Tours & tickets

iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Witness hippos, Nile crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species onboard a cruise departing from St Lucia. This two-hour safari gets you up close to the residents of the estuary. Discover St Lucia iSimangaliso Wetland Park, one of the largest Estuarine systems in Africa. Travel aboard an exclusive 15-seater vessel with experienced and knowledgable skippers and rangers onboard. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have and furnish you with some incredible facts and information on the area.

Start with pickup from your accommodation at 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM and embark on a night drive safari at the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Spend 3 hours in the park and try to spot a variety of nocturnal species who are more active at night. See nocturnal mammals such as bush babies and aardvarks. Go in search of the elusive leopard, who prefers to hunt at night. If you are lucky, witness a herd of elephants congregate in the beautiful glow of moonlight or hear the pounding of buffalo hooves as they gallop across the plains in darkness. Many of the species of the park tend to be bolder at night, so the chances of spotting rare species are higher on a night drive safari. Search for the animals with an expert guide. All vehicles are fitted with spotlights which will allow you to get the best views of any species you find. Gaze at the beautiful night sky and note the constellations throughout the safari.

Explore the Eastern shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park on a sunset Jeep tour. Enjoy a unique perspective of the numerous ecosystems within the Eastern Shores from the comfort of your Jeep seat and keep an eye out for local fauna, including elephants, leopards, hyenas, and more. End your day with a twist on a safari at sunset. Venture through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park as you sit back, and get ready to enjoy possible sightings of Leopard, Buffalo, Hyena, Elephant, Rhino, Hippos, Zebra, Warthogs, and numerous species of Antelope. Marvel at the park as the sun sets and the nocturnal animals become active. Discover South Africa's very first-world heritage site the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. On this sunset drive, enter the Eastern side, commonly known as the Eastern Shores.

Enjoy an open game drive safari in South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start with pickup from St Lucia or Durban, and after a brief introduction, enter the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. While on safari, enjoy the spectacular natural beauty of the park as you explore numerous loop roads, outcrops, and lookout points. With knowledgeable and experienced guides, discover an abundance of wildlife species in the park. Search for Africa's Big 5 game animals: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. Spot other animals such as waterbuck, impala, wildebeest, zebra, warthog, reedbuck, chameleon, giraffe, and hyena. Enjoy a stop at Cape Vidal, a protected bay and beach area. Take some time for snorkeling or swimming in the waters surrounding this resort destination (weather dependent), and enjoy some lunch on-site (Lunch is included on the Full Day Option Only). See the highest vegetative dunes on the African continent and enjoy plenty of scenic photo opportunities throughout the day.

Meet your friendly instructors in Cape Vidal, just an hour drive through iSimangaliso Wetland Park from St. Lucia. The park is a protected area that runs along the coast of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Provice, and is home to an abundance of hippos, crocodiles, penguins, flamingos, elephants, giraffes, and leopards, spanning across the various landscapes. The adventure begins with a safety briefing on the beach and time to get kitted out with all the snorkel gear. Next, head into the water for a 1 to 1.5-hour exploration of Cape Vidal’s underwater world. Follow your instructor as you go in search of marine life, with the opportunity to see stingrays, octopus, butterfly fish, sturgeon fish, and many more. By the end of the trip, you will have spotted around 50 different species of fish. Back on dry land, warm up with a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate as you page through the fascinating fish ID book to point out what you have seen.

Previously known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, iSimangaliso Wetlands Park was declared South Africa's first Natural World Heritage Site (UNESCO), and is considered South Africa's third-largest park with 280 kilometers of near-pristine coastline and 328,000 hectares of magnificent scenery. The protected area is home to one of the largest populations of hippopotami in SA, an estimated 1,000 crocodiles and a wealth of plant, bird and animal life. Animals in the park include lions, African elephants, leopards, black and southern white rhino, and buffalo. In the ocean, there are whales, dolphins, and marine turtles, including the leatherback and loggerhead turtle. After the boat tour, travel to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve. Your experienced guide will show you around the park in a closed vehicle in search of the diverse wildlife and Africa's Big 5, which include the lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhinoceros. The reserve is set in the heart of Zululand, where these amazing animals roam the flourishing savannah. Established in 1895, this is the oldest park in South Africa and is 98,000 hectares in size. The Park contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is characterized by hilly topography. The list of animals at the park is long and varied. Hluhluwe, the northern section of the park, is noted for its wide variety of both bird and animal life. Imfolozi Game Reserve is situated in the southern section of the park. Today, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park is world-renowned for its white rhino conservation efforts and its Centenary Capture Center which is setting improved standards for game capture and sustainable utilization in Africa. Your guide will stop at Hilltop Camp restaurant giving you time to refuel and relax. The restaurant is situated at the top of the hill and gives visitors the chance to enjoy the scenery of the camp and surrounding areas. Afterwards, you will continue with your safari before leaving the park for Durban.

