Isimangaliso Wetland

Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise St Lucia: Discover, Witness and Observe Hippo's, Nile Crocodiles and Hundreds of bird species on our Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise while in St Lucia. This 2 hour Boat Cruise Safari gets you close up to the residents of the estuary. Travel aboard one of our exclusive 15 seater vessel's ( Shoreline 1 & Shoreline 2) with experienced and knowledgeable skipper's/ rangers. They will undoubtedly answer every question that you might have, and furnish you with some incredible facts and information on the area.

Departing from St Lucia we will gladly pick you up from your respective accommodation. Travel into the Eastern Shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park from where you will venture into the bush. This 3 hour Sunset Safari offers one incredible scenery and wildlife in South Africa's very first world heritage site. Your ranger has years of experience and will give you some incredible insight and information as to why this is a World Heritage site. It's time to sit back and enjoy.

Set of at 08:00 am and travel into South Africa's very first world heritage site. Sit back and let your personal ranger for the day give you all the information regarding this amazing and incredible park. Not only will one enjoy some amazing wildlife but also the chance to witness exactly why this park was proclaimed a world heritage site. You will travel towards Cape Vidal during this tour with numerous loop roads, hides and lookout points en route. Once you arrive at Cape Vidal you may have the opportunity to enjoy some snorkeling in the protected bay (weather & tide dependent). Enjoy a special Picnic lunch all the while enjoying the wildlife within the park.

Imagine witnessing Leopard stalking, Elephants close by or Hippos grazing. A Night Drive Safari offers some truly amazing thrills and sightings.

This is the ultimate Snorkeling Safari! Our highly skilled guides will amaze you with the incredible Eco-diversity that the iSimangaliso Wetland Park has to offer! The tour is conducted in a nice laid-back, yet professional manner and includes safari time, a 2 hrs Snorkeling Adventure and a delicious African braai lunch. Animal sighting possibilities include elephant, hippo, rhino, leopard, hyena, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, antelope, chameleons and on average about 55 different species of fish whilst snorkeling. Your guide will also give you a Zulu lesson and point out where his forefathers used to live within the Park.

If you are short on time or you are worried whether your little safari child will enjoy a safari experience then this is the perfect safari for you! Enjoy a 3-4 hour relaxed drive in the Western Shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park looking for (and learning about) African wildlife such as elephants, zebra, giraffes and many more creatures, big and small. Armed with activity packs, snack packs and taking it at a pace that children can manage, they will learn and enjoy their safari experience just as much as the adults. The bushveld is just waiting for your little junior ranger to come and explore!

Visit Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Park for the morning and then drive to St Lucia in the iSimangaliso Wetlands for a 2 hour boat cruise down the world’s largest estuary viewing hippo and crocodile in their natural hebitat.

WHY WE THINK YOU’LL LOVE IT ✓   Visiting South Africa’s first proclaimed world heritage site. ✓   Incredible biodiversity with 5 different ecosystems in one area. ✓   One of the only places you will find Hippo, Crocodiles and Bull Sharks sharing the same Estuarine waters.

Explore the Isimangaliso World Heritage park, from the deck of a boat cruising up Lake St Lucia. The word isimangaliso is a Zulu word meaning “a miracle” or “something wondrous”. St Lucia is a small town on the East coast of South Africa. It is surrounded by a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This town is at the heart of magnificent natural coastal forests, wild animals, majestic bird life, breath-taking beaches and hospitable people. Isimangaliso Wetland Park was proclaimed a world heritage site in 1999. We will cruise past snorting hippos, fish eagles fishing and crocodiles basking in the sun on the banks of Lake St. Lucia. Isimangaliso Wetland Park is bird lovers paradise. 450 bird species can also be found in this area, making it a birders paradise. Isimangaliso Wetland Park is home to South Africa’s largest hippo population.

This tour offers a Croc & Hippo Boat Cruise as well as a game drive all in the same day. On the Croc & Hippo Boat Cruise, Discover, Witness, and Observe Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, and Hundreds of bird species on our Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise while in St Lucia. This 2 hour Boat Cruise Safari gets you close up to the residents of the estuary. On the game drive, 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.

