St Lucia Wilderness Trail

St Lucia, KwaZulu Natal

The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park extends roughly from Sodwana Bay, Mkhuze Game Reserve and the Lower Mkuze Road in the north to Mapelane in the south; and from seaward edge of the marine reserves in the east to the western shores. It is a jigsaw puzzle of many pieces, each of which is a separately proclaimed conservation area. Following the link with Mkhuze Game Reserve, these areas have now been consolidated into one park of approximately 254,500ha.

	The St Lucia Wilderness Trail is a four night guided trail which starts from Bhangazi Base Camp which is situated approximately 44Km from St Lucia, not far from Cape Vidal. The first and last night of the trail are spent here while the other two nights are spent in tents in the wilderness area. The trails run Friday to Monday. Because of the high summer temperatures and high humidity levels these trails run from 1 April to the end of October each year.

			The trail takes in an extraordinary variety of habitats, from dune forests to seascapes with magnificent dunes to lakes and pans where Hippo and Crocodile lurk.

	The animal life of the area is also diverse and includes Rhino, Elephant, Hippo, Crocodile, Buffalo and numerous other species. The bird life is also very divers and special.

			Bhangazi Base Camp Accommodation consists of four two man tents, each containing mattresses, pillows, sheets and blankets. There is a fully equipped kitchen and a camp cook as well as limited fridge facilities, a shower with hot and cold running water and a flush toilet. Wilderness Trail Camp The second and third nights are spent in tents in the wilderness area. These tents are equipped with the same facilities as the base camp except that the cooking is done over an open fire. A hot water bucket shower is provide and toilet consists of a spade and a toilet roll.

Catering

Catering is provided in the form of three meals a day, starting with supper on the day of arrival and concluding with breakfast on the day of departure.

Conclusion

For those people who love guided wilderness trails this is a must, an unforgettable experience and well worth the traveling distance. The trail caters for eight people, so it is well worth making up a party of friends or otherwise book for yourself and share the experience with strangers that can become friends.

Bookings

Booking should be made through

 Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

PO Box 1306

Cascades 3202, Republic of South Africa

Telephone +27 (0) 33 845 1000 Fax +27 (0) 33 845 1001

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Website www.kznwildlife.com

Footprint Hiking Club

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