Eastern Shores Wilderness Trail

With its fresh-water pans, swamp forest and grasslands, this area hosts many sought-after avian species such as the pink-throated twinspot, rufous-bellied heron, Livingstone’s turaco, dwarf bittern and Rudd’s apalis. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park boasts four of the traditional Big-5, with a good chance of sighting leopard, elephant and hippo's on this trail. During winter months - migrating Humpback and Southern Right Whales can be spotted breeching along the coast. From mid-November to March, there is also the chance of seeing a Giant Leatherback or Loggerhead female coming ashore to lay her eggs; whilst hatchlings start making their dangerous passage back to the ocean from early Jan.

Our campfire cuisine will nourish your soul and your tum. Delicious, hearty dinners, cooked over an open fire, fresh breakfasts and trail lunches will all be provided.

You are encouraged to bring your own trail snacks, and a little alcohol can definitely be savoured in the evenings, but no excessive drinking will be allowed for safety reasons and to avoid detracting from the wilderness experience.

This is the ONLY Wilderness trail that we offer, that can be offered all year round! The Eastern Shores has a subtropical climate which generally means warm and humid summers, and mild dry winters. From April to September is the ideal hiking time for its mild days (average highs 23–26°C), lower humidity and least probablity of rain. But, if want to add the turtles to your sightings, then February is the most optimal month - as there is a possiblity of still seeing the females laying and the highest frequency of turtle hatchings.

There are some scheduled dates, so give us your date range, and we'll let you know what's going. BUt also, if you can arrange a minimum of 4 persons (maximum 8) - we will try to schedule a date as per your date request.

The Eastern Shores region of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, including St Lucia and Cape Vidal, is NOT considered a malaria-risk area, but some consider there to be a very low risk . Unless you are a higher risk candidate, most travellers do NOT consider using malaria prophylaxis, but simple mosquito avoidance practices (like using repellant spray) is always recommended - malaria or not!