St. Lucia Wetlands Guest House

St. Lucia Wetlands Guest House, accommodation in St Lucia

Description

Nestled between Lake St. Lucia and the Indian Ocean in the heart of this exquisite World Heritage Site lies St. Lucia Wetlands Guest House. The spacious house offers seven luxury guest rooms while the hosts, Derick and Hettie, reside on the premises in a separate apartment. Scrumptious breakfasts are served in the diningroom or on the smoker s patio overlooking the split-level swimming pool and the surrounding tropical forest. Guest facilities includes a spacious lounge with DS television, and a well stocked licensed bar. All major credit cards welcome. There is secure parking on the premises.

Leisure options within easy reach includes swimming in the warm Indian Ocean all year round, authentic Zulu village tours, bird watchers paradise, hiking, kayaking, horse riding, seasonal whale- and turtle watching, and tranquil cruises to spot hippopotamus and crocodile. Hluhluwe/Umfolozi, one of the oldest game reserves in Africa, where Rhino sightings are the order of the day, is only a fifty kilometer drive away and all restaurants are in close proximity to the guest house.

Seasonal Whale Watching (July to November) and Seasonal Turtle Watching (November to March)
We pride ourselves on quality personal service to our guests.

Members of:
KWABABA = KwaZulu-Natal Bed and Breakfast Association.
NAA = National Accommodation Association.
St. Lucia Wetlands Guest House is a KwaZulu-Natal registered tourism establishment.

St. Lucia Wetlands Guest House offers bed and breakfast accommodation in the village of St. Lucia, South Africa. St. Lucia village forms part of the Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park (now the isiMangaliso Wetland Park) in Zululand, South Africa.

Our guest house provides a comfortable alternative to hotel accommodation and hosts Hettie and Derrick Holman are experts on Lake St. Lucia and all activities such as birding, turtle and whale watching, fishing and trailing available in St. Lucia.

Accommodation

Complimentary extras provided to our guests include welcoming drinks and orientation upon arrival, excursion bookings, sherry, fruit, chocolate and ice water in the evening, snorkelling equipment and beach towels.

Attractions

• Zulu Cultural tours
• Important Bird area status (IBA)
• Kayak adventures
• Fishing, deep-sea, rock, surf and fly fishing
• Golf
• Bowls
• Varied and unique hiking trails
• Horse riding
• Guided boat tours on Lake St. Lucia
• Swimming all year round
• Unspoilt beaches
• Snorkelling
• Crocodile Research Centre
• Seasonal boat based Whale watching
• Seasonal Turtle watching
• Seasonal Marine eco-tours with Whale shark sightings
• Wetland area night safaris
• Game reserve safaris
• Restaurants
• Car hire
• Internet facilities
• Medical practitioner
• Banks
• Filling/gas station
• Library
• Hairdresser
• Delicatessen
• Coffee shop
• Craft and Fruit markets

St. Lucia Horse Trails    

1-Hour - for novices and experienced riders this is a short game viewing loop through the Reserve just south of the Greater Wetland Park.

2½ Hour also for novices and experienced riders, this game viewing ride is through the reserve and into the edge of the Greater Wetland Park 1/2 Day - for at least slightly experienced riders as there is a chance of coming across large game as you ride into the Greater Wetland Park.

Beach Rides 1 and 2 hour - for those who have never ridden before and even for "old hands" there is little more romantic than a ride along the beautiful white sand beside rolling waves.

On lucky days dolphins ride the waves along side as you head up the beach. In Summer one can see the tracks of turtles who came in the previous night to nest and July to November migrating whales pass on their way to Mozambique.

St. Lucia Whale Watching    

May to November at R400 per person for approximately 2 hours. Whale sightings are guaranteed.

If no sightings occur, then the amount of R280 will be reimbursed! During the 2001 season, out of 301 boat-based whale watching trips, only one of these trips was unsuccessful in observing whales.

The whales pass KwaZulu-Natal on a migration route between the Antarctic and Northern Mozambique and Madagascar, where they breed.

Boat based sightings recorded in St. Lucia for 2006:

The majority of sightings in KwaZulu-Natal are of Humpbacks, which tend to be more spectacular and lively than the Southern Rights. According to world authority Eric Hoyt, the country is the fifth largest whale watching country in the world behind Taiwan, Iceland, Italy and Spain.

SA has had an average annual increase of 112,5% between 94 and 98." Boat-based sightings recorded in St. Lucia for 2000 was 796.

The local permit holder is ADVANTAGE CHARTER - DANIE BENNETT.

St. Lucia Horse Sea and Lake Fishing    

Fishing is a popular activity as is rock and surf angling, deep sea and lake fishing. For the fun join a day or night fishing safari where all equipment is supplied.

Your experienced guide will introduce you to saltwater fly fishing and/or rock and surf fishing.

Sodwana Bay

Sodwana Bay in the north of the park is one of South Africa's premier fishing and diving destinations because of the unspoilt coral reefs (there are 95 species of coral here). There is a large variety of Indo-Pacific fish including the coelacanth. It is also popular because of the variety of depths and dive sites that are available to divers. The entire area measures some 50kms and is a protected area up to 3 nautical miles out to sea.

