Hippos spend the day in the water and surface in groups close to the boat. Nile crocodiles lie along the banks. Fish eagles, kingfishers, herons and pelicans work the shallows. Nobody can promise a particular animal; the estuary decides each trip.

01 — iSIMANGALISO IS MORE THAN A WETLAND

The Park protects an interconnected landscape of ocean, beaches, dunes, lakes, forests, estuaries and coastal ecosystems.

02 — THE ESTUARY IS DYNAMIC

Water levels, rainfall, evaporation, salinity and marine influence all affect the character of the system.

03 — HIPPOS ARE NIGHT GRAZERS

They generally leave the water after dark to feed and spend much of the day in or around water.

04 — HIPPOS DON'T REALLY SWIM

They can move underwater by pushing off the bottom.

05 — CROCODILES CAN TOLERATE BRACKISH CONDITIONS

Nile crocodiles are capable of coping with varying salinity, allowing them to inhabit estuarine environments.

06 — BIRDS REVEAL WHAT IS HAPPENING

A sudden concentration of birds or change in feeding activity can sometimes tell you more about what's happening in the shallows than simply looking at the water.

07 — WILDLIFE DOESN'T TAKE BOOKINGS

The boat can leave at a particular time. The hippos cannot be told to be there. The crocodiles don't check the itinerary.

That's why every morning is different.