This trip highlights South Africa, Kwazulu Natal, Safari and World Heritage Site (Isimangaliso Wetland Park). Perhaps one of the most spectatular but least visited areas of South Africa, the Elephant Coast is home to Hluhluwe Game Reserve South Africa’s second largest Big Five Game Reserve and the Isimangaliso Wetland Park – a World Heritage Site.
Highlights
- Tour of Durban
- Isimangaliso Wetland Park
- Dumazulu Traditional Zulu Village
- Hluhluwe Game Reserve
- Elephant Interaction
- Cat and Cheetah Rehabilitation Centre
- Crocodile and Snake Park
- St Lucia
- Cape Vidal
Includes
- 2 nights at 5 star accommodation and 6 nights at 4 star accommodation
- 3 safaris with personal ranger and guide.
- All transport and transfers in accessible wheelchair friendly vehicle.
- All meals as indicated (9 breakfasts)
- All activities and entry fees
Price from (Tour only ex Durban)
$AUD 3,880 per person twin share*
$US 2,999 per person twin share*
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Durban and transfer to lodge for an evening of relaxation
Day 2: Spend the day exploring the sights of Durban
Day 3: Drive to the Elephant Coast and your private Lodge
Day 4: Hluhluwe Game Reserve
Day 5: Elephant Interaction and Cheetah Rehabilitation Centre
Day 6: Morning visit to the Crocodile and Snake Park and afternoon game drive in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve
Day 7: Boat tour of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Day 8: Explore village and wild Indian Ocean beaches of Cape Vidal
Day 9: Transfer to Durban airport
Detailed Itinerary below
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Day 1:
A warm welcome awaits you at the airport and you will be transferred to your lodge. Here you will have the opportunity to enjoy luxurious facilities and 30 acres of private botanical gardens. The grounds and buildings have been designed to be wheelchair friendly with 18 ponds, waterways and prolific birdlife.
There is even a swimming pool with full access for wheelchair users. Located in the rolling hills of Kwazulu Natal and near the Valley of a Thousand Hills this is the perfect place to unwind, relax, and be enchanted by the scenery after your exertions of a long flight.
The beautiful gardens are an oasis of peace and serenity with indigenous and exotic plants and provide the ideal backdrop to achieve the desired levels of relaxation for all who visit. Enjoy walks through the 30 acres of gardens incorporating , artworks, sculptures, a magnificent Japanese garden, cycad gardens, ponds and meandering pathways leading to waterfalls.
Soak up your first day in Africa by spoiling yourself at Makaranga Health Spa with its special invigorating and holistic treatment range. In addition, you can enjoy the African sun next to the large full accessible rock swimming pool. (B)(5 star lodge Durban) (Makaranga Garden Lodge, Durban)
Day 2:
Spend the day in Durban Central at Ushaka Marine World that also has accessible beach wheelchairs and snorkelling ponds with over 5000 fish. Included at Ushaka Marine World are attractions such as Shark Feeding, Turtle, Dolphin. Penguin and Seal shows – a fun day for the whole family! Afternoon we head along Durban Beachfront with its colourful markets to Moses Madiba Stadium which was built for The World Cup 2010. This stadium has a cable car with wonderful views of Durban and Coastline 40 stories high. (B)(Makaranga Garden Lodge, Durban)
Day 3:
Today we head out to the great African safari to the World Heritage Site namely the Isimangaliso Wetland Park which includes Hluhluwe Game Reserve South Africa`s second largest Big Five Game Reserve. Your accommodation is in a private game sanctuary and your chalet with glass walls has own private outdoor jacuzzi. Afternoon at leisure at your lodge with its abundant bird and wildlife. Today’s adventures include a visit to Dumazulu Traditional Zulu Village where you will learn of the African Zulu Tribe as you visit its cultural village. Be spellbound by the energetic Zulu Dancing with its awesome rhythm of drumbeats and African dancing! (B)(Lodge Hluhluwe)(Leopard Walk Lodge, Hluhluwe)
Day 4:
