iSimangaliso Wetland Park: Our most recommended tours and activities

St Lucia: Hippo and Crocodile Cruise on a 15-Seat Vessel

1. St Lucia: Hippo and Crocodile Cruise on a 15-Seat Vessel

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.

From St Lucia: iSimangaliso Wetland Park Night Drive Safari

2. From St Lucia: iSimangaliso Wetland Park Night Drive Safari

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.

From St. Lucia: iSimangaliso Sunset Safari

3. From St. Lucia: iSimangaliso Sunset Safari

Get picked up from your hotel in St. Lucia and travel to the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, a huge protected area along the coast of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province. The park’s centerpiece is the vast Lake St. Lucia, home to a large number of hippos, crocodiles, pelicans, and flamingos. Elephants, giraffes, and leopards inhabit the grasslands and forests of the nearby Western Shores and Charters Creek areas. To the north, Sodwana Bay is known for its colorful coral reefs. Upon arrival, gear up and set off on an exciting three-hour drive through the park's many ecosystems. Keep an eye out for the wide variety of species that call iSimangaliso home. As the sun begins to set, your guide will take you to the perfect spot to appreciate the African sunset. When darkness falls, take on the challenge of spotting chameleons and other nocturnal species, all of which are more active after nightfall. Get dropped off back at your accommodation in St Lucia.

From St Lucia: Cape Vidal Full-Day Snorkeling Safari

4. From St Lucia: Cape Vidal Full-Day Snorkeling Safari

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.

St Lucia: iSimangaliso Wetland Park: Full-Day/Half-Day Tour

5. St Lucia: iSimangaliso Wetland Park: Full-Day/Half-Day Tour

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, and enjoy some lunch on site. See the highest vegetative dunes on the African continent and enjoy plenty of scenic photo opportunities throughout the day.

Durban: Hluhluwe Imfolozi Safari & iSimangaliso Tour

6. Durban: Hluhluwe Imfolozi Safari & iSimangaliso Tour

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.

From Durban: St. Lucia Wetlands Boat Ride

7. From Durban: St. Lucia Wetlands Boat Ride

The tour departs from Durban heading northward along the coast to northern KwaZulu-Natal. The first stop is the town of St Lucia and the estuary inside the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park. There you will board a river boat for a 2 hours guided tour of the estuary. The local guide will inform you of the reserves history and its incredible wildlife. Previously known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, iSimangaliso Wetlands Park was declared South Africa's first Natural World Heritage Site and is considered South Africa's third largest park with 280km of near pristine coastline and 328 000 hectares of magnificent scenery. The protected area is home to one of the largest population of hippopotami in SA, an estimated 1000 crocodiles as well as a wealth of plant, bird and animal life. The park was proclaimed a world heritage site because of the rich biodiversity, unique ecosystems and natural beauty occurring in a relatively small area. Animals occurring on the park include, lion, African elephant, leopard, black and southern white rhino, buffalo and in the ocean, whales, dolphins, and marine turtles including the leatherback and loggerhead turtle.

From Richards Bay: Guided St Lucia Estuary Boat Safari

8. From Richards Bay: Guided St Lucia Estuary Boat Safari

This day tour is focused on the Unesco site, the Isimangaliso Greater St Lucia estuary, which is South Africa's third largest protected area covering 280km of coastline. The main stop is the Boat Safari on the St Lucia estuary which will be guided by the local expert guide.

St Lucia Boat Safari and Emdoneni Wild Cat Day Tour

9. St Lucia Boat Safari and Emdoneni Wild Cat Day Tour

The tour leaves from Durban and heads north of South Africa to Isimangaliso Wetlands Park- Greater St Lucia.The 332,000 hectare Isimangaliso Wetland Park was announced South Africa's first World Heritage Site in December 1999, while its name still remains as the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. It received this prestigious status in recognition of the beauty of the landscape, its unique ecological processes and the exceptional diversity of species that the park protects. You will go on a 2-hour boat estuary tour where you will have a chance to be close to hippos, crocodiles and the famous fish eagle. After the trip you will take a leisurely walk along the estuary and see the beauty of the coastline area. From there you will go to the Emdoneni Wild Cat Sanctuary where you will have the opportunity to learn more about South Africa's wild cat species. You will be taken aback by the beauty of the caracal, enchanted by the very playful cerval and mesmerized by the speed and agility of the cheetah. The aim of the Emdoneni Wild Cat Sanctuary is to care for wild cats that have been orphaned or injured in the wild and are in need of care and rehabilitation. They also intend to breed successfully if possible and release the offspring back into their natural habitat.

From Durban: Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Day Trip

10. From Durban: Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Day Trip

Begin your private excursion with a 3-hour drive to Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, located in the heart of Zululand. During your visit, be on the lookout for Africa's Big 5 – lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhinoceros – roaming the flourishing savannah. Established in 1985, Hluhluwe Imfolozi is the oldest game park in South Africa. In addition to the drive in the game reserve, there are several optional extras available (at your own expense). Visit Emtoneni Wild Cat Sanctuary. Take a 2-hour boat cruise in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Drive to Dumazulu Cultural Park, where you relax and watch Zulu dancing, taste Zulu beer, and learn about Zulu culture.

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What people are saying about iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 192 reviews

really amazing Trip! Our Tourguide Phindi was really nice and informative and supplied us with a really nice lunch, cold drinks and some wine. she drove to spot some hippos and gave us snorkelling masks and towels to have a swim at cape Vidal. totally would book it again

I was really lucky to see so many animals thanks to my guide. Several families of elephants arriving in the park. It was Elephant Day! Morning in the savannah and end of the day in the estuary with hippos and crocodiles. Great ! Thanks f.

Nice small group and lots of information about the area and the animals. We were able to get close to the hippos. Recommended!

Heini our guide was so knowledgeable & enthusiastic, which made our trip so enjoyable.

It was a great cruise. Lots to see. Beautiful sunset. Recommendation to go at 3pm.