St. Lucia was first named "Rio de la Medaos do Oura" (River of the dows of Gold) in 1554 by the survivors of the Portuguese Ship Saint Benedict. It was then that the Tugela river mouth was actually known as St. Lucia.
· Later, in 1575, the Tugela river was properly named Tugela.
· On 13 December 1575, the day of the feast of Saint Lucy, Manuel Peresterello renamed the mouth area to Santa Lucia.
· In 1822 St. Lucia was proclaimed a township by the British.
· In 1895 St. Lucia was proclaimed a Game Reserve.
· In 1971, St Lucia Lake, the turtle beaches and coral reefs of Maputaland were listed by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (RAMSAR).
· In December 1999 The Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Experience the essence of Africa on Lake St Lucia "a World Heritage Site", aboard Born Free & Fannas "Spirit of St Lucia" where the five eco-systems come together.
On board you will be hosted by your skippers and guides in South Africa’s first World Heritage Site. The tour takes approximately two hours to explore the Estuary, starting from the mouth area near Honeymoon Bend to the second narrows. This environmental life link connects the Lake to the Indian Ocean. It serves as a highway providing a migratory route for a variety of organisms, so there is always something happening. Hippopotami and crocodiles are the main attraction, while a wide variety of bird-life is a treat for avid bird watchers and naturalists alike. Mangrove swamps line the shores, fish dart to and fro over the shallow mudbanks catching prawns.
Between the 2 boats, we can now accommodate 60 people per tour, ‘Fannas - The Spirit of St Lucia’ tour boat, is one of a kind, designed with ample space, comfort and viewing in mind. Whilst ‘Born Free’ is designed for comfortable viewing with personalised attention.. It is powered by quiet smoke-free four stroke "Yamaha" motors to enable a much closer experience with the wildlife. A licensed bar service and toilet facilities are available on board both boats.
With our new kitchen and dining facilities on board Fannas, we now offer an improved menu consisting of hot meals made up of scrumptious fish and meat dishes. Our boat is ideally equipped to cater for office parties, conferences, birthday parties or weddings. We also cater for that romantic full moon tour! Please, however, do remember to make bookings in advance.
The Hluhluwe and Umfolozi reserves were founded in 1895 and are the oldest such sanctuaries in Africa. It was here that theworld- acclaimed Operation Rhino was introduced during the 1960s, successfully capturing and relocating white rhino to havens within South Africa and abroad. As a result, this country's white rhino population is now 12 times the 1960 count of 500. Today a single park, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi is focusing its efforts on saving the endangered black rhino, whose number in Africa has dwindled from 14 000 to a pitiful 2 550 in the past decade. You'll find at least a fifth of the world's black and white rhino population here.
This park is located in central Zululand. From the north, leave the N2 at the Hluhluwe off-ramp. At the stop street turn right and cross over the freeway, follow this tar road for about 14 Km to the memorial gate, the northern entrance to the reserve.
Elephant Lake Hotel is situated on the Elephant Coast in the heart of the exquisite St Lucia World Heritage Site between Lake St Lucia and the Indian Ocean in South Africa. Our hotel accommodation sits on the banks of the St Lucia Estuary and overlooks the lake. 
All our rooms look over the St Lucia Lake and offer an en suite bathroom, telephone, air conditioning, satellite TV and tea/coffee maker. You will enjoy our delicious breakfast buffet and in the evening you can dine ‘at home’ on a varied selection of specialities complemented by one of our renowned South African wines. Sundowners on our deck with the sounds of nature will leave memories of St Lucia that will always be treasured. 
