This Durban Day Safari to St Lucia Isimangeliso Wetland Park 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 clients from Hillcrest West of Durban we were going on a 2 hour boat cruise on the estuary where there are plenty of Hippos and Crocodiles, We headed up to the St Lucia – 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 6 crocodiles as well as a 4 Fish eagles and Goliah Heron on the Mangroves and we headed to the Crocodile Center in St Lucia Town.
St Lucia and its Weird Artwork on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
St Lucia and its Weird Artwork on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
Hippo Skull on the Santa Lucia Boat on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
Hippo Skull on the Santa Lucia Boat on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
There was so much to look at on this St lucia – Isimangeliso wetland park Safari Tour from Durban and I got some great photos!
Juvinile Goliath Heron walks amongst the Black and White Mangroves on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
Juvinile Goliath Heron walks amongst the Black and White Mangroves on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
This Heron was just the start as he walked in and among the White and Black mangroves the Two species we find here at St Lucia estuary – Isimangeliso wetland Park.
This next picture was just being at the right place at the right time with the camera in hand.
African Fish eagle in Flight on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
African Fish eagle in Flight on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
We saw so many Hippos but I could only choose this one picture as it was another Kodak moment!
Big Hippo Yawn on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
Big Hippo Yawn on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
As we went further up stream we came across a sand bank where we usually find 1 crocodile basking but this time there was 6 of them! It was turning into a brilliant Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia – Isimageliso wetland park.
Big Crocodile on our Boat cruise on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
Big Crocodile on our Boat cruise on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
As we finished up with the Estuary cruise we stopped at the curio shop before heading to the Crocodile center and Museum.
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…
Estuary end and Mapelane on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
Estuary end and Mapelane on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
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. What is important to note is the Massive Mapelane the second largest vegetated sand Due in the world at 180 odd meters above see level.
One of the things I find so interesting is the warning signs warning about Hippos, Crocodiles and Sharks.
Interesting beach signs on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
Interesting beach signs on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
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.
Another great sighting on the Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia – Isimangeliso wetland park was this picture of an African White Pelican in flight!
African White Pelican in flight on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
African White Pelican in flight on our Durban Day Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary Isimangeliso Wetland Park 21 May 2014
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.
