St Lucia is situated in KwaZulu Natal – South Africa – and is a traveller’s dream. It remains magnificent and wild, with Hippo’s roaming the streets at night. It is tucked in between the Indian Ocean and the St. Lucia Estuary, and could almost be described as being on an island, as it is the only private town in the world that is completely surrounded by a Natural World Heritage Site.
Tropical weather is experienced all year round where one can enjoy warm swimming conditions in the Indian Ocean currents (with relatively stable sea temperatures averaging 21°C).
KwaZulu-Natal is famous for its outdoor activities, beaches, natural environment, sporting events and a variety of adventure activities. It is also known for the Zulu’s, who are a sociable nation with numerous customs and cultures. The landscape is dominated by sugar-cane plantations along the Indian Ocean coastal belt, with bush and incredible views of the ocean. The infrastructure within KwaZulu Natal is very good and the roads are of the best in South Africa.
St Lucia serves as a great base to explore the entire area of this World Heritage Site and its surrounds, as we are on the doorstep of The Hluhluwe and Imfolozi Game Reserve that is famous for The Big Five.
St Lucia was previously known as a small fishing town which was extremely popular with the local South African’s. That all changed since its inception as a world heritage site in 1999 by UNESCO, as it fast become one of the country’s top tourist attractions.
It is safe to go walking, jogging and cycling around St Lucia as you have the Estuary and Dune Forest to explore. You can also just relax, swim, snorkel and soak up the sun on our pristine beaches which stretches as far as the eye can see.
The town has all the necessary facilities centrally placed to make your stay comfortable and pleasant. There are many restaurants to pick and choose from, supermarket’s, filling stations, beach and fishing tackle shops, hairdresser, post office, a local chemist and doctor – for any emergency stops, and not to forger our popular local fruit, vegetable and craft Market that is managed by our local Zulu woman.
St Lucia is a magical place that we like to call Heaven, and it offers you so much – that this will too become one of your treasured destination’s in South Africa.
Things To Do In & around St Lucia
Cruise on the St Lucia Estuary
Enjoy an idyllic estuary cruise in search of crocodile, hippo and wonderful bird-life on the St Lucia Estuary the largest estuarine system in Africa.
St Lucia Crocodile Centre
Visit the St Lucia Crocodile Centre and see various African and exotic crocs, American alligators, tortoises, snakes and there’s a cycad garden to walkabout. The best time to go is during feeding time on Saturday at 15h00 or Sunday at 11h30.
Veyane Cultural Village
On a cultural village tour you’ll experience what it like in a traditional Zulu community of the Khula Village (just outside St Lucia), complete with huts, a singing performance and daily life re-enactments.
Horse riding with Bhangazi Horse Safaris
Horse riding at iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a great way to explore the wildlife. Rides take place in the south of the park where you could see zebra, wildebeest, Bushbuck,warthog, duiker and impala. Beach rides are also available.
Whale Watching
It is ultimately the famous yet little understood acrobatics of the humpbacks that lure whale watchers with the possibility that they may see a “breach” as the whale leaps from the water and returns with a mighty splash, or the awesome slapping of their giant fins and tail on the water –Seasonal (June – November).
Cape Vidal
Self drive or guided tour to Cape Vidal (through iSimangaliso Wetland Park Eastern shores), a renowned fishing and snorkelling spot (at low tide) or just enjoy the unique bush and beach experience in this sheltered bay.
Isiphaphalazi Butterfly House
See the displays of indigenous butterfly species and there are walking trails, an interpretation room, tea garden and plant nursery to enjoy there.
iGwalagwala Trail
Go for a walk on the iGwalagwala Trail, close to the estuary banks and just a leisurely 1,5-kilometre stroll with a variety of bird spotting including fish-eagle, kingfisher, terns and herons. There’s a number of guided trails in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the Iphiva Trail at Iphiva Camp Site in St Lucia is alsoafavourite (3 hour-walk near the estuary).
Chané Cheese Farm and Lodge
Stop in at Chané Cheese Farm and Lodge (open Monday to Saturday 09h00 to 15h00) to sample homemade organic cheeses. There’s also a coffee shop that serves breakfast and light lunches and you’ll probably spend a while in the gift shop with its quaint wares. Kids will love the goat-milking opportunities and educational tour.
Guided Sunset or Night Drive – iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Do a guided sunset or night game drive at iSimangaliso Wetland Park Western shores. Here you could spot four of the Big Five (no lions) and antelope, hippo, giraffe, zebra and more.
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
Set in the heart of Zululand, the oldest game reserve in Africa where today the “big five” of African legend stalk the verdant savannah. Game viewing is the prime attraction.
Turtle Tours
It is seasonal from December until end of March. Witness the miracle of turtles and turtle being hatched from the eggs, or trying to escape their enemies while they make way back into the water.
Deep Sea Fishing
Join a crew, or form a crew and head out with the men deep sea fishing to catch the BIG catch of the day! Why eat out for dinner if you can catch your own.
Come to the office to make a booking or to require more information about the tours, or if you are unable to get hold of us in the office go into the main street and make a booking at the tour offices.