Lesser Masked Weaver (fairly common local resident) which means they are seen 1-10 a day in suitable habitat only in restricted areas of that habitat breeding in SA -

Winter has it own charms, breathtakingly beautiful bright orange sunsets over the lake, warm sunny days and of course better fishing opportunities with the cooler ocean water. I really do not know how man (women too!) get up at first sunlight (or before) to go fishing from an ice cold beach. I can only manage that in summer, psychologically I cannot move below 15°. My father of 75 caught 2 Garrick so far this season and I am very appreciative to the selfless stronger men out there helping him land the fish. Shad is here, just waiting for the big ones, and be aware of the sharks out there too hunting the same fish as you.

This is all very exciting but all this fishing leaves a foul smell on the beach and between the rocks. I am referring to the litter of plastic, fishing line and the toxic cigarette butts. How difficult can be too put your litter (of any kind) in a rubbish bag to throw away in a more suitable environment for rubbish.

It breaks my heart to see crabs entangled in fishing line or birds starve to death due to plastic caps in their stomachs giving them a false sense of fullness. The baby fish are just starting out and the need to be in protected pool at this stage in their lives, now that little pool is contaminated with a cigarette.

It is always the parents’ responsibility to teach their children to respect nature and to preserve nature for the future. Children imitate parents more than they realise. It was my father who instilled this need to protect nature, he was the example. I remember him catch and release birds, spiders, mice rather than kill them. He would move pythons back into the forest after a meal so that people cannot see or hurt it when most vulnerable and slow. My point I had a good example and we had books about animals too.

My request to you is to pick-up shells washed up after a high tide, leave the living ones alone, and to put your litter in a bag not hide it in rock crevices. Look at the fish in the tidal pools and feed them if you like but do not disturb their little world. If you see someone abusing your heritage, explain to them in a friendly manner the impact of their actions. Take their insults like a man but I bet you they will think about your words next time.

Imelda Du Plessis
Manager – St Lucia Wilds
Self-Catering Holiday Accommodation
Tel/Fax: 035 590 1033 www.stluciawilds.co.za

PS: Think twice before you support illegal animal and plant trade or craft.
Please use our water sparingly and do not litter.
Special rates for September and October 2010, just ask.

Dear All

A full week of very successful HUMPBACK WHALE sightings and many satisfied clientele onboard the ADVANTAGE CHARTER boat-based-whale-watching vessel from St Lucia with extra additional sightings daily of Common and Bottlenose Dolphins.

This week saw us with a repeat sighting of a peculiar Humpback Whale that was spotted in 2009 during whale season with a unique marking, thus again just showing that the same family of whales use the same migratory route year after year.

Whale watching season lasts until the beginning of December, so please make sure to join this once-in-a-lifetime experience to see these gigantic mammals from as close as 50m’s.

For more information see our website: www.advantagetours.co.za

e-mail: advantage@zululink.co.za

cell: 083 487 2762

off : 035 5901259

…” LET’s GO WHALE WATCHING”…!!

Best Regards

Riette Bennett

Lodge Afriquè is a newly built 4 star Bed and Breakfast Guest House with eight free standing thatched suites each with full afro/Victorian bathroom. Lodge Afriquè can cater for up to 16 people at a time. The spacious and luxurious air conditioned suites each with a private outdoor shower leading of the patio is situated in a tropical garden with a sparkling pool. All the suites are connected to the Central Lodge by a raised wooden deck pathway over the beautiful garden.
Guests gather in the Central Lodge which includes the Breakfast, Bar, Braai and Leisure Area equipped with satellite television.

EMail: info@lodgeafrique.com

Telephone: 27 035 5901696

Fax: 27 035 5901696

web:www.lodgeafrique.com

So far this year we’ve been blessed with aweseme sightings of the gigantic 40ton Humpback Whale a mere 50m’s from the boat.

This is truly an experience of a lifetime, and yes, something on your must-to-do list that has to be ticked off.

These tours are done aboard the ADVANTAGE CHARTER boat in St Lucia, lasts 2hours on the ocean , but we need 3hours of your time to travel to-and-from the beach.

From the 1st of June until the end of Nov sightings are gauranteed, if you have not seen any whale after 2hours at sea, you get a 40% refund.

Whale greetings

Riette

Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat is nestled in the beautiful village of St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal, the only private village in Southern Africa to be completely surrounded by a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (Formerly the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park) .

Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat is the first 5-star Bed and Breakfast/Guest house in St Lucia. This a newly built exclusive African Safari Retreat is born from the combination of the Zulu spirit and the passion for unspoiled wilderness. We offer 4 exclusive African styled en suite guestrooms, all of which have each a private patio leading onto a romantic tropical garden with indigenous trees.

All suites are equipped with bar fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, air conditioning, ceiling fans, Digital wall safe, hairdryer and WiFi access point.

All bathrooms are equipped with spacious showers, wash hand basin and a relaxing Victorian free standing bath, bath robes, toilet and shaving plugs, all in a beautiful African style design.

After a wonderful day of unforgettable experiences in St. Lucia and the surrounding areas your luxury and cosy room will fulfil your dreams. Wake up in the morning knowing that each day will allow for the adventure and peace of Africa to enter your soul.

At Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat  hearty breakfast is served in the dining area in- or outside, overlooking the large rim flow pool, or on your request on your private patio.

At this romantic intimate Safari Retreat, all our guests have access to a large well lit swimming pool with rim flow. A well designed sundeck awaits you for relaxing and peaceful afternoons.

The main lounge provides you with full DSTV and a small library for your leisure and relaxation.

Around the fire in the boma, it is the perfect place where tales of the day are told. Dinners can be arranged on request.

Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat is situated within safe walking distance (just watch out for the hippos at night) to the main road (McKenzie Street), where numerous excellent restaurants are situated to cater all your desires.

Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat form a combination of calm and convenience, resulting in absolute comfort for guests who want to relax and rejuvenate their spirits with an opportunity to explore and to discover the staggeringly beautiful surroundings.

Owner management – English, Afrikaans, French & Dutch spoken.

THE RATES:

CANCELLATIONS: our cancellations or non arrival policy is as follow:

• 4 weeks before arrival 50% of full amount is forfeited
• 2 weeks before arrival 75% of full amount is forfeited
• 1 week or less before arrival 100% of full amount is forfeited

ACTIVITIES

ISIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK TOURS (Eastern shore):
You will discover the many treasures of the park. Guided tours in safari vehicles or self-drives tours in your own vehicle will give you the opportunity to discover the rocks pools at Mission Rock, Cape Vidal, Banghazi lake, a number of gravel roads (accessible with sedan cars) through the different ecosystems, short walks to suited look out point with views of the Indian ocean, rolling grassland and lake St Lucia will give you the opportunity to experience nature close up; to taste; to smell and feel the bush….

BIG 5 GAMES DRIVES:
There is nothing as iconic of Africa as the Big 5. In the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve,once the hunting grounds of the famous Zulu chief Shaka,the park is renown for its efforts in saving the white rhino from extinction and the magnificence of these first foothills of the coastal escarpment. White rhino abound and sightings of elephants are not unusual. The park also has lion, cheetah, black rhino, leopard, wild dog, a large population of giraffe and much more. Bird sightings may include lesser jacana, lapped-vaced vultures ,bateleur eagles, white-headed vultures, southern banded snake eagle etc…Guided safari in open vehicles or self guided safari in your own vehicle can be organized.

BOAT TRIPS AND SUNDOWN CRUISE:
On the estuary will leave memories of St Lucia that will always be treasured.

WHALES WATCHING:
(Seasonal) From June to November, humpback whales pass along the coastline during their annual migration from their feeding grounds in the Antarctic, to calve off the coast of Mozambique. These phenomenal mammals can weigh up to 45 tons and are sometimes visible from the shoreline, however a boat based whale watching tour is highly recommended.

TURTLES TOURS:
(Seasonal) From November to March the female turtle emerges, under the cover of the darkness, from the sea, seeking a suitable site to dig a 1 meter deep nest….Where you experience the miracle of nesting of the leatherback ( weighs up to 900 kgs) and loggerheads turtles. Step into the world of those amazing and ancient reptiles as they dodge sharks offshore and humans,crabs,badgers and jackals on shore to return and hatch from these ancient nesting grounds.
An overnight tour with qualifies guides

OCEAN SAFARIS:
Explore marine magnificence: Scuba diving and snorkeling are found to various destinations within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, from Cape Vidal to Sodwana Bay….Sodwana Bay is one of the top 10 diving sites in the world. Over 1200 species of fish, whales, sharks, manta ray and the rare coelacanth have been recorded. The reefs have 95 known species of 43 groups of hard coral and 11 known groups of soft coral.

BEACHES AND DUNES SAFARIS:
iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a sub tropical paradise with massive golden sand dunes, which are some of the world highest vegetated dunes ,tumble onto miles of glistering golden beaches lapped by the blue waters of the warm Indian Ocean…Walking along the sea shore with sea spray dancing on your face will simply rejuvenate your soul….

BIRDING SAFARIS:
The Zululand Birding Route as developed an experienced network of local guides to assist birders find the “specials” of a specific birding site using local knowledge and observation skills…

WALKING SAFARIS:
Self-guided walk to wilderness trails with qualified rangers will leave you with memories of a life time as you go “game viewing”.

CYCLING SAFARIS:
Guides cycled trips including bicycle hire, are offered in and around St Lucia taking in views of the ocean and trips through the forest…

HORSE RIDING SAFARIS:
A number of different horse riding safaris are on offer. From a 1 hour ride along the beach up to a multi-day safari through the bush…

CANOEING AND KAYAK SAFARIS:
Kayaking tours with experienced guides on the Estuary allow visitors to get up close to an array of water birds, hippos and crocodiles…

NIGHT DRIVE SAFARIS:
Share the quietness and the peace of the African nights trying to spot one of our local leopards, hippos ,bush babies and many more of the night life…

DEEP SEA FISHING:
For the big game fisherman the waters of the Indian Ocean provide a spirited challenge, with the deep zones of the continental shelf being home to species such as marlin, seal fish, barracuda, tuna, king and queen fish…

CROCODILE AND SNAKE CENTER:
You can visit the crocodile center on your own or join a guided tour and watch the feed of the crocs on certain days.
A nice well stocked curious shop is situated within the center…

CULTURAL TOURS:
There are several cultural villages that provide a historical experience of Zulu traditional life. Learn about the task performed by different members of a community, watch energic Zulu dancing and taste traditional brewed sorghum beer.

GOLF, TENNIS AND SQUASH:
2 golf courses are within close distances of St Lucia: the Monzi Golf Course is situated 16 kms from St Lucia and the Umfolozi Golf Course is 55 kms away. Both courses are 9 holes courses with 2 tees off positions, this making them 18 holes courses. Other facilities at the clubs include tennis and squash courts…

KWALUCIA:
At KWALUCIA PRIVATE SAFARI RETREAT, you can just indulge yourself around the swimming pool, at the sundeck or at your private patio…

P.O. Box 33
17 Katonkel St
3936 St Lucia Estuary
KwaZulu Natal
South Africa

Tel: 0027(0)35 5901077
Cell: 0027(0)72 9930077
Fax: 0027(0)86 6174128

kwalucia@kwalucia.com
www.kwalucia.com