The 260,000 hectares covered by the St Lucia Wetland Park is home to a diverse number of habitats and wildlife.  

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.

Further north along the KZN coastline, on the border with Mozambique, is the Kosi Bay NatureReserve. Where seawater and fresh water mix, there is an abundance of nutrition for countless species of fish and an equally impressive variety of birds.

The Areas Covered

The Park stretches along the coast from Sodwana Bay in the north to the Mapelane Nature Reserve in the  south.

It incorporates the 38,000 hectare Lake St Lucia, a vast expanse of lake, estuaries and islands.

The Park also includes many other nature and game reserves including False Bay Park and the St Lucia Game and Marine Reserves, and the Mkuze Game Reserve.

Malaria is present in this area of South Africa, so precautions should be taken. 

Wildlife

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.

Leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles lay their eggs on the ocean shows of the eastern peninsula, Turtle breading season starts October the one year until April the next year while whale watching season is from June until December.

Springbok Atlas offer a St Lucia Turtle Tour, and we are delighted to be able to book this for you. Please click here to read more about this wonderful experience.

Other wildlife includes rhino (both black and white), elephant, buffalo, giraffe, kudu and other antelope species.

There are also over 450 species of birdlife, including fish eagles and colonies of pelicans and flamingos.

Here, and nowhere else in the world, can one find hippopotamuses, crocodiles, and sharks sharing the same waters.

Special Offers

Makakatana Bay Lodge: Stay 4 nights for the price of 3
Valid for travel from 1 October 2011 to 31 October 2012
view all St Lucia Wetland Park special offers

Suggested Holiday Itinerary

Suggested Itineraries

Prices from US$ 2,138 pp*Nature Reserves and Horse Back Safaris
12 day itinerary.
Guide price valid for travel in July 2012

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*Prices are per person and are based on today's exchange rates. Exchange rates are subject to change and are updated daily.

Prices exclude international flights - ask us if you would like to include these.

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Properties 1 to 5 of 12

Santa Lucia Guest House, St Lucia Village

Guest House / B&B

   Average 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.

From ZAR450 ( approx US$ 61 ) per person.

Cape Vidal, Near St Lucia Village

KZN Wildlife Camp

   Average guest rating:4.5

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.

From ZAR465 ( approx US$ 63 ) per person.

AmaZulu Lodge, St Lucia

Lodge / Inn

   Average 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.

From ZAR540 ( approx US$ 73 ) per person.

Umlilo Lodge, St Lucia

Lodge / Inn

   Average guest rating:4.5

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.

From ZAR550 ( approx US$ 74 ) per person.

Sodwana Bay, St Lucia

KZN Wildlife Camp

   Average guest rating:4.5

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.

From ZAR577.5 ( approx US$ 78 ) per person.

Properties 1 to 5 of 12