St. Lucia Estuary
St. Lucia Estuary · kwazulu-natal
About
No whitewater, but the St. Lucia Estuary in KwaZulu-Natal is Africa's largest estuarine system and holds World Heritage status, encompassing 5 different eco-systems. Honeymoon Bend islands, 1km up from the estuary mouth, offer plentiful fish eagles, mangrove kingfishers, and crocodile and hippo sightings. Catalina Bay sits in the main lake about 15km from the mouth where the zigzag narrows open into the lake proper. Paddlers can access flamingo and wader habitat, and a short mid-paddle walk into the grasslands may yield waterbuck, kudu, wildebeest and zebra. Elephants have been introduced, making 4 of the Big 5 present. Lake Bhangazi, behind Cape Vidal, is a freshwater system fed by underground springs and the Mfabeni sedge swamps. Bird species from kingfishers to jacanas are abundant; the rare samango monkey, hippos and crocodiles are also present. Cape Vidal beach offers a protected bay suitable for snorkelling and beginner surf paddling on clear water.