The area of wetlands Isimangaliso known as Santa Lucia Park, located on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was renamed in November 2007 by combining its territory to more number of ecosystems. Isimangaliso in Zulu means "miracle." Subsequently Park Isimangaliso must be integrated into border Reserve Ponta do Ouro Kosi Bay, capturing the territory of three countries - South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland. In the future we plan to introduce it in the Big Lubombo transfrontier reserve.
Currently Reserve has 280 km of untouched coastline and covers an area of 328,000 hectares with magnificent scenery. The park covers a huge mosaic of land, ranging from coral reefs and beaches of the coastal forest to marshland, sea and fresh water in the Lake St Lucia, to lush coastal plains and green forests. This is an amazingly beautiful place in South Africa, located in the coastal plain near the town of St. Lucia, Mtubatumba, Hluhluwe, Mkuze, Mbasvana and Manguzi. This zone is located between the zone of temperate climate in the south and in the north of the tropics. Many plant and animal species are endemic to this coastal plain.
The park was declared a World Heritage Site because of its rich biodiversity, combining several unique ecosystems of great beauty, located in a relatively small area. The reason for the huge variety of fauna and flora is a wide variety of ecosystems, ranging from coral reefs and sandy beaches, subtropical forests, savannas and wetlands. The reserve is home to leopards, black and white rhino, buffalo, antelope, zebra. In the coastal waters of the park, you can see whales, dolphins and sea turtles. Since 2001, there were elephants in the reserve. The park is also home to the 1200 Nile crocodiles and hippos 800. In December 2013, after 44 years of absence, to the territory of the reserve were brought lions.
The coastal area of the park is also rich in a large number of underwater reefs, which are home to colorful fish and corals. The greatest variety of corals in the world is in Sodwana Bay, located on the reserve. Reefs also inhabit the octopus and squid. On the shore of the park can sometimes see the giant whale shark, gliding through the water. In Lake St. Lucia, which is a significant part of the park, home to 24 species of bivalves.
More than 500 different species of birds live here or pass through the wetlands reserve during the year. The park is also home to several species of frogs, vipers and a wide variety of species of snakes, located in the coastal subtropical forest.
The park is a popular destination among tourists. Here you can enjoy fishing, boating, bird watching, diving, or pick up a camera and try to capture the wonderful world of nature reserve.
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