ISimangaliso Wetland Park, Nature reserve and World Heritage Site in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
Description
iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a large protected area along South Africa's eastern coast, containing coral reefs, wetlands, forests, and coastal dunes. The area brings together several different habitats that work together as one important ecosystem.
History
The area was established as a protected reserve starting in 1895 and has been managed since to keep it safe. Preventing mining activities in this region became especially important for maintaining the natural landscape.
Culture
The park holds deep significance for the local communities around it, whose ways of living connect closely to the water and land. The relationship between people and nature here reflects practices that have been passed down through generations.
Practical
You can explore the area through guided boat tours, game drives, and hiking trails, with the town of St. Lucia as the main entrance. It helps to visit with a guide who can show you the different habitats and wildlife as you move through the park.
Did you know?
Lake St. Lucia at the heart of the park is South Africa's largest estuary and is home to hundreds of hippos and Nile crocodiles. These animals live here in such numbers that you can often spot them from the boat tours.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (KwaZulu-Natal).
South Africa offers very different landscapes, from the windy Cape to the blue mountains of the Drakensberg. You can spend a morning on the Table Mountain, an evening watching whales in Hermanus, and in between, explore red trails, deep canyons, lagoons, and vineyards. The nature parks host large...
Kosi Bay
116.1 kmPhinda Resource Reserve
29.1 km
Tembe Elephant Park
106.2 km
Ndumo Game Reserve
123.4 km
UMkhuze Game Reserve
46.1 kmSodwana Bay National Park
53.9 km
False Bay Park
13.8 kmSt. Lucia Game Park
7.5 kmMaputaland Marine Reserve
96.3 km
Crocodile Centre
40.5 kmCape Vidal Lighthouse
17.3 km
Emdoneni Cheetah Project
24.7 kmJesser Point Lighthouse
51 kmSt. Lucia System
9.4 kmSaint Lucia Park
31.7 kmMaphelane Nature Reserve
49.9 kmSodwana Bay State Forest
41.3 kmPonta de Ouro Protected Marine Area
132.7 kmCoastal Forest Reserve
110.4 kmEastern Shores State Forest
20.5 kmCape Vidal State Forest
8.1 kmNyalazi State Forest
20.3 kmTurtle Beaches / Coral Reefs of Tongaland
61.9 kmLake Sibayi Fresh Water Reserve
73.9 kmHluhluwe Reservoir
35.1 kmSt. Lucia Marine Reserve
37.5 kmGuided Fig Forest Walk
41 kmEstuary Beach
43 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes