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GREATER ST LUCIA WETLAND PARK
Province: Kwazulu Natal
Closest Town/s: St Lucia
The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park was proclaimed South Africa's first World Heritage Site in December 1999. It is considered an amazing natural phenomenon because of the occurrence of five ecosystems within a relatively small area (260 000 ha). The vast mosaic of habitats include: marine systems such as coral reefs, beach and coastal forests; salt and freshwater marshes; open estuarine waters; lush coastal plains and drier woodland areas.
The St Lucia area is situated in Maputaland, close to Zululand where the great Zulu King Shaka reigned, and offers superlative scenic vistas along its 280 km coastline. Thickly forested coastal dunes; some of the largest vegetated dunes in the world; separate the sea from the land.
You will find countless ways to enjoy this treasure trove of sights and sounds. Take a morning stroll along the endless stretches of sandy beach or snorkel among the most southerly coral reefs in Africa, the home to a myriad of brightly coloured marine life forms. In summer, explore the beaches by night and experience the awe-inspiring spectacle of the nesting and hatching of leatherback and loggerhead turtles.
From June to September each year, you can spot majestic Southern Right whales frolicking off the coast; accompanied by schools of whale-sharks and dolphins; as they make their way southwards to their Antarctic feeding grounds.
At the heart of the Park is a complex system of estuarine and freshwater lakes with Lake St Lucia dominating these being the largest, freshwater lake in southern Africa. Fed by five rivers this is home to a rich diversity of estuarine and marine animal life.
A trip on the lake; dotted with bird-rich islands; reveals vivid displays of thousands of feeding flamingos, pelicans, waders and other waterfowl. Over 526 different bird species may be found here. The echo of the fish eagle's haunting cry can be heard while you view the basking and nesting sites of the Nile crocodile and the hundreds of hippos that make their homes in the estuary; the greatest occurrence of both crocodile and hippo in southern Africa.
Bird-watchers will delight in the cacophony of colour and sound that rises from the forest thickets, grasslands, sponge-like swamps and wetlands. This rich mosaic of habitats supports an abundance of bird life.
Those in search of adventure can enjoy spectacular game viewing in the wildlife reserves surrounding the lakes. Numerous species of antelope, giraffe, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant can be viewed from the safety of your vehicle or; for the more intrepid; on foot.
Take a trip into the mists of time in the sand forests of the fossil-rich western shores of Lake St Lucia. Here the sedimentary rocks display an amazingly well preserved collection of marine fossils of immense scientific and geographical significance.
The 'living fossil'
The Park drew international attention recently when a rare fossil fish, the coelacanth, was spotted in deep waters off Sodwana Bay. It was the first time that these 2m long fish were captured on video. Then this 'living fossil' marine species, once thought to be extinct was caught as a live specimen in a trawler net off the coast of the Eastern Cape in 1938.
Cultural treasures
Exciting new archaeological excavations on the eastern shore of Lake St Lucia highlight the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park's significance in providing vital scientific clues to theories of early human settlement off the coastline of southern Africa. It is thought that the eastern shores of the lake were one of the passages for the southward migration of Iron Age people from central Africa more than 2000 years ago.
On offer for the visitor
A host of outdoor and leisure activities are available to visitors to the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. The pristine nature of the Park has encouraged the development of eco- tourism zones, ranging from those with extremely well developed facilities to those with access only on foot, for the more adventurous.
Overnight accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets is available in chalets, bush camps, game lodges and backpacker lodges; with camping and caravanning an option for those who prefer to 'rough it'. There is a wide choice of ways to move around the Park. Guided walks, wilderness trails, and vehicle and boat tours allow for game viewing, bird watching and the sighting of turtles and whales.
For the sun-worshipper; beach leisure activities are widely available. For the more energetic; controlled-access diving on the coral reefs as well as a range of day walks and overnight hikes can be arranged.
Road access from Durban is along the upgraded N2 to Mkuze and along the new Lubombo-Hluhluwe to Kosi Bay tar road.
Development
The Greater St Lucia Wetland park is one of the few untouched natural areas in the world and currently forms part of a tri-national eco-tourism project, the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative, involving the countries of South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland. Initiated by Nelson Mandela, this project will eventually see the dropping of border gates between the countries and the creation of a massive 'Big Five' conservation area spanning sections of all three countries.
For more detailed information on the range of activities and facilities available, please contact: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (033) 845 1999
Greater St Lucia Wetland Park Authority (031) 304 4303
Hluhluwe Tourism Association (035) 562 0966
Maputaland Tourism Association (035) 573 1439
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