An astonishingly beautiful strip of land stretching some 220km long and 70km wide bound by mountain, ocean and bushveld, holds many of natures miracles and secrets, providing you an unspoiled ecotourism playground with an untamed spirit. Lying in the north eastern part of KZN, bound in the North West by the Lubombo Mountains, in the east by the warm Indian Ocean and in the south by the mighty Umfolozi River.  The range of ecosystems here is diverse, but each distinct, bringing an abundant spread of leisure options in the region that includes Big 5 game reserves, sprawling beaches and dense forests. Home to half a million people including Zulu, Thonga and Swazi speaking people, there is a rich cultural heritage in a region steeped in history.

The St. Lucia (isamangaliso) Wetland Park situated on the Elephant coast was bestowed with UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1999, this 332 000ha park comprises four wetlands of international importance. iSimangaliso has a 220 kilometre coastline, comprising five ecosystems and ten unique destinations: Maphelane, Cape Vidal, False Bay, Charters creek, Lake St.Lucia, uMkuze, Sodwana Bay, Lake Sibaya, the coastal forest and Kosi Bay. The iSimangaliso Authority was set up to manage the park; their establishment programmes have seen the removal of some 12 000ha of alien plants and commercial forests. Wetland and dune rehabilitation, the introduction of game, new roads, game fences, water supply and bulk electricity supply systems have all contributed to the new park.

The most significant game viewing opportunities in the park are in the uMkuze and Eastern sections which also have prolific bird life. Substantial road upgrades and animal reintroductions I the last few years, have led to an enhanced game viewing experience in the diverse habitats that make up these sections of the park.  The eastern shores entrance is just north of the town of St. Lucia. A tar road leads to Cape Vidal and there are a number of gravel roads through the different ecosystems. Explore the marine magnificence of this area of the Elephant coast renowned for scuba diving, deep sea fishing, where you will find long stretches of beaches fringed with unspoiled coastal forests. This region is also home to the loggerhead and leatherback turtles that emerge from the sea to nest on the beaches.

Sodwana Bay is considered one of the world’s top 10 diving spots because of its spectacular coral reefs and over a thousand species of fish, whales, sharks, manta rays and giant morays. This marine reserve lies adjacent to Africa’s southern-most coral reefs. The iSimangaliso also incorporates the Maputaland and St. Lucia marine reserves which are linked to form a continuous protected area stretching 150km from the Mozambique border southwards past Vidal and ending at the estuary mouth and 3 nautical miles out to sea.