer to the southern-most region of Mozambique. The South African section was also previously known as Tongaland after the Tonga people who live there, and is...

, or Umhlabuyalingana, area of KwaZulu-Natal, on the east coast of South Africa.

It is part of the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park

Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park

iSimangaliso Wetland Park is situated on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa about 275 kilometres north of Durban. It is South Africa's third-largest protected area, spanning 280 km of coastline, from the Mozambican border in the north to Mapelane south of the St Lucia estuary, and...

 and is recognised under the Ramsar Convention

Ramsar Convention

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, i.e., to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural,...

 as a "Wetland of International Importance" on 28 June 1991. In December 1999 The Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park was declared a UNESCO

UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...

 World Heritage Site

World Heritage Site

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...

.

279 bird species have been identified at Lake Sibhayi.

The Mseleni

Mseleni

Mseleni is a small settlement in Umhlabuyalingana Maputaland, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is situated not far away from the small town of Mbazwana...

 Water Project and Mbazwana Water Supply Scheme both get their water from Lake Sibhayi.

Tourism

Lake Sibaya Lodge is situated on the northern shores of the lake. It is an upmarket lodge with 16 chalets.

Between Lake Sibhayi and the Indian Ocean is Mabibi. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife run a campsite and chalets. There is also a private lodge - Thonga Beach Lodge.

The popular beach resort of Sodwana Bay

Sodwana Bay

Sodwana Bay is located on the east coast of South Africa, between St. Lucia and Lake Sibhayi.Sodwana Bay National Park is a narrow strip of forested sand dunes located along the KwaZulu Natal coast...

is nearby and many people visit on day trips organised by tour operators based there.

Basic Data

Area 77 km²

Maximum Depth 43m

Average Depth 12m

Elevation 20m AMSL

Location
27° 15' S - 27° 25' S and 32° 32' E - 32° 44' E

External links

• Lake Sibaya Info Sheet - South African Wetlands Conservation Programme
• Lake Sibaya - World Lakes Database
• Lake Sibaya Information sheet for the site designated to the List of Wetlands of International Importance