iSimangaliso Wetland Park was South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the natural backbone of the Elephant Coast. Stretching more than 220 km along the coast, it protects 21 linked ecosystems — lake, wetland, dune forest, beach, coral reef and offshore ocean — from Lake St Lucia in the south all the way to the Kosi Bay lakes on the Mozambique border.
Things to do in iSimangaliso
The park packs in an extraordinary range of activities: hippo and crocodile boat cruises on the St Lucia estuary, snorkelling and scuba diving at Sodwana Bay, whale watching in season, turtle tours to see nesting loggerhead and leatherback turtles, game drives past elephant, rhino and buffalo, and endless birding across the wetlands.
Key sections & how they connect
iSimangaliso is best understood as a string of destinations along the Route22 corridor — St Lucia and Cape Vidal in the south, the Eastern Shores game area, Sodwana Bay's dive reefs, Lake Sibaya, and the Kosi Bay lake system in the far north. Each has its own gate and character, and the route links them into one journey.
Accommodation & where to base yourself
Most travellers base themselves in St Lucia town for the southern park, and in Sodwana or Mbazwana for the diving and northern beaches. Route22 lists lodges, self-catering and camps at each anchor so you can plan multi-stop trips without backtracking.
Best time to visit
iSimangaliso is a year-round destination. Turtle-nesting tours run in summer (November to February), whale watching peaks in winter and spring, and the dry winter months are ideal for game viewing and comfortable diving conditions.
Planning a visit to iSimangaliso Wetland Park?
Find lodges, camps, tours and activities near iSimangaliso Wetland Park in the Route22 directory — or list your own business on the route.