St Lucia & iSimangaliso Escape
Two nights in a World Heritage wetland where hippos walk down the main road after dark and the beach has more turtles than people.
The Package
The wildest family holiday in the province
St Lucia is a small town inside a World Heritage Site. Hippos genuinely wander the streets at night, the estuary cruise is the best value wildlife hour in South Africa, and Cape Vidal has a swimmable beach inside a game reserve. It is safe, easy and unforgettable for children — provided somebody sensible is doing the driving and telling everyone to stay inside after dark.
Your Itinerary
- DAY
1
North to the wetlands
MorningCollection in Durban and the drive north — about three hours on good road.
AfternoonCheck in, then the estuary boat cruise while the light is good.
EveningDinner on the main street. Back inside before dark — that hippo warning is not decoration.
- DAY
2
Beach and bush in one day
MorningDrive out to Cape Vidal. Swim, snorkel and look for whales in season.
AfternoonA slow game drive back through the eastern shores.
EveningSeasonal turtle tour, or an early night.
- DAY
3
Forest walk, then home
MorningThe Gwala Gwala boardwalk and a last look at the estuary.
MiddayTransfer back to Durban.
What’s included
- 2 nights’ family accommodation in St Lucia
- Daily breakfast
- Return transfer from Durban or King Shaka
- iSimangaliso estuary boat cruise for the family
- Park entry and the Cape Vidal day
- A downloadable itinerary
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Seasonal turtle tour
- Travel insurance
Getting there — your choice
Let us drive. Return transfer from Durban plus the Cape Vidal and park runs. The roads are good, so this one works well as a self-drive too — but the park gates have hours and the sand road to Cape Vidal rewards someone who has done it before.
Self-drive. Prefer your own car? We drop the transport element and adjust the package accordingly — you still get the accommodation, the activities and the full itinerary, plus directions and our local phone support for the whole trip.
Stay & Play
Your base
A family room or self-catering unit in St Lucia village, within walking distance of the main street and the estuary. Breakfast included. Properties are chosen for being genuinely family-safe given the local hippo traffic.
Activities — all within easy reach
- iSimangaliso estuary boat cruise — Two hours among hippo pods and crocodiles. The single best thing to do here. (5 min from your door)
- Cape Vidal — A protected beach inside the park — snorkelling, rock pools and often whales offshore. (40 min drive)
- iSimangaliso game drive — Zebra, buffalo, kudu and rhino on the eastern shores, with the ocean on one side and the lake on the other. (Park gate 5 min away)
- Turtle tour (November–March) — Guided night drives on the beach to see loggerhead and leatherback turtles nesting. (Seasonal, from town)
- Gwala Gwala forest trail — A short, shaded boardwalk walk from the village. Good for small children and birds. (In the village)
Get your price for this package
Tell us your dates and how many of you are travelling — we’ll come back with a firm, all-in quote. No booking fee, no obligation.