iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa offers wonderful activities. Visitors can go on a big game safari and night drives. Spot Buffalo, Rhino or Leopard. Enjoy Hippo and Crocodile boat cruises. Cape Vidal is perfect for snorkelling. Kosi Bay and Sodwana Bay are dive paradises.

Visitors can also go fishing in pristine surroundings. During the summer (January to February), guests to this Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal can track Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtles on the beaches. View Turtle hatchlings make their way into the Indian Ocean, trying to avoid the Ghost Crabs.

Lake St Lucia/St. Lucia Estuary

See Africa’s largest estuarine system as well as large numbers of Hippo and Crocodile, Flamingos and Pelicans.

Highlights: Hippo and Crocodile boat cruises, kayaking, birding

Coastal Forest

This remote area is only accessible to off-road vehicles. Top beaches are Mabibi, Island Rock, Rocktail Bay and Black Rock. Other features include lovely dune vistas and large Strelitzias.

Highlights: Relaxing on the dunes, scuba diving and snorkelling in the Indian Ocean

Lake Sibaya

South Africa’s largest fresh-water lake is set against forested coastal dunes, where large populations of Hippo and Crocodile can be seen in the crystal clear waters.

Highlights: Kayaking

Sodwana Bay

A marine wonderland, Sodwana is one of the best dive destinations in the world. An incredible variety of marine flora and fauna can be seen in the underwater seascapes.

Highlights: Snorkelling, diving, swimming, birding, fishing (all kinds)

Kosi Bay activities

Guests can explore four lakes, a network of channels and the estuary. Fishing practices here have been traditionally handed down from one generation to the next for 700 years. This site is where Raphia palms and all of South Africa’s mangrove species occur.

Highlights: Snorkelling, Diving, Turtle tours, Fly-fishing

uMkhuze

This is a wonderful area for bird watching and big game viewing. Visitors can self-drive through or take guided drives day and night. There is also a delightful walk to the Nsumo Pan and through a Fig Forest.

Highlights: Game drives, night drives, guided trails, bird watching

False Bay

Here visitors can enjoy views over the widest point of Lake St Lucia. This area comprises of open savannah, thornveld and sand forest. Visitors can see marine fossils at the local interpretive centre.

Highlights: Boating, fishing, hiking, horse riding, birding

Western Shores and Charters Creek

This area is great for game viewing and panoramic vistas of Lake St Lucia and the Eastern Shore Dunes.

Highlights: Game viewing (Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino, Hippo and more) and fishing

Eastern Shores and Cape Vidal

This area is a great safari and beach destination with a network of game viewing roads and look out points. Turtle tours occur from January to February annually.

Highlights: Fishing, game drives, Turtle tours, birding, horse safaris, kayaking

Maphelane

A place for anglers and nature lovers or those who would like to climb iSimangaliso’s highest vegetated dune to see spectacular views of the ocean and river mouth.

Highlights: Hiking trails, fishing, birding, swimming:

iSimangaliso Wetland Park activities summary:

• Hippo and Crocodile boat cruises
• Beach activities, Turtle tours and Whale watching
• Scuba diving and snorkelling
• Kayaking on the St. Lucia Estuary and Lake Sibaya
• Fishing – fly, shore and deep sea fishing
• Game viewing, day and night drives, bush walks
• Horse riding – all types of trails including overnight adventures
• Hiking – many trails
• Birding – 526 bird species to spot