Day 1 is spent at the world famous Isimangaliso Wetland Park. This is a world heritage site. Spend the day exploring the Wetlands, Game Viewing, Snorkeling through this wilderness of protected bays and wetlands wonder. Experience a hippo and croc boat cruise in St Lucia Estuary as an optional extra. Day 2 is spent at Africa's oldest game reserve, Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve where you have an opportunity to see Africa's Big 5 and much more. Game Drive in an open vehicle

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.

This 3-day tour takes you to Africa's oldest game reserve, Hluhluwe Game Reserve, to see Africa's Big 5 and more (elephants, lions, rhino, cheetah, and buffalo). You experience a 4×4 game drive. You go to the St. Lucia Estuary for a 2-hour exhilarating hippo and crocodile boat cruise. There are more game drives with our guide at Isimangaliso Wetlands Park. You get to see so many animals, so many bird species, and so much vegetation. All in all, it is a wonderful experience not to be missed.

-Observe African wildlife from a different vantage point, from the coastline -Embark on a unique guided boat safari of St. Lucia estuary -Experience unspoiled Zulu culture at DumaZulu Cultural Village

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park was listed as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site in 1999 in recognition of its superlative natural beauty and unique global values. Lake St Lucia is the highlight of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and is renowned for its large numbers of crocodiles, hippos, pelicans, and flamingos. Our boat cruise set sail across the vast lake for a wildlife-watching excursion and you get to admire the views from the water. Listen to the on-board commentary from the park rangers and keep your camera ready as you get the chance to admire the wild animals in their natural habitat. The game drive gives you the opportunity to see elephants, zebras, rhinoceros, giraffes, buffaloes, kudus, and many more animals. There is also a huge range of bird species. This is a memorable tour comprising a game drive and a boat cruise in one of the most beautiful places on earth all within the same day.

This tour suits solo travelers, families, small groups or couples. What makes a hippo and croc boat cruise in the St Lucia Estuary unique is the rare opportunity to observe these formidable creatures up close in their natural habitat. As one of the few places in the world where large populations of hippos and crocodiles coexist, the estuary provides an extraordinary wildlife spectacle. The guided boat tour allows visitors to safely view these animals, often just meters away, while learning about their behaviors and the surrounding ecosystem. The combination of diverse birdlife, rich mangrove forests, and the peaceful estuary waters makes this cruise a truly special experience in the heart of iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu Natal South Africa is officially the first world heritage site in South Africa. This place of wonder is situated on the north coast of KwaZulu Natal and stretches from the small village of St Lucia in the South to the border of Mozambique in the North. The area is enormous and offers incredible biodiversity. The South (St Lucia) offers a good base from where to explore as one may encounter Hippos wandering the streets at night in the residential area to the odd Leopard that frequents the area as well. St Lucia is truly a wildlife paradise with numerous species found both within and bordering the town. This is a tour never to be missed

This tour is suitable to solo travelers, couples, families and groups. The hippo and croc boat cruise on St. Lucia Estuary is a truly special experience that immerses you in the heart of South Africa's breathtaking wildlife. As you glide through the tranquil waters of the estuary, you'll have the chance to observe hippos basking in the sun and swimming gracefully, their massive bodies often surfacing just above the waterline. The cruise also offers up-close encounters with crocodiles lounging on the banks, showcasing their prehistoric charm and power. Guided by knowledgeable local experts, you'll learn about the unique ecosystem of the estuary, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its vital role in the region's biodiversity. The stunning scenery, combined with the opportunity to see these incredible animals in their natural habitat, makes this boat cruise an unforgettable adventure for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

This tour takes you firstly to Isimangaliso Wetlands Park, a World Heritage Site. This is one of the most beautiful parks in South Africa. It was proclaimed a World Heritage Site for its natural beauty. Hluhluwe Imfolozi is also an excellent game reserve with its vast bushes. It boasts some outstanding scenery, some hills and valleys stretching over vast pieces of land. You will enjoy the site of wildlife at both these game reserves. There is also a huge range of bird species within the 2 parks.

After a scenic drive through the North Coast to St Lucia ,we head for the estuary mouth as our first stop. A short hike through the game park you may encounter various wildlife and birdlife. After lunch, relax on a boat ride to view crocs, hippos and the African fish eagle amongst many more species of birds. You'll learn about the delicate balance of 5 eco-systems in the area, and many facts about the large and small inhabitants of these regions, before our late afternoon drive back to Durban.