iSimangaliso Safaris, Tours and Accommodation
Join us on a safari in an open safari
vehicle into the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, St Lucia.
Contact us and let us know where you are staying in
the St Lucia area and we will pick you up at your
accommodation. Our iSimangaliso safaris are let by a
professional nature loving guide who will take you to the
best place and tell you interesting things along the way.
Bush & beach
experience Cape Vidal
snorkeling Open-vehicle safari
Pick-up in St Lucia area Lunch included
Booking reminder:
Pre-booking is recommended for peak seasons and school
holidays.
All photos on this
page were taken while on safari.
What you can expect
iSimangaliso safaris and
tours range from self guided walking safaris in the St Lucia
game Park to multiple day adventures which include visits to
places like Cape Vidal, Sodwana Bay, Mabibi, Lake Sibaya,
Manzengwenya, Island Rock, Black Rock, Bhanga Nek and Kosi
Bay. Activities include whale watching, turtle viewing,
snorkeling
safaris, open vehicle game viewing safaris, walking
trails, horseback safaris, night safaris, night walks and
fishing.
Seasonal note:
Snorkeling is best at the correct tide (low/ebb) when the sea
is calm. When conditions are not favourable, these places can
be dangerous for snorkeling.
iSimangaliso Walking Trails / Hiking
Self guided
coastal and savanna walking
safaris as well as horseback safaris in iSimangaliso
allow you to get out into the park in silence and away from
civilization to view the great variety of animals, birds
and landscapes in the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park. Self
guided walking safaris begin at the St Lucia Crocodile Centre,
which also has maps of the St Lucia self guided walking
trails.
iSimangaliso Horseback Safaris
Beach and Bush Horse Safaris from St Lucia
Enjoy a
peaceful horse ride along the beach at St Lucia or in
the St Lucia Game Park to view animals such as zebra and
wildebeest as well as variety of antelope and birds on
horseback. Multiple day horse safaris in iSimangaliso allow
you the opportunity to see the iSimangaliso wilderness area
north of Cape Vidal, sleeping in basic bush camps, guided by
professional wildlife guides.
iSimangaliso
Snorkeling Safaris
There are
many good snorkeling areas in the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park,
some very safe places to snorkel for all ages and levels of
snorkeling skill, and other snorkeling spots for experienced
snorkelers only. The safest places to snorkel in iSimangaliso
are at Mission Rocks in the rock pools and at Kosi Bay, inland
of the mouth of the estuary on the southern side.
Bhanga Nek, Mabibi, Sodwana Bay and Cape Vidal are also well
known snorkeling spots and are safe at the correct tide
(low/ebb), when the sea is calm. When conditions are not
favourable for snorkeling, these places are dangerous for
snorkeling. Then there are the spots such as Island Rock,
which are dangerous even by spearfishermen's standards.
For an easy day trip from St Lucia, the best place is to go
snorkeling is at Cape Vidal. Join us for a day of sun,
snorkeling, wildlife and good food.
With so much to do and such a variety of safaris, iSimangaliso
is worth an extended visit to allow you more time to
experience all that the area has to offer.
iSimangaliso Wetlands Park
General Information
The
iSimangaliso Wetlands Park is situated in north eastern
KwaZulu Natal and was originally named the Greater St Lucia
Wetlands Park. iSimangaliso means - Place of Wonder. The
St
Lucia Estuary is the closest town to iSimangaliso and is
the gateway to this World Heritage Site and the accommodation
and safari company center of the iSimangaliso area.
iSimangaliso Wetlands Park was declared a World Heritage Site
in 1999, and unveiled by Nelson Mandela an unveiling ceremony
in the St Lucia Game Park, now part of iSimangaliso. UNESCO
declared iSimangaliso a World Heritage site in 1999 because
the area has incredible biodiversity, with wildlife ranging
from the biggest terrestrial mammals, the elephants, to the
largest marine animals, Humpback whales, huge whale sharks,
graceful manta rays and giant Leatherback and loggerhead sea
turtles. A variety of other animals inhabit iSimangaliso,
including black and white rhinoceros, African buffalo,
hippopotamus, crocodiles, zebra and wildebeest.
Directions to iSimangaliso
Access to
iSimangaliso is simple, with a good asphalt roads to St Lucia
and Cape Vidal. From the N2 highway, turn east onto the R618.
Turn left at the round-about to enter iSimangaliso, turn right
into St Lucia town Cape Vidal is situated 37km north of St
Lucia within iSimangaliso.
iSimangaliso Safari Bookings
Contact us
for information about iSimangaliso
Safaris and accommodation available in the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park
and accommodation available in St Lucia.
WhatsApp is the fastest way to book.
Please contact us in advance (especially peak seasons and
school holidays).
Tell us where you are staying in the St Lucia
area, and whether you prefer more wildlife viewing, beach
time at Cape Vidal, or a snorkeling-focused day.
FAQ
Do you pick us up in St Lucia?
Yes. Let us know where you are
staying in the St Lucia area and we will pick you up at
your accommodation.
Is snorkeling always safe at Cape Vidal and other
sites?
Safety depends on tide and sea
conditions. Cape Vidal, Bhanga Nek, Mabibi and Sodwana Bay
can be safe at the correct tide (low/ebb) when the sea is
calm. When conditions are not favorable, these places are
dangerous for snorkeling.
What kind of experiences are included in iSimangaliso
tours?
Experiences range from self
guided walking safaris and horseback safaris to open
vehicle game viewing, night safaris, night walks, fishing
and multi-day adventures to places like Cape Vidal,
Sodwana Bay, Mabibi, Bhanga Nek and Kosi Bay.
Is iSimangaliso worth more than a day?
Yes. With the variety of
safaris and activities, iSimangaliso is worth an extended
visit to allow more time to experience all that the area
has to offer.
