Category: Elephant Coast

St Lucia Estuary – Horse Riding iSimangaliso Wetlands Park

May. 09 St Lucia Estuary 1 comment
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The Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park

iSimangaliso World Heritage Site

Elephant Coast South Africa

Enquiries 083 584 7473

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When Horse Riding for either novices or ‘old hands’ there are few places in the world you can ride in an area as unspoiled or beautiful as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KZN.
All our rides are accompanied by a lead and backup rider allowing us to split the group at times to be able to cater each ride to each individuals experience level. From the beach edge of the Indian Ocean across the game reserve to the shores of Lake St Lucia Estuary there are many things to discover on every ride..

Beach Rides – 1 or 2 hours

Our beach rides start at the Main Beach in St Lucia.


download (1)We take the horses down to the waters edge and head either north towards First Rocks or south towards the St Lucia Estuary, riding alongside kilometres of clean white sand with the Indian Ocean rolling in alongside.

During the whale season (May-Nov) we sometimes see humpbacks breaching out in the deeper water on their way to the breeding grounds in Mozambique and from Nov to March we search for the tracks of turtles who dug their nests above the high tide mark in the warm sand the night before.

The rest of the year we have to make do with dolphins playing in the surf, hippo pods relaxing in the estuary, crocodiles sunning themselves on the sandy banks or just the amazing views along the beach to the highest forested sand dunes in Africa. Our beach rides are low tide dependent.

?We can ride on the beach two hours either side of low tide as to not damage anything living in the soft sand nor possibly harm the horses.

?Game Rides – 1 or 2 hours

Our game rides begin at Iphiva, a 5 minute drive from the centre of St Lucia.
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download (3)From here we ride into the  Game Reserve on the southern end of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park where we ride alongside zebra, wildebeest, bushbuck, warthog, duiker, impala etc with occasional sightings of rhino, buffalo and our elusive leopard.
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By being so unobtrusive on horseback, we are able to view game from just meters away without interrupting their normal behaviour.
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This is the perfect start for a novice, children or game viewing enthusiasts, as it gentle ride with lots of interest along the way.
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Our game rides can take place at any time of day that suits you.

***Our only limitations are that riders must be over 8 years of age and under 95kg.

On offer -
A 1 hour beach or game ride R250pp
A 2 hour beach or game ride R500pp
A 2.5 hour beach and game combined ride R650pp
 
Our game rides can take place at anytime and start at iPhiva. We ride in the nature reserve section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park alongside zebra, wildebeest, impala etc. With occasional sightings of buffalo and rhino (we see them through the fence). Its a lovely ride, with a lot of interest along the way. Perfect for people who are a little apprehensive about riding a horse – as it is a slower ride.
Our beach rides can only take place 2 hours either side of low tide, as to not injure the horses in the soft sand, or any of the organisms that live in the high tide mark. We start at the main beach car park, and either head north to first rocks (usually for the 2 hour rides) or south to Lake St Lucia in search of hippos and crocs resting on the banks there. The beach ride is great for “riders” who would like to go a little faster.

4u2Stay – Let Your Holiday Find you

Mobile +27 81 342 7371

Fax + 27 86 594 9830

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Ndiza Lodge You will find Ndiza Lodge & Cabanas nestled onto the verge of the Wetlands. With easy access to the restaurants, supermarkets and rest of the town yet private and quiet. Contact: http://www.ndizalodge.co.za/ Amanda de Gaspary 083 442 1896 Email: info@ndizastlucia.co.za

 

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