South AfricaField Guide
Durban to iSimangaliso & St Lucia

Road Trip

Durban to iSimangaliso & St Lucia

Up the KZN North Coast to the hippo-proofed town inside iSimangaliso — beach resorts, dolphins, and the estuary at dawn.

3 hours direct260 kmBest: South to north

Our take

The KZN north-coast wildlife loop — dolphins at Ballito, hippos at St Lucia, all in a half-day's drive.

What's worth stopping for

Not everything along the route — only what's worth sacrificing vacation time for.

  1. 01
    Durban
    CityDay Trip

    Durban

    Start

    Allow —+0 min detour
  2. 02
    Ballito
    TownOvernight

    Ballito

    Great Stop

    Dolphin coast

    Allow half day+0 min detour
  3. 03
    St Lucia
    TownBase

    St Lucia

    Do Not Miss

    Hippos in the street

    Allow 2-3 nights+0 min detour
  4. 04
    iSimangaliso Wetland Park
    National ParkTrip Anchor

    iSimangaliso Wetland Park

    Do Not Miss

    Estuary and Cape Vidal

    Allow 1 day+0 min detour