Tours & tickets

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park

Experience the rolling hills of the Savannah grasslands and a magical African sunrise. Sit back and relax while your ranger takes you to the best areas within the park. With trained eyes and years of experience, your ranger will undoubtedly deliver some magnificent sightings. Learn more about this fascinating park and the incredible history of when King Shaka used the lower Umfolozi as his personal hunting grounds or how the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park single-handedly saved the rhinos from near extinction. The park is home not only to the African Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo) but also includes cheetahs, wild dogs, and many more. Enjoy breakfast and lunch (PLEASE NOTE LUNCH IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE HALF-DAY SAFARI OPTION) at one of the numerous scenic picnic areas within the park. The tour concludes with a drop off at the Nyalazi Gate or alternatively, drop off back at your accommodation in St. Lucia.

Depart from Durban at 6am and drive to Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, a 3 hour journey from Durban. Get into a 4x4 in Hluhluhluwe Imfolozi and get to explore this vast reserve. Established in 1895 this is the oldest park in South Africa and encompasses over 98 000 hectares of beautiful African landscape. The Park contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is characterised by hilly topography. The list of animals at the park is long and varied. The Hluhluwe Imfolozi Reserve is noted for its White Rhino conservation. Their Centenary Capture Centre is celebrated for its exceptional research in animal capture, rehabilitation and release as well their approach to sustainable ecotourism in South Africa.

Depart from Richards Bay at 7:30 AM and embark on a half-day tour to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve. Enjoy a game drive in the reserve, which is renowned for its successful rhino conservation efforts. Traverse the reserve’s rolling hills and vast savannahs, and encounter the Big Five – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino –along with a variety of other wildlife in their natural habitat. Guided by expert rangers, the drive provides rich insights into the animals and the unique ecosystems of the park. After the game drive, take a lunch break at Hilltop Main Camp inside the game reserve before returning back to Richards Bay to conclude the tour.

We depart from Richards Bay at 7.30am heading off to Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve where a 3 hour 4x4 game drive will be undertaken at this majestic game reserve boasting a wide range of animals. A game drive in Hluhluwe Imfolozi is an unforgettable experience. Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve set in the heart of Zululand where Africa’s Big 5 (Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and Rhinoceros) roam the flourishing savannah. The Park contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is characterised by hilly topography. The list of animals at the park is long and varied. The Hluhluwe Imfolozi Reserve is noted for its White Rhino conservation. Their Centenary Capture Centre is celebrated for its exceptional research in animal capture, rehabilitation and release as well their approach to sustainable ecotourism in South Africa.

Previously known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, iSimangaliso Wetlands Park was declared South Africa's first Natural World Heritage Site (UNESCO), and is considered South Africa's third-largest park with 280 kilometers of near-pristine coastline and 328,000 hectares of magnificent scenery. The protected area is home to one of the largest populations of hippopotami in SA, an estimated 1,000 crocodiles and a wealth of plant, bird and animal life. Animals in the park include lions, African elephants, leopards, black and southern white rhino, and buffalo. In the ocean, there are whales, dolphins, and marine turtles, including the leatherback and loggerhead turtle. After the boat tour, travel to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve. Your experienced guide will show you around the park in a closed vehicle in search of the diverse wildlife and Africa's Big 5, which include the lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhinoceros. The reserve is set in the heart of Zululand, where these amazing animals roam the flourishing savannah. Established in 1895, this is the oldest park in South Africa and is 98,000 hectares in size. The Park contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is characterized by hilly topography. The list of animals at the park is long and varied. Hluhluwe, the northern section of the park, is noted for its wide variety of both bird and animal life. Imfolozi Game Reserve is situated in the southern section of the park. Today, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park is world-renowned for its white rhino conservation efforts and its Centenary Capture Center which is setting improved standards for game capture and sustainable utilization in Africa. Your guide will stop at Hilltop Camp restaurant giving you time to refuel and relax. The restaurant is situated at the top of the hill and gives visitors the chance to enjoy the scenery of the camp and surrounding areas. Afterwards, you will continue with your safari before leaving the park for Durban.

