About Mapelane Nature Reserve
Mapelane Nature Reserve is the southernmost reserve within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (previously known as Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park).
Did you know? The reserve is an enchanting one offering splendid walks through tropical forest and bush.
The Mapelane Nature Reserve is situated on the south bank of the Umfolozi River where it enters the sea, opposite the little village of St Lucia.
The reserve is an enchanting one offering splendid walks through tropical forest and bush.
The warm waters in the Mapelane Reserve are excellent for ski boating and surf fishing.
Try your hand at spear and deep-sea fishing and hunt for mussels, oysters and crayfish in the rocky intertidal pools and if you still have energy left, hike the self-guided Umphafa Trail.
A birders delight - nearly 200 bird species have been recorded in the Mapelane Nature Reserve.
Wildlife you can expect to see in the forest include small buck, monkey, mongoose and red squirrel and hippo and crocodile are prevelant at the estuary's edge.
Need to Know
WhereMapelane Nature Reserve, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, St Lucia, Elephant Coast, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
WhenBest during daylight hours.
OvernightStay in St Lucia Accommodation, KwaZulu Natal
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your reserve, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested inGame & Nature Reserves in KwaZulu Natal
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in St Lucia
Flamingo Cove at Manzini Chalets
Flamingo Cove offers guests a relaxing getaway in St Lucia and the complex offers a lovely garden and communal swimming pool. The 5-sleeper chale...
St Lucia Safari Lodge 3
St Lucia Safari Lodge 3 is air-conditioned and furnished with a double bed and two single beds. The kitchen is fully equipped for self-catering. ...
The Bridge 31
The Bridge 31 is a comfortable three bedroom apartment which is located in St Lucia. This is the ideal place for a family wanting to get away for...
St Lucia At Home
St Lucia At Home is a Holiday Apartment in St Lucia offering self-catering stays for four guests. The complex is secure and offers a communal swi...
Lake St Lucia Villas
Lake St Lucia Villas is family friendly and offers ground floor, second floor and duplex apartments, which are ideal for a self catering holiday....
Cheese Farm & Lodge
Cheese Farm & Lodge is situated 10km from Mtubatuba and 20km from St Lucia and offer self catering accommodation. Surrounded by green forest, the...
The Bridge 42
The Bridge 42 offers self catering accommodation in a secure complex in St Lucia. St Lucia is the ideal place to get away from it all, where gues...
The Bridge 38
The Bridge 38 is an air conditioned apartment located at The Bridge Resort in St Lucia. The complex is situated in the hub of St Lucia, overlooki...
Manor House St Lucia
Manor House offers a bed and breakfast experience in St Lucia, providing a welcoming retreat for guests looking to explore the area's rich attrac...
Santa Lucia Guest House
Santa Lucia Guest House is situated in the area of St Lucia and offers luxury rooms with home comforts and personalised service. This unique home...
Lake St Lucia Lodge
Lake St Lucia Lodge offers self catering, serviced cottages within walking distance of nearby restaurants, shops and pubs on the main street of t...
Serene-Estate Guesthouse
Serene-Estate Guesthouse is situated at the edge of St Lucia bordering the famous iSimangaliso Wetland Park and only 10 minutes walk from all the...
Parkers Cottages
Found in the town of St Lucia, Parkers Cottages offers bed and breakfast accommodation in a number of rooms and cottages. The accommodation is ju...
Kosi Forest Lodge
Kosi Forest Lodge is the only private lodge in the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve - an unspoilt wilderness that is part of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park...
iGwalagwala Guest House
iGwalagwala Guest House is located in The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, now known as Isimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa's first natural Wor...
Afrikhaya Guest House
Afrikhaya Guest House is a tastefully decorated Bed & Breakfast in St Lucia offering warm hospitality, spacious and stylish well appointed guestr...
Beach House @ 22 Manzini
Beach House @ 22 Manzini is a self-catering chalet located in the secure Manzini Chalets complex in the lovely town of St Lucia. The chalet is wi...
Hummingbird @ Leopard Tree
Hummingbird is an open plan apartment situated on the ground floor level of the lodge. The apartment is furnished with a double bed. There is a f...
Lodge Afrique
Lodge Afrique Guest House offers eight free standing luxurious thatched suites, each with full Afro / Victorian bathrooms. Lodge Afrique can cate...
Shonalanga Holiday Apartments
Shonalanga Lodge offers you beautiful one and two bedroom self catering holiday apartments / units in this spectacular setting. Some units are of...
