Greater St Lucia Wetland Park Travel Guide
Travel to Greater St Lucia Wetland Park - Spot Wildlife from Elephants to Whales
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The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park is situated on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, about 275 kilometres north of Durban. It is South Africa's third-largest protected area, spanning 280 kilometres of coastline, from the Mozambican border in the north to Mapelane south of the St Lucia estuary and it is made up of around 3 280 square kilometres of pristine natural ecosystems, managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park St offers ecotourists some of the most diverse wildlife and outdoor experiences imaginable. The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
The name of the park has recently been changed to iSimangaliso Wetland Park to reflect the many areas that make up its 220 000 hectares, such as Kosi Bay, Lake Sibaya, Sodwana Bay, Mkhuze Game Reserve, False Bay, Fanies Island, Charters Creek, Lake St Lucia, Cape Vidal and Kosi Bay and Maphelane.
St. Lucia was first named in 1554 as Rio de la Medaos do Oura (River of the Dows of Gold) by the survivors of the Portuguese ship Saint Benedict. At this stage, only the Tugela River mouth was known as St. Lucia. Later, in 1575, the Tugela River was named Tugela. On 13 December 1575, the day of the feast of Saint Lucy, Manuel Peresterello renamed the mouth area to Santa Lucia. In 1822, St. Lucia was proclaimed by the British as a township. In 1895, St. Lucia Game Reserve, 30 km north of the town was proclaimed.
Attractions in Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
The park includes the St Lucia Game Reserve, False Bay Park, St Lucia Marine Reserve, Sodwana Bay National Park, Maputaland Marine Reserve, Cape Vidal, Ozabeni, Mfabeni, Tewate Wilderness Area and Mkuze Game Reserve.
Here in the park you may spot wildlife such as hippos, sea turtles, flamingoes, elephants and even humpback whales.
Activities in Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
Diving on coral reefs, walking along golden beaches, fishing, boating, wilderness trails, snorkeling and angling are among the things you can do while visiting the St Lucia Wetland Park. It is also possible to take guided tours and boat trips as well as self drive safaris and self guided walking tours.
Relaxing
Relax by soaking up the atmosphere and spotting the numerous species of wildlife from elephants to whales.
Getting Around
Get around by car or foot.
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