St. Lucia iSimangaliso Wetland Safaris
Surrounded by the warm tropical waters of the Indian Ocean and reinforced by golden sandy beaches, St Lucia is a world-class wilderness area and one of our favorite places in South Africa.
Located at the southern end of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, St Lucia is on the edge of a unique ecosystem that hosts a collection of fantastic things to do. Go on a night safari to spot rare turtle hatchlings making their way to see, take a boat ride on the estuary past hippos, or simply enjoy a sundowner in a beautiful waterside location.
Lush subtropical scenery provides the canvas for a Garden of Eden safari expedition. Across a sprawling wetland system, dry open savannahs feel remote, broad, and hot; dehydrated by the disparity of rainfall.
Available Tours and Safaris
Full-Day iSimangaliso Safari Tour
This Full Day iSimangaliso Wetland Park Safari Tour departs daily from St Lucia. You will be picked up at your hotel at 8:00 am by one of our Game Rangers in an Open Game Drive Safari Vehicle. The Tour includes game viewing en route to Cape Vidal a protected bay where one has the opportunity of enjoying some magnificent snorkeling. (weather & tide dependant) The bay offers some exquisite fish species.
Departing daily your ranger will pick you up from your hotel or alternatively meet us at our office. This full-day departs at 8:00 am and showcases the incredible beauty that surrounds this park. From open grasslands, forests, mangroves, loop roads, hides, and beaches it’s a busy day. Once we reach Cape Vidal a protected bay you will have time to snorkel and enjoy the numerous fish species that frequent the area. (Please note that snorkeling is weather and tide dependent)
All the while your ranger will prepare a super picnic lunch. Enjoy this full-day outing into a place that is known as a miracle.
Bush & Boat Safari
This one day Bush & Boat Safari takes you into the oldest proclaimed park in Africa, Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve, and then onto the St Lucia Estuary South Africa’s first World Heritage Site. Follow the less-traveled roads into the Umfolozi Game Reserve, through the spectacular landscapes of this Big 5 Reserve, late afternoon we travel by boat on the St Lucia Estuary, South Africa’s first World Heritage site.
On this once-in-a-lifetime, experience extraordinary views both of the bush and the estuary, magnificent African sunrise & sunsets.
Sunrise Safari
Are you ready for an incredible Sunrise Safari? Join us and travel into the Eastern shores as we go in search of some of the amazing Wildlife. The area is well known for its Rhino both white and black species are found within the park, Buffalo, Leopard, and the occasional Elephants.
The park is divided by the St Lucia Estuary with the eastern and western shores. The estuary is one of the largest in South Africa is also home to 800 Hippos and 1200 Nile Crocodiles.
Night Drive Safari
A Night Drive Safari is a game drive that operates after dark, with a powerful spotlight. This 3-hour safari on an Open Game Drive Safari Vehicle offers one a chance of witnessing the elusive Leopard, Giraffe, Buffalo, Elephants, Hippos grazing, Chameleons and so much more. The advantage of a night drive is that they provide access to nocturnal species that are rarely seen during the day, such as Hippos, Bush Babies, Chameleons, Aardvarks, and Leopard are also more active after dark, and there is a greater probability of seeing them hunt at night.
2 Day Safari Package
Take to the Bush in a Big 5 half-day Safari, Open Game Drive Safari Vehicle in one of the wildest places in Africa, Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve. Gravel roads, rolling hills, hear the roars of the Lions. Grasslands and open Plains where Cheetah hunt, watering holes rich with wildlife of every sort, from African Wild Dogs and Elephants to Warthogs.
Exploring from the intimate perspective of your 4×4 Open Game Drive Vehicle, encounter the bush and wildlife of the beautiful Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve close up.
Venture into Isimangaliso Wetlands Park on a Night Drive safari as we go in search of Elephant, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo, and much more a 2,5-hour nocturnal affair. Travel up the St Lucia Estuary by boat to witness Hippo and Nile crocodiles on one of Africa’s largest estuarine systems.
Day 1 — St Lucia, KwaZulu Natal/South Africa
Arrive in St Lucia, a tiny community at the edge of Isimangaliso Wetlands Park, South Africa’s first World Heritage site (Unesco 1999). Gather for a briefing with your guide and get readied for a 2 hr Sunset Boat Cruise on the St Lucia Estuary to witness Hippo, Nile Crocodiles, and a wide variety of Estuarine Birds, later that evening you depart on a 2,5 hr Night Drive or 3 hr Sunset Safari into the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park, we go in search of the elusive Leopard, Elephants, Buffalo, Rhino and other nocturnal animals that frequent the area. 4 Star accommodation at The Heritage Hotel.
Day 2 — Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve Big5 Safari
Board a 4×4 open game drive vehicle, early this morning as you are transferred to the Umfolozi Game Reserve on the Southern section of Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve. We’ll set up breakfast in the bush. See the abundance of animal life in this area. Against a backdrop of rolling hills, thick bush, and open plains, the Big5 awaits you, Impala scatters and Giraffe frolic in the open plains.
Travel with your knowledgeable guide, taking time to find and observe the exciting wildlife here.
All Safaris are conducted in Open Game Drive Vehicles, with Breakfast, Lunch, and Refreshments.
( 8 hours safari)
