The Little Bush Baby Co.

Have you ever wanted to safari with your children?

Is your child a nature lover?

Do they pour over books of wild animals and dream of the day they can see them running free and not in their local zoo?

Then the Elephant Coast, on the northeastern coast of South Africa in the heart of KwaZulu Natal is the perfect place to explore.

Zululand is abundant with sugar cane and pineapple plantations, miles of golden sandy beaches and some of the country’s best safari lodges. This makes it the ideal holiday destination! Wildlife, leisure time, beach time, cultural experiences and much much more.

We are slightly biased because we get to call this little slice of paradise home but at the same time we love sharing our passion for wildlife and all things nature related with other families.

So here is our guide to the best child-friendly activities in and around St Lucia and the Elephant Coast.

Self-drive safari –

Both the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park have the infrastructure to enable you to drive around the reserves yourself. You can pack up a picnic or in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park make use of the restaurants, drive around looking for wildlife and have the flexibility to pitstop at hides and safe picnic areas to get out of the vehicle, stretch your legs and have bathroom breaks.

This option gives you more control over your day as you can choose when you depart, how much noise your children make, how long you stay at sightings, and how long you take for lunch and toilet breaks.
Cost: $ – picnic and entrance fees $ – restaurant at Centenary Centre

A beach day at Cape Vidal or Mission Rocks –

A day at Cape Vidal is perfect for families because you combine a drive through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park with time on the beach. At low tide, Cape Vidal has a natural tidal pool to snorkel in and rock pools to explore. You will need to take a picnic and cool drinks as the small shop at Cape Vidal only stocks the bare essentials and ensure you have enough fuel to get there and back as the fuel is more expensive than in town.

Mission Rocks is best visited at low tide when the rock pools are exposed and there is a beach to enjoy. A great fishing spot if you and your children enjoy a more leisurely pastime. You will need to get the appropriate licenses in St Lucia and adhere to the regulations.

Check the tide times before you go and watch for the rip tides which are pretty strong along our coastlines.
Cost: $ – picnic and entrance fees

Guided snorkelling experience at Cape Vidal –

Safari and Surf host guided snorkelling safaris at Cape Vidal. A great activity to combine with a beach day! All snorkelling equipment is provided, wetsuits are available at a small fee if you need them and you get a hot drink after. Minimum age 5 years and beginners welcome. The experience is at low tide so the start time varies.
Cost – $$ – activity + entrance fees

i. Croc Safari @ St Lucia Crocodile Centre –

The crocodile centre is home to a variety of croc species and runs a rehab and active breeding programme in order to ensure the survival of these prehistoric reptiles. Take a leisurely walk around the centre, book a private tour or visit at the weekend when they feed the Crocs (one session on Saturday, one on Sunday) for a more interactive session.

Contact the centre for times of the feeding sessions 035 590 1386 or book a private tour with us at The Little Bush Baby Co. for a fun and educational reptilian activity.
Cost: $

ii. Croc and Snake Safari @ Zulu Croc –

If your little one loves snakes as well as Crocs then a drive to Zulu Croc in Hluhluwe (around an hour’s drive) makes a great morning out. They have presentations on different snakes and walk around to chat about the different crocodiles. Very informative and it takes away some of the fear of snakes that many children (and adults) have. For more information visit www.zulucroc.co.za. They also have a jungle gym, a great restaurant and small crazy golf perfect for entertaining the child whilst parents can relax over lunch.
Cost $$

Elephant Interaction at Bayete Zulu Lodge –

Rachel and Rambo are the resident elephants on Manyoni Private Game Reserve (around a 1.5 -2 hour drive from St Lucia). They are habituated elephants who were rescued after the rest of their herd was culled. They roam freely around the game reserve when they aren’t greeting visitors. During this interactive 1 hour session, you get to learn about these beautiful creatures before getting the opportunity to give Rachel or Rambo a snack, feel their trunk and skin and enjoy being up, close and personal with them. A truly amazing experience.

The interaction sessions take place at 11 am every day, booking is essential. No minimum age restriction. It is an outdoor experience so dress appropriately for the weather! To book and for more details go to Bayete Zulu – Elephant Connections
Cost – $$$

Zululand Cat Conservation Project at Emdoneni Lodge –

If you are a cat lover then a trip to the Cat Conservation project is a must! They rehabilitate orphaned or injured cats such as cheetah, serval, caracal and African wild cats as well as having a breeding and release programme to help increase population numbers in the wild.

