Bib's Adventure Centre - St Lucia - Elephant Coast - South Africa

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Bib's Adventure Centre

Abstract: SO MUCH TO DO. STAY AWHILE

Description:

Bib's Adventure Centre is conveniently located on the main road of St Lucia. The friendly staff can help you book one of the many activities available in The Greater St. Lucia wetlands area and the neighbouring Big 5 game reserves.

A recent addition to the BiB's repertoire is diving with whale sharks (in season) and kite surfing rentals and lessons.

Hippo & croc tours
The system of Lake St. Lucia is approximate 14 million years old. The average depth of the lake is only 1 1/2 meters and is connected to the ocean.

The lake is populated by about 800 hippos and 2000 crocodiles. Over many years the hippo and crocs have adapted to the salt salinity in the estuary being fresh water inhabitants. Other inhabitants in the lake are mudskippers, mangrove crabs, fish eagle, kingfishers and many more.

There are 3 two hour trips available per day. The tours are guided by a Satour qualified guide on a 35 seater launch. Viewing deck ,bar, toilet facilities is part of enabling you a close up view and an enjoyable ride. The boat is powered by Eco-friendly soundless and smokeless motors.

Tours are done at walking speed to enable you to see detail and enjoy the splendor of nature. The skipper and tour guides welcome any questions and requests to stop for any explanations.
A percentage of your fare is contributed to nature conservation and the disadvantaged community. This is a 10 year concession.

Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve
Amongst the rolling hills (80-540m) of The Elephant Coast, due west of the Coastal Dune Forest, lie the ancient sacred hunting grounds of the mighty Zulu nation. Proudly ruled by King Shaka and other before him, this sacred hunting ground was violated, by the Big game hunters from across the big waters. The Big Game hunters from Europe hunted lion and elephant to extinction on this land of abundance, before the end of 1895. Proclaimed a Game Reserve on 27 April 1897. It was not until the foresight of great men like Captain HB Potter, who was appointed Conservator of Game in 1929, and stepped in during the early 1930's to protect and turn this jewel into a treasure. The thought that this heritage could be lost to generations to follow is one we no longer ponder on.

Home to the world's largest population of Rhino and sharing this with them is 85 other species of mammals including The BIG FIVE. Most of the rock series from kwaZulu Natal is found on the inside of the area now called Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Numerous tiny streams that originate from the rolling hills wind through the green carpeted hills. The main river flowing through the Game Reserve into Lake St. Lucia at False Bay, the Hluhluwe River, runs narrow through a series of deep slopes and elongated rock pools, separated by sandbanks and rock beds. Along its coarse it is overhung by riparian forest vegetation. This view along the banks of the Hluhluwe River was the motivation behind the movie Tarzan and many of the scenes were shot along this riverbank.

Night drives
Join the night drive on an open game drive vehicle with spotlight for three hours of an unforgettable experience in the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park. The park is home to elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard, hippos, bush babies and wide variety of antelopes. This educational tour makes an individual feel even closer to nature so much that you become a part of it.

Whale watching
(June to November)
From June trough to December Humpback Whales migrate to the warm waters of The Mozambique coastal plain where they give birth to their young nursing them in these favorable conditions before the journey home will start. Yearly sightings range between 1500 and 2500 traveling North or South. These playful mammals launch them self into the air breaching or spy hopping. On a calm day you can watch as they "sail" with the wind just exposing their tails only emerging for a brief moment to gulp in the fresh air of The Elephant Coast.

Turtle tours
(November to March)
The beaches of The Elephant Coast are world renowned for their safe haven for nesting loggerhead and leather back ancient marine turtles. Even when sharing the beaches with the 4x4 beach vehicles The Elephant Coast Nesting females where the only marine turtles world wide that increased their nesting frequencies over a thirty year period. Over thirty years ago Dr. George Hughes made the breeding Turtles his responsibility and has done much in collaboration with the Tembe-Tonga people for the protection off this highly endangered specie. The turtle tour starts at sunset with a walk on the beaches of Banga-Neck. Waiting, searching and walking under the unpolluted night sky of The Elephant Coast of South Africa. Finding a struggling marine turtle embarking on her journey over the stretch of sand between the ocean and sand dunes is a life altering experience. Staying at a safe distance, not to disturb her, one can over see the pain staking process of nest making. The only noise dampening the huffing and puffing of the struggling mother in labor is the soft roar of the Indian Ocean in the background.

