The ideal beach and safari destination. The best of beach and bush.
Cape Vidal on the Eastern Shores is a rare beach-and-bush destination… the best of two worlds. The resort is situated in a marine reserve yet only a short drive away from game areas. Marine life includes humpback whales, dolphins, rare turtles, whale sharks, marlin and sailfish.
From St Lucia to Cape Vidal, several loop roads lead to excellent natural features for bird-watching, game viewing and scenic lookout points. The Eastern Shores section hosts elephant, rhino, buffalo, crocodile, hippo, hyaena, leopard – and many species of smaller game.

A paradise abounding in creatures of sea, land and air
Game viewing and birding
With its fresh-water pans, swamp forest and grasslands, the area hosts many sought-after avian species such as the pink-throated twinspot, rufous-bellied heron, Livingstone’s turaco, dwarf bittern, Rudd’s apalis and southern banded snake eagle.

Visit the Lake Bhangazi, eMfabeni or kuMziki Lookouts for panoramic vistas
Accommodation in the Park
Cape Vidal – KZN Wildlife
Cape Vidal falls within the Eastern Shores section of iSimangaliso and is situated approximately 30km north-east of St Lucia.
Website | Email | 033 845 1000

Cape Vidal Camp site
Set up your tent a stone’s throw away from the expansive beach of Cape Vidal.
Website | Email | 033 845 1000
Operators in the Area
- Heritage Tours & Safaris’ guides specialise in photographic safaris to help you get the perfect shot. Heritage Tours & Safaris have created an eclectic combination of tours and packages that include game drives, bush walks and fine cuisine. In every excursion, guests are held in the safe hands of experienced and personable rangers, who are trained to position the tour vehicle to get the best angle for photographic purposes.
Activities Offered Game Drives Thompsons Tours
Thompsons Holidays is a leading South African travel wholesaler with over 38 years of expertise catering primarily to leisure travellers. Additionally, travel and activity arrangements requiring in-depth knowledge and experience – such as cruising, sports travel, escorted tours and self-drive tours – are handled by specialists within the company.
Activities OfferedTurtle Tours
Shoreline Boat Safaris & Turtle Tours
South Africa’s first World Heritage site offers one an opportunity to witness hippos wallowing and Nile crocodiles basking in the African sun. Shoreline’s estuary boat cruise – which includes tea and coffee breaks – is a 2 hour photographic opportunity allowing one to get up close to the animals that reside here. Each vessel has a carrying capacity of 14 clients and therefore offers a personal and interactive experience.
Activities OfferedBoat Cruises
Guided Walks
Turtle Tours
Shakabarker Tours
Shakabarker Tours is situated within the village of St Lucia, in the southern section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. A bustling village deriving its income from tourism, St Lucia is surrounded by many natural assets, and the ecosystem is linked to a number of migratory life cycles – from mighty Humpback Whales to Caspian Terns and Leatherback Turtles.
Activities OfferedGame Drives
Boat Cruises
Jabisa Tours
Elephant Lake Hotel
Centrally located within St Lucia, guests at Elephant Lake Hotel have easy access to an array of activities. With the ideal location of the Elephant Lake Hotel, guests have a vast range of activities to choose from, all of which can be booked and arranged by the Hotel. These include game drives, whale watching (seasonal), boat cruises on the St Lucia Estuary and snorkelling at Cape Vidal.
Activities OfferedGame Drives