St Lucia Wetlands Park
Turtle Tours and Diving
The 260,000 hectares covered by the St Lucia Wetland Park is home to a diverse number of habitats and wildlife. The Park stretches along the coast from Sodwana Bay in the north to the Mapelane Nature Reserve in the south.
Coastal beaches and sand dunes, wetlands, bushveld, coastal forests and mangrove swamps are all here, as well as South Africa's most southernmost coral reef off the Sodwana Bay coastline, a diving and snorkelling paradise and home to an extremely large number of colourful tropical fish species.
Several local operators offer Turtle Tours. Only 2 breeds of Maputaland turtles lay their eggs on these shores, namely the Leatherback and Loggerhead. Enjoy an evening searching for them returning to their birthplace to lay their eggs and later in the season see the hatchlings making their dash for the ocean. These tours operate from November to February/March only, and are subject to availability and favourable weather conditions.
The Park also incorporates the 38,000 hectare Lake St Lucia, a vast expanse of lake, estuaries and islands. Swimming in the lake is prohibited due to the presence of over 1,500 crocodiles, the largest population in South Africa. Boat trips and cruises are a popular way to sight these formidable creatures, swimming or basking in the sun on the lake shores. There are also nearly 1,000 hippos in the lake as well, and occasionally black fin and Zambezi River sharks can be seen.
Further north along the KZN coastline, on the border with Mozambique, is the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve. Where seawater and fresh water mix, there is an abundance of nutrition for countless species of fish and an equally impressive variety of birds.
Santa Lucia Guest House, St Lucia Village
Guest House / B&B
Guest Rating: 4.0
Santa Lucia Guesthouse is a Mediterranean style home set in a tranquil, tropical garden with a swimming pool. All the 6 bedrooms are en-suite, are equipped with tea/coffee making facilities and bar refrigerators.
Cape Vidal, Near St Lucia Village
KZN Wildlife Camp
Guest Rating: 4.7
Renowned for its sport fishing and snorkelling, this scenic coastal camp is situated on the north of the Eastern Shores area of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (also now known as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park). There is a relatively safe area for swimming, and wildlife, especially birds, is abundant.
Umlilo Lodge, St Lucia
Lodge / Inn
Guest Rating: 4.7
Umilo Lodge is a 4* guest house situated in St Lucia, in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (also now known as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park). The accommodation consists of 11 air-conditioned en-suite rooms all equipped with refrigerators, hair dryers, tea and coffee making facilities as well as 10 TV channels.
AmaZulu Lodge, St Lucia
Lodge / Inn
Guest Rating: 3.0
AmaZulu Lodge is located in the village of St Lucia, the gateway to the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park (also now known as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park).The main design and construction of AmaZulu Lodge, has a warm African ambiance.
Sodwana Bay, St Lucia
KZN Wildlife Camp
Renowned for its sport fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling, Sodwana is situated on the coast within the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. Aside from Sodwana's wealth of opportunities for diving, boating and angling, a 5 km self-guided trail is available for the enjoyment of nature lovers and bird enthusiasts.
