- Ballito and Shaka's Rock
The bay is just half an hour from Durbs, has all the restaurants, cinemas and social paraphernalia you could need and is a lovely place to spend a few days.
- Gingindlovu
British soldiers called it ‘Gin gin I love you’. The name is Zulu and means ’the swallower of the elephant’. Go here just to stay at Inyezane.
- Eshowe
Eshowe has a quiet, colonial feel to it that reflects graceful feelings of yesteryear. It’s almost as though time slowed down here and the town has not quite reached this century.
- Mtunzini
A quiet coastal town blessed by nature and with a colourful history
- Kwambonambi
Meaning “the place where chiefs gather”, Kwabonambi is a little town in the middle of nowhere which makes a good base for exploration into the surrounding areas and its game parks, wetlands, rivers and coastline.
- Matubatuba
Just off the N2, this little town is a convenient stop over between reserves.
- Sodwana Bay
This is one of South Africa's premier dive sites.
- Hluhluwe
There are three backpackers surrounding the park. The main attraction here is the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi game reserve which is an incredible piece of nature that teems with game. The big five are prolific and we highly recommend a safari with Isinkwe or one of the other local operators.
- Kosi Bay
A unique and magnificently varied eco-system ranging between lake wetlands and marine coastal reserve.
- MkuzeKZN
This is probably the best base you could choose for exploring Maputaland, and area rich in unexploited wilderness where local people still live according to generations of traditon.
St Lucia
This is a cool town. It’s got everything you need to have heaps of fun but is surrounded by so much wilderness that you can walk out of a bar door and into a hippo... The best time to visit the area is in winter when it is cooler.
A world heritage site
This village lies within a unique world heritage site that contains 5 ecosystems. Animals roam the streets and hippos, crocodiles and sharks live in the estuary. (Actually the hippo also roam the street, so when you bump into something big and fat late at night, don’t insult it. It may just bite your head off.) Game walks take you past buffalo, antelope numerous birds, and possibly even leopard. The deep-sea fishing is extraordinary and there are plenty of boats that can take you on wild wave rides or sunset river cruises.
This village lies within a unique world heritage site that contains 5 ecosystems. Animals roam the streets and hippos, crocodiles and sharks live in the estuary. (Actually the hippo also roam the street, so when you bump into something big and fat late at night, don’t insult it. It may just bite your head off.) Game walks take you past buffalo, antelope numerous birds, and possibly even leopard. The deep-sea fishing is extraordinary and there are plenty of boats that can take you on wild wave rides or sunset river cruises.
Five eco-systems
The St Lucia Wetlands stretches for 80 km from Sodwana bay to Mapelane and is listed as a wetland of international importance and world heritage site. The reserve protects 5 interconnected ecosystems - marine (coral reefs, beaches), shore (barrier between lake and sea made up of dunes on the banks of the lake which are 200m high); the Mkuze reed and sedge swamps; the lake (the largest estuary in Africa), and the western shores (fossil corals, sand forest, bushveld, grasslands). The wetlands incorporate Mkuzi,Sodwana Bay, and Kosi Bay.
The St Lucia Wetlands stretches for 80 km from Sodwana bay to Mapelane and is listed as a wetland of international importance and world heritage site. The reserve protects 5 interconnected ecosystems - marine (coral reefs, beaches), shore (barrier between lake and sea made up of dunes on the banks of the lake which are 200m high); the Mkuze reed and sedge swamps; the lake (the largest estuary in Africa), and the western shores (fossil corals, sand forest, bushveld, grasslands). The wetlands incorporate Mkuzi,Sodwana Bay, and Kosi Bay.
2x2 game viewing
Designated as a game reserve in 1897, the area boasts magnificent self-guided walking trails through sub-tropical forests, grasslands and lily-covered pans which abound in animal life. There are more than 530 species of birds that use the wetlands and other areas of the lake region. The waters also are graced by 20,000 greater flamingos and 40,000 lesser flamingos.
Designated as a game reserve in 1897, the area boasts magnificent self-guided walking trails through sub-tropical forests, grasslands and lily-covered pans which abound in animal life. There are more than 530 species of birds that use the wetlands and other areas of the lake region. The waters also are graced by 20,000 greater flamingos and 40,000 lesser flamingos.
Hungry crocs
Over 90% of South Africa’s natural crocodile population live here. It's not safe to swim or paddle in the estuary.
Over 90% of South Africa’s natural crocodile population live here. It's not safe to swim or paddle in the estuary.
Places to Stay
- Stokkiesdraai
They are centrally situated in the main street and opposite a convenience stores, a bank and an Internet café.
What to do
- St Lucia Safaris
The adventure specialists in the St Lucia area.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Self-contained self-catering flats for independent travellers.
(Green Point,Cape Town)
Getting around the berg is as easy as A. B. C…
(Graskop,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
This Cederberg backpackers is close to the mountains and hiking trails it is a good base for exploring the area.
(Citrusdal,West Coast)
This Swaziland backpackers is located in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and offers an incredible African experience.
(Lobamba,Swaziland)
Fly through the forest on a foofie slide…
(Howick,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
Welcome water babes (and dudes).
(Little Brak,Garden Route)
Car hire around Inhambane! Cool beans.
(Inhambane and Tofo,Mozambique)
Think of a cultural tour in Zululand and they probably offer it - or something like it.
(Eshowe,Zululand)
Mad about helicopters? This place is for you.
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)
A backpackers across the road from the 2010 world cup stadium
(Green Point,Cape Town)
