St. Lucia.Org.Za St. Lucia.Org.Za Inside Inside This This issue issue Game Reserve Since 27 April 1895 RAMSAR Site Since 1971 World Heritage Site Since 1999 iSimangaliso Wetlands Park Page ...... 2 Introduction Page ...... 3 RAMSAR Page ...... 4 UNESCO Page ...... 5 Walking Trails Page ...... 6 Deep Sea Fishing Page ...... 7 iSimangaliso Next Issue Next Issue 1 August 2010 1 August 2010 Coming: more about walking trails Crocodile Center St. Lucia Issue1 Vol1 1 Jully 2010
Transcript
St. Lucia.Org.ZaSt. Lucia.Org.Za
InsideInside ThisThis issueissue
Game Reserve Since 27 April 1895RAMSAR Site Since 1971World Heritage Site Since 1999
Coming: more about walking trails Crocodile Center St. Lucia
Issue1 Vol11 Jully 2010
Historical Notes
iSimangaliso Wetland Park is situated on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa about 275 kilometres north of Durban. It is South Africa's third-largest protected area, spanning 280 km of coastline, from the Mozambican border in the north to Mapelane south of the St Lucia estuary, and made up of around 3,280 km² of pristine natural ecosystems, managed by KZN Wildlife. The park includes the:
* o St Lucia Game Reserve, o False Bay Park, o Kosi Bay, o Lake Etrza Nature Reserve, o Lake Sibhayi, o St Lucia Marine Reserve, o St. Lucia Marine Sanctuary, o Sodwana Bay National Park, o Mapelane Nature Reserve, o Maputaland Marine Reserve, o Cape Vidal, o Ozabeni, o Mfabeni, o Tewate Wilderness Area and o Mkuze Game Reserve.
The park was previously known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, but was renamed effective from 1 November 2007. The word 'isimangaliso' is Zulu for 'a marvel'.
http://stlucia.org.za/?p=102
Publisher: 30 Degrees SouthISBN: 9780958489171Publication date: October 2004Length: 173mmWidth: 99mmThickness: 13mmWeight: 159gEdition: New titlePages: 174Illustrations: Illustrated
This title will take you to a very special place on the southeastern coast of Africa – to the Elephant Coast of the Zulu Kingdom in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, where you’ll find the breathtakingly beautiful, 260,000-hectare Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park. From whales to tropical fish, from rhino to its unique birdlife, this patchwork of wetlands, dunes and costal forest has it all. Lake St. Lucia, Africa’s largest estuary, is home to the greatest congregation of hippos and crocodiles in South Africa. Eight inter-linking ecosystems, 3 major lake systems, 220km of Indian Ocean coastline and beaches. 190km² of marine reserve with 100 species of coral. Five tribal groups, 700 years of traditional fish traps. 129 mammal, 128 reptile, 526 bird, 1,039 fish and 282 butterfly species. The last major breeding ground for the giant leatherback and loggerhead turtles.
The Ramsar Convention (The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat) is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of wetlands,[1] i.e., to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognising the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value. It is named after the town of Ramsar in Iran.
The convention was developed and adopted by participating nations at a meeting in Ramsar on February 2, 1971, and came into force on December 21, 1975.
The Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance now includes 1,888 sites (known as Ramsar Sites) covering around 1,853,000 km²,[1] up from 1,021 sites in 2000. The nation with the highest number of sites is the United Kingdom at 168; the nation with the greatest area of listed wetlands is Canada, with over 130,000 km², including the Queen Maud Gulf Migratory Bird Sanctuary at 62,800 km².[2]
Presently, there are 159 contracting parties, up from 119 in 2000 and from 18 initial signatory nations in 1971. Signatories meet every three years as the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP), the first held in Cagliari, Italy in 1980. Amendments to the original convention have been agreed to in Paris (in 1982) and Regina (in 1987).[3]
There is a standing committee, a scientific review panel, and a secretariat. The headquarters is located in Gland, Switzerland, shared with the IUCN. (read more)
This piece of paradise was recently renamed the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Covering about 240,000ha, with a further 84,000ha in, on or under the sea, this is a large chunk of sub-tropical paradise stretching 220km along the East Coast from St Lucia to the Mozambique border.
As well as a mind-blowing range of natural systems, ranging from dune, swamp and coastal forests to rocky and sandy shores, coral reefs and submarine canyons, mangroves, savanna grassland, thickets, woodlands, and the largest protected wetland in southern Africa, it is a culturally fascinating area and – more importantly – has immense fun potential. Game viewing opportunities range from self-drive to luxury lodges, and the birding is awesome. You can paddle on the various lakes, checking out hippos, birds and game on the shore.
The snorkelling at Cape Vidal, Black Rock and Kosi Bay is great and, if you’re a more serious diver, Sodwana Bay is still the most popular diving destination in the country. For a more exclusive dive experience you can head up to Rocktail Bay or Mbibi.
The hiking trail at Kosi Bay offers terrain ranging from grassland, beach and mangrove forests to mysterious waterways. You can do a short or multi-day horse trail, watch mama turtles laying eggs or baby turtles hatching on the beach, or go out in a boat to see dolphins and humpback whales.
Community run trails offer the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the area, as well as get a handle on the history and culture of this fascinating corner of our country.You shouldn’t miss out on seeing the traditional fish traps, which have been handed down from father to son for hundreds of years. There are also a couple of traditional villages and loads of craft outlets.View our newsletter articles for more info about the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park:
* Go Now – a recent personal account of a trip to this part of the Elephant Coast. * Seasons Now for turtle spotting tours.
