St Lucia Wetland Park - Sodwana Bay National Park

To the north of the St Lucia Wetland Park, on the shores of the Indian Ocean, is the Sodwana Bay National Park (area 413 ha/1,020ac). It is reached by turning off N 2 10km/6mi beyond Hluhluwe into a road signposted to Mbazwana, from which it is 25km/15mi to Sodwana. After heavy rain the last stretch of road may be difficult to negotiate in an ordinary car.

The coastal region is covered with forest. In swamp areas huge wild fig trees flourish. A touch of color is added by strelitzias or parrot-flowers. In addition to numerous species of birds the fauna includes bush pigs, antelopes and some species of snake. Off the coast are unspoiled coral reefs, a happy hunting ground for divers. There is accommodation for visitors in log cabins and on camping sites.