The Kosi Bay estuary with its channels winding through the traditional fish traps and mangrove islands is the perfect location for both the novice and experienced paddler! Our kayaking tours is by no means a race, in fact it is a nice slow and relaxing experience. We do things at a thongaland pace.. It is the only estuary in South Africa where 5 different species of mangrove can be seen. The birdlife in the estuary is amazing with regular sightings of fish eagle, palmnut vulture, mangrove kingfisher, striated heron, flamingo's and lots more.. The system's main freshwater source is groundwater and two rivers with catchment areas over sandy soils. This ensure that the kosi estuary always remain clear of silt. With ample amounts of freshwater and the lack of silt, the mouth of the kosi system always remain open. The daily high tides push crystal clear nutrient rich water into the estuary assisting with balancing salinity and supplying the essentials for the magical estuarine ecosystem to flourish. The salinity in the estuary also make it impossible for nile crocodiles to survive as they need to drink fresh water. The estuary where we kayak is a safe area with no crocodiles and few hippos. Our experienced kayaking guide will meet you down on the way to the Kosi Bay Mouth parking area. On arrival he will give you a safety pre-briefing and some tips on how to streamline your paddling. We use two man sea kayaks, nice and easy to paddle and very safe! The kayaking tour will start by crossing to the opposite bank of the kosi estuary by navigating through the traditional Thonga fishkraals. On the southern shoreline you will be guided into the mangrove channels to witness the amazing mangrove islands! Here your guide will point out the diversity of mangrove species found in the kosi bay system and search for some of the special birds at home around these islands. From here your tour head towards river Kukalwe. This is one of the small river systems feeding the kosi estuary with freshwater. Kukalwe is a stunning sanctuary for fish and birdlife and you might also be lucky with spotting the resident hippo. After exiting river Kukalwe your guide will paddle you in the direction of first lake to some more incredible mangrove channels. After this you will slowly follow the channels back to the finishing point. Note that depending on the wind direction the trip might be done in a different order..

Our famous guide will collect you from your Lodge at the pre arranged time. From your lodge in St Lucia it is only a 5 minute drive to the entrance gate of the Eastern Shore where your Safari will start. Your morning will be filled with informative conversation about the park and its ecology as well as the biology and social behaviours of the animals that you will encounter along the way to the very popular beach of Cape Vidal. Common sightings along the way include: Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, Leopard, Hyena, Waterbuck, Kudu, Reedbuck, Red and Common Duiker, Bushbuck, Wildebeest and Zebra. On arrival in Cape Vidal you will be introduced to our highly experienced and rated marine crew! Here they will give you an in depth safety briefing on exactly what to expect and how to behave in the current conditions. They will hand you all the needed equipment and give you a couple of tips on how to use them correctly. From here it is into the water for just more than an hour where our guides will be pointing out all sorts of interesting species of fish, crayfish and octopus. Turtles are also a great highlight on lucky adventures! The Snorkeling Adventure afterwards get rounded off with a lovely warm drink and an insightful fish id session with our guides. On your Cape Vidal Snorkeling Adventure the list of possible sightings are pretty endless! Our sightings vary depending on conditions and season. Sightings of blacktail, moonies, tropical halfbeak, convict surgeon, damsels, rubberlips, catface rockod, indian goatfish, karanteen, sand steenbras, lemonfish, common lionfish, rectangular triggerfish, moorish idol, butterflyfish and semicircle angelfish are common on most Cape Vidal Snorkeling Adventures. We also get to see green turtles, marbled electric rays and spotted eagle rays on good days. After working up an appetite in the water your safari guide will be waiting for you in the picnic site with a mouthwatering braai! Lunch generally consist of stake, boerewors, salads, bread rolls and a surprise desert on the fire. Please remember to specify your dietary requirements on booking if you do prefer a vegetarian or vegan option. After lunch your guide will treat you to another informative game drive back to your lodge in St Lucia.

