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iSiMANGALISO WETLAND PARK - CAPE VIDAL
Cape Vidal falls within the St Lucia Marine Reserve and is situated north-east
of St Lucia.This pretty bay is supported by a variety of accommodation set back in the dunes.There
are 18 five-bedded and 11 eight-bedded fully equipped log cabins. These have two and three
bedrooms, a bathroom with shower, a fully equipped kitchenette and a dinette/lounge. For fishing
parties, five multi-bed cabins (sleeping 8 - 20) may be hired on the shore of Lake Bhangazi.
Cape Vidal also has 50 campsites in the dune forest near the beach.
Bhangazi Bush Lodge, 10 km from the hutted camp, sleeps eight guests in four
self-contained, fully equipped units.
Cape Vidal bay has a designated launch site for skiboats and deep-sea fishing
and spear fishing are popular sports. It is sheltered and superb for snorkelling at a low tide.
Cape Vidal is near the site of the Dorothea shipwreck, a wooded barque which was lost in heavy
weather on 31 January 1898. She was said to be carrying gold from the Transvaal. The whereabouts of
the Dorothea is unknown however snorkellers may come across a chain in the bay which is said to
have come from the wreck.
Cape Vidal has the best of both worlds with access to the eastern shores of
Lake St Lucia where there is a variety of game including reedbuck, other antelope, hippos,
crocodiles and buffalo, spectacular water, forest and grassland birds and the wonderful Indian
Ocean shore line with its startling array of marine animals.
The marine habitat is the route used by humpback whales on their northerly
migration to Mozambique to calve. Other "big game" include migratory marlin, sailfish and dolphins.
In December the loggerheads and leatherback turtles come onto the beach to lay eggs. Schools based
at St Lucia can make arrangements through the Crocodile Centre to visit Cape Vidal for the day or
small groups can stay at Cape Vidal.
There are private business in St Lucia which cater for school group guidance.
Malaria precautions are advised.
Renowned for its sport fishing and snorkelling, this scenic coastal camp is
situated on the north of the Eastern Shores area of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. There is a
relatively safe area for swimming, wildlife, especially birds, is abundant and self-guided trails
enable visitors to see some of the surrounding wetlands and Lake Bhangazi.
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