The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park stretches from Ponto de Ouro on the South African border with Mocambique to Cape St Lucia, approximately 200km north of Durban. The park encompasses a huge diversity of habitats - Marine Reserves, wetlands, Game Parks, beaches and cultural areas are just some of what can be found.

Mapelane Nature Reserve, St Lucia Estuary, St Lucia Game Reserve, Cape Vidal, False Bay Park, St Lucia Marine Reserve, Lake Sibaya, Maputaland Marine Reserve and Kosi Bay Nature Reserve all fall within this area. The choice is vast !

The area is considered critical to the survival of a large number of animals species,including South Africa's largest populations of hippopotamus, crocodile, white-backed pelican and pink-backed pelican.

The area is a mecca for birders, with more than 530 species of birds using the wetland and other areas of the lake region. These waters also are graced by 20,000 greater flamingos 40,000 lesser flamingoes as well as thousands of ducks.

With 36 species, this area has the highest diversity of amphibians in South Africa. Two species of sea turtles lay their eggs on the ocean shows of the eastern peninsula. Here, and nowhere else in the world, can one find hippopotamuses, crocodiles, and sharks.

Thompsons have been one of the first tour operators to see the tourism potential in the area, and have an office in Hluhluwe which is 50km away. We offer day tours, game drives and other activities in the area.