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St Lucia
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iSimangaliso Wetland Park
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iSimangaliso Wetland Park

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iSimangaliso Wetland Park
4.5
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Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1 586 reviews
Excellent
1 010
Very good
420
Average
116
Poor
29
Terrible
11
knoesenm
Cape Town Central, South Africa690 contributions
Loads of Hippos
Aug 2023 • Solo
A boat trip on the lagoon was part of an organized trip. I think this is a great experience if you want to get as close to the hippos as you possibly can. It was very overcast on the afternoon we went on the boat, which was perhaps even more favourable conditions for us to see three large hippo families in shallow waters.

The entire wetland park is beautiful as far as you can see
Written 1 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mia
2 contributions
Bhangazi Bush Lodge - Neglected Maintenance Overshadows Natural Beauty
Jun 2023 • Family
Bhangazi Bush Lodge located in Isimangaliso Wetland Park near Cape Vidal beach, offers stunning natural surroundings and abundant wildlife. However, our stay was spoiled by neglected maintenance issues. The linen and curtains were stained and torn, suggesting poor cleanliness and guest comfort. We faced water supply problems, including a night without water due to leaking tanks. Though we were offered alternative accommodation halfway through our stay, a temporary fix was eventually provided. The road leading to the lodge was difficult to access, requiring high clearance vehicles. The travel agency (St Lucia SA) representatives seemed unaware of the lodge's condition and amenities. Despite the breath-taking nature, the lack of maintenance, water supply issues, inaccurate information, and inaccessible road made for a disappointing experience. We hope management addresses these concerns to enhance future guests' satisfaction. We will not be returning.
Written 13 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Para48
Salalah, Oman32 contributions
Lovely relaxing Wetlands area.
May 2023 • Couples
Post four nights in Rhino Rdge Safari Lodge Hotel in Hluhluwe - Imfolozi Game Reserve, which we found is the right way to see the Big Five and other wild life - stay right amongst the wild life - no long drives to get to the wild life - 5☆ for this way round.
We then drove down to Falaza Game Park Safari Tent - Hotel. Beautiful surroundings and helpful friendly staff.

Lake St Lucia area was struck hard by Covid Lock Down and having to lose experienced staff and knowledge. Hence, only 3☆ for this area of our holiday.
Working with th new friendly staff and management we enjoyed the area.

Horse Riding at Bhangazi Horse Safari Lake St Lucia - is a must 5☆ experience riding through the Bush and on the golden sands Indian Ocean beach - due to Internet Problems Pay in Cash - ( ATM is only 5 mins drive back in St Lucia - outside the Spa Shop)
Across the Lake Estuary Bridge on the Jetty is St Lucia Estuary Boat Cruise Double- Decker Blue Boat to see the wetland wildlife, Hippos, and if lucky and the lake is not flooded post rains, Crocodiles - this is also a birders / twitchers paradise.
Staff and facilities on board 4☆ - again a must visit.
Note - from our Falaza Game Park Safari Tent Hotel, this is an hour and a half self drive away, better if driven by hotel staff who know the roads.
This area is a large area in awesome countryside - nothing is as close as it looks on maps. ( with a lot of other attractions to suit all visiters here )
Our new staff were we stayed are working hard to repair the damage done by Covid, as was done to all of South Africa and the World, knowing this we worked around situations and enjoyed every day of our Holiday in South Africa and Hluhluwe, Lake St Lucia area.
Fully recommend it.
Written 11 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valerie G
4 contributions
Fabulous natural setting, but facilities in dire need of TLC
Apr 2023
Such an amazing place to visit: bush and beach in wonderful proximity. However, the kiosks and other facilities seem to have been forgotten and left to disintegrate, so campers at Cape Vidal have to travel to St Lucia to get their basic supplies. The employees are very cheerful, but a lack of supervision means half of them seem to be sitting around with not much to do, while the aforementioned facilities gradually descend into inertia. Such a pity!
Written 27 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobWE
Manhattan Beach, CA727 contributions
Brief Hippo Viewing Experience
Apr 2023 • Friends
Located adjacent to the attractive community of St. Lucia is the Isimangalison Wetlands Park. We took the boat trip to view the hippos in the sub tropical lake. Although the one hour flat boat ride was comfortable and the guides were informative, our only views of the hippos were those who were sleeping in the lake (sometimes with their babies) floating just above the surface. There were plenty of hippos but none walking around.
Written 8 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don
Durban, South Africa36 contributions
Nice beaches.
Jan 2023
The beach at Cape Vidal in the Isimangaliso Wetland park is nice as it is fine soft sand. There are game trails to drive on before getting to Cape Vidal. There is an entry fee to get into the park. From the entrance near the town of St Lucia to Cape Vidal is a little over 20 ks. Part way to Cape Vidal is the Mission Rocks beach. It is full of large rocks. There is also the beach at St Lucia. Drive to Eden Park and pass it going straight to the boardwalk and beach. The road ends at the boardwalk where you park and walk about 400 meters to the beach.
Written 31 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NomadsNature
Pretoria, South Africa213 contributions
Our first, but not the last!
Oct 2022
This trip was our first venture to the Isimangaliso Wetland Park but not our last.

