I read that the St. Lucia wetlands are experiencing a severe drought. I had planned on visiting there in September. Is it still worth visiting?

I will be there in early July, and it will be part of my trip report after I return.

I read on the Lonely Planet forum (a posting by a S'African) that St. Lucia has been suffering from grought the past 4 years. He was in the northern part of the park and found it pretty dry, so I would plan carefully.

... sorry drought, not grought

We were there in early November. The drought was pretty severe. Stayed at the Hluhluwe River Lodge and they could not get their boats in the water, so no water trips. In fact from the Lodge you could not see water, just grasslands in place of water. Did take a commercial boat trip on St. Lucia Lake and saw lots of crocs, hippos and birds, which was nice.
In lieu of water activities the Lodge did morning and afternoon game trips to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, which was great. Unless the situation has improved, I would spend my time in the Game Reserve and then take a day trip to St. Lucia Lake.
Have a great trip.

thit cho, are you back from South Africa? Looking forward to reading your trip report and an update on St. Lucia.

vegasgirl, my trip report is below.

I did visit St. Lucia, and while the water level was lower than usual, there were lots of hippos and crocodiles in the southern portion of the estuary. I did not venture far north, where I was told the lake is dry.

In my view, the boat trip on the estuary remains worthwhile.

The rivers in Hluhluwe were also much lower than usual.

Thanks for the info, thit cho. Certainly sounds worthy of a visit.

vegasgirl, I'll bump my trip report up, since it gives more info about St. Lucia

Michael,

You think the same drought conditions for Phinda too?

Hari

Hari, I have no idea about Phinda, but while the rivers were low in Hluhluwe, there were plenty of waterholes.

Ok, Thks........

Hari