Serving as a gateway to iSimangaliso Wetland Park, St. Lucia is a small town on the coast of KwaZulu-Natal. The area was originally inhabited by the Tsonga people and was named Saint Lucia by the Portuguese navigator Manuel Peresterello. In 1822, the British established the township seen today.
Things to do in Saint Lucia
Jump aboard a boat safari to explore iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which provides an important habitat for Nile crocodiles and hippopotamuses. It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its rich biodiversity and encompasses wildlife-filled savannah, dune forests and coral reefs. Elephants, leopards and lions also inhabit the park, together with Cape buffalos and southern white rhinos.
A short drive inland from St. Lucia is the Veyane Cultural Village, which offers a fascinating insight into the Zulu way of life. In addition to watching traditional trades and crafts in action, energised dance performances are regularly held in the village. Combine your visit with a stop at the nearby Isiphaphalazi Butterfly Dome to get up close to butterflies native to the region.
Stretching north of the town centre is Jabula Beach, a wild stretch of sand popular with local surfers and anglers. It remains blissfully crowd-free, even at the height of summer, making it an idyllic setting for long strolls and horse-backing riding. If you want to get up close to crocs of all ages, stop in at the nearby Crocodile Centre St. Lucia.
Getting around Saint Lucia
St. Lucia is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Richards Bay and Richards Bay Airport, which has regular flights to Johannesburg. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to St. Lucia and the town is small enough to explore on foot. Guided boat safaris are the best way of exploring iSimangaliso Wetland Park.