Looking for exciting things to do in St Lucia? Shakabarker Tours, located in the St Lucia Estuary, and operating in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi area, has many activities to keep you and your loved ones busy over your holiday.
Shakabarker Tours’ intimate knowledge of the St Lucia area is unrivalled. The company is led by a qualified scientist and registered national tour guide, Kian Barker. He is well-travelled and respected in his knowledge of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Besides a range of personalized tours and packages, the company will also help you with your accommodation in St Lucia.
Shakabarker Tours offerings
St Lucia Is the only private town completely surrounded by a Natural World Heritage Site – the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and Shakabarker Tours can help you explore this area and its surrounds.
If you have been keen to experience a Turtle Tour in the KwaZulu-Natal, Shakabarker Tours offers seasonal trips where you experience the miracle of the reproduction of Leatherback Turtles and Loggerhead Turtles on the beaches of Kosi Bay in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
You can also join their Night / Chameleon Drive Safaris. These 3 hour nocturnal safaris take you along the 4×4 tracks in the Eastern Shores Reserve in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
They have two exciting iSimangaliso Wetland Tours. Their St. Lucia World Heritage Tour will show you why iSimangaliso Wetland Park is an international Natural World Heritage Site through a full day, off-road exploration of this pristine area. This includes wonderful game viewing, bird watching, short walks and a visit to Cape Vidal with snorkelling and Whale Watching in season.
The Eastern Shores Excursion is a morning or late afternoon drive that traverses the park’s forest, pans and grasslands up to Lake Bhangazi. It is an in-depth exploration of the Wetlands and its inhabitants, history and scenic beauty. You will stop for a bush breakfast or sundowners and snacks at Catalina Bay or Lake Bhangazi, then a spotlight night safari along the 4×4 routes in the reserve.
Want to see the Big Five? TheHluhluwe / Umfolozi Game Reserve Safari takes you on a full day tour through the Hluhluwe and the Umfolozi game reserves. The reserve is renowned for its White Rhinoceros and the magnificence of its coastal landscape. The safari tour includes meals (breakfast and full braai lunch) and refreshments at one of the scenic picnic sites in the Hluhluwe / Umfolozi Game Reserve.
Or you can join their Feast & Beast Safari Package. It’s a three-day package with many exciting options. And you can actually expand the package with more tours!
Or you probably want to try their leisurely Guided Bicycle & Hiking Tours. The bicycle tour is a 3-hour tour in and around St. Lucia with a real Zulu guide, bird-watching and general game viewing. With the iPhiva Hiking Trail, you get a close-up view of the pans and grassland of the iSimangaliso Wetlands. You will also have a professional guide on hand to explain it all.
Their Hippo & Croc Boat Cruises is also among the top things to do in St Lucia. The tours get you so close to the hippos and crocodiles that you can almost touch them. They also concentrate on the many bird species at the estuary. The tours are guided by SATOUR-registered guides to ensure you a deep insight in the estuary’s wild-life.
Also get acquainted with crocs at the Crocodile Centre. Lake St. Lucia is home to the largest breeding population of Crocodiles in South Africa and at The Crocodile Centre you will learn many aspects of the life of this ancient reptile.
From June to November, you can join Shakabarker Tours on Whale Watching Tours. Encounter thousands of Humpback Whales as they pass St. Lucia en-route to the tropics to calve before they go down to Antarctica.
If you want to learn more about the history and culture of the local Zulu, join their Zulu Cultural Tours. The Khula Village Tour will give you an insight into Zulu life with visits to schools, churches, Zulu dancing and even a traditional Sangoma. Taste Zulu beer and traditional Zulu lunches!
There are several Hiking Trails in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park for those wanting to experience the area’s natural wonders. There also other tours, activities & adventures that you can also take advantage of.
You can request a quote HERE.
Reviews from people who have used Shakabarker Tours
“An excellent service from start to finish. We were picked up at our hotel by Heynie for our hippo tour. Heynie provided a fantastic narrative on the history of the park and on the natural world that abounds. Hot chocolate stop with the hippos was great. Our night tour was again first class and lots of information on the fauna and animals. All COVID-19 controls were managed very well. These guys were first class and I recommend them,” wrote Mel B on their TripAdvisor page.
Pamela added; “Had a lovely day with Tony who treated us to a fabulous exploration of plants and wildlife in the wetland park. Some lovely viewing of kudu, zebra, buffalo, and Vervet and Samango monkeys. At Cape Vidal Tony provided a terrific braai and managed to prevent the monkey’s stealing our meal. Beautiful scenery, lovely company and lots of laughs. Grand day out.”
“Had a great tour. Got a lot of interesting information. Saw beautiful birds and of course the Hippo’s. Including a coffee break. Really enjoyed it!” said Ria h.
Shakabarker Tours is located at 43 Hornbill St, St Lucia. Here is their location on Google Maps. For bookings, call +27 (0) 35 590 1162; email info@shakabarker.co.za or visit them online at www.shakabarker.co.za. Follow them on Facebook HERE.