Embark on a scenic boat cruise through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park on a day trip from Richards Bay. Spot local wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species, and learn about the history, ecology, and conservation efforts of the wetland. Travel 80 kilometers from Richards Bay to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Aboard a boat and cruise through the tranquil St. Lucia Estuary. Keep your eyes peeled for crocodiles, hippos, and a variety of bird species in their natural habitat. After your boat cruise, enjoy a scenic drive through the beautiful surroundings of the wetland park.

This is a 2.5hour drive from Durban to St Lucia. When we arrive in St Lucia you go into a boat cruise. What a memorable tour this is as you cruise on the Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise marvelling at hippos, crocs, birds and other wildlife down St Lucia Estuary. On this Hippo & Croc tour, the local guide will inform you of the Isimangaliso’s history and its incredible wildlife. Excellent tour if you have limited time but still need to see & experience Isimangaliso Wetlands Park. The Hippo and Croc Boat Cruise in St Lucia Estuary offers a thrilling way to experience the rich wildlife of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in South Africa. On this guided boat tour, you will glide along the estuary's waters, home to one of the largest populations of hippos and Nile crocodiles in Africa. As you navigate the serene waters, you'll have the opportunity to see these magnificent creatures up close, along with a variety of bird species such as fish eagles, kingfishers, and herons. The knowledgeable guides provide insightful commentary on the ecosystem and its inhabitants, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of this unique environment. The cruise is perfect for nature enthusiasts and photographers, offering stunning views and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Get into the bush on a 3-Day Safari Package from Durban. Visit the acclaimed Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and South Africa's first-world heritage site, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, while overnighting in St Lucia, KwaZulu Natal. Experience the sights and sounds of the African wilderness on a Full-Day Big 5 Safari into Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park, the oldest proclaimed park in Africa. Explore the iSimangliso Wetland Park on safari, (Open Game Drive Safari Vehicle) and go in search of the Big 4 (No Lions unfortunately in this park) Set out on a Sunset Drive Safari to possibly see the elusive leopard, buffalo, hippo, and many other wildlife species. Take a 2-hr Cruise on the St Lucia Estuary to witness hippos wallowing, Nile crocodiles basking, and African fish eagles. Day 1: Depart from Durban and meet your guide for a 2.5-hour transfer to St Lucia, a tiny community at the edge of Isimangaliso Wetlands Park (South Africa's First World Heritage site). Gather for a briefing with your guide and get ready for a 2-hour boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary to witness hippos, Nile crocodiles, and a wide variety of estuarine birds. Then, go on a 2.5-hour sunset drive into the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park. Day 2: Board a 4x4 open game drive safari vehicle early in the morning (5:00 am) and be transferred to the Umfolozi Game Reserve on the southern section of Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park. Set up breakfast in the bush and see the abundance of animal life in this area. Against a backdrop of rolling hills, thick bush, and open plains, the Big 5 await you. Impala scatter and giraffes frolic in the open plains. Travel with your knowledgeable guide, taking time to find and observe the exciting wildlife. The park is a Big 5 Reserve with elephants, rhinos, leopards, lions, and buffalo. Enjoy a traditional South African barbecue in the bush for lunch. The evening is free to roam the town. Day 3: Enjoy a later start today with an 8:00 AM pick-up (Breakfast at the lodge) as you head up to Cape Vidal on the lookout for marine life and the Samamgo monkeys that are prevalent here. The entire area is a World Heritage Site and offers grasslands, mangroves, vegetated dunes, and pristine beaches. Snorkel in the protected bay (weather and tide dependent), discovering stunning tropical fish species, hidden coves, and game fish. Wildlife species include the African Big 4 (no lions). After the excursion, you will be transferred back to Durban. (Picnic lunch and refreshments included)

After pickup from your accommodations, your guide will take you on a safari drive in iSimangaliso Wetland Park. You'll have the chance to see many animals in their natural habitat including elephants, hippos, rhinos, hyenas, buffalos, zebras, wildebeest, antelopes, chameleons and if you're lucky, perhaps a leopard. Then head to the beach for 2 hours of snorkeling and discover over 50 different species of fish. If you're not a keen snorkeler, you can enjoy the beach on your own or go for a little birdwatching walk on the forest dunes of Cape Vidal with another guide. Your tour is conducted in a laid-back, yet professional manner and includes breakfast and a delicious African braai (barbeque) lunch.