Bibs Backpackers

Bibs International Backpackers St. Lucia

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St. Lucia BiB's is comfortably nestled on the banks of The St. Lucia Estuary in St. Lucia Village. The Village is the southern most entrance to The Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, South Africa's first World Heritage Site and the oldest permanently declared reserve in Africa.

BiB's is much more than a backpackers. Beside the dorms, doubles and camping, BiB's also offers en-suite self-catering doubles, and four and five bed self-catering family units.

During your stay you can enjoy cooking in the big braai (BBQ) area, have a drink in the "open air under roof" bar and jump directly from here in a rock pool for a swim in the tropical garden setting.
BiB's is fully serviced till 10 pm daily - so you don't have to do any humdrum domestics, like doing the dishes.

Game Reserve - Hluhluwe/iMfolozi

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Amongst the rolling hills (80-540m) of The Elephant Coast, due west of the Coastal Dune Forest, lie the ancient sacred hunting grounds of the mighty Zulu nation. Proudly ruled by King Shaka and other before him, this sacred hunting ground was violated, by the Big game hunters from across the big waters. The Big Game hunters from Europe hunted lion and elephant to extinction on this land of abundance, before the end of 1895. Proclaimed a Game Reserve on 27 April 1897. It was not until the foresight of great men like Captain HB Potter, who was appointed Conservator of Game in 1929, and stepped in during the early 1930's to protect and turn this jewel into a treasure. The thought that this heritage could be lost to generations to follow is one we no longer ponder on.

Home to the world's largest population of Rhino and sharing this with them is 85 other species of mammals including The BIG FIVE. Most of the rock series from kwaZulu Natal is found on the inside of the area now called Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Numerous tiny streams that originate from the rolling hills wind through the green carpeted hills. The main river flowing through the Game Reserve into Lake St. Lucia at False Bay, the Hluhluwe River, runs narrow through a series of deep slopes and elongated rock pools, separated by sandbanks and rock beds. Along its coarse it is overhung by riparian forest vegetation. This view along the banks of the Hluhluwe River was the motivation behind the movie Tarzan and many of the scenes were shot along this riverbank.

Embark on a half day or full day Game Reserve Trip and enjoy the splendors of nature while taking great photo's

Community

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Bibs has a long standing relation ship with local communities. Uplifting and self help programs have benefited many young children.

Khula Village is one of the communities that benefits from such out reach program. Khula is a young community that was formed on the northern side of the R618 after 1994.

The word Khula means to grow and the founder, Kayafas Mkwanazi, was determined for the villagers to grow together with the development of the Tourism Industry of the newly founded World Heritage site at their door step.

Kayafas has since passed over, but his successor Phillip Mkwanasi is just as determent to find a happy medium between culture development and and western prosperity.

With Khula village's roots in the reign of King Shaka it should be on your tick list of things to do. Real live Zulu Sangoma training camp, Ancient worshiping traditions and modern Western school systems functioning in one community, something one must experience.

Ask the Bibs staff about an excursion to Khula Village.

Cape Vidal Eastern Shores Snorkel Experience

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More than a mere Game Drive through the wetlands this excursion meanders through the grasslands, past hippo holes and over sand dunes with some spectacular views.

Host to four of the dangerous five this trip is worth the drive. With many animals and over 530 bird species it is on this drive one truly experience the first World Heritage site of South Africa and oldest Game Reserve in Africa.

The St. Lucia Wetlands as its is world wide known is one of five Eco systems of which the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park consists of and forms the land barrier between the St. Lucia lake system and the Indian ocean.

This trip will not only take you past hippo's lazing in mud pools but will also cross over the worlds second largest vegetated sand dune range with some spectacular views.

Return late in the afternoon while spending some times on the Golden beaches of Cape Vidal with a chance to snorkel in the Indian ocean. Sunblock is compulsory and sun stroke should be avoided at all cost. Drink lots of fluid.

Hippo & Croc Tours

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The system of Lake St. Lucia is approximate 14 million years old. The average depth of the lake is only 1 1/2 meters and is connected to the ocean.

The lake is populated by about 800 hippos and 2000 crocodiles. Over many years the hippo and crocs have adapted to the salt salinity in the estuary being fresh water inhabitants. Other inhabitants in the lake are mudskippers, mangrove crabs, fish eagle, kingfishers and many more.

There are 3 two hour trips available per day. The tours are guided by a Satour qualified guide on a 35 seater launch. Viewing deck ,bar, toilet facilities is part of enabling you a close up view and an enjoyable ride. The boat is powered by Eco-friendly soundless and smokeless motors.

Tours are done at walking speed to enable you to see detail and enjoy the splendor of nature. The skipper and tour guides welcome any questions and requests to stop for any explanations.

A percentage of your fare is contributed to nature conservation and the disadvantaged community. This is a 10 year concession.

Morning Walks

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One of the many World Famous Bibs freebies. A walk along the Eastern Shores of Lake St. Lucia is a must for all visitors to St. Lucia.

Not only is this an unforgettable experience being amongst the wild beasts of Africa. The exhilarating feeling of the fresh morning breeze revives senses and spirit.

This one and a half hour walking trail leads trough the grasslands of the wetlands and along the banks of the Estuary.