iSimangaliso Wetland Park

We recommend iSimangaliso Wetland Park to travelers seeking the best of both worlds for their vacation – not only the thrill of seeing plenty of big game, but also some wet-and-wild watersports and even a little laidback beach time. iSimangaliso is situated on KwaZulu-Natal’s east coast, approximately 275 kilometers north of the city of Durban. Made up of lakes, reserves, and other wilderness areas, iSimangaliso stretches for 280 kilometers beside the sea and covers over 3,000 square kilometers inland. Its coastline runs from the Lake St Lucia estuary all the way up to the border of Mozambique! It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but used to be known as the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park.

The Big Five & other wildlife

iSimangaliso contains an astonishingly wide range of ecosystems. Inland, there are various savannas, mixed woodlands, wetlands, and subtropical dune forests. On the coast you’ll find gloriously sandy beaches, and within the water colorful coral reefs abound.

All Big Five species – lion, rhino, leopard, elephant, and buffalo – are in residence, alongside numerous smaller predators and herbivores. For example, uMkhuze Game Reserve is home to cheetah, hyena, wild dog, giraffe, blue wildebeest, plains zebra, kudu, steenbok, and hippo! There’s ample birdlife too, including flocks of flamingos, pelicans, and storks, in addition to a few specials, among them pygmy geese, lesser jacana, and pink-throated longclaw. And the sea life is also pretty spectacular, featuring immense southern right whale, dolphins, octopus, squid, and turtles.

Activities

As iSimangaliso is a bush-and-beach destination, there are lots of things to do here! You can enjoy guided game drives during the day and the night. Guided walks are also available, providing exciting opportunities to take a look at the birds, insects, and plants of the reserves. Horse riding is possible both inland and along the coast. Estuary cruises bring you close to crocs, hippos, and waterfowl, and kayaking is highly recommended for anyone interested in a thorough exploration of iSimangaliso’s lakes. Heading out to the coast, you can watch whales from the shore, or embark on a scuba dive to see a real treasure trove of corals, sponges, and over 1200 fish species! Turtle tours can also be arranged, depending on your time of travel. Deep sea fishing can be organized too, and in between activities you can relax on the beach and soak up some sunshine.

Time/s of year to travel

iSimangaliso is a great vacation destination all year round. Turtle tours are available from November to March, so that’ll be your time to travel if you’re hoping to enjoy this activity. Safari activities vary with seasons. During the dry season (May to September), wildlife viewing tends to be easier, as animals cluster around scarce water sources. However, the wet season is a less expensive time to visit, and the park looks gorgeously green. Sea temperatures vary too, from a minimum of 19 degrees during June and July to a maximum of 29 degrees from December to February.

Top tips

We recommend Makakatana Bay Lodge for a really comfortable stay and lots of activity options! The accommodation consists of five standard rooms, two family rooms, and one room for honeymooners.

For more information about iSimangaliso Wetland Park, please contact a member of the YZ team!