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If you need to inform, educate, motivate or promote, look no further:
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If you need to inform, educate, motivate or promote, look no further:
“The St. Lucia Wetland Park must be the only place on the globe where the world's oldest land mammal (the rhinoceros) and the world's biggest terrestrial mammal (the African elephant) share an ecosystem with the world's oldest fish (the coelacanth) and the world's biggest marine mammal (Whale)"
Former South African President Nelson Mandela, 10th August 2001.
The Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park is a United Nations World Heritage Site located on the Indian Ocean coast of South Africa near the borders with Mozambique and Swaziland. The park encompasses several different conservation areas centered on Lake St. Lucia, its tidal estuary, neighbouring game reserves, and the St. Lucia Marine Reserve, which extends offshore into the Mozambique Strait. The oldest of the reserves within this park, St. Lucia Game Reserve, was established in 1895.
Like many tidal estuaries, Greater St. Lucia has diverse wildlife reflecting the concentration of diverse ecosystems created by variations in the degree of salinity from season to season, year to year, and location to location within the park. The estuary is the largest in Africa and boasts, among other attractions, the world’s largest forested sand dunes, which reach up to 600 feet. Swamps along the border of the lake, and “sponge” areas are fed by water seeping through the dunes; these provide critical refuges to freshwater life when the lake salinity is particularly high.
Though less well known than larger southern African parks like Kruger National Park and the Okavango Delta, St. Lucia supports more species, and for some, St. Lucia is critical habitat. These include the white-backed and pink-backed pelican, greater and lesser flamingos, fish eagles, and some 530 other bird species. It is also home to the largest population of hippopotamus in South African parks. Elephants were reintroduced in 2001. Two sea turtle species use the beaches for laying eggs. The coastal reserve includes not only beaches but offshore coral reefs, and humpback whales migrate along this section of the coast. It is the one park in Africa where you can find hippopotamus, crocodiles, and sharks all in the same area.
But of all the interesting species in the area, perhaps none is as exotic, exciting, and peculiar as the coelacanth. It is a fish species from millions of years ago that was known to scientists from fossil records and presumed to have been extinct until a live specimen was found in a trawler net in 1938 just off the African coast. Scientists have since found a number of these bizarre four-legged fish in very deep, rocky, marine environments, but it is still a very rare fish and protected under international law. On November 27, 2000, three living specimens of coelacanth were found and photographed in a submarine canyon off the coast near Sodwana Bay inside the UN World Heritage Site, adding this living fossil to the collection of species known to live in the St. Lucia Reserve.
Source : earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/...
Sun, Sea, Sand & Safari All in One Area!
The Elephant coast (which includes the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park & surrounding big 5 game reserves) incorporates a staggering 21 Eco-systems. The area is alive with adventure, has a wealth of birdlife, marine life, blessed with a pristine coastline, rich in history with unrivalled adventure and eco-tourism opportunities.
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Conferencing Need Not Be Boring !!!!
Seasands Lodge has been a favourite with South African and overseas leisure & business visitors for the past fifteen years. A Lodge of this nature is a rare find on the sought after Elephant Coast of KwaZulu-Natal and is within easy reach of the major cities and the newly booming metropolitan areas of Richards Bay and Empangeni. The lodge adjoins the rich diversity of Zululand’s wetland lakes and forests, while the sea and game reserves are a mere stones throw away. In fact hippo, leopard and a myriad of smaller mammals are residents or frequent visitors to the gardens of St Lucia! All this makes for a highly versatile and interesting venue for different corporate themes. We offer bed & breakfast, self catering option & an in-house Restaurant for lunch & dinner)
THE FACILITY AND SERVICES
Seasands Lodge boasts 24 x one-bedroom en-suite air-conditioned lodges, 4 x two-bedroom en-suite air-conditioned lodges, 2 x two-bedroom cottages - accommodating 60 plus. Any overflow of delegates is billeted in nearby lodges & B&B’s.
Seasands Lodge offers two superbly appointed conference facilities, a swimming pool and deck overlooking the wetland, a 150-seater A La Carte restaurant serving a wide choice of seafood and traditional South African cuisine; a comfortable executive lounge, bar and deck with views to the sea. The atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed with service to all areas.
Seasands Conference facility has hosted major national & international workshops with delegates representing a host of countries. The dining facility has also been the choice of the current Zulu Monarch - King Goodwill Zwelitini. Senior Government ministers & members of the current NEC have attended conferences with respective newsworthy press releases sent out from the Seasands Conference facility. The Lodge recently hosted our Deputy President.
