Cruise the St Lucia Estuary in search of hippos and crocodiles, then explore the remarkable coastal landscapes and wildlife of iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
- FROM R2950 PER PERSON
Minimum 2 guests
Group discounts available
Solo travellers welcome — please enquire
Looking for a memorable St Lucia day tour from Durban?
Our St Lucia & iSimangaliso Wetland Park Day Tour from Durban combines two very different experiences in one full day — a boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary in search of hippos and crocodiles, followed by a game drive through the remarkable coastal landscapes of iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
We collect you from your accommodation in Durban and travel north into Zululand towards the small coastal town of St Lucia. After the estuary cruise, there is time for lunch in town before we continue into the Eastern Shores section of iSimangaliso, where we explore the reserve in search of wildlife and enjoy a completely different environment from the traditional inland safari reserves.
Tour details
- Duration: Full Day
- Departure: Approximately 6:30 AM
- Pickup: Durban & surrounding areas
- Tour Type: Guided Day Tour with Private Durban Transfers
- Highlights: Hippos • Crocodiles • St Lucia Estuary • iSimangaliso Wetland Park • Wildlife • Coastal Scenery
- Includes: Durban Transfers • 2-Hour Hippo & Crocodile Boat Cruise • iSimangaliso Entrance Fees • Guided Game Drive • Bottled Water
Why Choose This St Lucia & iSimangaliso Day Tour?
- See hippos and crocodiles on the St Lucia Estuary – Spend approximately two hours cruising the estuary, looking for hippos, crocodiles and the many birds and other animals that live around this remarkable wetland environment.
- Explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site – iSimangaliso Wetland Park was South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and protects an extraordinary variety of coastal, wetland and wildlife habitats.
- Two different wildlife experiences in one day – Experience St Lucia from the water during the boat cruise and explore the Eastern Shores of iSimangaliso by vehicle, combining two very different wildlife experiences in one day.
- Wildlife beyond the estuary – The Eastern Shores are home to animals including rhino, buffalo, hippo and numerous antelope species, with the possibility of encountering many other animals as we explore the reserve.
- A completely different safari landscape – iSimangaliso’s coastal dunes, wetlands, grasslands and forests create a very different environment from the more traditional inland game reserves of KwaZulu-Natal.
- Everything arranged from Durban – Your Durban transfers, boat cruise and iSimangaliso visit are organised as one complete day tour. Apart from the shared boat cruise, the rest of your day with us is private, allowing us to adapt the afternoon according to your interests and the time available.
St Lucia & iSimangaliso Wetland Park Day Tour Itinerary
- 6:30 AM – Pickup from Durban
- Your day begins with collection from your hotel or accommodation in Durban and surrounding areas. We leave early for the approximately three-hour journey north to St Lucia.
- Journey through KwaZulu-Natal to Zululand
- We travel north from Durban through the sugarcane-growing areas of the KwaZulu-Natal coast, crossing the Tugela River and continuing through the changing landscapes and communities of Zululand before turning towards the coast and St Lucia.
- Arrive in St Lucia
- St Lucia is a small coastal town surrounded by the remarkable wetlands of iSimangaliso Wetland Park. On arrival, we make our way to the estuary for the first wildlife experience of the day.
- Two-Hour Hippo & Crocodile Boat Cruise
- We board a comfortable boat for an approximately two-hour cruise along the St Lucia Estuary. The cruise is operated by experienced local boat guides and is shared with other visitors.
- As we travel along the estuary, we look for the hippos and crocodiles for which St Lucia is famous, as well as water monitors, birds and other wildlife that may be encountered along the banks.
- Lunch in St Lucia
- During the day, there is also time for lunch in St Lucia before we explore the Eastern Shores section of iSimangaliso, where we search for wildlife and experience a completely different environment from the traditional inland safari reserves.There are several restaurants and different dining options in town, and we can choose somewhere according to your preferences. Lunch is for your own account.
- Explore the Eastern Shores of iSimangaliso Wetland Park
During the day, we enter the Eastern Shores section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park for a guided game drive. This is a very different environment from KwaZulu-Natal’s traditional inland game reserves, with coastal forests, grasslands, wetlands and vegetated dunes. - We spend approximately one to two hours exploring, depending on the day and the time available. Wildlife can include rhino, buffalo, hippo and various antelope species, along with an impressive variety of birdlife and anything else we are fortunate enough to encounter.
- Return to Durban
- After leaving iSimangaliso, we begin the approximately three-hour journey back to Durban. Return is normally during the early evening, although the exact time can vary depending on traffic and how the day unfolds.
Please note: This itinerary is a guide to the day and may change depending on boat cruise availability, weather, road conditions and other circumstances. The order of activities may also change to make the best use of the day.
Experience St Lucia & iSimangaliso Wetland Park from Durban
St Lucia offers a very different wildlife experience from the traditional game reserves of KwaZulu-Natal. Here, wetlands, coastal forests, grasslands and some of the highest vegetated dunes in the world come together in one remarkable landscape.
The day combines wildlife viewing from both the water and land, with a cruise on the St Lucia Estuary and a guided game drive through the Eastern Shores section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
iSimangaliso became South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its exceptional natural diversity. For visitors staying in Durban, this tour provides an opportunity to experience one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most unusual and important natural areas in a single day.
