iSimangaliso gearing up for festive season
Visitors to the protected areas are asked to respect the rules in place for their own well-being
UMKHANYAKUDE District officials are gearing up for the festive season and the huge influx of visitors during the holiday period.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, SAPS, Mtubatuba and uMhlabuyalingana local municipalities, the KZN Road Traffic Inspectorate, traditional leadership structures, the Mbazwana Taxi Association, St Lucia Ratepayers Association and St Lucia Sea Rescue are all working together to make it a safe season for all.
Visitors to the region’s parks and protected areas are asked to respect and adhere to the rules and regulations which are in place for the good of everyone, both people and animals.
Daily gate limits
Cape Vidal (Eastern Shores) has a maximum vehicle limit of 120 per day (excluding accommodated guests). Day visitors must pay the entry fee at the Bhangazi Gate office, and must enter the park within 30 minutes of receiving the permit to ensure access is gained before the daily gate limit is reached.
Sodwana Bay has a gate limit of 550 vehicles. Overflow parking is available at the boundary of the park, from where beach visitors may enter on foot free of charge.
Western Shores has a daily limit of 50 vehicles.
Beach parking – Sodwana Bay only
The Sodwana Bay vehicle limit of 550 includes a maximum of 200 daily permits issued to 4×4 drivers wishing to park on the beach, subject to beach conditions.
One hundred of these are reserved for guests accommodated within iSimangaliso, issued at the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife office.
An additional 100 are issued daily at the Sodwana Bay soccer field outside the park.
Gate times
Summer gate operating times at iSimangaliso are 5am to 7pm, except for Sodwana Bay which has 24-hour access.
There is strictly no late entry at any gates throughout the park. Maps are available for purchase at the gates.
Safety checks
For the benefit and safety of all park users, iSimangaliso exercises a ‘zero tolerance’ policy regarding alcohol.
No alcohol is allowed in public areas of the park. Alcohol checkpoints will be in place on St Lucia’s Beach Road, Iphiva Road, the Ski Boat Club road and Bhangazi Gate as well as at Sodwana Bay.
Only guests who have proof of an accommodation booking will be allowed to take alcohol to Cape Vidal and Sodwana Bay.
No alcohol will be allowed for day visitors and drinking in the parking area or on the beach is not permitted.
Accommodated guests may only consume alcohol at their campsites or in their chalets.
Visitors will be offered the option of surrendering their alcohol or choosing not to enter the park. Vehicle searches are conducted at checkpoints.
To facilitate a smoother flow of traffic, a circular one-way traffic system down Beach Road and up Iphiva Road will be in force.
Swimming in the sea is at one’s own risk and is not advised at the St Lucia beaches. There are strong currents and no shark nets, and bathers are reminded to be cautious. During peak season a number of beach monitors have been employed to be stationed on the beaches for eight hours a day during the busiest period of the holidays.
They will be visible by their reflective yellow vests. Additionally, two lifeguards will be on duty at each of St Lucia’s Jabula and Main beaches, as well as at Cape Vidal and Sodwana Bay.
At Sodwana Bay, 13 beach sssistants have been employed by iSimangaliso to assist guests in carrying their belongings to and from the beach.
Beach assistants may be identified by their yellow branded T-shirts and khaki short pants. This service is free of charge and they may not solicit tips from visitors.
Flying of kites is welcomed on the region’s beaches, but no drones (UAVs) or any other types of model or real aircraft may be flown over the park.
All weapons must be declared on entry through park gates.
Remember the wildlife
iSimangaliso, and in particular the St Lucia area, is rich in wildlife.
For the safety of park users as well as the animals, visitors are reminded that:
• Swimming in lakes, including Lake St Lucia and estuary, and Lake Sibaya, is prohibited owing to the presence of crocodiles and hippos.
• Feeding wild animals, including crocodiles and monkeys, is strictly forbidden. When camping or picnicking, keep foodstuffs securely stored out of sight.
• Hippos and other potentially dangerous animals roam the streets at night in all sections of the park, even in St Lucia town.
• Visitors are to adhere to safety advisories and speed limits, and take special care to look out for small creatures such as tortoises, dung beetles, snakes, birds and chameleons on the roads.
In case of emergency, the park’s 24-hour line is 082 7977944.
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