Travel Adviser : St Lucia on a budget

How to get there
To access the southern section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park from Durban, take the N2 northwards, then the R618 turnoff to Mtubatuba. If you’re travelling from Johannesburg, take the N2 southwards and then the R618 turn-off to Mtubatuba. Follow the road for 27km to St Lucia town. Cross the bridge over the estuary, turn left and follow the road to the security gate.

For the central and northern sections of the park, take the R22 (Lubombo Road) from the N2 near the town of Hluhluwe. The western entrance of Mkhuze is well signposted from the N2 between Hluhluwe and Mkuze town.

What to do
Go on a two-and-a-half-hour paddle up the estuary with St Lucia Kayak Safaris for R250 a person or a full-day safari including snorkelling and lunch for R400. Tel 035-590-1233, e-mail anton@kayaksafaris.co.za, web http://www.kayaksafaris.co.za.

Tour the estuary in the Santa Lucia cruiser for R120 an adult and R60 a child. Tel 035-590-1340/1, e-mail groblerl@kznwildlife.com, web http://www.kznwildlife.com.

Visit the St Lucia Croc Centre. Admission is R35 an adult and R20 a child. Tel 035-590-1386, e-mail croc-centre@kznwildlife.com.

Go on a True Horse Safari with Bhangazi Horse Safaris for R2 770 a person a night or an Adventure Safari from R1 035 to R1 280 a person a night. Daily beach and game rides are R190 a person an hour. Tel 083-792-7899, e-mail info@horsesafari.co.za, web http://www.horsesafari.co.za.

The whale-watching season runs from June to November. Advantage Safaris holds the local boat-based whale-watching permit. The two-hour tour costs R660 a person. Tel 035-590-1259.

Take a scenic flight with Zumat for R2 159 a flying hour. Pick up and drop off flights are from R3 386 an aircraft, including fuel. Tel 035-595-1024/1515, e-mail zumat@mweb.co.za.

Dive with Amoray Diving at Sodwana Bay. The five-day dive package is R1000, or R220 a dive for fewer than five dives. Single gear costs R50 a day to hire and a full set is R300. Beginner open-water courses are R2 500. Tel 083-252-9448, e-mail info@amoraydiving.com, web http://www.amoraydiving.com. Mako Diving offers boat skipper courses for R4500 and diving courses from R2700 to R3000. Tel 082-456-9428, e-mail skippers@mako-diving.co.za, web http://www.mako-diving.co.za.

Try a two- to three-hour guided birding walk with Jabulani Mbonambi, tel 072-248-7013.
At Mkhuze Game Reserve, go on a guided walk for R60 a person. Entrance is R25 a person. Tel 033-845-1000, e-mail bookings@kznwildlife.com, web http://www.kznwildlife.com.

Where to stay
$ Eden Park Campsite or Sugarloaf Campsite in St Lucia costs R70 an adult and R35 a child under 12 in season. Minimum charge is R140. In low season it’s R46 an adult and R23 a child.
$$ The Cape Vidal log cabins cost R256 an adult and R128 a child. Minimum charge is from R768 to R1024. Camping costs R80 an adult and R40 a child (minimum is R320).
$ to $$$ The Sodwana Bay Camp-site costs from R60 to R90 an adult (depending on season) and R45 a child. Log cabins are from R260 to R330 an adult and R130 to R165 a child (mini-
mum charge from R990 to R1320).

Bookings for all camps: tel 033-845-1000, e-mail bookings@kznwildlife.com, web http://www.kznwildlife.com.

For more information
iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority tel 035-590-1633, e-mail info@iSimanga-liso.com or visit http://www.iSimangaliso.com. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife tel 033-845-1000, e-mail bookings@kznwildlife.com,
http://www.kznwildlife.com.