The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a park in the KwaZulu-Natal Province at the Eastcoast South Africa. His unique beauty and the fact that he UNESCO World Natural Heritage is giving it increasing notoriety.
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The park was called until 2007 Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park and consists of a land side and a sea part. Together with the northern protected areas, it extends from the border to Mozambique 220 km south to Cape St. Lucia. The park is the last place with a subtropical climate, where the original flora and fauna can still develop.
There are a total of five interconnected ecosystems that span the St. Lucia Wetlands Park and the northern areas:
- Marine system - characterized by a warm sea, the southernmost coral reefs in Africa, underwater canyons and long sandy beaches
- Coastal dune system - high dunes and subtropical forest, paired with grassy plains and swamps
- Seascape - the connected lakes St. Lucia and Kosi, as well as the four freshwater lakes Sibaya, Ngobezeleni, Bhangazi North and Bhangazi South
- Mkhuze and Umfolozi wetlands - Swamp forests with extensive reed and papyrus swamps
- Inland system - ancient coastlines that continue inland in terraces and dry savannah landscape
Wildlife
The wetlands around Lake St. Lucia have the largest populations of crocodiles and hippos in South Africa. Rhinos, leopards and smaller mammals can be found in the savannahs. There are a large number of water birds around the lakes, such as herons, pelicans and storks. As part of the renaturation of the park, historically occurring species are currently being released in different sections of the park. So the Big 5 can be found again.
climate
A pleasant climate all year round, the best travel times are from November to January and April to August.
getting there
In the street
You can drive to the park via the N2 to reach. This runs along the coast of Durban past the park direction Eswatini and can also be used when arriving from the north. The park is about 250 km north of Durban and 50 km south of Hluhluwe. The town Santa Lucia is more or less a kind of park entrance and this is where most of the hotels and accommodations are located.
Fees / permits
Per car: 45 Rand, per person: 35 Rand (as of 09.2014)
mobility
Tourist Attractions
Cape Vidal, two animal observation posts (so-called "hide" s)
activities
to buy
kitchen
In Santa Lucia
accommodation
Most of the hotels near the park are in the small town of St. Lucia
Cheap
- 1 The Bridge Apartment, Flat 51, 22 Mckenzie St, St Lucia. Tel.: 27 35 590 1553. Located directly at the entrance to the village with a fantastic view of the lagoon, the garden leads into the national park, animal observation included. Apartment for up to 6 people.
medium
- 2 Zulani Guest House, 75 Flamingo St.. Tel.: 27 35 590 1427. - probably one of the best around. Located on the outskirts of the city, with just four rooms it offers very good service (4 stars) and a very good price / performance ratio. Bed and breakfast is available in a double room for R290 per person, or in the honeymoon suite for R330 per person.
Upscale
- Protea Hotel St. Lucia. Member of the Protea chain. 58 rooms, pool and deck overlooking Lake St. Lucia. The staff is very caring and happy to organize excursions and leisure activities. Rooms are available in various configurations and cost from around R550 per person in a double room with breakfast and dinner menu.
security
Probably one of the safest places in South Africa, there is only one entrance where a police station is permanently stationed.