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INDABA AUDITORIUM
The Indaba Auditorium is equipped with a data projector, surround sound system for movie screenings and presentations. Ideal for workshops, conferencing, teambuilding & functions
Standard equipment provided:
· Overhead digital data projector with DVD & VCR, wireless audio system and big screen
· Overhead projector
· Flip Charts
· White board
· Fully air-conditioned
· Personalised Folders and pens
· Ice Water & Mints
Seating capacities:
· 60 delegates School room style
· 100 delegates Cinema Style
· 38 delegates Outer U-shape
· 62 delegates Inner and outer U-shape
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The Executive Lounge
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The Indaba Restaurant
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The Conference Auditorium
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LAPA CONFERENCE ROOM
The Lapa conference room is a smaller facility with views, a cocktail bar and open deck overlooking the wetland. This makes it ideal for smaller conferences and functions.
Standard equipment provided:
· Digital Projector with DVD & VCR, wireless audio system & big screen
· Overhead Projector
· Flip chart
· White board
· Personalised Pads and pens
· Fully air conditioned
· Ice Water & mints
Seating capacities:
· 18 pax U-Shape
· 46 pax Classroom Style
FOR THE DISCERNING HOLIDAY MAKER
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The Elephant Coast - St. Lucia South Africa - Seasands Lodge & Conference Centre
Accommodation – Our Lodge accommodation is serviced daily and consists of a large bedroom cum lounge ala Holiday Inn, full bathroom & shower, fully kitted out kitchenette and veranda with garden furniture. All Lodges have ceiling fans and are air conditioned, with individual balconies. Equipped for self catering or dine in our restaurant.
Conference Centre – Our conference facility is a 1200 square meter facility which includes:-
Pool - Relax around our sparkling swimming pool overlooking the wetlands below with sundowners from our bar. Loungers & chairs on the deck surrounding the pool are provided for your comfort.
Tropical setting – Seasands Lodge accommodation has been designed around existing indigenous and exotic trees, cycads and palms, lush green vegetation creating stunning picturesque surroundings.
Peace & tranquillity – Seasands Lodge is situated away from the busy main road of St. Lucia, but within walking distance to restaurants and amenities in the village. The tropical garden
Secluded Braai area – Watch the bush babies in the Marula trees above the barbecue while traditional South African cuisine is prepared on sizzling coals with our friendly bar staff serving drinks around the fire. (For barbecue evenings)
Restaurant & Bar with wooden deck – Wooden walkways from the Lodges lead to the centre of the complex which consists of the dining room & bar overlooking the wetlands. Our dinner speciality is fish & traditional South African cuisine. A light lunch menu is also available. Here breakfast is served daily on a buffet style basis.
Laundry facility - On site and same day washing & ironing service is available daily.
ACTIVITIES IN ST. LUCIA & SURROUNDS
Seasands Lodge is nestled between the St Lucia Estuary, the Indian Ocean and The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and is an ideal point from which to explore South Africa’s first World Heritage Site. The region is blessed with an all round summer, making it comfortable throughout the year.
· BIG 5 game drives - Hulhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve
· Wetland Park - Cape Vidal game drive (4 of the BIG 5)
· Cape Vidal Night Drives
· Marine mammal experience
· Whale watching
· Giant Turtle Tours
· Guided BIG 5 walking trails
· Self guided walking trails
· Excellent Birding
· Estuary boat cruises/Hippo & Croc Boat Safari
· Crocodile sanctuary
· Kayaking
· Snorkeling
· Scuba Diving
· Deap Sea fishing
· Fly Fishing
· Mountain Bike trails
· Quad Bike Trails
· Daytrips to Tembe Elephant Park, Sodwana Bay, Mkuze Game Reserve, Tiger Fishing at Lake Jozini
· Community operated Zulu Cultural Village ( Veyane Village)
· Trips to various historical sites
· Curios, carfts and shopping
· Conferencing
· Team Building
· Weddings
· Spa Treatment
· Golf at Monzi-, Umfolozi- and Kwambonambi Coutry Clubs
· Unspoiled Beaches
· Exotic Bird Park - Monzi
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How well do you know the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park?
Exceptional Biodiversity
Exceptional Ecological Processes
Exceptional Superlative scenic Beauty
As can be seen from the above, nothing here is forgotten about. Everything, whether living or dead has its place in this unique part of the world. YET, very few people actually have much knowledge of this paradise.
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For our Social responsibility program see our Home Page & click on Seasands Conference Centre - Social Responsibility project
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Isimangaliso Wetland Park - Count It's Blessings
For a visual tour of the facility visit our Home Page
Birding In St. Lucia Wetland Park
SUN, SAND, SEA & SAFARI ALL IN ONE AREA
Other Links in this site
Acknowledgements:
NASA - earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/...
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority for most of the images.