Description of the attraction
The Isimangaliso Wetland Area, known as the Santa Lucia Conservation Area, is located on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. It was renamed in November 2007 when a number of other ecosystems were combined to its territory. Isimangaliso means "miracle" in Zulu. In the future, Isimangaliso Park should be integrated into the Ponta do Ouro Cosi Bay border reserve, capturing the territories of three countries - South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland. In the future, it is planned to introduce it into the Loubombo Great Transboundary Reserve.
Currently, the reserve has 280 km of unspoiled coastline and covers an area of 328,000 hectares with magnificent landscapes. The park encompasses a vast mosaic of lands, ranging from coral reefs and coastal forest beaches, swampy areas, seawater and freshwater around Lake St. Lucia, to lush coastal plains and verdant forests. This amazingly beautiful place in South Africa is located in the coastal plain near the cities of St. Lucia, Mtubatumba, Hluhluwe, Mkuze, Mbaswana and Manguzi. This zone is located between the temperate zone in the south and the tropics in the north. Many plant and animal species are endemic to this coastal plain.
The park has been declared a World Heritage Site because of its rich biodiversity, bringing together several unique ecosystems of amazing beauty located in a relatively small area. The huge diversity of flora and fauna is due to the large number of different ecosystems, ranging from coral reefs and sandy beaches to subtropical forests, savannas and wetlands. The reserve is inhabited by leopards, black and white rhinoceros, buffalo, antelopes, zebras. Whales, dolphins and sea turtles can be seen in the coastal waters of the park. Since 2001, elephants have appeared in the reserve. The park is also home to 1200 Nile crocodiles and 800 hippos. In December 2013, after 44 years of absence, lions were brought into the reserve.
The coastal area of the park is also rich in a large number of underwater reefs that are home to colorful fish and corals. The largest variety of corals in the world is located in Sodwana Bay, located within the reserve. The reefs are also inhabited by octopuses and squids. On the banks of the park, you can sometimes see a giant whale shark gliding through the water. Lake Saint Lucia, which forms a significant part of the park, is home to 24 species of bivalve molluscs.
More than 500 different bird species inhabit or fly through the reserve's wetland system throughout the year. The park is also home to several species of frogs, vipers and a wide variety of snake species found in the coastal subtropical forest.
The park is a popular destination for tourists. Here you can go fishing, boating, bird watching, diving, or pick up a camera and try to capture the wonderful world of the reserve.
