Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat

Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat is an exclusive accommodation establishment located in St Lucia, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The retreat is uniquely positioned as the only village in Southern Africa completely surrounded by a Natural World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

The property features four exclusive African-style en-suite rooms, each with a private patio overlooking a tropical garden. The suites are equipped with modern amenities including air conditioning, LED TV, bar fridge, and tea/coffee facilities. The distinctive open-plan African-styled bathrooms offer walk-in showers, Victorian free-standing baths, and comprehensive personal care facilities. Guests can choose between extra-long twin beds or king-size configurations.

The historical significance of St Lucia dates back to 1554 when Portuguese shipwreck survivors named it "Rio de Arelas de Ouro." The area was later renamed Santa Lucia in 1575. The region became Africa's oldest declared reserve in 1897, covering 36,826 hectares. Today, as part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, it encompasses 332,000 hectares and was designated as South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

The surrounding wetland park boasts remarkable biodiversity, including eight interlinking ecosystems, three major lake systems, and 280 kilometers of unspoiled coastline. The area hosts 97 mammal species, 526 bird species, and all of Africa's "Big Five." The park contains some of the world's oldest vegetated sand dunes and supports five ethnic natural groups. Notable wildlife populations include 800 hippos, 1,200 Nile crocodiles, and the world's highest density of black rhinos.