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Marine Reserves
Cape Vidal
Province:Kwazulu Natal
Region: Zululand
Main Attractions: Greater St Lucia Wetland Park world heritage site
Accommodation:Log Cabins, Backpacker
Renowned for its sport fishing and snorkelling, this scenic coastal camp is situated on the north of the Eastern Shores area of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park.There is a relatively safe area for swimming, wildlife, especially birds, is abundant and self-guided trails enable visitors to see some of the surrounding wetlands and Lake Bhangazi.
Cape Vidal falls within the St Lucia Marine Reserve and is situated north-east of St Lucia.This pretty bay is supported by a variety of accommodation set back in the dunes.There are 18 five-bedded and 11 eight-bedded fully equipped log cabins.These have two and three bedrooms, a bathroom with shower, a fully equipped kitchenette and a dinette/lounge.For fishing parties, five multi-bed cabins (sleeping 8 - 20) may be hired on the shore of Lake Bhangazi.Cape Vidal also has 50 campsites in the dune forest near the beach.
Bhangazi Bush Lodge, 10 km from the hutted camp, sleeps eight guests in four self-contained, fully equipped units.
Cape Vidal bay has a designated launch site for skiboats and deep-sea fishing and spear fishing are popular sports. It is sheltered and superb for snorkelling at a low tide.Cape Vidal is near the site of the Dorothea shipwreck, a wooded barque which was lost in heavy weather on 31 January 1898. She was said to be carrying gold from the Transvaal. The whereabouts of the Dorothea is unknown however snorkellers may come across a chain in the bay which is said to have come from the wreck.Cape Vidal has the best of both worlds with access to the eastern shores of Lake St Lucia where there is a variety of game including reedbuck, other antelope, hippos, crocodiles and buffalo, spectacular water, forest and grassland birds and the wonderful Indian Ocean shore line with its startling array of marine animals.
The marine habitat is the route used by humpback whales on their northerly migration to Mozambique to calve.
Other "big game" include migratory marlin, sailfish and dolphins.In December the loggerheads and leatherback turtles come onto the beach to lay eggs.Schools based at St Lucia can make arrangements through the Crocodile Centre to visit Cape Vidal for the day or small groups can stay at Cape Vidal.There are private business in St Lucia which cater for school group guidance.
Malaria precautions are advised.
GENERAL INFORMATION
VITAL INFORMATION
Gate Opening and Closing Times:
Summer( October to March ): 05h00 to 19h00
Winter (April to September ): 06h00 to 18h00
Office Hours:
The office is open from 08h00 to 12h30 and from 14h00 to 16h30
Sundays and public holidays: 08h00 to 12h30 and 13h30 to 15h30
Distance and Time from Gate to Camp:
35 kms and 30 to 45 minutes depending on the condition of the road
Camp Telephone Number:(035) 5909012
Camp Fax:(035) 5909007
Check Out Time: 10h00
Check In Time: 14h00
Facilities:
There are freezer points for hire
Shop:
This sells curios and limited supplies
Special Precautions:
Cape Vidal is a malaria area and special precautions are necessary.
The nearest town which has a full range of services is Mtubatuba which is 60 kms away.
How to get there:
At the entrance to St Lucia village turn left at the T junction and take the road that goes past the Crocodile Centre to the Cape Vidal entrance gate. Travel on that gravel road for 35 kms to Cape Vidal camp.
Pets are not permitted at Reserve.
Motorcycles are not permitted in the reserve.
Only recognised beach vehicles may go onto the beach, and a permit is required before doing so.No vehicles may be driven on the bathing beach. Visitors may not use the beach between Cape Vidal and Sodwana as an alternative access route.
Facilities for people with disabilities: Nil
ACCOMMODATION
Cape Vidal is a magnificent coastal resort set in a sheltered coastal bay in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, with shallow pools and rock ledges for snorkeling, unspoiled beaches for walking and self-guided trails around the fascinating wetlands, in the rich coastal forest and on the shores of Lake Bhangazi.
On the same day one could see hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, elephants, whales on their northerly migration to Mocambique to calve, loggerhead and leatherback turtles in summer as they come onto the beaches to lay their eggs, dolphins, and a variety of water, forest or grassland birds.
The sheltered bay has a designated launch site for ski boats with excellent offshore angling, spear fishing, and snorkeling.The wreck of the Dorethea, close to Cape Vidal, is also reputed to have contained the Kruger millions when it sank.The camp features 18 five-bed log cabins, 11 eight-bed log cabins with three and two bedrooms respectively, fully equipped kitchens, bathrooms, and lounge/dining rooms with barbecue facilities.In addition the camp features one eight-bed, two 12-bed, one 14-bed and one 20-bed group accommodation cabins with dormitory rooms, a lounge/ dining room, kitchen, bathroom and barbecue facilities. There are also camping facilities.
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