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Former Miss Universe falls in love with the beauty of KZN
It was a case of beauty versus beauty when one of the world’s most popular personalities in 2019, former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, visited a luxury Northern KwaZulu-Natal holiday resort recently.
The world-famous St Lucia area competed with Zozibini in the beauty stakes and each emerged a winner in their own right.
Zozibini said she did not have to think twice when the offer came up to visit KZN.
“I just had to make sure I had my Spotify music playlist music ready to jam too,” she said with a twinkle.
Makakatana Bay Lodge
The attractive and gentle 27-year-old had some down time away from the hustle and bustle and vacationed at Makakatana Bay Lodge.
She said during a game drive she was most happy being on South African soil and that the St Lucia region had to be “paradise on earth”.
“Staying at Makakatana Bay Lodge has been most refreshing – the staff are friendly and hospitable, and I got to indulge in some heavenly cuisine – the best any lodge can offer a visitor.
“The weather in KZN has been fantastic. But for the nippy mornings and evenings, it is balmy during the day. I got to relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery on the game drives and was so close to cheetahs, rhinos and elephants.”
She said the boat cruise on Lake St Lucia was serene and restful and allowed her to “recharge her batteries”. Leigh-Ann and Hugh Morrison, owners of Makakatana Bay Lodge, said hosting Zozibini for three nights was an amazing experience.
“She is a very kind and friendly person and we were so happy that she could be comfortable at the lodge and we were able to give her a memorable stay.
“We were so fortunate to have had the opportunity to expose the iSimangaliso Wetland Park to Zozibini and offered her a true wildlife experience.”
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
KwaZulu-Natal, the exceptional Zulu Kingdom, is a province which boasts two World Heritage Sites, one being the iSimangaliso Wetland Park situated along the coast of South Africa’s KZN Province.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park incorporates a wide range of pristine marine, coastal, wetland, estuarine, and terrestrial environments which are scenically beautiful and basically unmodified by people.
The park lives up to the meaning of its name – “miracle and wonder”. This suitably describes the unique place.
Sibusiso Bukhosini, CEO of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, said: “Visitors get to have the best of both worlds and experience Africa’s largest estuarine system and the incredible wildlife and nature.
“The 332 000 hectare park offers its visitors a fun packed day and afternoon game drive riding along rhino’s, cheetah’s, elephants, hippos and so much more animals. “For people who want to relax and have picnics with their families, the park has popular beach destinations that are found at Cape Vidal and Missions Rocks.” Phindile Makwakwa, Acting CEO of Tourism KZN, said: “We were thrilled when we heard one of South Africa’s biggest exports, Zozibini Tunzi had KZN on her bucket list as a travel destination and we were confident that she would be enthralled by the beauty of Simangaliso.
“We are proud of Makakatana Bay Lodge for pulling out all stops to make her stay memorable. We are looking forward to welcoming more travellers into the KZN for them to also have their own experiences of our beautiful province.”
Zozibini hopes to come back to KwaZulu-Natal.
“This province is so beautiful. There is so much to see and enjoy. I will be back soon,” she said.
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