Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat  Verified Listing

Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat is nestled in the beautiful village of St Lucia, the only village in Southern Africa to be completely surrounded by a Natural World Heritage Site.

St. Lucia was first named in 1554 as "Rio de Arelas de Ouro" ("River of the sands of Gold") by the survivors of the Portuguese ship Saint Benedict. At this stage, only the Tugela River mouth was known as St. Lucia. Later, in 1575, the Tugela River was properly named Tugela. On 13 December 1575, the day of the feast of Saint Lucy, Manuel Peresterello renamed the whole mouth area to Santa Lucia. The 19th century saw extensive hunting for ivory, rhino horn, and hippo teeth. Fortunately, the ecological significance of the wildlife and fish resources were recognized and protected by declaring this area a Nature Reserve on 27th April 1897. This reserve included the Lake and some of the surrounding land. The original reserve of 36 826Ha is considered the oldest permanently declared reserve in Africa.

Today St Lucia is part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, covering an area of 332 000 hectares. (Formerly the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park).

In Zulu iSimangaliso means "Miracle or wonder", the words used by uJeqe, Zulu Emperor uShaka’s herbalist who entered this region in 1828 and reported seeing “miracles and beauty in the land of the Thonga”. In 1999 the same land that astonished uJeqe was voted the first of the 8 declared World heritage sites in South Africa by United Nations Educational, scientific & cultural organization: UNESCO.

Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat has 4 exclusive African style en-suite rooms all of which have a private patio leading onto a romantic tropical garden.

Suites are furnished with comfortable 2 extra-long twin beds or 1 extra-long king size bed.

All suites are equipped with bar fridge, LED TV, tea, and coffee making facilities, air conditioning, ceiling fans, window insect screens, wall safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, beach towels, and electrical heat blankets to keep you toasty warm during the winter nights.

All bathrooms are equipped with a large walk-in shower, a hand-wash basin and a relaxing Victorian free standing bath, toilet and shaving plugs are available - all in a beautiful unique open plan African styled design.

Discover the many treasures of the park. Guided tours in safari vehicles or self-drive tours in your own vehicle will give you the opportunity to discover an impressive variety of animals (hippos, crocodiles, black & white rhinos, zebras, wildebeest, elephants, giraffe, buffalo, leopards, hyenas, many species of antelope and a large array of birdlife), the rock pools at Mission Rocks, Cape Vidal, Bhangazi lake, a number of gravel roads (accessible with sedan cars) through the different ecosystems, short walks to beautiful lookout points with views of the Indian ocean, rolling grassland and lake St Lucia, will give you the opportunity to experience nature close up, to taste, smell and feel the bush.

After a full day of exploration, your exclusive and cozy room will fulfill your dreams. Wake up each morning with renewed energy, knowing that your heart and soul will be touched by the African spirit!

At Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat your country-style breakfast is served at the location of your choice: in the dining area inside, on the sundeck outside where exotic birds will welcome you, or on your private patio.

At this romantic retreat, all our guests have access to a large lit swimming pool with rim flow. A sundeck awaits you for the lazy afternoons.

The main lounge provides you with full DSTV, free WIFI and a small library where you can choose a book for a good read and relax on the comfortable sofas.

If you prefer, you can sit around the fire in the “boma”, the perfect place where tales of the day are told.

Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat is situated within a safe walking distance (just watch out for the hippos at night) from the main street where numerous restaurants are situated to cater all your desires.

* Big 5 game drives.
* Boat trips and sunset cruise.
* Whale watching.
* Turtle tours.
* Snorkeling from the beach.
* Boat-based snorkeling.
* Birding safaris.
* Walking trails.
* Cycling Trips.
* Horse riding.
* Deep sea fishing.
* Crocodile and snake center.
* Cultural tours.
* Golf, tennis, and squash.
* Kwalucia.