By adding a Hippo and Croc tour with Shaka Barker to your St Lucia detour you will tick all your boxes for a top shelf itinerary when visiting this part of the world. You can explore Lake St Lucia while viewing the hippo antics and stealthy crocs from the safety and comfort of the barge, allowing you to admire the picturesque views along the banks of the lake and the wild animals that come down to drink from the water.
This allows visitors a whole new game viewing perspective rather than just from a vehicle in the park. It is this unique experience which makes this one of the most magical areas in South Africa. The on board guide also gives a commentary (in English) concerning the 5 ecosystems and information on the estuary itself and the wildlife you can expect to see. The guides are extremely knowledgeable and are available to answer questions and interact with the guests on the boat trip ensuring you get the most from your hippo and croc tour.
And of course our boats find the best spot to idle and drink some tea, coffee, or hot chocolate with rusks, while watching a bloat of hippos jostle in the water. This, along with our unique personalised pick-up and drop-off service for all guests who have booked an estuary trip through us, a service to our clients we pride ourselves in.
With frequent departures from the dredger harbour during the day it is easy to fit in this cruise on a UNESCO listed landmark into your St Lucia detour, and it offers the perfect relaxing break from the usual frantic driving, sightseeing itinerary! Shakabarker offers 3 timings, the first at 6am for a breakfast tour. This particular tour is easily organised, but will require special prior booking to facilitate breakfast arrangements. The other two fixed departure times are 10am to 12pm, and the sunset cruise. The afternoon cruise times change depending on the season to catch the sunset at its most magnificent. The tours on the lake are two hours in duration from start to finish, and you will be collected from your accommodation prior to departure, and returned after the trip has been completed.
The tour boats depart from the jetty at the dredger harbour and are specially constructed for a unique viewing experience. Our boats are small and carry a maximum of 15 guests, ensuring everyone on the boat maximum viewing and photographic opportunities. This size group also allows for freedom of movement when the boat is stationary at a viewing stop. The Shaka barges eco-friendly quiet, and smoke free motors, allow you to get close to the Hippos and Crocodiles – so close you can almost touch them. The boats have a shallow draft, which not only allows them to float in very shallow areas of the lake, but also minimizes the impact on the environment.
These tours also concentrate on the many bird and animal species found in the Estuary and the mangroves. Common sights are fish eagles, kingfishers, herons and many other species. SATOUR qualified guides guide these tours, and are extremely knowledgeable and passionate about their subject, which gives them a deep insight into the estuary’s wildlife and surrounds. This knowledge is passed on to those on the boat. For those who may need bathroom facilities these are available on the boats.
Contact us at info@shakabarker.co.za to arrange a unique estuary tour on one of our Shaka barges.
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