St Lucia Palms Holiday Accommodation | Tourist attractions in St Lucia

St Lucia Palms Holiday Accommodation situated in St. Lucia

Brief History

St. Lucia was first named "Rio de la Medaos do Oura" (River of the dows of Gold) in 1554 by the survivors of the Portuguese Ship Saint Benedict. It was then that the Tugela river mouth was actually known as St. Lucia.
Later, in 1575, the Tugela river was properly named Tugela.
On 13 December 1575, the day of the feast of Saint Lucy, Manuel Peresterello renamed the mouth area to Santa Lucia.
In 1822 St. Lucia was proclaimed a township by the British.
In 1895 St. Lucia was proclaimed a Game Reserve.
In 1971, St Lucia Lake, the turtle beaches and coral reefs of Maputaland were listed by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (RAMSAR).
In December 1999 The Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Introduction

With more than 530 species of birds, this is a bird watchers paradise. The Hluhluwe and Umfolozi game reserves are 55 kms away – close enough for a day trip. St Lucia offers game viewing, self guided walks, Hippo and Crocodile launch tours, picnicking, swimming, fishing, boating, snorkeling, ski boat launch site as well as seasonal Turtle tours and Whale watching trips. What about a night drive to view turtles with dinner served on the beach? a visit our famous crocodile centre and snake park? or let us organize you a round of golf, a game of tennis or squash at our nearby Monzi Country Club or take a long walk on our golden beaches. Simply as at reception.

Walking distance to all the local shops and restaurants, Elephant Lake is the perfect location for your holiday to St Lucia.

Flamingo Holiday Flats is associated with Elephant Lake Hotel - our brother accommodation establishment.

Bird watchers paradise

The largest estuarine system in Africa with an area of 325 square kilometres, situated in coastal Kwazulu-Natal. The shallow waters attract large numbers of water birds. There are mud flats, reed beds, flood plains and a well-wooded shoreline. Due to the size of the lake it is not possible to get access throughout. We visit an area on the western shore where there is a superb lodge overlooking the flood plain at False Bay.

Target species: Pink-throated Longclaw, Lemon-breasted Canary, African Broadbill, Green Coucal, Crested Guineafowl, Pink-backed Pelican, Brown Robin, Yellowspotted Nicator, Saddlebilled Stork, Neergard’s Sunbird and Pink-throated Twinspot.
Tours can be organized by:

Lawson's Tours
Email: lawsons@cis.co.za
Tel: +27 (0)13 741 2458

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi game reserve

The Hluhluwe and Umfolozi reserves were founded in 1895 and are the oldest such sanctuaries in Africa. It was here that theworld- acclaimed Operation Rhino was introduced during the 1960s, successfully capturing and relocating white rhino to havens within South Africa and abroad. As a result, this country's white rhino population is now 12 times the 1960 count of 500. Today a single park, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi is focusing its efforts on saving the endangered black rhino, whose number in Africa has dwindled from 14 000 to a pitiful 2 550 in the past decade. You'll find at least a fifth of the world's black and white rhino population here.

This park is located in central Zululand. From the north, leave the N2 at the Hluhluwe off-ramp. At the stop street turn right and cross over the freeway, follow this tar road for about 14 Km to the memorial gate, the northern entrance to the reserve.

Coming from the south, cross the bridge over the Umfolozi river on the main north coast road (N2), and take the Umfolozi Game Reserve turnoff, 3km north of the Mtubatuba turnoff. From the north the signboard is opposite the Mtubatuba turn off on the right. Take the tarred Nongoma road for 27km, before turning off left to the Nyalazi gate. Follow the signposts to Umfolozi. The reserve may also be approached from Vryheid, either via Nongoma and Hlabisa, (but most of the route is gravel), or via the tarred road to Ulundi, then take the gravel road to the Cengeni gate, which is 24km from Mpila Camp.

Besides the big five - Rhino,Elephant, Leopard, Lion And Buffalo, There is an astonishing variety of wildlife to ensure a fascinating encounter for the visitor.

KZN Wildlife offers lodge or self-catering accommodation at Mtwazi, Hilltop, Muntulu and Munyawaneni in the Hluhluwe section of the park. In theUmfolozii section accommodation is provided at Masinda,Mpila, Sontuli, Nselweni, Gqoyeni, Hlathikhulu, Mpila, Sontuli, Nselweni,Gqoyeni and Hlathikhulu camps.

KZN Wildlife
Tel: +27 (0)33 845 1000
Fax: +27 (0)33 845 100
website: www.kznwildlife.com

Boating & Fishing

Experience the essence of Africa on Lake St Lucia "a World Heritage Site", aboard Born Free & Fannas "Spirit of St Lucia" where the five eco-systems come together.

On board you will be hosted by your skippers and guides in South Africa’s first World Heritage Site. The tour takes approximately two hours to explore the Estuary, starting from the mouth area near Honeymoon Bend to the second narrows. This environmental life link connects the Lake to the Indian Ocean. It serves as a highway providing a migratory route for a variety of organisms, so there is always something happening. Hippopotami and crocodiles are the main attraction, while a wide variety of bird-life is a treat for avid bird watchers and naturalists alike. Mangrove swamps line the shores, fish dart to and fro over the shallow mudbanks catching prawns.

Between the 2 boats, we can now accommodate 60 people per tour, ‘Fannas - The Spirit of St Lucia’ tour boat, is one of a kind, designed with ample space, comfort and viewing in mind. Whilst ‘Born Free’ is designed for comfortable viewing with personalised attention.. It is powered by quiet smoke-free four stroke "Yamaha" motors to enable a much closer experience with the wildlife. A licensed bar service and toilet facilities are available on board both boats.

With our new kitchen and dining facilities on board Fannas, we now offer an improved menu consisting of hot meals made up of scrumptious fish and meat dishes. Our boat is ideally equipped to cater for office parties, conferences, birthday parties or weddings. We also cater for that romantic full moon tour! Please, however, do remember to make bookings in advance.

St. Lucia Safari Tours
Tel: +27 35 590 1047/1363/1174
Fax: + 27 35 590 1009/1084
After hours: 083 283 1528
Email: safaris@stlucia.co.za

Whale watching

(June to November)

As the Sole Permit Holder for WHALE WATCHING ADVENTURES, in St. Lucia, ADVANTAGE CHARTERS now offers YOU the once in a lifetime opportunity to see these magical creatures of the ocean. An absolute ADVENTURE with Satisfaction guaranteed.

In the safe hands of Danie Bennett you will be taken through the waves to see these gigantic mammals.

The weight of these Whales is 40 to 60 Ton (6 000 kg) yet you will witness how gentile and clam these mammals play and move around the boat. From just 50 meters form the boat you can feel the wind rushing out of the huge lungs of Southern Right Whales and Humpback Whales as they spray a fine vapor of salt water into the air.

These Goliath whales are on route to Mozambique and stop early in our waters to show off there amazing qualities.

On our tour you will have ample opportunity of seeing these perfect creatures up close as well as numerous other sea dwells like, Dolphins, Sharks, Ray, turtles and more. This experience will touch your heart and soul.

ADVANTAGE CRUISER & CHARTER
Tel: +27 (0)35 5901259 or 5901199
Cell: +27 (0)82 879 4261 (Danie)
Email: advantage@zululink.co.za

Whale Breaching

Turtle tours, Crocodile centre and Snake Park

Please ask the St Lucia Palms reception to organize these tours for you, please go to our contact details.

LeatherBack Turtle

… for Accommodation information, click here.

eMarketing Solution by Deep Current