I visited St. Lucia as a part of 21 days South Africa, Lesotho and eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) overland tour in a purpose built 4×4 truck, visiting one national park to another, covering eight major national parks. After few days in the KrugerNational Park and 2 nights in eSwatini, we re-entered South Africa, continuing south into the reaches of Zululand, once the realm of the mighty King Shaka who united the Zulu clans, our destination for this evening was St. Lucia.
St Lucia is a small town in the KwaZulu-Natal province, surrounded by iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Greater St Lucia (iSimangaliso) Wetlands Park is home to about 1,200 Crocodiles and almost 800 hippopotamuses.
The photos below are from the St. Lucia.
The Lake St Lucia has about 800 hippopotamuses and almost 1,200 Crocodiles.Many tourist boats on Lake Saint Lucia, within the Isimangaliso Wetland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Spotted the first Hippo colony, there are more than 800 Hippos in this lake.Another Hippo colony, along mangrove-rich shores of the estuary.A Hippo Family.A Hippo Family.Look!! How wide can I open my mouth?Check me Out!A croc, the lake has more than 1200 Crocodiles.A croc, resting in sun.An African Fish Eagle.An African Fish Eagle.When we entered the town of St Lucia, there was a street sign warning tourist to beware of Hippos after dark. We thought that was just a gimmick to attract more tourists. We were so wrong! Hippos do come out of the lake and walk the town after the dark, it was one of the WoW moment in my life.Hippos walking the town of St Lucia in the late evening.Hippos walking the town of St Lucia in the late evening.Hippos walking the town of St Lucia in the late evening.St Lucia offers unspoiled pristine beaches as far as the eye can see. With warm Indian Ocean currents year round one is assured of warm tropical water. St Lucia beach.St Lucia beach.I made new friends on the beach. These kids were so friendly and vey confident.I probably took hundred pictures of these kids.A sea-gull patrolling the beach.
The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the oldest wildlife reserve in Africa is only 54 km from St Lucia. It is the only state run park in Kwazulu Natal that is home to the African Big 5. The iMfolozi was previously used as Zulu King Shaka’s private hunting grounds. The conservation efforts have contributed to this park having the largest population of White Rhino in the world.
Photos below are from our game drive in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
Welcome to the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park!The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the oldest wildlife reserve in Africa.A baby Zebra with her parent.A Zebra family.Another picture of a Zebra family.Zebra Crossing!Zebras and a Buffalo on the road.Buffalos.. look at his horns, so strong.A blue wildebeest.The first time I saw a lion sitting in the tree.Can you spot a pair of White Rhinos? The park has the largest population of White Rhino in the world.A huge herd of elephants, may be 70 or more.A huge herd of elephants, may be 70 or more.Male Elephants in Must Fight for Dominance!Male Elephants in Must Fight for Dominance, we stopped out truck for more than 30 minutes to watch them.The winner goes back to the herd.Redbilled Oxpeckers will sit on mammals and target the ticks and other small parasites found on the skin and in the coats of these animals. The birds are also known to help clean-up open wounds.A pair of Redbilled Oxpeckers on a Buffalo.The southern masked weaver nests in colonies. Males have several female partners, and build a succession of nests, typically 25 each season. The nests are built in a tree, often over water, woven from reed, palm or grass.A nests of the southern masked weaver.The Wine shop was across the street from our hotel in St Lucia. Trying out many different drinks of South Africa.
After spending two days in St Lucia we drove to Durban, the first big city on this this trip.
In May 2017, 23 days before I was going to complete 50 years, grabbed an opportunity and took an early retirement.. Picked up a backpack and traveling ever since.. Love to travel around the world, experience different culture, local cuisine & drinks .. and take pictures.. so far been to 108 countries and still counting...
Window on the World 