Lake St Lucia - https://isimangaliso.com/jewel/lake-st-lucia/

Posted on Thu February 1, 2018.
Elephants in Lake St Lucia, iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Lake St Lucia owns a sense of place like no other – one of the most abundant, naturally-endowed and beautiful pieces of real estate on earth. If the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a miracle (which ‘iSimangaliso’ translates to from the Zulu) then the Lake is the heart that sustains that miracle. It is the focal point of the UNESCO World Heritage Listing and has been a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance since 1986. It is 80km long and 23km at its widest point.

Aside from the lake and dune ecosystems, the Park protects a marine zone of warm tropical seas, coral reefs and endless sandy beaches; the papyrus and reed wetland of the uMkhuze swamps, on the north of the lake; and, on the western shore, dry savannah and thornveld. Any one of these would justify conservation, but their confluence around the Lake St Lucia makes this a world-class wilderness.

More than 50% of all water birds in KwaZulu-Natal feed, roost and nest in this Estuary. Of the 155 fish species that have been recorded in the Lake St Lucia estuarine system, 71 species use Lake St Lucia as a nursery area – and at least 24 of these are important in marine line fisheries. More than 2 180 species of flowering plants have been documented here and it is home to many species of antelope such as waterbuck, reedbuck, kudu, nyala, impala and duiker.

Lately guests have had the privilege to witness the local elephant herd refreshing themselves in the lake.

Further Reading

From Ocean to Estuary, The Coastal Treasures of St Lucia Sat August 9, 2025

There are few places in the world where you can watch the sun rise over the ocean and set over a vast estuary, all in a single day, but here in St Lucia, it’s simply how life flows. Nestled between the rolling Indian Ocean waves and the shimmering waters of Lake St Lucia, our little coastal town is blessed with a rhythm that draws travellers in and leaves them longing to return.

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Hippo grazing at night in the heart of St Lucia Town
Starry Nights & Wild Sounds, After Dark in St Lucia Wed July 30, 2025

When the golden light of the African sun begins to dip behind the lake and the western horizon, St Lucia begins its nightly transformation. The village itself winds down gently, with locals and visitors heading out for dinner, the occasional flicker of a torch lighting the paths, and the hum of conversation drifting from restaurants. Then, from down the road, the rhythmic beat of Zulu drums begins to rise—deep, earthy, and impossible...

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Whale migration
Whale Season in St Lucia, Witness the Majestic Migration Thu July 24, 2025

Every winter, something truly magical unfolds just off the coast of St Lucia. From June through November, the warm Indian Ocean becomes the stage for one of nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles – the annual migration of humpback whales. If you're visiting Lidiko Lodge during these months, you're in for an unforgettable experience. Whale season isn’t just a date on the calendar, it’s a powerful and emotional encounter with nature at its most...

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