We set out on our trip early Friday morning. We were concerned about the condition of the road, but we found it reasonably good and made good progress. The planned route allowed for sufficient stops, and all the amenities along the way were to our satisfaction.

Arriving in St Lucia, which was to act as our home base, we were pleasantly surprised with this small town. All logistic requirements or needs seem to be taken care of at first glance.

Check-in at Sandy Place went smoothly, and soon we were unpacked and settled. The unit was spacious and well-equipped. Not long after, our son and his girlfriend arrived. They were spending the weekend with us.

Our first outing on Saturday took us to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Eastern Shores. The staff at the gates were friendly and helpful, and entry to the park went without a hitch. The roads are in good condition and provide easy access to the various points of interest. We saw a lot of animals along the routes and were fascinated by the natural environment, typical of a wetland. There are numerous places where you are allowed to exit your vehicle. We found all the amenities to be in a good state and well-maintained.

Sunday and day 2 took us to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Western Shores. Entry at the gates again went very smooth. Despite not being tarred, the roads are in good condition. Similar to the first day, we saw a lot of animals. We could not explore the whole area, as road maintenance was underway on some of the roads.

We spent Monday stocking up on supplies for the remainder of the week and some local sightseeing.

We explored the three St Lucia beaches and the surrounding area on Tuesday. The vast beaches are clean and remarkably free from pollution and litter. Poles with lifesaving buoys mark swimming areas. There were no lifeguards on duty. As mentioned before, the facilities were clean and well-kept.

Wednesday and Thursday had us traversing the Eastern Shores again, as there is so much to see and take in.

Way too soon, our first visit to this remarkable place was over, and we had to return home. Due to the vastness of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, we focused on St Lucia and the surrounding areas this time, but we will return in the future to see what else this gem provides.
Written 20 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug and Liz
Frederick, MD6 contributions
Amazing beaches and great snorkeling and diving
May 2022
Want a get away from lots of people and enjoy walking miles and miles on the beach without seeing anyone. This is the place. Just loved the views, water, snorkeling and the weather. Stay at Thonga Beach Lodge to really enjoy it all and get the most out of the experience. Amazing location and lodge. The staff is awesome.
Written 8 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James Whiting
6 contributions
Paradise
Apr 2022
This place is a piece of paradise. It is a stunning sub tropical lush scene, with elephants (we saw elephants on both days driving through - be careful!), rhinos, crocs, hippos, buffalos (a nervous but exciting following of two of them through a winding loop off the main road) - and wonderful hides. and then there is Mission Rocks beach and Cape Vidal - quite beautiful with every option of fishing, surf, quieter waters by the reef. Its a privilege to visit the Wetland Park
Written 1 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eddy E
2 contributions
Shame on iSimangaliso and surroundings
Feb 2022
After 2 years not being able to visit I was shocked in what state of negligence most of the park was: popular walks overgrown, fallen over trees blocking the Qwala-Qwala loop, benches rotten or missing or overgrown, bridges collapsed, the boardwalk under water, potholes-potholes and more potholes, rubbish not cleared, toilets that keep running ( according to friends living in St Lucia they have repeatedly reported not flushing or constant leaking toilets for months ), 5 or 6 security people hanging around at each of the check points to the beach and reserve of which one will start getting up when you have stopped and the rest just sleeping, chatting or on the phone, what a waste of money. We saw a team going towards the estuary with machetes for clearing the invading bushes only to find them later fishing instead of doing the job. Time Zululand pulls up its socks because the utter negligence and decay is hurting.
Written 14 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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ISIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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