Hornbill Family Suite 3
Hornbill Family Suite 3 is a self-catering suite located at Hornbill Family Suites in the heart of the St Lucia Estuary. Experience a relaxed, se...
At Heritage House
At Heritage House is situated in the heart of iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Enjoy the refined style and modern comforts that the house has to offer....
Ndiza Lodge and Cabanas
A panoramic view of the Indian Ocean, famous Maphelane dune (second highest dune in the world), the Umfolozi River mouth and part of famous Lake ...
Pumba's Den
Pumba's Den offers accommodation in an apartment for four guests. The apartment can be found at Manzini Chalets in St Lucia. Pumba's Den has gard...
17 Manzini Holiday Resort
Situated in a secure complex on the banks of the St Lucia Estuary, 17 Manzini Holiday Resort offers accommodation for three adults and two childr...
Monzi Safaris Lodge
Monzi Safari Lodge is situated 20km outside of St Lucia inside the secure village of Monzi. This security complex has an abundance of bird life a...
Kings Palace
Kings Palace is situated in the beautiful, tropical town of St Lucia, in the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park. Ideal for an overnight stop, your annual...
Manzini Chalet Deluxe 37
Manzini Chalet Deluxe 37 is a double-storey house and has three en-suite bedrooms. The open-plan kitchen is fully equipped and in the lounge area...
Kiewiet at Leopard Tree
Kiewiet Apartment in St Lucia is located in the street closest to the beach, within hearing distance of the ocean, and on the edge of the forest ...
Forest Villas
Forest Villas is an upmarket Lodge in the town of St Lucia, iSimangaliso world heritage site. Each room has a patio which overlooks the tropical ...
Leopard Corner Lodge
Leopard Corner Lodge borders the St Lucia Wetlands, which starts right beside the guest house. Often our guests are lucky enough to catch sight o...
Lourie @ Leopard Tree
Lourie Apartment offers holiday accommodation at Leopard Tree Lodge in St Lucia. The lodge is located in the street closest to the beach, within...
Sunset Lodge
Sunset Lodge is situated on the banks of the St Lucia Estuary, a world heritage site. The accommodation is ideally located and is within walking ...
St Lucia Hilltop Guest House
Hilltop Guest House is a modern guest house with an antique twist. We have combined natural elements to our property and we offer a service that ...
The Bridge 19
The Bridge 19 is located in a secure resort on the bank of the St Lucia River mouth. The apartment is fully equipped for a self catering holiday ...
Luwandla 11
Luwandla 11 is a self-catering holiday house in St Lucia for six guests. Relax in the comfort of a warm and inviting family home and take pleasur...
57 Pelican Street
57 Pelican Street provides pet friendly, self catering accommodation in St Lucia. The house consists of four bedrooms and three full bathrooms. T...
No 6 The Bridge
Located in St Lucia No 6 The Bridge offers comfortable self catering accommodation for up to six guests. This unit is on the first floor, accesse...
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge is set in a tropical forest and garden, which is unique to the Zululand area of KwaZulu Natal. The lodge offers 17 en-suite rooms wi...
African Thistle
African Thistle is a self-catering apartment situated in the heart of St Lucia in a secure complex and is the perfect getaway for a group or fami...
Bulbul at Leopard Tree
Bulbul is a semi-open plan apartment sleeping three adults and one child. The apartment has a fully equipped kitchen and a lounge with a TV with ...
Umlilo Lodge
Umlilo Lodge is a guest house situated in the small village of St Lucia, the only private village in the world to be completely surrounded by a W...
Meet Mekaar Resort
Regard Meet Mekaar Resorts as your new oasis - everything is at your disposal and everything is included for you to bask in the glory of authenti...
Flamingo Holiday Flats
Flamingo Holiday Flats is situated in St Lucia and offers accommodation within safe walking distance from the numerous restaurants and shops in t...
Rhino Coast Guesthouse
The Rhino Coast Guesthouse is an upmarket, luxury Bed & Breakfast situated in the town of St. Lucia. It offers a tranquil escape for the discerni...
Turaco Guest House
Turaco Guest House offers bed and breakfast accommodation in St Lucia and a peaceful, fully rested break away from home. The location is ideal, S...
The Bridge 22
The Bridge 22 offers self catering accommodation with a garden view in a secure complex in St Lucia. The St Lucia Estuary is alongside the comple...
Lodge Umusa
Lodge Umusa offers charming, eco-friendly chalets that can be booked on a self-catering or bed-and-breakfast basis. Our lodge in Kosi Bay is a pe...
