St Lucia is full of exciting things to do for the visitor. We have compiled a list of top ten things our visitors like to do when they stay with us in the Santa Lucia guest house…….
Whale watching - An exciting and wonderful opportunity to view amongst the most enigmatic and fascinating of all creatures. Whales are huge, but elusive and difficult to see which adds to their mystery and fascination. They are highly intelligent animals with an elaborate social life. Is it any wonder that they are such popular and intruiging animals? St Lucia has some of the best whale watching in the world.
Bird watching - The St Lucia Wetland Park is haven for birds and bird enthusiasts alike. The prolific plant life, food and abundance of water attracts a huge variety of species, including marine species to make this unique heritage site a paradise for birds. The area has 29 Red Data listed birds (birds on the threatened species list) and over 450 bird species have been identified in the area.
Boat trips and sundown cruises - A sundown cruise on the lake is an opportunity not to be missed. An African sunset is a sublime experience and what better way to experience it than on a cruise on the St Lucia Estuary with hippos wallowing in the shallows and crocs basking on the banks of the lake catching the last bit of the evenings heat from the sun. A trip definitely not to be missed…..
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game reserve - Self-drive or guided safaris in a specially modified vehicle suited for game watching can be arranged in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, where the Big Five (elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard, and lion) can be seen. Set in the heart of Zululand, the game reserve offers visitors a variety of activities – from self guided walks, auto-trails and game drives to picnics in designated sites. Viewing hides overlook pans and waterholes enabling visitors to see animals at close range. The Park covers some 96 000 ha and contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is world renowned for its white rhino conservation. Its abundance of wildlife include: Nile crocodile, hippo, white and black rhino, leopard, lion, cheetah, hyena, elephant, buffalo, blue wildebeest, jackal, giraffe, zebra, waterbuck, nyala, eland, kudu, impala, duiker, suni, reedbuck, warthog, bushpig, mongoose, baboons, monkeys, a variety of tortoises, terrapins, snakes and lizards. In excess of 300 species of birds have also been recorded. A must for any visitor!
Deep sea fishing - A deep sea fishing experience can be thrilling, especially when you hook that big one! You can experience the excitement of trying to hook the ‘big one’ from the fighting chair and imagine the tales you could tell back home! Whether you’re an experienced angler or not, this tour will literally have you at the edge of your seat!
This deep sea fishing adventure off the coast of St. Lucia will give you the opportunity to catch one of the many fish abundant in these waters. Depending on when you plan on visiting the area, the local population of fish may include:
marlin, sailfish, kingfish, barracuda, and among others dorado.
Kayaking - Kayaking tours with experienced guides on Lake St.Lucia allow visitors to get up close to an array of water birds, hippos and crocodiles. A half day St Lucia Kayak Safari along the St Lucia Estuary is not for the faint hearted. The St Lucia Kayak Safari departs early in the morning at the slip way close to the St Lucia Estuary mouth.
The tour progresses up stream towards Honeymoon Bend, the mangrove swamp forest, along the quiet backwaters of the St Lucia Estuary and then onward to the St Lucia bridge. Along the route your guide will discuss the St Lucia Estuary Eco System and point out the places and things of interest. Mudskippers, fiddler crabs, whelks, fossil oyster beds, Hippos, Crocs and a variety of water birds are all part of the St Lucia Kayak Safari experience.
Turtle Nesting - Turtle-nesting tours are available with a guide from the National Parks Board. (December to February). The Turtle Tours are seasonal trips where you experience the miracle of the reproduction of the Leatherback Turtles (weighing up to 900kg) and the Loggerhead Turtles on the beaches north of St. Lucia in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Late at night the mystery unfolds as female turtles make their way up the beach to a chosen location. Once the area has been prepared for nesting, the eggs are deposited into an egg pot (burrow), covered and concealed. Most females nest an average of 10 times in a season, and this, of course, improves ones chances of seeing them come to shore to nest.
The young turtles hatch approximately two months later, and begin their own battle for survival. Once they are in the sea, predation on the hatchlings during their first few months is intense and it has been estimated that only one or two hatchlings from every thousand will reach maturity. St Lucia Turtle Tours are during the night and departure times are dependant on the tides.
Horse back riding - Horseback rides in the wetland park or along the beach are also available to visitors. Game viewing from horseback is a unique experience. Somehow the animals are far less disturbed and intimidated than they would be bythe other more traditional methods of game viewing. The animals often pay the horseback safari scant attention which enables you to watch African wildlife behaving naturally in their own environment. It is a truly marvellous experience and one that you will always remember.
St Lucia Beach and Cape Vidal - Some of the most pristine beaches in the world can be found here.Fishing, picnicking, walking, flying kites or just relaxing in the wonderful sunny weather on the sand is a wonderful way to relax and enjoy some fun in the sun on your holiday.
About half an hours drive North from the town of St Lucia through the wetland park filled with rhino, hippo, elephant and many more grazing along the road side is the exquisite beach at Cape Vidal. This is a snorkelling, fishing and swimming paradise. There is a rocky reef which makes it very safe for children to swim and splash in the shallows.
Hiking - Some of the hiking trails are designed to show off some of the most scenic parts of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Guided walking tours can be arranged The area in which the trails are conducted is particularly scenic and ecologically unique, ranging from wetlands to dune forest. Bird life is plentiful and there is always the possibility of seeing Black Rhino as well as many other species. A large variety of flowers, including Lilies and Orchids, can be seen during spring.
In and around the village of St. Lucia there are many unique and fascinating walks and trails, some leading down to the beach. They range from half an hour to 3 hours. Animal life is prolific and many species of birds and the occasional sighting of one of the local Warthogs as well as small Antelope is a regular occurrence. The cry of the Fish Eagle can often be heard echoing across the lake which is a thrilling experience for both local and visitor alike.
Your hosts and staff at the guest house are always willing to assist in advising visitors with regards to their itinerary and making recommendations about things to do in the area. Bookings can also be arranged through the Santa Lucia guest house on your arrival for any of the activities on offer in the area. Please remember some of these tours like turtle and whale watching are seasonal.
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