These are the days where the spirit of Africa touches your soul. We embark on leisurely extended game drives to all areas of Hluhluwe Game Reserve There is much to explore! Your experienced ranger will help you spot and identify many species of bird and animal life. (The Elephant Coast has more than 500 species of birdlife recorded). With a little assistance most people will be able to distinguish the more common families of birds in no time at all. Look out for the abundant animal life such as black rhino, nyala, kudu, hippo, crocodile, waterbuck, reedbuck, red duiker, baboons, monkeys, hyena, wildebeest, giraffe and often to be seen elephant and buffalo You may also see lion, cheetah, wild dog and other predators. Time will be spent in the Hluhluwe side of the game reserve and on other days will be spent enjoying the Umfolozi side of the game reserve. (Optional Extra open 4×4 safari vehicle please see details below)(B)(4 star lodge) (Leopard Walk Lodge, Hluhluwe)
Day 5:
Elephant Interaction- A unique and wonderful experience in the heart of Zululand where you get close and interact with these powerful but gentle creatures. Guests seeking deeper meaning to their visit have close contact and interaction with these elephants. Although little can match the thrill of seeing wild elephants in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, guests are also afforded an opportunity of close contact with 2 mature elephant that were orphaned and hand reared but are now free to range in a private game reserve that is over 2 500 hectares.These two elephant come up to visit the viewing area each morning, for a welcome snack of game pellets. Here you will be able to interact with them in well controlled situations and also enjoy suburb interpretation of the elephant species, which is enlightening and clearly shows the care and concern that is shown. Lunch at local restaurant.
Elephant Interaction
Afternoon- Visit to Cat and Cheetah Rehabilitation Centre Join us for an up close and personal tour and learn more about South Africa’s endangered wild cat species. Come and be mesmerized by the beauty of the Caracal (Lynx), enchanted by the playful Serval, astonished by the speed and agility of the Cheetah and delighted by the African Wildcat. View and photograph these amazing animals at this Centre. There are educational tours daily, with feedings during the afternoon tour and an informative talk about the animals The aim of this Centre is to care for the cats which have been orphaned or injured in the wild and are in need of care and rehabilitation. Other attractions include Ilala Weavers with its restaurant where you will enjoy lunch and curio shops featuring traditional Zulu basket weaving and beading (B) (4 star lodge) (Leopard Walk Lodge, Hluhluwe)
Day 6:
Early morning at leisure and a visit to Crocodile and Snake Park where we will also have lunch. Game drive in afternoon where you will watch the sunset in Hluhluwe Game Reserve. (B) (4 star lodge) (Leopard Walk Lodge, Hluhluwe)
Day 7:
We set off for St Lucia, a picturesque village situated within a nature reserve and which is surrounded by 5 distinct ecosystems and iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Dinner at leisure at one of numerous restaurants in village. Afternoon boat ride on accessible boat with sightings of hippos crocodiles and birds.(B)(4 star Lodge,St Lucia) (Leopard Corner Guest House, St Lucia)
Day 8:
Explore markets in the village and the wild beaches. Lunch at restaurant overlooking the lake with the hippos. Afternoon safari at Cape Vidal with Rhino, Waterbuck, Kudu and many other species of wildlife. Cape Vidal is part of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park- a World Heritage Site incorporating beautiful game reserves with wild beaches..(B)(4 star Lodge,St Lucia) (Leopard Corner Guest House, St Lucia)
Day 9:
Transfer to Durban airport.
Tour price price includes:
- 2 nights 5* accommodation and 6 nights 4* accommodation
- 3 safaris with personal ranger and guide.
- All transport and transfers in accessible wheelchair friendly vehicle.
- All meals as indicated (9 breakfasts)
- All activities and entry fees.
Not included:
- Visa and flights
- Insurances
- Tips and gratuities
- Drinks and refreshments
- Open safari vehicle 4×4 with hydraulic ramp R400 for 2.5 hour drive and R800 for 5 hour drive per person. (Drives normally done in our own accessible bus however you are welcome to choose this extra option for open 4×4 safari vehicle owned by Hluhluwe Game Reserve) (Prices subject to change from KZN Wildlife)