The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, as its name suggests, consists of an area that has lakes, lagoons and swamps located in the South African province of Kwazulu-Natal, in the Eastern part of the country.
The Park occupies 220 km of coastline, from the city of St Luciato the border with Mozambique; this part of South Africais located in a transition zone between the tropical area and the sub-tropical area of Southern Africa, and this has an influence on the climate of the park, furthermore the coastal storms and the floods of the rivers are the cause of high biodiversity and the presence of different ecosystems.
What is the climate of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park?
The climate of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is tropical and sub-tropical, the park is located in South Africa and therefore in the Southern Hemisphere; moreover its climate is influenced by the exposure of the park on the Indian Ocean and by the fact that the land is mainly marshy, with the presence of several lakes.
Summer, in the months from November to March, is characterized by a warm climate, with maximum temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees; the air is humid and this is the period in which more rainfall occurs.
In autumn, in the months of April and May, the climate is warm and there is usually wind.
Winter, from June to August, is characterized by a dry and mild climate, the days are warm, with an average temperatures of 28 degrees, the nights are colder, with an average temperatures of 10 degrees; in these months the rains are minimal.
In spring, in the months of September and October, there are rains, usually there is wind and the days are mild.
Being characterized by the presence of so much water, present in lakes and swamps, some of which are permanent, the Isimangaliso Wetland Park is an area at risk of malaria throughout the year, the risk is minimal but it is always good to guard against it.
What is the best period to visit the iSimangaliso Wetland Park?
From the climatic point of view the best period to visit the Isimangaliso Wetland Park is winter, in the months from June to August, since it is the least rainy season and this makes it easier to drive in the park and carry out the various activities; but travelers come here all year long, even during the rains, that are often only heavy downpours.
As for the various activities available there is no single answer regarding the best period to come to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, much depends on the individual activities one wants to practice; the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in fact offers many activitiesto choose from and many of them have a very precise seasonality, while others can be done all year round.
When to practice Whale Watching at the iSimangaliso Wetland Park
The Southern humpback whales and the Southern right whales pass in front of the coasts of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park in the months from June to November; this is the ideal time to be able to spot whales also along all the coasts of South Africato the East of the Cape Peninsula.
When practicing Turtle watching at the iSimangaliso Wetland Park
In the months from November to March, the Leatherback turtles and the Loggerhead turtles return to the deserted beaches of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park to lay their eggs, that will then hatch more than a month after laying.
When to practice other activities at the iSimangaliso Wetland Park
The other activities that can be carried out at the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, are available throughout the year.
In particular one can take a cruise on the St. Lucia Lake, to spot Nile crocodiles, hippos and different species of birds, one can fish, go on a safari, look for wild animals that populate the park, one can go hiking, along some marked paths; one can also practice canoeing, horseback riding, diving, snorkeling, bird watching and cycling.
