Activity Description

Traverse three (3) unique pristine wilderness spaces over 2 days all within the elephant coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Combine a boat safari within the iSimangaliso Wetlands with a Big 5 game drive at the famous Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, the 2nd oldest reserve on planet Earth. And then top it all off with an immersive safari experience on an authentic open game vehicle at Manyoni Private Game Reserve where you will track Africa’s iconic Big 5 with the Zulu Kingdom’s best birder and game ranger.

DAY 1

This tour departs from Durban at 06h00. We will pick you up from your accommodation and head north into the pristine reserves of the Zulu Kingdom. Our 1st stop is Lake St Lucia — the largest estuary in Africa located within the UNESCO iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Jump aboard a jetty for a 2 hour boat cruise exploring the lake and her ecosystems. The lake is renowned for its large hippopotamus pods as well is sightings of crocodile, kingfisher and fish eagles.

Time for a spot of lunch on the ever popular Mckenzie Street which boasts many options to cater to your foodie preferences. The next stop is the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve where the Big 5 await. The reserve is famous for bringing the southern white rhino back from the brink of extinction and is now considered to be one South Africa’s premier national parks.

Enter the reserve via the Nyalazi Gate and explore the iMfolozi side of the reserve typified by the vast open savanna. This area is popular with elephant, cheetah, buffalo and african wild dogs. As the sun begins to retreat we will head into the more rugged and hilly Hluhluwe side of the reserve where we will track rhinoceros, lions and other plains game.

With the sun setting, it is time to check into our overnight accommodation in Hluhluwe. Enjoy dinner at Ngweni Railroad Brewery & Cafe before settling into bed for the night.

Please note: We will traverse the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve on one of our air-conditioned Hyundai H1 vehicles. As this is a national park, off-roading is not permitted and all roads are accessible with high-clearance vehicles. As such, we feel exploring this reserve is most comfortable in a closed, air-conditioned vehicle with large windows.

DAY 2

Day two is all about the predators! Enjoy a morning coffee and rusks at 05h00 before hitting the road. It’s an early start after all predators are most active early in the morning. Upon entering Manyoni, you will meet your game ranger who will give you a run down on game drive etiquette before you jump into their authentic open safari 4×4.

Manyoni is a 23 000 hectare private Big 5 game reserve which means that only guests who are staying at one of their luxury safari lodges have access to the reserve (unless you are with us of course). Wondering why private reserves in South Africa offer better game viewing than national parks? Click here to read our blog which explains what the big deal is.

Embark on a 2 hour morning game drive exploring the southern sector of Manyoni which is renowned for lion, white rhinoceros and cheetah sightings. Go off-roading through the reserve as you track big game for close encounters and an intimately game viewing experience.

Stop at a scenic vantage point and tuck into a packed breakfast. Discuss conversation and learn about what we can all do to help protect Africa’s biodiversity. After breakfast, your game drive continue for a further 2 hours tracking endangered wildlife like giraffe, african wild dogs and black rhino. At approx. 10h30 we will depart from Manyoni and make our way back to Durban stopping by at Zamimpilo Community Market. Our expected time of arrival in Durban is 14h00.

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