St Lucia & iSimangaliso Wetland Park

The Park comprises a number of conservation areas, the oldest of which is the St Lucia Game Reserve, established in 1895.

St Lucia Estuary is the gateway to the Eastern Shores of Lake St Lucia. The region contains the highest vegetated dunes in the world, extensive and diverse wetland systems, as well as coastal grasslands with an associated fauna which includes the Africa’s highest density of common reedbuck. Numerous waterfowl, grassland, forest and sea birds provide an attraction to birdwatchers from around the world. Tourist amenities include fishing , the Santa Lucia boat tour, the St Lucia Crocodile Centre, and a short self-guided trail through the coastal forest along the edge of the estuary. Caution is necessary when surfing or swimming in the sea as there are no shark nets. Swimming in the lake is prohibited due the presence of crocodiles. Malaria precautions are necessary. Accommodation is provided at St Lucia Estuary in three camping and caravanning grounds.

Launch tours are run on a daily basis, leaving the jetty next to the bridge over the Narrows just before entering St Lucia town. There are a number of trips that leave at specific times each day. Booking can be done at via LB Safaris or from most accommodations in the area. 
Crocs, hippos, and a variety of estuarine wildlife associated with mangroves can be seen from the launch as well as a selection of birdlife typical of that habitat. 

St Lucia Estuary is situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, close to the coastal village of St Lucia which could be seen as the gateway to the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. Known as the jewel of KwaZulu Natal and having with five distinct ecosystems with a unique biodiversity found nowhere else on earth, it is not difficult to see why the earliest name for St Lucia, given by Portugese explorers, was “River of the Sands of Gold”.

The ecosystems of the eastern shores (Lake St Lucia, Mkuze Swamps) and the western shores and the Marine eco system are unique in Africa. Recommended places to visit include False Bay Park, where the pink-backed pelican-breeding colony is found. Except for Lake St Lucia, Charters Creek is very popular with fisherman. There are daily boat tours (see Santa Licia above) to view hippos wallowing in the lake waters and of course to the surrounding islands. Picnic spots are to be found right on the shore.