Left the Scottburg Caravan Park after a lack of sleep due to some noisy party with loud booming music held across the street but did catch a glorious sunrise.
Then continued our journey to Wild Coast Sun, a 5 Star Resort we did not stay at with Casino, water-slides, golf and more.
We focused on seeing the “Petrified Forest” officially known as the Mzamba Cretaceous Deposits which includes 80 million year old marine fossil beds exposed in a 3 foot (10 m) high cliff of sandstone and limestone. The lower layers contain tree trunks and castings. Unfortunately the regular guide was not available but as Joan had been there before we decided to go to the site on our own. However we were stopped by a beach guard who decided to lead us there himself.
At one point our guide, Dezela, stopped to dig out a good sized ammonite along with Joan’s help as the sand kept falling in almost as fast as the digging occurred. Must be at least 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) across. The 5 Rand coins are about the size of quarters.
From there we continued down the beach to a row of shallow caves.
The cliff faces and caves, accessible only at low tide, reveal an abundant amount of marine fossils including bivalves, giant clams, snails, shark teeth and turtle shells.
Fossilized turtle shell
Fossilized bone
And although some resemble what can still be found today on the beach many are now extinct.
On the ceiling of one cave Dezela pointed out the casting of an ancient palm tree and on the floor an example of a current palm trunk. Wasn’t difficult to make this comparison.
As we returned down the beach it was interesting to look at some of the current life found along the way and try to imagine what this desolate place must have been like 80 million years ago during the Cretaceous when this was a different beach.
The Mzamba Fossil site is accessible only with a guide and is a protected site so fossil hunting or removal is strictly prohibited. Please remember, leave only footprints and take only memories and photos.
Wow, Gaelyn. What an incredible journey you are having. I am enjoying each and every step vicariously through your wonderful blog! Thank you especially for this post. Fossils are (some of my) favorite finds and these must have been amazing to see. XO!
This place was mind blowing and I wish I could have spent longer exploring there.
Amazing Gaelyn 🙂
I hadn’t heard of this site before. But I haven’t up until now been much into fossils. Maybe that should change!
Lovely photos especially of the sunrise and the tree casts.
The beach walk alone is worth it.
A stunning post of nfo and pictures Gaelyn!!
An interesting diversion from the animals. Wouldn’t have thought about seeing something like that on your trip. Great photos.
Keep trying to mix things up between wildlife. And I am thoroughly intrigued by fossils.
These photos are great. I also love learning about fossils and seeing them in their natural state. It blows my mind how many things have lived on this earth before us. When I get started on my Africa trip next Jan/Feb I’ll make sure to add this to my itinerary as I would love to see this as well in person!
This is an awesome sight. I highly recommend it. Get to Wild Coast Sun very early as the guided tour starts around 9:30am.
Nicely done with pictures and descriptions.
Thanks for sharing.
You are having a great time. Enjoy.
Wonderful to step back in time. Fossil sites and archaeological dig sites are so stimulating to the imagination and finding our place is the vast range of what has been. Here in Australia we have many many fossil site, even dating back to 3.2 billion years ago. One of the reasons I switch off global positioning on my camera is to protect fossil sites on private property that we have been allowed to view.
You cannot imagine how much I delight in seeing you exploring such wonders.
What an amazing place. Isn’t it wonderful to have photos of things like this.
What a glorious sunset! The fossil site is just amazing. How wonderful to be able to see it in person.
I could have spent a lot more time at the fossil site.
I have to go up to the Wild Coast Sun for a meeting some time in the next couple of months and will surely look up this spot for a stop. Got to make a note quickly so I don’t forget.
Ask for Benny, he gives the guided tour.
I always find fossils interesting.
This was over the top.
What a fascinating experience, and that 1st photo of the sunrise is stunning! A prize winner for sure!
This really was an awesome experience.