SOUTH AFRICA - THE GREATER ST LUCIA WETLAND PARK
In
depth guide to the seasons, animals, birds and wildlife
habitats of Greater St Lucia Wetland Park in South Africa
To
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The
World Heritage proclaimed wetlands of the subtropical
Greater St. Lucia Park, are
essential to the health of the local environment
and contain a greater bio-diversity than Kruger
National Park or Botswana's Okavango Delta.
The
park includes a complex eco-system with outstanding
landscapes. The five inter-linked ecosystems
in the park are: a marine system characterised
by the warm Indian Ocean, containing the southernmost
coral reefs in Africa, as well as sub-marine
canyons and long sandy beaches; a coastal
dune system consisting of high linear dunes
and sub-tropical forests, grassy plains and
wetlands; lake systems including two estuary-linked
lakes of St Lucia and Kosi, plus the four
large freshwater lakes of Sibaya, Ngobezeleni,
Bhangazi north and Bhangazi south; the Mkhuze
and Umfolozi swamps, with swamp forests and
extensive reeds and papyrus marshes; an inland
system which includes ancient shoreline terraces
and dry savannah woodlands.
ANIMALS
& BIRDS
As
this is such an extensive area with a considerable
number of different habitats that animals
of all sorts may be seen including hippos
and crocodiles in good numbers particularly
on the St Lucia estuary.
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A
substantial game reintroduction program is in
progress bringing in black rhino, buffalo, waterbuck,
kudu, nyala and other antelopes.
There
are a number of endemic fish species in the
lakes and the Indian Ocean is a water wonderland
with whales and dolphins, turtles and colourful
tropical fish on the coral reefs
The
Greater St Lucia area is renowned for its prolific
birdlife including flamingoes, pelicans, herons,
ducks, geese, storks and numerous resident and
migrant birds. |
SEASONS
Rainy Season: In this sub-tropical
area the climate gets hot and humid in the rainy
summer months of October to March and you may
witness some extravagant thunderstorms.
Dry Season: The dry season
lasts over winter from April to September and
the temperatures are very pleasant with warm
days and cool nights.
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GREATER
ST LUCIA SPECIALITIES
· Astounding scenery
· Prolific birdlife
· Hippos and crocs on
the estuary
· Coral reefs
· Turtles laying their
eggs on the beaches
· Wetlands
· Black rhino
· Variety of lodge accommodation
FACTS
This is a malarial area
KZN Wildlife administers this and all the other
parks in the province which are accessible to
the public on payment of entry fees.
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Follow the links below to South Africa's premier wildlife
regions and game reserves.
PRIVATE
SAFARI LODGES WE RECOMMEND IN THE ST LUCIA REGION |
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