St Lucia Wetland (Isimangeliso Wetland) Park Safari Tour 26 January 2014
St Lucia Wetland (Isimangeliso Wetland) Park Safari Tour 26 January 2014
St Lucia Wetland park(Isimangeliso) boat Safari Tour
This St Lucia Isimangeliso Wetland Park Safari/Safari is a real hit with clients there is just so much to see and do that even the locals use St Lucia as a holiday destination. The Isimangeliso Wetland park (aka St Lucia) is South Africas first world heritage site decided upon by UNESCO on the 1st Decemeber 1999. It has amazing diversity and 5 ecosystems: Consisting of the Esturine System, Sand forests, open grasslands, Indian ocean/beach, mangrove swamps and even Savanna sections on the Western Shores of the Game reserve.
After collecting my client form Umhlanga the Zulu word for Reeds very appropriate considering we were going on a 2 hour boat cruise on the estuary where there are plenty or reeds, We headed up to the iSimangeliso Wetland park where on route I chatted on the Overall history of the area and South Africa.
After a great boat Tour/Cruise where we saw about 80 Hippos and 2 crocodiles as well as a Green Backed heron catching a fix on the shoreline, we Headed to the Crocodile Center in St Lucia Town.
Hippos in the St Lucia Estuary
Isimangeliso Wetland park Crocodile center
At the crocodile center I covered general interesting facts about Crocodile ie: 66-72 sets of teeth in there mouth at any one time which are constantly replaced if broken or old…
The picture above is amazing as it shows the estuary with the Hippos in it and the natural sand bank separating the estuary from the Indian ocean which closed naturally in 2007. You can even see fisherman trying to make a living or just feed there families.
When we were done at the crocodile center we had some lunch and then went to the Estuary board walk which is beautiful. We saw Hippos, Crocodiles, Pelicans and lots of other bird life.
One of the things I find so interesting is the warning signs warning about Hippos, Crocodiles and Sharks.
Mapelane Sand dune view from the St Lucia Estuary Beach board walk.
Mapelane is the second highest vegetated Sand dune in the world behind Frasier Island off the Brisbane East coast of Australia.
Mapelane is around about 180 odd meters above sea level and is protected by the national park.
We are fortunate to see this great Sand dune from the Beach. On our walk down the board walk we see trails made by the Hippos coming out of the water at night to graze on the grass in the area and returning early hours of the morning. This in itself is exciting. Its even better when you see them from the board walk and beach in the estuary resting up for the day in the water.
Tim Brown Tours is worth looking up if you are in the Durban area! We pride ourselves on our service and showing clients the most beautiful areas of the province of KwaZulu Natal.
Mapelane with Warning Signs
Isimangeliso Wetland Park, Safari Tours Durban, St Lucia Tours, Durban Tours and KwaZulu Natal Tours, Durban Safaris and Bush Tours
