iSimangaliso Wetland Park, visiting a Unesco World Heritage Site.

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is the pinnacle of our safari itineraries. A Unesco World Heritage Site that stretches from bushveld to coral-fringed coastline, and a place where nature unfolds in breathtaking layers. Recognized by UNESCO for its outstanding universal value, it is a vast protected area that became South Africa’s most extraordinary safari destination.

A place to be appreciated and protected for our future generations, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is home to a vast array of beautiful and impressive wildlife. In addition to the Big Five, it is home to thousands of plant and animal species.

The park comprises several distinct regions and ecosystems, including the Eastern and Western Shores, Cape Vidal beach, and northern and southern areas such as Sodwana Bay and Kosi Bay. Let us show you some of these places and the beautiful fauna you can see there.

The Estuaries and Wetlands make up the ecosystem around Lake St. Lucia, an area where freshwater and saltwater mix to support an astonishing abundance of life.

This makes it the perfect home for hippos, Nile crocodiles, and over 500 different bird species, including fish eagles, pelicans, flamingos, and kingfishers. Can you imagine seeing all that, within the security and comfort of an accessible boat cruise? Well, you can, as part of a safari experience tailored to your needs.

The Savannah and Woodlands, open grasslands and acacia woodlands that offer some of the best game-viewing opportunities in the park, where sweeping visibility reveals both grazing herds and elusive predators.

In this part of the park, you can enjoy a spectacular experience adapted to your comfort, where our guide can help you spot roaming white and black rhinos, African buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, nyalas, waterbucks, and even leopards and hyenas. All of which are majestic animals, sharing and co-existing in their natural habitat.

The Coastal Forests and Dune Systems showcase an incredible transition. Here, dense coastal forest gradually gives way to towering dunes and endless ocean horizons, creating one of the park’s most visually dramatic landscapes.

In these areas, you can encounter elephants moving silently through the forest, elusive leopards, bushbucks, red duikers, playful samango monkeys, and impressive birdlife, including turacos and hornbills.

The park’s protected coastline reveals long, unspoiled sandy beaches, coral reefs, and warm Indian Ocean waters. This marine and coastal environment offers both relaxation and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

With the assistance of Beach Wheels Zululand, you can access the beach comfortably, relax in adapted beach chairs, and even enjoy accessible snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. Offshore, bottlenose and humpback dolphins are frequently seen, while seasonal migrations bring large numbers of humpback and southern right whales close to the coast.

And during the nesting season, leatherback and loggerhead turtles return to these beaches, creating one of nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles. The day can end with a soothing, warm sea bath, offering therapeutic benefits and a profound sense of connection to nature.

And lastly, the northern and southern sections are home to freshwater lakes, swamps, and floodplains — all of which are remote and peaceful environments. This creates a quieter and ideal home for hippos, crocodiles, frogs, and other amphibians.

These areas are also a haven for bird enthusiasts, with sightings of storks, herons, ibises, and other rare wetland species. With a knowledgeable guide, even subtle movements and distant calls become meaningful moments of discovery.

Explore in comfort and confidence.

All sections of this vast park can be explored in the comfort of our accessible VW Crafter. Designed with your comfort and security in mind, the vehicle features air conditioning and large panoramic windows for excellent wildlife viewing.

Guests may choose to remain safely in their wheelchair or scooter, or transfer to a seat if preferred. Our priority is to ensure a seamless, stress-free experience that allows you to fully focus on the beauty surrounding you.

Conservation, Heritage, and a Safari like no other.

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park protects an incredible range of interlinking ecosystems and supports about 6500 plant and animal species. The conservation efforts in the area started as early as 1895 under the Zululand government, and now it is one of the most biodiverse parks and the only place in the world where you can go from bush to beach on the same day, without accessibility concerns.

At Access 2 Africa, we specialize in creating personalized, accessible itineraries that allow you to discover, explore, and truly delight in everything iSimangaliso has to offer. From thrilling safari encounters to peaceful wetland cruises and relaxing beach experiences. A journey with us will help you to celebrate nature, conservation, and inclusive adventure.

Let us design the perfect safari experience for you, one that ends with ocean views, whale sightings, and memories to last a lifetime.