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

The Timavo was a 7500-ton passenger liner owned by the Italian Loyd Triestino Company. During World War 2, on the morning of 10 June 1940
The SS Timavo: A Shipwreck Steeped in History and Legacy in St Lucia Sun April 20, 2025

Off the tranquil shores of St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, lies a story of war, escape, and survival that forever shaped the local landscape, both physically and historically. The tale of the SS Timavo, an Italian passenger liner that ran aground during World War II, is one of the most fascinating maritime episodes in South Africa’s coastal history.

Read This Article
Lake St Lucia, Estuary mouth, iSimanagliso Wetland Park.
Discover the Magic of Lake St Lucia, South Africa’s Hidden Gem Sat April 12, 2025

Imagine a place where hippos roam the streets after dark, flamingos dance across mirrored waters, and every sunrise feels like a personal gift from nature. Welcome to Lake St Lucia — the shimmering heart of South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This is not just a destination; it’s a wild, living, breathing masterpiece tucked along KwaZulu-Natal’s lush coast.

Read This Article
Mother Rhino and her calf spotted in the Hluhulwe - IMfolozi Game Reserve
Into the Wild: Discover the Magic of Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park Tue April 8, 2025

Tucked away in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, just a scenic drive from the coastal town of St Lucia, lies one of Africa’s most enchanting wildlife reserves: Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park. It’s a place where the ancient rhythm of the African bush still beats strong, where the Big Five roam free, and where the wild whispers stories of conservation, survival, and raw natural beauty.

Read This Article