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

Lidiko Lodge Team immersed in the native Zulu Culture and it's ingrained customs
Zulu Culture in Zululand: Respectful Encounters and Meaningful Experiences Tue June 17, 2025

In the heart of Zululand, the charming village of St Lucia is not only a gateway to the breathtaking iSimangaliso Wetland Park, but also to the heartland of the proud and powerful Zulu nation, South Africa’s largest ethnic group. For guests staying at Lidiko Lodge, cultural exploration goes hand in hand with adventure, wildlife, and relaxation. The Zulu culture is one of the richest and most well-preserved in Africa, and a visit...

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Evergreen, tropical conditions throughout winter. St Lucia, KZN, where winter is never truly felt. Image is of Lidiko Lodge's pool area
Winter in St Lucia: Where Summer Never Really Ends Tue June 10, 2025

While much of South Africa shivers through winter’s grip, trading sunhats for scarves and sunshine for cloud cover, there's a magical corner of the country where the sun still beams warmly and the air carries the fresh scent of subtropical bliss. Welcome to St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal — a winter escape like no other.

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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.

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