Africa Deluxe Tours St. Lucia Estuary hippo's

St. Lucia boat cruises

The St Lucia lake is the largest estuarine system in Africa and is part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, meaning place of wonder/ miracle. It is home to a huge population of hippos and many crocodiles. It is also a birder's paradise. The town of St. Lucia is situated on the Southernmost end of the Lake. A number of companies operate boat trips on the estuary that last 2 hours on average.

These trips are done on eco friendly boats designed to take tourists as close to the hippos without disturbing them. They are operated by qualified skippers and the guides are knowledgeable and registered with the South African Tourism Authority.

The tours are conducted over a distance of approximately 10 km. In this area it will be possible to see 2-3 breeding pods of hippopotami, approximately 25-30 locally based crocodiles as well as some of the majestic species of birds that are native to this area. Lake St. Lucia is known for the most species of birds to be viewed in one locale in South Africa (almost 500 species).

Tours that include St. Lucia boat cruises

Blyde River Canyon

Duration: 16 days, 15 nights
Tour Type: Scheduled tours
Luxury Level: *** / ****
Price: R24,240 per person sharing (±US$ 2,155 )
R6,085 single supplement (±US$ 541 )


This tour covers the highlights of South Africa and is ideal for first time visitors to the country. It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. This is the ‘southbound’ tour version that starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.

Highlights: Panorama Route , Blyde River Canyon , Kruger National Park , Swaziland , Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve , St. Lucia , Transkei , Hole-in-the-Wall , Garden Route , Storm’s River Mouth , Knysna , Cango Caves , Route 62 , Cape Winelands , Cape Town .

White Rhino in Kruger

Duration: 5 days, 4 nights
Tour Type: Scheduled tours
Luxury Level: ****
Price: R12,315 per person sharing (±US$ 1,095 )
R2,985 single supplement (±US$ 265 )


This tour will give you the opportunity to experience African wildlife in its natural surroundings. Apart from the four star hotels, you will also stay at two private game lodges and discover excellent South African cuisine. The tour will take you from Johannesburg into the scenic Mpumalanga province with its abundance of game reserves. Next you travel through the kingdom of Swaziland to KwaZulu Natal with different eco systems and game viewing. The tour ends at Durban, the holiday capital of South Africa.

Highlights: Makalali Private Game Reserve , Panorama Route , Sabie , Kruger National Park , Mthethomusha Game Reserve , Swaziland , St. Lucia , KwaZulu-Natal North Coast , iSimangaliso Wetland Park , St. Lucia Estuary & Lake .

St. Lucia boat cruises attractions

A landscape in the magnificent iSimangaliso Wetland Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park

iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stretches along a coastal belt of 220 km and covers an area of 332,000 ha. It includes three major lake systems and five interlinking eco systems. It features a huge diversity of animal, plant and marine life.

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Horse-riding on the beach near St. Lucia on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.

St. Lucia

St. Lucia is a small town, next to the St. Lucia Estuary within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal. The estuary connects Lake St. Lucia to the Indian Ocean. Boat cruises operated from St Lucia offer sightings of large numbers of hippos and some crocodiles.

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Sunset over St. Lucia Lake near Fani's Island in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

St. Lucia Estuary

The 360 square kilometre Lake St. Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal is the largest inland body of water in South Africa and the jewel in the crown of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The lake has a healthy fish population, supports a huge variety of bird species and is home to ±800 hippos and scores of crocodiles.

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