With 2 sessions daily (morning and afternoon) or the option of a private tour, the sessions are interactive, educational and immersive as you get close to these wonderful felines. Children under 12 are not allowed into enclosures and no active touching of the animals (they can come to you but you can’t actively go to them).

The project is situated around 45 minutes drive from St Lucia. For more details and to book contact Emdoneni Lodge.
Cost: $$

The Gallery –

The Gallery is a place for budding artists, creative minds or children that just love to paint! And means little ones are occupied so parents can have a cuppa (and delicious cake!) in peace and quiet. You can choose watercolour or acrylic paints, bookmarks, cards, kids’ fun pictures, rocks, canvas and more! Everything is provided, you simply turn up, choose what to paint and get creative.

To find out about opening times and more details see The Gallery’s Facebook page.
Cost: $

Boardwalk or Beach Walk to the estuary mouth –

With the beach only 5 minute’s drive from St Lucia town it definitely needs a mention! Drive to the Boardwalk at the far end of the town to walk through the forest and enjoy stunning views over the estuary or park at Ingwe Beach. The estuary mouth is approximately a 1-1.5 km walk either over the sand dunes or splashing along in the warm Indian Ocean.

Look out for the ghost crabs scurrying back and forth over the sand, the birdlife and any interesting wildlife tracks. At the estuary mouth, there are hippos, crocs and an array of birds to see. It is not recommended to go into the water or near the water’s edge because of the crocodiles and hippos. But makes a nice activity to while away a few hours with children. With the added bonus of stopping into the Ski Boat Club for a cheeky milkshake or cold drink on the way back to town from the Boardwalk!

You can also check out the curios market with a vast array of locally made gifts and souvenirs with a truly Zulu flare.
Cost: Free (but the car guards appreciate a tip!) or $ if you have drinks/snacks at Ski Boat Club

Hippo and Croc boat cruise –

a trip to St Lucia would not be complete without a Hippo and Croc boat cruise. I have lost count of how many times we have done it with our children! Take a leisurely 2-hour boat cruise on Lake St Lucia looking out for the hippos, crocs, birds and other wildlife that may be on the shores of the Wetland Park.

Our favourites are the bigger boat run by Advantage Tours or the smaller boat run by St Lucia Safaris. Both have enough space for the children to walk around and bathroom facilities because we all know what children are like! There is also a small cash bar in case you want a sundowner drink or snack along the way.
Cost: $

For full details and to book check out our activities page on our website.
Cost $$

Horse Safari @ Bhangazi Horse Safaris –

If you have a horse lover then this is a wonderfully unique experience. Take a ride into the bushveld to see plains game animals like zebra, impala, and wildebeest closer than you ever would on foot or in a vehicle. You can do this as a 1-hour ride or combine it with a horse ride on the beach (2.5 hours). A great experience for adventure lovers looking for a very different activity.

All levels of riders are catered for. The minimum age restriction is 6 years for the bush rides, 8 years for the combo ride, maximum weight allowance of 85kgs.
Cost: $$$

Children’s Nature Safari –

Join us at The Little Bush Baby Co. as we take a walk on the wild side! This relaxed 1.5-hour activity takes children out to explore St Lucia town or the surrounding areas (the exact location depends on the weather and recent animal sightings). Looking for tracks and signs of wildlife, learning about how ecosystems work and why nature is important to maintain balance in a fun and interactive way. Wildlife may be seen along the way but will be observed at a safe distance. A snack break along the way is also included.
Cost: $$

Alternatively, St Lucia is a very relaxed and child-friendly town where you can take your children and walk around. From the beach to the iGwalagwala trail in the heart of the forest, a wander down Mckenzie Street exploring the curios shops or restaurants with jungle gyms, there is plenty to do for any budget and for children of all ages.

If you need any help planning your trip to St Lucia or want to book any child-focused activities contact us via our website The Little Bush Baby Co. Our mission is to make planning family safaris hassle-free so that your children can come and learn about our natural world in a fun and educational way whilst making family memories to last a lifetime.