Your ranger for the day will pick you up at your accommodation within the St Lucia area, after a brief introduction to the area you travel into the park. En-route you will have an opportunity to witness first hand just why this area is so spectacular. It's not just the wildlife but the scenery and incredible Ecosystems that one may enjoy while on tour. The safari includes numerous loop roads, outcrops, wildlife and then a chance to enjoy Cape Vidal a protected bay, snorkeling or bathing and where you will enjoy lunch. Highlights: Travel into South Africa's very first World Heritage Site Witness the highest vegetated sand dunes in Africa Forest's, Grasslands, Wildlife, and spectacular scenery Loop Roads, Hides and Look Outs Snorkel in a Protected Bay (Cape Vidal, weather permitting), pristine Beaches Itinerary Venture into iSimangaliso Wetland Park (South Africa’s first World Heritage Site 1999). The area was declared by UNESCO and took place on December 1, 1999. The size 328 000 ha (3,280 km2) of iSimangaliso Wetland Park includes five major ecosystems. This Natural World Heritage Site stretches for 280 km along the northern part of South Africa's East Coast. World Heritage Full Day Safari: 4x4 Off-Road, Magnificent Game Viewing, Hides, Bird Spotting, Short Hikes and a visit to Cape Vidal with snorkeling and Whale Watching in season (June to end November). Learn about the Five Ecosystems that make up this park. Experience the Bush, Forest and Beach all in one day! Your experienced game ranger will ensure that you get to the best spots and also learn the unique and diverse landscape that makes this park so splendid. Discover why this area is a world heritage site, from wetlands to Savannah grasslands to mangrove forests, unspoiled beaches and an abundance of wildlife. iSimangaliso means miracle and wonder. The 332 000 hectare Park contains three major lake systems, 8 interlinking ecosystems, 700 year old fishing traditions, 526 bird species and 25 000 year old coastal dunes, the second highest in the world. Animals such as the endangered White & Black Rhino, Cape buffalo, Elusive Leopard, Hippo, Zebras, Red Duiker, Kudu and other animals may be witnessed while out on safari. Birders too will be amazed when they see the amount of birds in the park. Open 4 x 4 Safari Game Drives and Guided Walking Safaris will take you to breathtaking landscapes. Included on this safari outing is a fully catered lunch a south African barbecue. iSimangaliso Wetland Park (St Lucia) is an incredible area to go on safari with an abundance of wildlife not to mention the Leopards that frequent the area.

This half day safari tour is conducted in a open game drive safari vehicle, without wasting anytime your personal ranger will get you to all of the best areas while en-route to Cape Vidal for some incredible snorkeling. Sit back and enjoy breathtaking views of this miracle, witness the second highest vegetated dunes in the world, wildlife including Leopard and much more awaits you.

Lake Jozini lies in a dramatic setting at the foot of the Lebombo Mountains and is one of South Africa’s largest dams. There are several exquisite gorges which abound with cycads and a wide variety of birds. On the western side of the dam one might see elephant, rhino, hippo and crocodile. In event of all activities booked please email the safari department at safari@ghostmountaininn.co.za.

Lake Jozini lies in a dramatic setting at the foot of the Lebombo Mountains and is one of South Africa’s largest dams. The 13 varieties of fish found in the dam include tilapia, catfish, mud fish, carp and the sought after tiger fish. A catch and release policy for the tigers is promoted and anglers are encouraged to retain only one trophy fish each per day, releasing the live smaller ones. In event of all activities book please email the safari department at safari@ghostmountaininn.co.za.

Bookings now open for 1 June 2020 !?!?!?!? - PHONE us, or come see us at our offices - 24 hours before the booking, as we do sometimes change our departure times with one hour, if you don't contact us, you won't know about it - please - ** WE NEED 5(five ) HOURS OF YOUR TIME IF YOU DO SLEEP in St Lucia Town the night before - IF you sleep IN Richardsbay, we will need 3 hours of your time - PLEASE *** Our popular whale and dolphin watching boat trip is now available in Richard's bay, under legal permit W04, and our very own Advantage Cruiser 11. Richard's Bay whale or dolphin trips give you 2 hours ON the OPEN ocean – if you have not seen a whale after 2 hours on our ocean trip we will refund you 40% straight after the cruise. From the end of May till the beginning of December the Humpback Whales migrate past the Kwazulu Natal Coastline , and our legal permit allows us to go as close as 50m’s from these gentle giants of the ocean. Bonus sightings of shark, flying fish, turtles and various species of dolphin is a possibility. !!!!!!!! CHILDREN UNDER the age of 12yrs will pay R700-00 per child - no toddlers UNDER 5 ( five ) years unless we have not had a chance to look at the weather/ocean conditions - we depart from a safe jetty in the Tuzi Gazi small craft harbor of the Port of Richardsbay -it will take 15-20minute to get permission from Port Control to leave the harbor and go into the open ocean - please keep this in mind - we will be on the open ocean for 2hours - or closest to 2hours - IF the weather turns bad, we will cancel the cruise, and you will get a full refund - see our professionally made VIDEO to get a view of what you can expect - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKm-at2So2s