St Lucia’s Hippo Cruises & Big 5 Safaris
Your expert guides to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park & Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve.
Experience the wild heart of KwaZulu-Natal. From unforgettable boat tours on the St Lucia Estuary to thrilling game drives in Africa’s oldest reserve, we place you at the centre of the action.
About Us
St Lucia Tours is operated by FANNAS Hippo & Croc Tours. A dedicated local team with deep roots in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Our guides and skippers are the same professionals who have earned a top-rated reputation for running one of the most established hippo and crocodile cruises on the St Lucia Estuary. We bring that same level of expertise and deep knowledge of the local wildlife to every tour.
Our commitment is to your safety and providing an authentic safari experience. We are a fully licensed and insured operator with all required permits. Every guide is FGASA-certified, and our skippers are experts in navigating the estuary. We believe in providing a personal, informative, and memorable adventure, connecting you with the best of this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site.
St Lucia Estuary Hippo & Croc Cruise
Join our 2-hour guided boat tour for guaranteed close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and rich birdlife in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
This boat cruise is the essential St Lucia experience and a must-do for any visitor. You’ll board our comfortable and safe vessel for a two-hour journey on the iSimangaliso Wetland Park’s famous estuary, a waterway teeming with life. This is your best and safest opportunity to see these incredible wild animals in their natural habitat.
Our expert local guides, who have spent years navigating these waters, will share fascinating insights as they guide you to the estuary’s prime viewing spots.
With multiple departures daily, we make it easy to fit this unforgettable adventure into your schedule.
Cruise Tour Highlights:
Guaranteed Hippo Pods: Get up close (from a safe distance!) to Africa’s largest population of hippos. Watch them lounge, play, and interact in their family pods.
Giant Nile Crocodiles: Spot massive Nile crocodiles basking on the estuary banks or gliding silently through the water.
Abundant Birdlife: The estuary is a RAMSAR-declared wetland and a paradise for birders. Keep your camera ready for African Fish Eagles, herons, kingfishers, and many other species.
Expert Commentary: Our guides aren’t just skippers; they are passionate experts who bring the estuary to life with facts and stories.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Big 5 Safari
Embark on a full-day or half-day game drive in Africa’s oldest reserve, home to the Big 5, wild dogs, cheetahs, and incredible biodiversity.
step into a world-famous wilderness, a vast landscape of rolling green hills, dense bushveld, and winding rivers that defines the heart of historic Zululand. The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is not just a safari destination; it’s a living piece of conservation history. As Africa’s oldest proclaimed game reserve, its global significance is profound.
This is the very ground where the “Operation Rhino” conservation effort was born, a legendary initiative that single-handedly saved the Southern White Rhino from the brink of extinction. Today, the park is a thriving sanctuary, offering one of the most diverse and rewarding wildlife experiences in all of KwaZulu-Natal.
Our experienced field guides, masters in tracking and interpreting animal behaviour, will lead you deep into this 96,000-hectare reserve.
You’ll travel in a specialized open safari vehicle, meticulously designed to provide unobstructed, 360-degree views. This isn’t just about seeing the animals; it’s about a full sensory experience—hearing the snap of a twig, smelling the wild sage on the air, and feeling the thrill of discovery.
To ensure you get the perfect safari, we offer flexible options to suit your schedule. Choose an immersive Full-Day Safarito explore the park’s most remote corners and varying landscapes, or select a concentrated Half-Day Game Drive(available in the morning or afternoon) for an intense wildlife experience.
Both options provide exceptional viewing and photographic opportunities.
Big 5 Safari Tour Highlights:
Search for the Big 5: Your guide will expertly track the park’s most famous residents: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, and both White and Black Rhino.
Open Safari Vehicles: Travel in a custom-built 4×4 safari vehicle designed for safety and optimal game viewing, offering 360-degree views.
Expert Field Guides: All our guides are FGASA-certified. They will share their deep knowledge of the park’s ecology, animal behaviour, and history.
Ready to track the Big 5? Ask us about our full-day and half-day safari options.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park Tours
From the famous “Bush & Beach” safari to Cape Vidal, to thrilling nocturnal adventures and specialized birding tours, discover the park’s incredible diversity.
Cape Vidal Bush & Beach Safari
Experience two worlds in one. This full-day adventure combines a thrilling game drive through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park’s Eastern Shores with relaxing beach time at Cape Vidal.
First, we’ll track 4 of the Big 5 (leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) through lush coastal forests and grasslands. Then, we head to the pristine Cape Vidal bay to swim, relax, or snorkel in the protected rock pools (gear provided). It’s the perfect blend of a bush safari and a beach getaway.
St Lucia Night Drive Safari
Discover the secrets of the bush after dark. When the sun sets, the park’s nocturnal animals emerge. Join our 2-3 hour guided drive in an open vehicle with powerful spotlights to find a different world of wildlife.
We’ll search the Eastern Shores for elusive leopards, hippos grazing on land, chameleons, nightjars, and shy genets. This is a unique and thrilling way to experience the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
St Lucia Birding Tours
With over 500 resident and migratory species, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a world-renowned birding hotspot. Our specialized birding tours are led by expert guides who know exactly where to find the park’s most sought-after species.
Whether you’re on the estuary boat or on a drive, we’ll help you spot African Fish Eagles, Mangrove Kingfishers, Pink-backed Pelicans, and countless others. Let us know your “must-see” list, and we’ll help you find it.
Ocean & Land Adventures
From deep sea fishing to beach horse rides and guided bush walks, experience St Lucia’s wild side.
Ready for a hands-on thrill? For those who want to get even closer to the action, these tours let you experience the wild coast and bushveld in a more personal and active way. Choose your adventure below.
Deep Sea Fishing Charters
Join our local skippers for a world-class fishing adventure. We offer half-day and full-day charters targeting Marlin, Tuna, and Sailfish. All tackle, bait, and safety gear provided.
Beach & Bush Horse Safaris
Experience the park’s beauty from a new perspective. Our guided horse rides are perfect for all skill levels, taking you along pristine beaches and scenic bush trails.
Guided Walking Safaris
Connect with the bush on an intimate level. Our certified guides lead you on safe trails to track animals and identify local plants, insects, and birdlife. A true sensory safari.
Whether you’re ready to go deep sea fishing, ride on the beach, or walk the trails, our team is ready to help you.
Contact us below to secure your date.