Visit Lake St Lucia, South Africa

The Greater St Lucia Wetlands is a truly remarkable conservation area, and includes a substantial marine reserve. The park is centred on Lake St Lucia, separated from the ocean by a line of dunes, covered in forest vegetation, that tower to 200 metres in height. The lake and dune barrier form two of the five ecosystems that comprise the park.

The others are the marine, which includes the beaches and the coral reefs, the most southerly in the world; the swamps and wetlands at the north of the lake; and the dry western shore of the lake, which has bushveld as well as the rare sand forest. There is a huge variety of animal life within the park, from larger water-dwellers such as hippos and whales, to the smaller species of antelope and a huge variety of birdlife, making this one of the best birdwatching destinations in South Africa.

Traditionally, visitors to the lake have been South Africans on holiday. The accommodation has been fairly basic and mostly self-catering. Whilst this is still an option for those who want a more basic experience of the lake, there are also now some small private lodges that allow you to enjoy the region in a bit more comfort.