A relaxing, pampering bush-and-beach trip through the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Beginning at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, a Big Five game reserve especially well known for its dense rhino population, the route then heads into Zululand for two nights of culture and relaxation around Lake Jozini, before ending on the warm, endless beaches of iSimangaliso Wetland Park close to the Mozambican border.
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$3,736 per person when 1 person travels alone
$2,640 per person when 2 persons travel together
For a more accurate estimate, contact us with your specific requirements and budget. We'll send a detailed quote based on your itinerary, group size, and preferred level of comfort.
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On landing at Durban Airport, transfer to your lodge, your base for the next three days as you explore Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the oldest game reserve in South Africa and famous for its dense rhino population. Enjoy a shared afternoon game drive in search of these remarkable animals.
Distance: Airport transfer to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi
Activity: Afternoon game drive
Accommodation: Lodge in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
An early start with coffee leads into a morning game drive, tracking animals before they retreat from the heat of the day. Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and time to relax, before heading out again in the afternoon in search of more nocturnal species, with a stop for bush sundowners along the way. After dinner, settle in around the fire to swap stories with fellow guests. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is known for the Big Five alongside giraffe, zebra and wildebeest, and for its long-running conservation work protecting rhino from extinction.
Distance: Morning and evening game drives
Activity: Two game drives
Accommodation: Lodge in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve (second night)
Meals: All meals included, drinks not included
A final morning game drive offers one more chance to spot rhino and the reserve’s other resident wildlife before breakfast back at the lodge.
Distance: Final morning game drive
Activity: Morning game drive
Accommodation: Lodge in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve (third night)
Meals: All meals included, drinks not included
After a final morning game drive and breakfast, transfer further into the heart of Zululand to a hotel near Lake Jozini, with the chance to learn more about Zulu culture and enjoy a boat cruise on the lake.
Distance: Road transfer further into Zululand
Activity: Travel day
Accommodation: Hotel near Lake Jozini, Mkhuze area
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
At the foot of the legendary Ghost Mountain near Mkuze in northern KwaZulu-Natal, your hotel makes an ideal base for exploring the game and coastal reserves of Zululand and the Elephant Coast. A boat cruise on Lake Jozini is included, along with the option of a spa treatment for some relaxation after the earlier days of safari. The lake itself is stunningly beautiful, with the Lebombo mountains forming a dramatic backdrop.
Distance: Boat cruise on Lake Jozini, optional spa treatment
Activity: Lake Jozini boat cruise
Accommodation: Hotel near Lake Jozini, Mkhuze area (second night)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Transfer to a lodge inside iSimangaliso Wetland Park, where the next three days bring beach relaxation and a fresh set of water-based activities. The Indian Ocean here is warm and inviting, with plenty on offer to make the stay memorable.
Distance: Road transfer to the coast
Activity: Travel day
Accommodation: Beach lodge in iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Meals: All meals included, drinks not included
This wilderness beach lodge sits on the shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set among white beaches, vibrant coral reefs and freshwater lakes, widely regarded as one of South Africa’s premier beach destinations. Activities on offer range from snorkelling and kayaking to boat cruises on the surrounding lakes.
Distance: Free day with a choice of water-based activities
Activity: Beach relaxation and water activities
Accommodation: Beach lodge in iSimangaliso Wetland Park (second night)
Meals: All meals included, drinks not included
A further day to enjoy the beach and lake activities at your own pace, whether that means more snorkelling and kayaking or simply relaxing by the water.
Distance: Free day with a choice of water-based activities
Activity: Beach relaxation and water activities
Accommodation: Beach lodge in iSimangaliso Wetland Park (third night)
Meals: All meals included, drinks not included
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home, with the choice of Richards Bay Airport, which is closer, or Durban Airport, which is further away but offers more flight options.
Distance: Transfer to Richards Bay or Durban Airport
Activity: Departure
Accommodation: N/A, end of trip
Meals: Breakfast
Richards Bay Airport is closer to the beach lodge and saves on transfer time, while Durban Airport is further away but offers a wider range of international and domestic flight connections. Let us know your preference when booking.
The safari days are entirely vehicle-based, and the beach days at iSimangaliso involve only as much activity as you choose, from relaxing on the sand to snorkelling and kayaking. This trip suits most fitness levels.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is one of the best places in Africa to see both white and black rhino, with a dense population and a long conservation history. As with any wildlife safari, no individual sighting can be guaranteed, but the odds here are strong.
May to September is the dry winter season, offering the easiest game viewing at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi. The beach portion at iSimangaliso is enjoyable year-round, with warmer water and air temperatures from November to March.
The price covers park fees for non-residents, all activities unless labelled as optional, all accommodation unless listed as an upgrade, a professional driver-guide, all transportation unless labelled as optional, all taxes and VAT, roundtrip airport transfers, and the meals specified in the day-by-day itinerary. International flights, drinks, some meals as specified, additional accommodation before or after the tour, tips and personal items such as souvenirs, travel insurance and visa fees are not included.
Most nationalities can enter South Africa visa-free for short tourist stays, though requirements vary by passport, so check current rules before booking. Travel insurance covering medical evacuation is recommended for any trip of this length.
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