Elephant Coast Guesthouse
Elephant Coast Guesthouse offers 4-star bed & breakfast accommodation overlooking the coastal dune forest of The Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park. ...
The Bridge 29
The Bridge 29 is a self catering holiday apartment for accommodation in St Lucia. The main bedroom has a Queen-size bed and the second bedroom ha...
Livingstone Lodge
St Lucia Livingston Lodge, situated in the heart of St Lucia, offers accommodation in luxury suites with free capped Wi-Fi. There is a stunning p...
Stokkiesdraai
Located in the main street, this St Lucia accommodation is within walking distance of convenience stores, a launderette, restaurants and a bank. ...
Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat
Located in the beautiful town of St Lucia, Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat offers accommodation in four suites. Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat i...
Hornbill Family Suite 1
Hornbill Family Suite 1 is a self-catering suite located at Hornbill Family Suites in the heart of the St Lucia Estuary. Experience a relaxed, se...
Maputaland Guest House
Maputaland Guest House offers bed and breakfast accommodation in the area of St Lucia. We are well known for our warm hospitality, comfortable ac...
Turtle Bay Lodge
Turtle Bay Lodge offers luxury accommodation in the serene area of St Lucia only a short walk from the town centre and the estuary. Choose from o...
The Bridge 28
The Bridge 28 is an air conditioned, self catering apartment at The Bridge Holiday Resort. The accommodation is located in an area where hippos c...
Pelican's Nest Holiday Home
Pelican's Nest Holiday Home St Lucia is a spacious self catering holiday home in St Lucia. The house has three bedrooms and sleeps up to six gues...
St Lucia Wetlands Guesthouse
International reputation, conveniently located in the safe and visitor friendly residential village of St Lucia, an appealing gateway to the worl...
Manzini Chalet 9
Manzini Chalet 9 has two bedrooms and one bathroom. The first bedroom is furnished with a Queen-size bed and the second room has two single beds....
Break-A-Wave
Discover the serene beauty of St Lucia at Break-A-Wave in Manzini Chalets, located within the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, South Africa's inau...
Ingwenya Lodge
Ingwenya Lodge is situated in St Lucia on the border of the nature reserve, with a view of both the sea and the estuary and offers six self cater...
Makakatana Bay Lodge
Makakatana Bay Lodge is a family owned and run lodge offering accommodation on the western shores of Lake St Lucia, within the iSimangaliso Wetla...
The Bridge 54
The Bridge 54 is a modern, luxurious apartment offering comfortable accommodation in St Lucia. The accommodation is located at The Bridge Resort ...
Perna Perna
Perna Perna offers accommodation in a secure complex which is ideally situated a few minutes' drive from the town's restaurants and tour companie...
St Lucia Kingfisher Lodge
St Lucia Kingfisher Lodge is situated at the edge of town which means that whilst the shops, restaurants and other amenities are only a 10 minute...
6 Villa Mia
6 Villa Mia is located in a mini resort offering guests a wide range of opportunities and activities. 6 Villa Mia is the only holiday accommodati...
Lidiko Lodge
Lidiko Lodge is a 4 star lodge situated in the village of St Lucia, surrounded by the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. Set above the Great St Lucia...
African Ambience
African Ambience can accommodate a total of nineteen guests and is located in St Lucia which is part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The beach ...
Weaver @ Leopard Tree
Weaver at Leopard Tree offers accommodating in St Lucia at Leopard Tree Lodge. Being located on the edge of the forest / greenbelt area surround...
Manzini Chalet 31
Manzini Chalet 31 is located in iSimangaliso Wetland Park on the banks of the St Lucia Lake. The chalet provides accommodation where guests can e...
St Lucia Safari Lodge 1
The unit is air-conditioned and furnished with a Queen-size bed, double bed and a single bed. The kitchen is fully equipped for self-catering. Th...
The Bridge 14
The Bridge 14 offers accommodation in St Lucia in a secure complex overlooking the St Lucia Estuary. Make this beautiful ground floor apartment y...
The Estuary Guest Chalets
The Estuary Guest Chalets is situated in the heart of St Lucia on the North Coast making it the ideal getaway for a vacation or long weekend for ...
African Dreamz
African Dreamz is a guest house located in the little town of St Lucia, bordering the Isimangaliso Wetland Park. Parking is safe behind remote ga...
Bhangazi Lodge
Bhangazi Lodge is set in the scenic, tranquil tropical St. Lucia town, surrounded by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, offering 4 star graded Bed & ...
St Lucia Ocean View Lodge
St Lucia Ocean View Lodge offers log cabin accommodation set in a beautiful garden where many species of birds and small animals can be found. A ...