Deep sea fishing
Join the experience of a lifetime with our deep-sea fishing charters, keep your fish and whilst fishing get to see whales & dolphins in season. Our deep-sea charters are bred by skippers with loads of experience & take you to the perfect fishing spots where you are expected to catch fish like marlin, rocked, dorado, sailfish, king mackerel, queen mackerel and many more.

Snorkelling
Cape Vidal is 38 km North of St. Lucia and the only entrance to Cape Vidal is via St. Lucia. Apart from rustic accommodation Cape Vidal has little infrastructure and is purely a beach destination. Situated on the Southern section of the Mozambique coastal plain, Cape Vidal offers some corals and has the highest variety of subtropical fish in the whole world. This makes Cape Vidal an Ideal snorkeling destination. The bay at Cape Vidal is effected by weather patterns and the hard surface development in a sand shout has the result of the bay behind the rocks silting up from time to time. Snorkeling is not always easy and very few times a disappointment, but the drive to Cape Vidal through the wetlands and the day on the beach is always worth the exercise.

Hiking
Walking and hiking trails zigzag across the Wetlands and ranges from self guided same day walks to over night hiking experiences that will edge memories to last a life time.

Bird watching
The Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park has 526 recorded spieces of birds.
If you are a bird-lover then theres is no doubt, that you will enjoy a guided bird hike in the Park.

All guides are registered specialist birding guides accredited with THETA and BirdLife South Africa

Kayaking
If you are adventurous then explore Lake St. Lucia from a kayak.
What can be more exciting than paddle amongst hippos and crocs and experience the wildlife of the Lake.

This experience reflects every aspect of this diverse wilderness from drifting up to the tiny malachite kingfisher in the mangroves, to crashing through the breakers on the beach at Cape Vidal.

Horse ride safaris
Ride horses on the paths trotted by big game hunters that tamed this desolated wilderness with its phantom killer diseases prowling on humans.

Off-road self drive
This is the ultimate way to explore the real Africa.
You are in control of your own tough all-terrain vehicle whilst enjoying the exclusivity of a small group, accompanied by knowledgeable and experienced bush and track experts.

The Crocodile Centre
Two km north of St. Lucia on the way to Cape Vidal is the Crococrodile Centre.
The centre was established to conserve the Nile crocodiles, but now has a variety of other crocodillians. You can also find a snake display at the centre with more than 25 spieces of snakes. As one of only four permit holders the centre are allowed to display the rare and highly venomous gaboon viper.

The centre also has a curio shop and a cycad garden in which many of these plants, which have remained unchanged for 200 million years may be seen.

There are daily guided tours at 11:00 and 14:00. Each Saturday afternoon there is a snake demo and crocodile feeding. In the summer months there is also feedings on Wednesday evenings followed by Zulu dancing.

Cultural tours
Duku-Duku has been the training centre for Sangomas (witch doctors) since the dawn of time. Embark on a mystical cultural experience of the supernatural and have your future fore told by a person sharing in the ancient knowledge of this religious practice.

You will also get an insight in Zulu traditions and rites, and the making of the amazing Zulu handicrafts

Ncema Festival
On the second last saturday of September thousands of young bare-breasted maidens gather before the Zulu King, to honour the old tradition of the Reed Dance. In earlier days the king would choose a new bride amongs the maidens presented for him.
The dance takes place at the king's palace which lies between Nongoma and Ulundi.

Shembe Festival
The Shembe, the Church of the Holy Nazareth Baptists, is an unofficial religion that combines Zulu traditions with Christianity.
Each year in October more than 30,000 Zulus gather at Judea, 15 km east of Eshowe, for the Shembe Festival, a celebration with dancing, singing and blowing the horns of Jericho.
Presiding over the festival is the church saviour, Prophet Mbusi Vimbeni Shembe.

Kruger Park safaris
The Kruger Park is without doubt the most famous South African Game Reserve.
If you are planning a visit to The Kruger Park, we can arrange the tour.

Mozambique tours
Swaying coconut palms on very fine beaches, leading your mind towards a tropical paradise....That's Mozambique.

If you are planning a visit to Mozambique, we can arrange your tour