The waters are home to turtles, blue marlin and other game fish, whales, dolphins, sharks and rays. As a result, there is SCUBA diving, snorkelling, shore angling and deep sea fishing.

For those who want variety and not water activities, there are plenty of trails through the unspoilt dune forest where one can encoutner a profusion of colourful birds, small game and vervet and samango monkeys.

The Coelacanths of Sodwana Bay

In 2000, a group of divers descended to more than 100 metres to photograph living coelacanths in one of the canyons off Sodwana Bay. One of the divers lost his life in the process.

St. Lucia's Pristine Beaches    

St. Lucia has long, pristine golden beaches, lapped by the warm waters of the Agulhas current, moving slowly south from Mozambique.

Between the beaches and Lake St. Lucia are some of the world's highest vegetated dunes as well as swamp and sand forest plus some of the oldest peat lands in the world, some over 45,000 years old!

Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles return each year between November and March to lay their eggs on these beaches. For R350.00 per person, you can witness this miracle. A barbecue on the beach and all drinks are also included.

Golfing near St. Lucia    

The 'Best 9 Holers in South Africa' has this to say about two of our local golf courses:

Shark Attacks    

Shark attacks "A Limited Threat"; An analysis of South African shark attacks in the past four years, carried out by the Natal Sharks Board, found that shark attacks are rare events, with an average of only four incidents a year.

Of these, less that 30% resulted in serious injury and only 11% were fatal. This equates to an average of one serious shark-inflicted injury every year and one shark-inflicted fatality every 2.3 years along about 2 000km of coast from the Mozambique border to Cape Town.

The worst year on record for shark attacks in South Africa was 1998, when 15 incidents were recorded.

All of these attacks took place in Cape waters, one was fatal and five resulted in serious injuries.

There is still no explanation for the spate of incidents in 1998, but in the next two years the number of incidents dropped to around six a year, with only a single fatality and one other serious attack.

Research on www.shark.co.za says many of the injuries inflicted on humans by sharks have been minor and it is certainly incorrect to conclude that every incident is the result of a shark trying to eat its victim.

Some sharks, such as the great white, tiger and zambezi, are aggressive species. They are equipped with razor-sharp teeth and wide mouths and are capable of causing considerable damage with little effort. There is little or no evidence to indicate that these species defend territories, but some attacks may be the result of a shark investigating or repelling an intruder in its immediate vicinity.

Nearly 10% of attacks in Cape waters have been by ragged tooth sharks (sand tiger/gray nurse shark), but it is not regarded as an aggressive species and the injuries have all been superficial.

The ragged toothed shark has long sharply-pointed teeth that lack serrations. Such dentition is designed to seize relatively small fish that are often swallowed whole.

Most of the incidents involving this species have taken place in shallow, murky waters and are probably a result of shark and human literally "bumping" into one another. In the last 40 years, 17 people have lost their lives in shark attacks on the South African coast, whereas in 1996 alone, 85 people drowned at sea."

The Crocodile Research Centre

Lake St. Lucia is home to the largest breeding population of crocodiles in South Africa and at the Crocodile Centre you will learn many aspects of the life of this ancient reptile. The Crocodile Center is one of only four permit holders that are allowed to keep the impressive Gaboon Adder in captivity.

The greater St. Lucia Wetland Park has more than 109 species of reptile.

There is also a curio shop and a cycad garden in which many of these plants, which have remained unchanged for 200 million years may be seen.

• Every Wednesday, 18:30 - crocodile nite-feeding (01 September - 01 June, weather permitting).
• Every Saturday, 14:00 - snake demonstrations and 15:00 crocodile feeding.

The crocodile centre have a specimen of the famous living fossil, the coelacanth. Before 1938, when a member of the coelacanth species was rediscovered on the east coast of South Africa, it was believed that they have become extinct 80 million years ago.

On 27th November 2000, divers found three coelacanths in the St. Lucia Marine Protected Area. The largest was between 1,5 and 1,8 metres long and the other two 1,2 and 1 metres. In 2001 the divers observed fifteen coelacanths, one of them pregnant.

They open 7 days a week from 09:00 to 22:00. Sundays from 10:00 to 21:00.

Trails around St. Lucia Wetlands Guest House

Emoyeni Trail "Emoyeni" is the Zulu word meaning spiritual wind. The Emoyeni Trail is situated in the Mfabeni Section of the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, and is designed to show off some of the most beautiful parts of the park. Experiences on this trail are both varied and unique.

The trail has been developed as a four night, five day excursion - a trail for the serious backpacker. It begins and ends at the Mission Rocks office and its total length is approximately 65 km. Each of the four nights is spent at a different camp.

Mission Rocks office, Sonja at tel no. (035) 590 9002

Wilderness Trails to the north of Cape Vidal is an area of approximately 15 000 ha, known as the Tewate Wilderness area. Here no permanent structures or roads are permitted. Wilderness trails are conducted in this area between April and October.