The Bridge 21
The Bridge 21 offers self catering accommodation in a secure complex in St Lucia overlooking the St Lucia Estuary. The St Lucia Estuary has one o...
A La Mer Holiday Home
Situated in St Lucia, A La Mer holiday home offers accommodation just a few minutes' walk from the beach and is perfectly located to enjoy all th...
Hornbill Family Suite 4
Hornbill Family Suite 4 is a self-catering suite located at Hornbill Family Suites in the heart of the St Lucia Estuary. Experience a relaxed, se...
33 The Bridge
33 The Bridge is a holiday apartment providing accommodation for up to six guests with a view of the estuary in St Lucia. Guests may even get luc...
Sparrow @ Leopard Tree
Sparrow Apartment offers accommodating in St Lucia at Leopard Tree Lodge. The lodge is located in the street closest to the beach, within hearin...
Hornbill Family Suite 2
Hornbill Family Suite 2 is a self-catering suite located at Hornbill Family Suites in the heart of the St Lucia Estuary. Experience a relaxed, se...
Wagtail @ Leopard Tree
Wagtail at Leopard Tree is a self catering holiday apartment in St Lucia sleeping four guests. The lounge has comfy seating, a TV with DStv and W...
Villa Mia 5
Villa Mia 5 offers accommodation in St Lucia in a small resort where family and friends can gather and enjoy a variety of activities. The apartme...
Manzini Chalet 10
Manzini Chalet 10 has two bedrooms and one bathroom. The kitchen is fully equipped for self catering. There is a living area with DStv which lead...
The Bridge 41
41 The Bridge offers self catering accommodation for six guests. The unit is set amongst trees and a marsh; the bird life is abundant. The unit h...
Villa Mia 9
Villa Mia 9 is a comfortably furnished self-catering holiday apartment in St Lucia ideally located in the secure Villa Mia holiday complex. The c...
Manzini Chalet 5
Manzini Chalet 5 offers self catering accommodation within a very secure complex based on the banks of the St Lucia Estuary. The complex has 24hr...
AmaZulu Lodge
AmaZulu Lodge, an "all African lodge", completely thatched, offers you the best of St Lucia Wetlands Park. Built around a huge, tropical inner ga...
Sandpiper Guest House
Sandpiper Guesthouse is a bed and breakfast bordering the indigenous forest in the village of St Lucia surrounded by the Isimangaliso Wetland Par...
Kingfisher @ Leopard Tree
Kingfisher Apartment offers comortable holiday accommodating located on the edge of the forest/greenbelt area surrounding St Lucia, provides the ...
The Bridge 10
The Bridge 10 offers self catering in St Lucia in a secure complex overlooking the St Lucia Estuary. The St Lucia Estuary has one of the highest ...
Villa Mia 8
Villa Mia 8 offers accommodation in St Lucia in a small resort where family and friends can gather and enjoy a variety of activities. The apartme...
Hornbill at Leopard Tree
Hornbill at Leopard Tree is a self catering apartment in St Lucia sleeping up to six guests. There is a fully fitted kitchen, a sitting area with...
Little Eden St Lucia
Little Eden offers up market and tastefully decorated self catering accommodation bordering the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, with real hospitality ...
Urban Glamping
Urban Glamping is situated on the main road of St Lucia, the gateway to the Isimangaliso Wetland Park. This Luxury tented lodge is not what you w...
Wendy's Country Lodge
Wendy's Country Lodge is a nature lover's delight and offers Elephant Coast B&B accommodation in a property with bird life in abundance. The gues...
18 Villa Mia
Located in St Lucia, 18 Villa Mia provides accommodation for six guests. The complex has a communal swimming pool and braai area which guests are...
Flamboyant Apartments
Flamboyant Apartments are affordable self-catering holiday apartments in St Lucia located in a secure complex. St Lucia is home to South Africa's...
Robin @ Leopard Tree
Robin Apartment is an open-plan apartment in St Lucia. The main bedroom is furnished with a Queen-size bed and a bunk bed. There is also a sleepe...
Manzini Chalet 8
Manzini Chalet 8 has two bedrooms and one bathroom. The kitchen is fully equipped for self catering. There is a living area with DStv which leads...
Annas' Bed and Breakfast
Anna's B+B is a quality 4 star guesthouse situated within easy walking distance of shops and restaurants. The large spacious house has 4 sunny ai...
