The 2750 square kilometer iSimangaliso Wetland Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. It stretches 220 km from the Mozambican border with northern KwaZulu-Natal, near Ponta do Ouro, to Cape St. Lucia in the south. The Park also incorporates a marine reserve along 155 km of coastline extending 5 km into the ocean.
The Park comprises of the last remaining subtropical region on the southeastern coast of Africa with its original diverse fauna and flora mostly still intact, and it is one of the last remaining in the world. The main feature of the Park is the huge 360 square kilometer Lake St. Lucia.
A unique feature of the Park is that it encompasses five distinctly different eco-systems. These are: (1) A marine system characterized by warm waters, (2) The southernmost extension of coral reefs in Africa, submarine canyons, and long sandy beaches; a coastal dune system consisting of high linear dunes, sub-tropical forests, grassy plains and wetlands; (3) Lake systems including two estuary-linked lakes, St Lucia and Kosi, and four large freshwater lakes, Sibaya, Ngobezeleni, Bhangazi north and Bhangazi south; (4) The Mkuze and Umfolozi swamps, with swamp forests, extensive reeds and papyrus swamps; and (5) An inland system which includes ancient shoreline, terraces and dry savannah woodlands.
Discover the main things to do, see and experience in South Africa, including beautiful winelands, majestic mountain ranges, rolling wheat and sugarcane fields, caves, beaches and rocky shorelines, forests and pristine wilderness areas. Explore by game drive vehicle, hike in beautiful environs and enjoy our beloved country’s rich cultural diversity.
Highlights:
Cape Town
,
Cape Winelands
,
Stellenbosch
,
Oudtshoorn
,
Route 62
,
Garden Route
,
Knysna
,
Oudtshoorn ostrich farms
,
Cango Caves
,
Sunshine Coast
,
Wild Coast
,
Transkei
,
KwaZulu-Natal
,
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
,
St. Lucia
,
Kruger National Park
,
Swaziland
,
Panorama Route
.
The German-guided version of our tour that covers the highlights of South Africa (link to English tour provided as well). It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.
Highlights:
Panorama Route
,
Blyde River Canyon
,
Kruger National Park
,
Swaziland
,
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
,
St. Lucia
,
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
,
Transkei
,
Garden Route
,
Storm’s River Mouth
,
Knysna
,
Cango Caves
,
Route 62
,
Cape Winelands
,
Stellenbosch
,
Paarl
,
Cape Town
.
This private guided tour covers the highlights of South Africa and is ideal for first time visitors to the country. It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.
Highlights:
Panorama Route
,
Blyde River Canyon
,
Kruger National Park
,
Swaziland
,
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
,
St. Lucia
,
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
,
Transkei
,
Garden Route
,
Storm’s River Mouth
,
Knysna
,
Cango Caves
,
Route 62
,
Cape Winelands
,
Stellenbosch
,
Paarl
,
Cape Town
.
This self-drive tour covers the highlights of South Africa and is ideal for first time visitors to the country. It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.
Highlights:
Panorama Route
,
Blyde River Canyon
,
Kruger National Park
,
Swaziland
,
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
,
St. Lucia
,
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
,
Transkei
,
Garden Route
,
Storm’s River Mouth
,
Knysna
,
Cango Caves
,
Route 62
,
Cape Winelands
,
Stellenbosch
,
Paarl
,
Cape Town
.
St. Lucia is a small town, next to the St. Lucia Estuary within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal. The estuary connects Lake St. Lucia to the Indian Ocean. Boat cruises operated from St Lucia offer sightings of large numbers of hippos and some crocodiles.
The 360 square kilometre Lake St. Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal is the largest inland body of water in South Africa and the jewel in the crown of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The lake has a healthy fish population, supports a huge variety of bird species and is home to ±800 hippos and scores of crocodiles.
The St Lucia lake is the largest estuarine system in Africa and is part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, meaning place of wonder/ miracle. It is home to a huge population of hippos and many crocodiles. It is also a birder's paradise. A number of companies operate boat trips on the estuary that last 2 hours on average.