These trails start on Friday afternoons and end on Tuesday mornings. Bookings through KZN Wildlife Reservations, tel. (035) 845 1000 or email bookings@kznwildlife.com

The area in which the trails are conducted is particularly scenic and ecologically unique, ranging from wetland to dune forest. Birdlife is plentiful and thee is always the possibility of seeing black rhino as well as all the other species already listed. A large variety of flowers, including lilies and orchids, can be seen during spring.

Umvubu Trail there is a guided trail through the forest down to Lake Bhangazi South.

Imboma Trail This 3 km. guided trail leads through the wetlands south of Lake Bhangazi South.

Mziki Trail Trail One; The first trail leads in a southerly direction and is about 10 km. long. The outbound section meanders through open hill sides, indigenous dune forest and pine plantation. Most of the return leg is along the rocky coastline where tidal pools abound with interesting marine life.

Trail Two; Known also as the Lake Trail, this 10 km route takes you in a westerly direction through indigenous forest, past the Mfazana freshwater pan. During the rainy season this pan is the home of may species of waterfowl, hippos and crocodiles.

From the pan the trail crosses the St. Lucia/Cape Vidal road, goes over open grassland until it reaches the shore of Lake St. Lucia. At this point the trail swings north along the lake shore for about 1,5 km. then leads inland and back to Mount Tabor. Trail users are advised to be cautious when near the pans or lake as hippos are plentiful and often lie up in the indigenous forest during the day.

Trail Three; The third leg is nearly 18 km. long. This takes you through areas that are remote and relatively free of the sights and sounds of man. The trail heads northwards along the Mount Tabor ridge, then drops down into Bokkie Valley where you will be fascinated by the abundance of reedbuck.

From here the trail leads through forested dunes and then returns to Mount Tabor along approximately 8 km. of uninhabited coastline. As beach walking during high tide is often difficult, hikers are advised to plan their walk on this stretch to coincide with the low tide when the going will be easier.

Parties or groups are limited to eight and it is always advisable to make reservations by contacting Sonja at tel: (035) 590 9002 or fax: (035) 590 9090.

Kayak Safaris in St. Lucia    

In the tranquility of our World Heritage Site get up close to, and become part of, the real Africa. You'll experience the adventure of a lifetime as you move amongst the hippos, crocodiles and birdlife in our five exclusive locations.

No crowds, no noise, no pollution- just you, your senses and nature. R225 for two hours.

Turtle Egg Laying in St. Lucia

November to March at R595-00 per person.

Leatherback and Loggerhead Sea Turtles return each year to lay their eggs on these beaches. The 1999 - 2000 season was an exceptionally good year with 40 nesting sites recorded on the 8 kilometre beach at St. Lucia.

Leatherback:

A giant sea turtle that can weigh over 800 kgs. Females will lay approximately 1,000 eggs in a season. This is done by laying a batch of 120 eggs every 9 to 15 days. They return to the coast every 1 to 5 years. The leatherback turtle has been undergoing dangerous declines. From 115,000 in 1980 to just 35,000 in 1995.

This is a smaller Sea Turtle weighing up to 138 kg. Females emerge at night in late Spring to lay about 500 eggs in batches of 100 at 15 day intervals. Most return to nest after 2 to 3 years.

St. Lucia's Premier Zululand Birding Country

The area around Lake St. Lucia north to the Mozambican border is host to many species of birds, especially in the summer months (October to March) when migratory species from northern areas of Africa make this their home.

Lake St. Lucia, Mkuze and Ndumo Game Reserves all boast bird lists nearing 460 species, so there is plenty to see! St. Lucia is also part of the popular Zululand Birding Route.

Below is a partial listing of the more common birds found in the immediate vicinity of St. Lucia village.

Accolades

	:Tourism Council of SA Star Grading
	:Portfolio benchmarked:
	:AA Guides quality assured

Facilities

• Swimming pool
• Licensed bar
• DStv in guest lounge
• Smoker's patio
• Air conditioners in all bedrooms
• Heaters and fans on request
• Internet
• Tea/coffee making facilities in rooms
• Private wall safe
• Hairdryers
• Toiletries and bathroom amenities
• Information folders
• Small library
• Secure parking on premises

St. Lucia Guest House Services

We can arrange sightseeing tours.

. . . and your boat trips.

Let us book your restaurant.

Laundry service.

Fax/Internet facilities available.

We have secure parking.

On arrival we will supply you with a map and give you an orientation talk on what there is to see and do in the area.

Pack picnic lunches on request.

Book the Wetlands walk.

Reserve accommodation for you at your next destination and confirm your flight bookings.

We can also book the following for you:

your two hour cruise on the lake

your full day deep-sea fishing excursion.

your Whale watching excursion. (Seasonal, May to November).

your Turtle tour. (Seasonal, November to March).

your two hour night drive into the Eastern Shores on an open Unimoge.

your Hluhluwe / iMfolozi game reserve excursion.

your Cape Vidal snorkelling tours.

your horse riding expedition

Directions