St Lucia – Hluhluwe uMfolozi – iSimangaliso World Heritage Site – Kosi bay
The Elephant Coast borders Mozambique in the north, Swaziland and the Lubombo Mountains in the north west, the Indian Ocean to the east and ends roughly at the mouth of the Imfolozi River near St Lucia village in the south.
The region is a paradise of natural wonders with an incredible 21 different ecosystems. In fact, there are few areas in Africa with such an incredible diversity of fresh water ecosystems. It is largely due to this, and the incredible sense of place, that a large portion of the Elephant Coast was declared a World Heritage Site, and named iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Broadly translated from the Zulu language, iSimangilso means ‘something miraculous’.
It is South Africa’s third largest park, spanning 280 kilometres of coastline and made up of around 328 000 hectares of pristine natural ecosystems including swamps, lake systems, beaches, coral reefs, wetlands, second highest vegetated sand dunes in the world and coastal forests. Hluhluwe iMfolozi, the oldest recognised protected area in Africa and second in the world to Yellow Stone, is a short 45 minutes drive from St Lucia and offers magnificent scenery, 4×4 safaris and walking safaris in the iMfolozi wilderness.
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is within a 1 hour drive from St Lucia 3.5 hours from King Shaka International Airport Durban and a 1hr 30min drive from Richards Bay Airport. It is situated on the western boundary of Africa’s oldest proclaimed Game Reserve Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, Northern KwaZulu-Natal. Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is the only private lodge within the park. With its four star accommodation, guests are offered spectacular scenery and excellent safari opportunities within the heart of Big 5 territory.
Kosi Forest Lodge is situated in the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve which is part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park proclaimed a Unesco World Heritage site. The wilderness lodge offers the unique opportunity of exploring a pristine wetland environment by vehicle, guided canoes and boats. The Kosi Lakes are a series of interconnected lakes which stretch over some 18km. The best way to see the system is by boat.
Kosi Bay Thonga Lodge, a remote paradise only accessible to those that dream of adventure and barefoot luxury. Set right on the beach in the heart of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, and a short drive from Lake Sibaya -the largest fresh water lake in South Africa. Being so remote, you would need a suitable 4×4 vehicle to self-drive to our lodge, or join our privately guided tour with Steve and Ashley.
Land at King Shaka airport in the subtropical coastal province of kwaZulu Natal. We drive 250km north and arrive in the little world heritage town of St Lucia. Famous for it 800 hippos that live in the lake system around St Lucia. Some of the hippos can be seen wandering down the street just after sunset when the temperatures are cooler.This evening you will take a sunset lake boat cruise to view some of the 1200 Nile crocodile and hippos that call St Lucia estuary home. Join our night drive safari to look for the elusive leopard and loads of other wildlife you dont normally see during the day. Checkin at your lodge head out for dinner at own expense.
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is proud to be associated with the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and its historical success story of rhino conservation in Southern Africa. We are honoured to call the “home of the rhino” our home too. We are the first luxury safari lodge to be established within this world renowned Big 5 game reserve which is also home to thriving populations of African wild dogs, lion, elephant and multitudes of other species.
Bid farewell to Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge and wind your way out of the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park back to the main road travelling north to the vibrant African town of Manguzi. For those of you travelling in a 2×4 vehicle you will be met in Manguzi by a member of staff from Kosi Forest Lodge who will transfer you to the lodge in an open 4×4 vehicle.
After your breakfast and morning activity you will check out of Kosi Forest Lodge and return to the pick up point at Manguzi. You will continue south to the Coastal Forest Reserve and then continue along the sand road to the Coastal Cashew Factory where you will be met by a Thonga Beach Representative and transferred via an open 4×4 vehicle to the lodge. The total travel time from lodge to lodge is approximately 2 hours Depart Thonga and head to you next destination or add on a visit to our Zambezi Island Lodge and visit Victoria falls, the smoke that thunders (Mosi-oa-Tunya).
Although our packages are pre designed we customize them to each of our clients needs, contact us through this form and one of our professional guides will contact you to further discuss what you have in mind. We go above and beyond to give our clients the best experience possible.
View extra activities to add to your current itinerary when visiting KwaZulu Natal.
Some of our most commonly asked questions about this package.
St Lucia town is remarkably small with an abundance of wildlife and incredible birding in the heart of town. Situated within a world heritage site and surrounded by lake St Lucia and the warm Indian Ocean. Hippos, antelope or the local mafia of mongooses can be seen in town along with other special sighting occasionally, like leopard and bush babies! Visit the lovely restaurants, crocodile Centre, go deep sea fishing, beach and bush horse riding, always something for everyone!
Breakfast and lunch is provided on the safari and snorkeling equipment is provided to all our guests. All entrance fees to the world heritage site and safari park are included. Guest will be guided by professional FGASA marine and wildlife guides.
You will be staying in 4* equivalent accommodation in St Lucia and the game reserves. Sand piper guest house includes a wonderful continental breakfast and a full cooked breakfast of choice. Rhino Ridge, Kosi Forest and Thonga are all inclusive of breakfast, lunch and Dinner. Snorkelling, safari, walking tours , sunset downers on the lake are also all included with your booking. Swimming pools, air conditioner and fans provided for all guests at our accommodation.
Yes at our Thonga Beach Lodge we can arrange scuba diving for clients if enough guests want to scuba dive. All gear can be provided and the scuba trip is from boat which launches directly from the lodge and beach. Exciting just to launch the boat through the surf. Guests must have PADI or SSI qualifications alternatively a scuba courses can be provided at additional cost.
Please feel free to ask us anything and we will come straight back to you
Each travel package is custom designed and quoted for, please fill out the form below and a representative with be in contact with you shortly to discuss your Safari needs.
Whale Watching St Lucia is a magical 2 hour St Lucia tour taking you as close as 50 meters from the giants of the deep. Humpback whales are the most commonly spotted, but Minky’s, Right and Sperm whales are also seen. Whale Watching St Lucia begins with a high energy surf launch which requires decent “holding on strength”. For this reason, we accept only children 12 years or older.
The fishing adventure will start at 6 am in winter and 5h30 in summer (early bird catches the worm ). The trip will end at the St Lucia ski boat club at 15h00 and your catch is cleaned for you. We do a beach launch through high energy surf conditions. We supply bait and tackle. We also teach you how to fish if you are a novice.
You bring something to eat and drink, sunscreen, a hat and fishing licence.
Explore on foot with a focus on the ‘smaller things’ in the reserve; tracks, plants, insects but there is a possibility of coming across some of the big 5 wildlife. Walks are limited to 4 guest above the age of 16 due to the dangerous game in the reserve. Takes approximately 3 to 5 hours!
Zulu tour
A visit to Khula village to interact with the locals and experience the culture through food, dance and social interaction.The tour includes a visit kindergarten, Traditional healer (isaNgoma), Zulu homestead ( iqhugwane experience) and an optional traditional lunch at Theo and Mpume’s homestead.