Hippos & Crocodiles on the St Lucia Estuary
The boat cruise is one of the highlights of the day and gives us an opportunity to experience St Lucia from the water.
Hippos are the stars of the estuary, often seen resting together in groups in the water, while crocodiles can be found along the waterways and banks. The estuary is also home to an impressive variety of birdlife, and we may encounter water monitors and other wildlife during the cruise.
The cruise is guided by an experienced local boat crew who know the estuary and will point out wildlife and interesting features along the way. It’s a relaxed way to spend a couple of hours and provides a completely different perspective from the game drive through iSimangaliso..
Explore the Eastern Shores of iSimangaliso Wetland Park
The Eastern Shores of iSimangaliso offer a completely different wildlife experience from the estuary. Here we explore a remarkable landscape of coastal forest, open grasslands, wetlands and vegetated dunes, while keeping a lookout for wildlife along the way.
Animals we may encounter include rhino, buffalo, zebra, hippo and a variety of antelope species, as well as many smaller animals and birds. Elephant are also found in the reserve, while more elusive species such as leopard are present but, as with all wildlife, sightings can never be guaranteed.
For me, one of the things that makes iSimangaliso so interesting is the variety. The landscape can change considerably as we travel through the reserve, and there’s always something to look for beyond just the larger animals.
More Than Just a Game Drive
One of the things I enjoy about this tour is the contrast between the different experiences during the day.
On the estuary, we’re looking at the environment from the water, watching hippos, crocodiles, birds and whatever else we may encounter. Later, we’re back on land exploring the coastal habitats and wildlife of iSimangaliso.
It isn’t about rushing from one attraction to the next or simply ticking animals off a list. There is time to enjoy the scenery, watch animal behaviour and talk about what we’re seeing along the way.
And because the day is flexible around the activities we’ve booked, we can adapt where necessary depending on wildlife, conditions and how the day unfolds.
Who Is This St Lucia & iSimangaliso Tour Suitable For?
This tour is ideal for visitors who would like to experience the wildlife and natural beauty of KwaZulu-Natal without spending the entire day on a traditional game drive.
It’s particularly well suited to couples, families, small groups and international visitors who enjoy nature and wildlife. The combination of the boat cruise and game drive also gives the day plenty of variety, rather than spending several hours continuously in a vehicle.
For families, the boat cruise can be a particularly enjoyable part of the day, with the opportunity to see hippos and crocodiles from the water, while the afternoon wildlife experience introduces visitors to the very different landscapes of iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
It’s also a good choice for visitors who have already experienced a traditional African safari and are looking for something different. St Lucia and iSimangaliso offer a combination of wetlands, wildlife and coastal scenery that you simply don’t experience in the same way in an inland game reserve.
Your Private Guided St Lucia & iSimangaliso Tour
Apart from the boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary, which is shared with other visitors, the rest of your day is a private guided tour.
That means we’re not travelling around iSimangaliso as part of a scheduled group tour. Once we leave the boat, we can enjoy the rest of the day at our own pace and adapt according to wildlife activity, conditions and your interests.
For me, that’s an important part of guiding. Wildlife doesn’t work according to a timetable, and sometimes it’s worth spending a little longer watching something interesting rather than simply moving on because an itinerary says we should.
Throughout the day, I’m there not only to drive you from one place to another, but to help you understand what we’re seeing — the animals, birds, plants and landscapes that make this part of KwaZulu-Natal so different.
- FROM R2950 PER PERSON
- Minimum 2 guests
- Group Discounts available
- Solo travellers welcome — please enquire
Frequently Asked Questions About Our St Lucia & iSimangaliso Tour
How far is St Lucia from Durban?
St Lucia is approximately a three-hour drive from Durban. We collect you from your hotel or accommodation in Durban and surrounding areas and return you at the end of the day.
Will we see hippos and crocodiles?
The St Lucia Estuary is famous for its hippos and crocodiles, and the boat cruise gives us an excellent opportunity to see them in their natural environment. As with all wildlife experiences, sightings can never be guaranteed.
Is the boat cruise private?
No. The approximately two-hour hippo and crocodile cruise is shared with other visitors and operated by experienced local boat crew. Apart from the boat cruise, the rest of your tour with us is private.
What animals can we see in iSimangaliso Wetland Park?
Wildlife in the Eastern Shores can include rhino, buffalo, elephant, hippo, zebra and numerous antelope species, as well as smaller animals and a wide variety of birds. Leopard are also present but are elusive and sightings are never guaranteed.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is for your own account. St Lucia has a good selection of restaurants, and we can decide where to stop depending on the day’s arrangements and your preferences.
What should I bring on the tour?
We recommend comfortable clothing and shoes, sunscreen, a hat, camera or phone and a light jacket depending on the weather. Binoculars are also useful if you have them.
You May Also Like
- St Lucia Whale Watching and Hippo Safari – A seasonal ocean safari combined with an estuary cruise.
- 2-Day Hluhluwe and St Lucia Safari – Combine the estuary with Big Five wildlife and an overnight stay.
- 3-Day iSimangaliso and St Lucia Safari – Spend more time exploring the wetland park and surrounding wildlife areas.