St Lucia

St Lucia village on the KwaZulu Natal northeast coast, also known as the Elephant Coast, is surrounded by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park which was declared a Nature Reserve in 1895. Covering more than 32,000 hectares it is the second largest park in South Africa.
This diverse region was awarded South Africa's first World Heritage Site status in 1999. It consists of five vast ecosystems: the marine, coastal, lake, swamp and savannah areas.
Hundreds of animal and bird species and thousands of indigenous plant species thrive in this protected natural environment.

The climate is mostly sunny with mild winter temperatures (June to August)  but high summer (December to February) can be rather hot and humid.
During spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) the weather is pleasant and comfortable.
Lively St Lucia village is home to a few hundred permanent residents who have settled into the relaxed life style.
A wide variety of accommodation options ranging from star graded guest lodges to shady camp sites can host thousands of visitors.

St Lucia is a popular choice for training and team building events and conferences.
On the main street amenities like top restaurants and excellent shops, beauty and health spa's, a bank, several ATM's, fuel station, car rental service, a chemist with clinic, and the colourful fresh fruit and crafts market cater for almost every need. The Post Office with public phones is just around the corner.

Recreation includes the local bowling club, a nearby golf course, safaris, game and beach (seasonal) excursions, birding, offshore fishing and whale watching, hiking trips, lake boat cruises etc to cater for the more energetic visitor.
The deep-sea angling club with its popular restaurant offer great views on the lake where hippo, crocodiles and birds bask on the sandbanks. The club hosts annual fishing competitions and a spring Beerfest.

Ancient sand dunes, wide stretches of sandy beach and the warm Indian Ocean attract visitors from all over the world.
From St Lucia drive 35km north through the game reserve toCape Vidal for snorkeling or scuba diving. iMfolozi/Hluhluwe game reserve where the big five roam is less than an hour away.
This vibrant ecotourism industry makes St Lucia an excellent property investment option.
Exclusive to the town is a 24/7 security service that also patrol and guard the wide open beach areas.

Properties here are mainly privately owned holiday flats and houses, up-market guest lodges and B&B's.
During school holidays and long weekends all available accommodation is sold out well in advance, generating excellent rental returns.

Demand for property has been steady with prices remaining relatively stable throughout the property market slump.
Investors are fast moving in to snap up the few available sectional title units, guest lodges, residential houses, and businesses. 
Very few prime vacant stands are for sale.

The unique status and environment of St Lucia are among the factors that have always contributed to good profits on property investment over the medium to long term.
No new developments are planned for the immediate future so the demand for existing properties will remain high.
Get here by one of the regular flights from Johannesburg International Airport to Richards Bay which lies 70 km to the south, or drive 175 km north on the N2 toll road from Durban King Shaka airport.

Travelling here from Johannesburg along the N3 toll road via Durban will take about eight hours (735 km)