South Africa · Wildlife

ST Lucia ISimangaliso Boat Safari and Emdoneni Wildcat Day Tour

10 Hours Round trip from Durban Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Full-day tour from Durban to St Lucia and Emdoneni
  • 02 2-hour guided boat safari in iSimangaliso Wetland Park
  • 03 Chance to spot hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles
  • 04 Visit South Africa’s first Natural World Heritage Site
  • 05 Free time for lunch in the town of St Lucia
  • 06 Walk near the St Lucia river mouth and coastline
  • 07 Guided tour of the Emdoneni Wild Cat Project
  • 08 See African wildcat, caracal, cheetah and serval

Discover two of KwaZulu-Natal’s standout wildlife experiences on this full-day tour from Durban. Travel north to St Lucia and explore the remarkable iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first Natural World Heritage Site, on a guided estuary boat safari known for its rich birdlife, hippos and crocodiles.

After time in St Lucia and a walk near the river mouth, continue to the Emdoneni Wild Cat Project for a guided visit focused on South Africa’s endangered wild cat species. Learn about the rehabilitation work carried out here while seeing African wildcat, caracal, cheetah and serval up close.

The iSimangaliso Wetlands Park was declared South Africa's first Natural World Heritage Site in 1999.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 10 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Durban, iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Languages English, French, Greek, Polish, Portuguese

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

ST Lucia ISimangaliso Boat Safari and Emdoneni Wildcat Day Tour

The tour departs from Durban heading northward along the coast to northern KwaZulu-Natal. The first stop is the town of St Lucia and the estuary inside the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park. There you will board a river boat for a 2 hours guided tour of the estuary. The local guide will inform you of the reserves history and its incredible wildlife. 

The iSimangaliso Wetlands Park was declared South Africa's first Natural World Heritage Site in 1999. Previously known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, the UNESCO site dates back over 120 years. Established in 1895 the reserve is considered South Africa's third largest park with its’ unique ecosystem spanning over 280km of near pristine coastline and 328 000 hectares of magnificent scenery. The protected area is home to one of the largest population of hippopotamuses in SA as well as an estimated 1000 crocodiles. Isimagaliso has a wealth of plant, bird and animal life, including lion, zebra, African elephant, leopard, giraffe, black and southern white rhino and fish eagles.   

After the boat tour you will be given time to have lunch at the local restaurants in the town of St Lucia. After lunch your guide will take you to the river mouth for a walk before leaving St Lucia for Emdoneni Wild Cat Project. 

Emdoneni Cat Project offers a guided tour about South Africa’s endangered wild cat species. The aim of the Emdoneni Cat Project is to care for the various wild cat species which have been orphaned or injured in the wild and need care and rehabilitation. Emdoneni’s guided tour offers visitors a unique and exciting
opportunity to literally get up close and personal with their magnificent cat species. There are four species of wild cats at Emdoneni; African Wildcat, Caracal, Cheetah and Serval. This once in a lifetime opportunity can be enjoyed whilst being educated on a tour.

Tour Itinerary:

· iSimangaliso Wetlands, Guided Boat Safari. 

· Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Guided Tour. 

   

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Durban 2 cities · 10 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • National Park fees,Professional guide,
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in a 5km radius (Tropicana hotel) of Durban,
  • Professional Driver/ tour guide

What's Not Included

  • Food and drinks,Lunch,Gratuities,snacks

Know before you go

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Hotels, Bed and Breakfast's and any other establishment within a 5km radius (from Tropicana hotel) of Durban.
  • You can contact us for meeting point arrangements.
  • You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
  • DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION: Pickup & drop off service with in a 5km radius of 1st Zulu Safaris office at Gooderson Tropicana Hotel, 85 OR Tambo Parade, Durban. If you are out of our pickup radius, special arrangements can be made to pick you up at your location of choice
  • DEPARTURE TIME: 06:30 AM
  • RETURN TIME: 07:00 PM
  • WEAR: Comfortable clothing and shoes, hat, sunscreen, jacket.
  • LOCATION: iSimagaliso Wetlands Park, KwaZulu-Natal
  • AGE: All ages welcome
  • DATES: All year round
  • TRAVELER TYPE: Single or Per Person Sharing
  • We also do pick-up at the Durban Port / Harbour Passenger Terminal / Richards Bay Passenger Cruise Terminal or any pick-up at a 5km radius from Tropicana hotel

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Durban, ZA
Tour start
Durban, ZA
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 10 hours finish where they began, in Durban.

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