Excursion Bird watching trek - isimangaliso wetlands park tour at Richards Bay

Experience some of the finest bird-watching in all of South Africa during this panoramic, half-day nature excursion at the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park.

Richards Bay, iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, Lake St. Lucia, Bird-Watching, Abundant Bird Species

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.30-hour drive north to the beautiful iSimangaliso Wetlands Park (formerly St. Lucia Wetlands Park). Upon arrival and after a brief comfort stop, begin your picturesque, approximately two-hour bird-watching trek with an experienced nature guide. The lake is dotted with marshy, sandbank islands that are home to thousands of birds, with over 526 different bird species extant in the St. Lucia Wetlands Reserve.

Waterbuck, Reedbuck, Hippos, Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Reserve

St. Lucia offers birders some of Zululand's best birdwatching. With hundreds of species recorded in the area, you can be assured of some great birding in one of South Africa's most bio-diverse areas. Birding on foot with waterbuck and reedbuck grazing in the background, and hippos snorting from the pans, makes for an unforgettable birding experience. Established in 1895, the greater St. Lucia Wetlands Reserve is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of South Africa's oldest reserves. The lake itself covers an area of approximately 93,900 acres (about 38,000 hectares), and is one of South Africa's most important waterbird-breeding areas.

Refreshments & Snacks

Following your bird-watching trek, enjoy some refreshments, snacks, and comfort stop. At the conclusion of your tour, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 1.30-hour drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Richards Bay, iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, Bird-Watching Trek, St. Lucia Wetlands Reserve, Birdlife & Wildlife Species, Waterbuck, Reedbuck, Hippos, Refreshments

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 0.4 miles-0.7 miles (about 0.65-1.1 kilometres), at times over uneven, bumpy, gravel, sandy, and natural surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach. This tour is not suitable for guests prone to motion sickness, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, insect repellent, a light, weatherproof jacket, bottled water, and local currency or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Guests must be at least 6 years old to participate on this tour; minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years old. Guests must carry their passports and ship’s ID at all times. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Guests are not permitted to use cellular phones during the bird-watching trek. Guests are not permitted to speak loudly, as this disturbs the animals. Smoking is not permitted during the bird-watching trek. Although frequently encountered on this type of tour, wildlife and bird sightings are not guaranteed. Due to the prevailing weather conditions and movement of dangerous wildlife at iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, the tour sequence, timings, and itinerary are subject to change without prior notice. A signed waiver is required to participate on this tour. The driving time between the pier and iSimangaliso Wetlands Park is approximately 1.25-1.5 hours in each direction.