Mtubatuba & St. Lucia
Mtubatuba
Mtubatuba is a small busy town located around 200 km north of Durban. The town was established as a railway siding in 1903 and named after the local Zulu chief. In 1916 the first sugar mill was build along with a shop, bank and even a hotel. Today Mtubatuba has become a commercial and administrative centre for the entire North Eastern Zululand region.
Due to its location Mtubatuba is the ideal base from where to explore the Zulu culture, the nearby world famous Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first World Heritage Site. The town itself does not have many activities to offer, but especially for overseas guests, a shopping tour to Mtubatuba with a visit to the local taxi rank, gives a good insight in a small modern Zulu town and the life of the ordinary Zulu people.
St. Lucia
St. Lucia Village is located only 25 km east of Mtubatuba, and is tucked in between the St. Lucia Estuary and the Indian Ocean. The town’s economy is primary based on tourism, and with the many activities St. Lucia is worth visiting. There are beautiful beaches, excellent fishing, a vegetable and craft market, and of course the very popular Boat Cruises on the St. Lucia Estuary.
Just north of St. Lucia is the Crocodile Centre located that beside the many crocodiles in all ages, also has a Snake Park, Cycad Garden and a Curio Shop. In the same area there are several shorter hiking trails.
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park was until November 2007 known as The Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park.
iSimangaliso is the Zulu word for Miracle.
