St Lucia Accommodations

Mapelane

Mapelane is situated on the South Bank of the Mfolozi river where it enters the sea. It is the southernmost camp in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park.

What to do on Arrival

All visitors who have booked accommodation, including camping and caravan sites, must report to the Reception office on arrival. Office hours are from 08:00 - 12:30, and from 14:00 - 16:30. In view of the fact that Mapelane is 50 km off the main road, visitors are urged to ensure that their bookings are in fact valid for the day of their arrival.

Accommodation at Mapelane

There are 45 camp and caravan sites, with modern ablution blocks available to visitors. No more than six persons per campsite are permitted.

What to bring

As with all KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service hutted camps, facilities are supplied in the cabins. Visitors must however, bring their own food and drink and are required to do their own cooking and washing up. The cabins are cleaned daily by camp attendants. It must again be stressed that visitors should plan their provisions very carefully, as the nearest shop is 50 km away, and the road can be rough at times.

Amenities

There is excellent ski-boat and surf fishing at Mapelane. Over 200 species of birds have been identified in this area. It is considered safe to swim at low tide.

The rocky intertidal areas provide opportunities for musseling and crayfishing. Licenses are obtainable from the office.

There is a short self-guided trail leading to a view site on the dune, and the roads can also be used for walking.

Umphafa Trail is a self-guided trail and takes approximately two hours, walking at an esy pace. Experience the excellent birdlife and magnificent trees, and watch for the elusive red duiker.

General

• Entrance gates to the reserve open and close at the following times:

Summer (1 October - 31 March)

Winter (1 April - 30 September)

On all Friday evenings and evenings prior to long weekends or provincial school holidays, visitors with bookings may enter the reserve up to 21:00

• No pets are permitted.

• Visitors are advised to take anti-malaria precautions.

• A speed limit of 25 km/h is strictly enforced, except where lower speeds are applicable.

• Littering is an offence.

• Visitors swim in the sea at their own risk. Swimming or wading in the Mfolozi river is not permitted, because of the danger of crocodiles.

• Visitors are not permitted to use their own generators.

• Visitors who wish to use their vehicles on the beach, must obtain a permit from the office to this effect.

• No fuel or power points or freezer facilities are available at Mapelane.

• Visitors using their vehicles on the beach should bring a pump with them in order to adjust tyre pressures.

• The generator is switched off at 22:30 each night.

How to get there

Mapelane is 50 km off the Empangeni-Mtubatuba road, opposite the Kwambonambi turnoff. The road is narrow, very sandy in places and not recommended for cars with limited road clearance. Due to the limitations of the new road, traffic is restricted to the following:

vehicles not exceeding 1 1/2 tonnes;

boats not exceeding 5,79 meters (19 feet);

caravans of single axle class only and only if towed by a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Rates are available on request

Bookings

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