Cape Vidal – Bush & Beach in a day?

On a recent holiday in KwaZulu Natal, we re-visited Cape Vidal from the resort town of St Lucia. Cape Vidal is one of South Africa’s hidden gems. Seriously beautiful and yet sufficiently remote that it is difficult to visit unless you either stay at Cape Vidal in their rather basic log cabins or at nearby St Lucia.

So why should you go to Cape Vidal? The simplistic answer is because it is the ultimate bush & beach destination – all within the space of one day if you please!

Cape Vidal

Cape Vidal lies 30 km north of the small sleepy town of St Lucia which is its only access point. The Isimangaliso Wetlands Park starts almost immediately. You leave St Lucia and this is when you pay a very reasonable fee per person and for your car. The Park is bordered to the east by the Indian Ocean & surrounds the vast Lake St Lucia with its many hippos & crocs. This game reserve has developed tremendously in recent years. With the good summer rains we were bowled over by the quantity of game we saw from our rental car. From zebra, hippo, blue wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, warthog to the impressive buffalo & white rhino. The nocturnal leopard is also frequently seen if you take a guided night drive in the park. Or you can choose to stay until just before the park gates close for the evening.

Bush and Beach:

Bush

As it was winter our day began with a relaxed breakfast at our lodge (Lidiko Lodge – recommended!). Followed by a slow meander through the park – the “bush” part of the day. If it had been summer, we would have started earlier to see the animals in the early morning. Before they started to seek out deep shade away from the midday sun.

Beach

At lunchtime, we arrived at Cape Vidal and began the “beach” part of the day. We relaxed on a beautiful golden sandy beach. This northern part of KwaZulu Natal is about the only part of South Africa which has a climate suitable for beach days year round. We enjoyed a picnic lunch under the shade of the forested dunes. Then enjoyed a spot of snorkelling on the reef which lies just off the beach and is easily reached at low tide.

In the spirit of full disclosure, this was not the most epic snorkelling experience I have enjoyed in South Africa. Not much further north I would recommend Thonga Beach Lodge in South Africa. Or White Pearl Resort which lies just over the border in Mozambique. However we saw quite a few colourful fish including some giant crayfish (lobster). It is great for kids because you are snorkelling so close to the shore.

Later we meandered back through the park stopping for a snack at one of the picnic spots. Enjoying the panoramic view of Lake St Lucia before returning to the charming little holiday village of St Lucia. Actually St Lucia makes for a great base to stay in the area offering visits to Cape Vidal, visits to the Umfolozi-Hluhluwe Game Park only 30 minutes away, as well as boat cruises on Lake St Lucia itself.

As well as self-guided trips like the one we enjoyed, you can also book a guided bush & snorkelling trip, a night drive or in the summer season a turtle-tracking excursion which is a Must-Do activity between November and February.

See one of my earlier posts about Turtle Tracking….

About Cedarberg Africa

Cedarberg Africa is a specialist tour operator for Southern and East Africa. We focus on upmarket tailormade safaris for discerning and inquiring people. Several of us have visited Rwanda and so we can chat to you about a possible trip from personal experience, weighing up the different options, to plan a trip that is just right for you.

Contact us if you would like to discuss a holiday in KwaZulu Natal or check out our KwaZulu Natal Pages.