A visit to St Lucia is an unforgettable experience. It is one of Zululand’s hidden gems nestled in a World Heritage site on the Elephant Coast.
St. Lucia has an incredible amount of varied activities and things to do in the area, and if you are a nature lover then this is the place for you.
Here is a list for your itinerary that the first time visitor to St Lucia needs to keep in mind when planning their visit.
Cruise on the St. Lucia Estuary
This is probably one of the main reasons why most foreign visitors to South Africa come to St. Lucia – an opportunity to view the hippos and crocs up close from the safety of a boat. Highly recommended by locals and visitors alike!
Cape Vidal
Situated at the very end of the iSimangaliso Park is a piece of paradise, Cape Vidal, a magnificent beach stretching to the North. A haven to soak up the unique bush and beach experience in a sheltered bay under the African sun.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Park
The name pronounced shla-shloo-wee-om-fa-low-zee is a mouthful, but you get used to it once you understand how to pronounce the sounds. This park forms the 5th part of the iSimangaliso coastal ecosystem. Its savannah grassland is ideal for spotting the Big 5 and only an hours drive from St. Lucia.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
The Zulu word iSimangaliso means miracle, or wonder, which aptly describes this beautiful wetland park. The park has 4 of the Big 5, and rather than dinosaurs you will find rhinos, buffalo, elephant and leopard (the most elusive of our Big 5). A self drive through the park, or a guided Safari will introduce you to tidal pools at Mission Rock, glorious expanses of deserted beach at Cape Vidal, Bhangazi lake, and a myriad of bird species, insects, buck, zebra, wildebeest, and hippos to name a few.
Meeting the ocean giants – Whale watching excursions
Experience the thrill of a surf launch off St Lucia beach to view the awe-inspiring sight of the Humpback Whales as they migrate down from Madagascar to the Antarctic from June to November.
Excursions to observe the turtles nesting on sandy beaches
The expansive beaches of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, North of Cape Vidal are one of the few remaining nesting sites for Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles.
St. Lucia Beach
This glorious subtropical beach experiences around 300 days of sunshine a year. Whether it is walking, swimming on Main Beach, fishing or just soaking up the sun, St Lucia beach is idyllic. A walk to Maphelane from St Lucia beach (the highest vegetated dune in Africa) and a climb to the top of the dune will reward you with the most incredible views over the Indian Ocean and frolicking whales in season.
Horse riding with Bhangazi Horse Safaris
Bhangazi Horse Safaris offers a unique horse riding experience in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. It is a great way to explore the wildlife in the area, as a rider on horseback does not threaten the game. This enables you to get a lot closer to the animals than you normally would in a vehicle or on foot. Glorious Beach rides can also be arranged along the breathtaking pristine, and unspoiled beaches of St Lucia, as can combinations of beach and bush rides.
Walking trails
iGwalagwala Trail, close to the Estuary banks is a leisurely 1.5 kilometre stroll and is suitable for all ages.
Iphiva walking trail is a 3-hour walk, which starts near to the Crocodile Centre and continues along the St. Lucia Estuary. It leads on through open grassland and floodplains into the dense coastal dune forest.
The Boardwalk at the Estuary mouth starts at the end of the road going down to the Ski-boat Club. This unique boardwalk trail meanders through the mangrove swamp area down to the beach.
St. Lucia crocodile centre
A visit to the St. Lucia Crocodile Centre on the Eastern shores, to the left of the entrance to the iSimangaliso Park is both amusing and informative. Our very own Crocodile Dundee will introduce you to the crocodiles living in the centre and regale you with all sorts of croc adventures.
The legends you hear about the village hippos locally known as, “The Townies” wandering the streets at night (and sometimes in the day) are true! They really do graze on our lawns at night; you may well see them while walking (or driving) to dinner. Most of all, be sensible when you encounter our less friendly local residents – no hugs, or selfies. That viral social media post, or that perfect Instagram shot just isn’t worth it, they BITE!
Please contact us on info@shakabarker.co.za for arranging any of the tours, or rides on this list you may be interested in. You can also book to stay with us at Eco Lodge info@stlucia-ecolodge.co.za. We would love to create a customised your itinerary for you.
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