Thonga Beach Lodge
This intimate, luxury 24 bed lodge is nestled on the pristine coast of Maputaland, within the Isimangaliso Park. It's the ideal place to explore ...
Pelican Pad @ St Lucia
Pelican Pad @ St Lucia offers accommodation in St Lucia, this lovely little resort is secure, comfortable and friendly. Nicely secluded, the reso...
Leopard Tree Lodge
Situated in St. Lucia, one of the most beautiful unspoiled areas and the first World Heritage Site in South Africa, a warm welcome and personal s...
Manzini Chalet 34
Manzini Chalet 34 is a self catering cottage for four guests in two bedrooms in the Manzini Chalets complex in St Lucia. The complex has a commun...
Timone's Retreat
Timone's Retreat is a lovely two bedroom chalet offering St Lucia self catering in the Manzini Chalets complex. Timone's Retreat is close to vari...
Marlin Lodge
Marlin Lodge is a Bed & Breakfast in St Lucia, KwaZulu Natal. The spacious rooms each have an outside entrance and open onto the patio leading on...
Monzi Safaris Backpackers
Monzi Safaris Backpackers is situated on the main road of St Lucia. We differ from every other backpacker in that we do not have any dorm rooms. ...
St Lucia Ecolodge
St Lucia Ecolodge is situated in a lavish tropical garden with breathtaking views over the St Lucia Wetlands and Estuary mouth of Lake St. Lucia ...
Things to do in the area
Cape Vidal Lighthouse
A river, a forest and an ocean are all individual attractions that a good getaway can be planned around. Where there is river, brown earthy soil;...
Whale Watching with St Lucia Charters
Go on an adventure with renowned skipper Danie Bennett, who together with his qualified crew has a treasure-house full of knowledge about the wha...
Cape St Lucia Lighthouse
Despite sounding as though it should lie right on the well-known lake and conservation area, now called the iSimangaliso Wetland park, Cape St Lu...
St Lucia Beach
The unspoilt beach of St Lucia is yet another testimony to the natural splendour of the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. Golden sands and warm blue water...
St Lucia Market
Tucked away in St Lucia at the end of McKenzie Street you will find the most wonderful market. Here you can find a vast selection of curios and f...
Mziki Trail
Start: Mount Tabor hut, iSimangaliso Wetland ParkFinish: Mount Tabor hutDuration: 40 kmFitness: moderate to difficultOur tip: head to the Mission...
Igwala Gwala Forest Trail
Start: Eden Park, St Lucia, iSimangaliso Wetland ParkFinish: St LuciaDuration: 1.5 kmFitness: easy, suitable for all ages, including moms with pr...
Emoyeni Trail
Start: Mission RocksFinish: Mission RocksDuration: 63 km over five daysFitness: fairly fit, particularly as it gets humid, which adds strain to t...
Kayak Safari at Cape Vidal
For visitors to the Elephant Coast that want to experience this area to the fullest, this guided kayak safari takes place in Cape Vidal, where th...
Noteworthy attractions
Kosi Bay Nature Reserve
The Kosi Bay Nature Reserve is situated on the coast in the northern part of KwaZulu Natal and surrounds the Kosi Bay lake system. The system con...
Lake Sibaya
Lake Sibaya is the largest fresh water lake in South Africa with a surface area of 77 km² and an average depth of 13 m. The lake was previously c...
Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park
The Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park was declared South Africa's first Natural World Heritage Site on 1 December 1999. It is considered South Afric...
Ndumo Game Reserve
Ndumo Game Reserve (adjacent to the Tembe Elephant Park) is a small but impressive game reserve. Proclaimed in 1924 Ndumo Game Reserve is one of ...
Sodwana Bay National Park
The small Sodwana Bay National Park consists of a narrow coastal strip of forest covered sand dunes. Sodwana Bay National Park was proclaimed in ...
Tembe Elephant National Park
The largest African elephants in the world, along with rhino, buffalo, leopard, hippo and antelope species in a 300km² park on the South Africa /...
Enseleni Nature Reserve
The Enseleni Nature Reserve is a small reserve of 293 hectares lying just inland from the town of Richards Bay, almost midway between Empangeni a...
Maputaland Marine Reserve
The Maputaland Marine Reserve lies within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, known as one of the 'jewels' of South Africa's coastline and a UNESCO de...
Pongolapoort Nature Reserve
Travel inland in a north westerly direction from the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Heritage Site and you will reach the large Pongolapoort Dam, on th...
Accommodation near Mapelane Nature Reserve
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / KwaZulu Natal Accommodation / Elephant Coast Accommodation / St Lucia Accommodation