“A wonderful bird is the Pelican,
his beak can hold more than his belly can.
He can take in his beak,
food enough for a week!
But I’m damned if I know how the hell he can.”
- 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
Mtunzini is a quiet coastal town blessed by nature and with a colourful history. It is 132km from Durban and a great place to get into the heart of Zululand culture.
- 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.
- Mtubatuba
Matubatuba is just off the N2, this little town is a convenient stop over between reserves. it is located only 25km from St Lucia.
- Sodwana Bay
This is one of South Africa's premier dive sites.
- Hluhluwe
Hluhluwe has 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.
- Kosi Bay
Kosi Bay is a unique and magnificently varied eco-system ranging between lake wetlands and marine coastal reserve. There is a great backpackers in the village.
- 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 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 St Lucia is in winter when it is cooler.
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.
Over 90% of South Africa’s natural crocodile population live here.
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 and into a hippo...
Situated on the estuary of the St Lucia Lake, St Lucia is a fishing haven and everything here relates to fishing. Bait shops, boat hire, rod and reels, line and lures, hats, clothes, shoes and sunscreen, and, of course, loads of very cold beer.
A breeding ground for salmon, grunter and other species, the lake and estuary fishing is excellent and during the grunter breeding run in September and October, many a fine - good for eating too - fish is landed.
Places to Stay
- Budget Backpackers
The only real backpackers in St Lucia and good at that!
- Stokkiesdraai
Stokkiesdraai backpackers in St Lucia is centrally situated in the main street and opposite a convenience stores, a bank and an Internet café.
What to do
- Shonalanga Lodge
Shonalanga lodge in St Lucia is in the centre of town and more of a lodge than a backpackers.
- St Lucia Safaris
The adventure specialists in the St Lucia area.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
A blast into the past and a very popular little town that postively hums with busy-ness every now and then.
(Clarens Eastern Free State,Free State)
For couples and singles that enjoy their privacy
(Green Point,Cape Town)
An independent interactive site that rocks. Ask, book, hire, find out everything here.
(George,)
This Stellenbosch backpackers has been designed with couples in mind, with its en suite double rooms.
(Stellenbosch,Wine Region)
A safe way to get around Jo'burgs night time hotspots.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
A riding centre on the edge of the winelands.
(Joostenbergvlakte,Wine Region)
Book a holiday on-line, find loads of info or just pick their brains…
(Cape Town City Bowl,)
This Hluhluwe backpackers is conveniently situated for easy access to Hluhluwe/iMfolozi park.
(Hluhluwe,Zululand)
They offer a small lodge and a travel centre.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
A genuine opportunity to volunteer and help children in need. You don't pay anything except your own costs, there is no placement fee or any other kind of fee to be paid.
(Graaff-Reinet,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