Note: If you are planning to travel to the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and Kosi Bay please be aware that this region is malarial. Consult your doctor or travel clinic for advice and refer to our article on malaria.
UNESCO World Heritage Selection Criteria
The St Lucia site consists of thirteen contiguous protected areas with a total size of 234,566 hectares. The site is the largest estuarine system in Africa and includes the southernmost extension of coral reefs on the continent. The site contains a combination of on-going fluvial, marine and aeolian processes that have resulted in a variety of landforms and ecosystems. Features include wide submarine canyons, sandy beaches, forested dune cordon and a mosaic of wetlands, grasslands, forests, lakes and savanna. The variety of morphology as well as major flood and storm events contribute to ongoing evolutionary processes in the area. Natural phenomena include: shifts from low to hyper-saline states in the Park’s lakes; large numbers of nesting turtles on the beaches; the migration of whales, dolphins and whale-sharks off-shore; and huge numbers of waterfowl including large breeding colonies of pelicans, storks, herons and terns. The Park’s location between sub-tropical and tropical Africa as well as its coastal setting has resulted in exceptional biodiversity including some 521 bird species.
Justification for inscription:
* (vii). To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. * (ix). To be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals. * (x). To contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
St. Lucia Estuary, the town, as a holiday destination offers many activities other than fishing. One of these activities is enjoying nature on the various walking trails. A 3D virtual room so to speak. St. Lucia offers many such spots in and around town to excite your senses and render for great opportunities to let you refurbish your energy with good clean un-inhibited fun.Turn to nature as the greatest stress relieving drug and the best 3D virtual room ever designed. Experience the interaction of thousands of microorganisms in a unique bio zone. From the growing fungus to the feeding caterpillar and the sunbathing squirrel, all live in perfect symbiosis from the top to the bottom of the food chain.
Ranging from 20 minutes leisure walking to a full four-hour nature experience St. Lucia walking trails and Game Park trails is filled with birds, small critters and small buck. Be prepared for natural entertainment at its best. Take a water bottle and a fruit basket. Make sure you have equipment to capture the moments that will present them selves along the way.
Available Walks
* iGwala Gwala * Game Park Trails * Croc Center Trails * Eastuary Walk Way * Beach Walk * Town Walk
Bookings
+27 835847473Skyp:
StLuciaOrgZae-mail
3 Trips Daily
Experience St. Lucia by boat
This is a must on a visitor's activity list. Meet Vincent the dominant Hippo male roaming the water ways of the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park. Get close and personal with the only living dinosaurce known to man. Visit the nest of the migrating European swallows. See the nest bulding techniques of the hen pecked Weaver Birds. Rember to keep your eyes fixated on the banks of the estuary as the Tourguide fill your ears with intresting facts conecting the dots between your eyes and the rest of your sences. The land based mammals frequent the waters edge and Leopard could be amongst them. This 2 hour trip on the water way will introduce you to many birds and aquatic wildlife, but the most memorable will be the call of the menogamous Fish Eagle. The Sound of Africa united in one vocalasation between two breeding feathered friends paired for life.
Embark on an adrinaline pumping blod rushing adventure that will fill your sences for years to come. Surf launch deep sea fishing is one of the many adventure sports offered in Sout Africa. Charter a boat or be part of a fishing party venturing into the depths of the Indian ocean hunting for super or just for the hell of it. This is the closest pont to the Continental shelve and the subtrpical waters are teaming with various fish species working the Mosambique Coastal plain void of man made polution.Fish speies various according to the season and launching times adjust with sunrise. Since early bird catches the worm is a saying adopted by hardcore deep sea anglers be prepared not to party the night before. Everything except food and water is supllied. Take motion sickness pills to avoid feeding the fish any left over supper.Trips are weather dependant and have a back up plan should nature disapoints in which sanario only land based tours will be viable and sunny beaches will not be included in this planning.
Where The Lion Yawn'sDue west of St. Lucia is the world famous Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game Reserve better known for being a Rhino sactury but still home to The Big Five of Africa.
The frase Big 5 was coined in the 1700's when a musket was used for hunting and the effective kill range was between 40 and 50 yards. Only men with balls of steel would face any of these five animals their blood shot eyes piercing into your soul.
The Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and Black Rhino where the most dangerous animals to hunt under thse surcumstances. Today the same claim can only be made by Bow Hunters since high power rifles was introduced the effective kill range was increased to over a 100 meters.
Today they are still as daunting as 300 years ago, but much safer to enjoy from the back of an open Game Drive Vehicle.
“It’s Amazing”, the words uttered by King Shaka’s right had man when he first saw this beautiful area. iSimangaliso Wetlands Park is surely amazing. Since the water area and Islands of Lake St. Lucia where proclaimed a Game Reserve people realized that this is a jewel to treasure.
Today this Wetlands Park has become one of the Worlds must visit addresses. The Park offers many concession as well as fun activities. The Park extends from Mphelani in the South to Kosi Bay in the North.
Covering about 240,000ha, with a further 84,000ha in, on or under the sea, this is a large chunk of sub-tropical paradise stretching 220km along the East Coast from St Lucia to the Mozambique border.
As well as a mind-blowing range of natural systems, ranging from dune, swamp and coastal forests to rocky and sandy shores, coral reefs and submarine canyons, mangroves, savanna grassland, thickets, woodlands, and the largest protected wetland in southern Africa, it is a culturally fascinating area and – more importantly – has immense fun potential. Game viewing opportunities range from self-drive to luxury lodges, and the birding is awesome. You can paddle on the various lakes, checking out hippos, birds and game on thebanks.
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