The Western Shores section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park was opened to visitors a lot more recently than most other parts of the Park, and in many ways it is still being rehabilitated to its natural state – in fact there are still several exotic eucalyptus plantations in this area that still need to be harvested.
Just about 2km outside of St. Lucia town, on the main road to Mtubatuba, visitors will find the Dukuduku Gate providing quick and easy access to this interesting area. Unfortunately during our visit early in November Charter’s Creek was off limits due to flooding, but there’s other very rewarding areas where visitors can stretch their legs at: uBhejane Picnic Spot, kuMgandankawu Hide and uMthoma Aerial Boardwalk. The road network, while still rather limited, provides access to various interesting habitats and the birds and animals that find refuge there.
Buffalo at sunrise
Blue Wildebeest
Waterbuck bull(seye)
Bluegum Plantation on the Western Shores of Lake Saint Lucia
Yellow-throated Longclaw
Waterbuck bull
Giraffes
Giraffe youngster
A serene corner of uBhejane Picnic Site
Young African Jacana
Blue Wildebeest and Bluegum plantation on the Western Shores of Lake Saint Lucia
Crested Francolin
Tailor Ant nest
Pathway to the uMthoma Aerial Boardwalk
uMthoma Aerial Boardwalk
View from the uMthoma Aerial Boardwalk towards the marshes on the banks of Lake Saint Lucia
Female Spectacled Skimmer dragonfly
Nyala bull
Tailor Ants
Broad-billed Roller
Kwelamadoda Pan on the Western Shores of Lake Saint Lucia
Giraffe bull
Yellow Floating Heart
African Jacana
Black-bellied Bustard in soaring display flight
Spur-winged Geese
Spur-winged Geese
White-faced Whistling Ducks
Family of White-faced Whistling Ducks
Collared Pratincole
Looking out over Lake Saint Lucia and the forested dunes on Indian Ocean coast
Hamerkop close-up
Bushbuck ram
Typical scenery on the Western Shores of Lake Saint Lucia
Wild Date Palms
Buffalo Bulls and Red-billed Oxpeckers
Alert young Buffalo bull
Buffalo calf
African Marsh Harrier coursing over Kwelamadoda Pan
Water Lily
Fulvous Whistling Ducks
Fulvous Whistling Ducks
Great White Egret struggling to swallow a Tilapia
Lesser Striped Swallow
Reed Cormorant at the uMphathe Bridge
Southern Reedbuck ram
Papyrus flowerhead
If you are interested in visiting St. Lucia and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, remember that De WetsWild can assist you with reservations in the Eden Park and Sugarloaf Campsites in town or at wonderful Cape Vidal set on the Indian Ocean in the Eastern Shores section of the Park.
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DeWetsWild 
Pragtige foto van die kameelperde en ek hou altyd van ‘n “boardwalk” waarvandaan ‘n mens ‘n uitsig het! Ag, en die water lelies is net so mooi … o, en stunning foto van die naaldekoker! Hier’s werklik so baie diere om te sien en julle het hulle mooi “gekiekie” 🙂.
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iSimangaliso is regtig n wonderlike plek – volgende keer wat julle Sodwana besoek moet julle tog n paar dae afknyp om die res van die Park te besoek, van uMkhuze tot by St. Lucia.
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Dis darem die plan, hoor!
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Dit maak my hart sommer baie bly om dit te hoor!
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I love them all but the egret with the fish is cool. However, the ant nest is my favorite and (to me) the most unique.
Just catching up with the first day of the Cape Town 7’s. On the last women’s game, then one men’s game before we see if the Bokke can keep up their great play. 🙂
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Looks like it is going to be a huge sporting weekend this! Rugby 7s, rugby 15s, cricket and soccer all on the menu!
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We didn’t get to the last two men’s games so Bokke tomorrow for us.
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Loved the color and markings on the swallow!
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In real life you would’ve been able to add their sweet voice to that mix as well, Siobhan
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Gorgeous shot of the Swallow (not the Egret one 😁)
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😀
Thanks, Brian!
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Of course I have enjoyed seeing all of these photographs, but the tailor ant nest is particularly interesting.
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Thank you very much, Anne! For me seeing the ants “stitching” their nests together was also a real highlight!
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I see the Great Egret swallowing s tilapia, it may struggle but that fish will get down! Thanks, D. 🙂
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I agree with you, H.J. A very impressive feat!
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The egret maybe bit off more than it could chew? 🤨
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I think it would eventually manage to swallow that fish, Lois. Whether it would want to have desert afterwards I doubt…
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