Lake St Lucia & iSimangaliso Wetlands Cruise
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Port
Richards Bay, South Africa
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$229
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
5¾ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Depart the pier for the drive north to the narrows of the St Lucia Estuary, which forms part of the iSimangaliso Wetlands -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Upon arrival in St Lucia town, board a boat for a leisurely two-hour cruise on Lake St Lucia. The vessel travels at walking pace along the shoreline of the St Lucia Estuary, and the enthusiastic skipper/captain will tell you more about the hippos and Nile crocodiles that inhabit Lake St Lucia. The lake has the largest concentration of hippopotamus in South Africa, with 800 hippos. It is also home to about 2,000 Nile crocodiles and about 526 different kinds of bird. Favorites are the African fish eagle and the mangrove kingfisher. Learn more about the mangrove swamps and the five different eco-systems of the St Lucia Estuary.
Intermittent stops ensure that you get good photo opportunities and you are certain to see plenty of hippos up close throughout the cruise. Watch also for buffalo and waterbuck drinking along the shoreline.
Upon returning from your boat cruise, head back to Richard's Bay by coach.
Notes:
Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Tour requires walking over uneven terrain from the coach to the boat, with a few big steps down to the boat. Wear comfortable clothing, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. Bring binoculars. The drive from the pier to the iSimangaliso Wetlands is approximately 1½ hours each way. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed. The boat is not exclusive to Holland America Line guests.