St Lucia boats
Hippos and crocodiles.
Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ossewa — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Darren Glanville from Acle, Norfolk, UK — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ossewa — CC BY-SA 4.0
iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a huge coastal reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, about 235 km north of Durban and South Africa's third largest protected area. It stretches along 280 km of coast, from the Mozambican border to south of the Lake St Lucia estuary, and covers about 3,280 square kilometres. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 1999, when it was called the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, and it was renamed in November 2007. The Zulu word isimangaliso means «a miracle» or «something wondrous». The story goes that one of King Shaka's men used this word for the beauty of the land on his return. The park includes Lake St Lucia, Kosi Bay, Sodwana Bay, Cape Vidal and Mkuze, combining lakes, dunes, coastal forest and reefs. The best known experience is a two-hour boat trip on the St Lucia estuary to see hippos and crocodiles. Big animals can be seen along the inner roads, and viewing decks look over the wetlands. The town of St Lucia is a practical base at the southern end, 84 km in a straight line from the map point. Signs warn of sharks, crocodiles and hippos, so swim only where allowed. Take mosquito protection and ask your doctor about malaria.
Hippos and crocodiles.
Dunes and a long beach.
Over the wetlands.
KwaZulu-Natal coast, about 235 km north of Durban
In Zulu it means «a miracle» or «something wondrous».
Only where allowed, as signs warn of sharks, crocodiles and hippos.