Jozini is a small town in the north eastern part of Elephant Coast, KwaZulu-Natal. It draws its significance from the fact that it lies on the shores of the huge Jozini Dam (renamed from the Pongolapoort Dam), 16000ha in extent. The dam and its surrounding lands have been declared a nature reserve. It was originally created to supply irrigation to farmlands but its potential as a nature reserve has been recognized and the land is being converted back to its wild state.
The dam, on the Phongola River, supports an abundant fish population, including the tiger fish which attracts fishermen wanting to catch this very desirable African game fish. Elephant have been returned to the reserve as well as hippo, crocodiles, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, kudu, hyena, cheetah, wild dog and cerval. Occasionally leopards come down from the surrounding Ubombo and Lebombo Mountains. The dam is also home to 350 bird species including herons, kingfishers, yellow-billed storks, fish eagles and whistling duck.
The town is also within easy driving distance from iSimanagaliso Wetland Park, uMkhuze Game Reserve, Tembe Elephant Park and the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve.
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