DumaZulu Cultural Village is located near the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve in the heart of Zululand. Translated as “Thundering Zulu” DumaZulu is South Africa’s largest Zulu cultural village boasting a large tradition sibaya and over 50 Zulu locals who live and work at DumaZulu. This village is depiction of what Zulu culture was like before modernization and is considered living museum. The village is laid out in the tradition Zulu design of Zulu beehive huts arranged in a circle around a cattle kraal. Visitors are welcomed by a local DumaZulu tour guide who explains and shares interesting traditions and customs of the Zulu people. The locals display traditional basket-weaving, spear and shield making skills and techniques. Guests enjoy buying decorative beadwork from the locals, viewing the village Sangoma perform tradition bone throwing as well as an impressive Zulu dancing and singing performance.

Embark on a full-day safari adventure to Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve. Enjoy a light breakfast and a barbecue lunch to keep your energy levels up. Explore the reserve in open safari vehicles, accompanied by expert guides who will share their knowledge of the region's diverse wildlife. Be picked up from the port and transferred to the game reserve in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water. Enjoy a light breakfast and barbecue lunch, providing a taste of local flavors. Explore the Hluhluwe Imfolozi in open safari vehicles, accompanied by expert guides who will share their knowledge of the region's diverse wildlife. Go in search of an incredible array of animals including the Big Five (Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, and Cape Buffalo) as well as Cheetahs, Hyenas, Giraffes, and numerous bird species. Enjoy a traditional South African bush barbecue with a traditional South African dessert (Milk Tart). Return to Richards Bay Port, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience.

Get into the bush on a 3-Day Safari Package from Durban. Visit the acclaimed Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and South Africa's first-world heritage site, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, while overnighting in St Lucia, KwaZulu Natal. Experience the sights and sounds of the African wilderness on a Full-Day Big 5 Safari into Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park, the oldest proclaimed park in Africa. Explore the iSimangliso Wetland Park on safari, (Open Game Drive Safari Vehicle) and go in search of the Big 4 (No Lions unfortunately in this park) Set out on a Sunset Drive Safari to possibly see the elusive leopard, buffalo, hippo, and many other wildlife species. Take a 2-hr Cruise on the St Lucia Estuary to witness hippos wallowing, Nile crocodiles basking, and African fish eagles. Day 1: Depart from Durban and meet your guide for a 2.5-hour transfer to St Lucia, a tiny community at the edge of Isimangaliso Wetlands Park (South Africa's First World Heritage site). Gather for a briefing with your guide and get ready for a 2-hour boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary to witness hippos, Nile crocodiles, and a wide variety of estuarine birds. Then, go on a 2.5-hour sunset drive into the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park. Day 2: Board a 4x4 open game drive safari vehicle early in the morning (5:00 am) and be transferred to the Umfolozi Game Reserve on the southern section of Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park. Set up breakfast in the bush and see the abundance of animal life in this area. Against a backdrop of rolling hills, thick bush, and open plains, the Big 5 await you. Impala scatter and giraffes frolic in the open plains. Travel with your knowledgeable guide, taking time to find and observe the exciting wildlife. The park is a Big 5 Reserve with elephants, rhinos, leopards, lions, and buffalo. Enjoy a traditional South African barbecue in the bush for lunch. The evening is free to roam the town. Day 3: Enjoy a later start today with an 8:00 AM pick-up (Breakfast at the lodge) as you head up to Cape Vidal on the lookout for marine life and the Samamgo monkeys that are prevalent here. The entire area is a World Heritage Site and offers grasslands, mangroves, vegetated dunes, and pristine beaches. Snorkel in the protected bay (weather and tide dependent), discovering stunning tropical fish species, hidden coves, and game fish. Wildlife species include the African Big 4 (no lions). After the excursion, you will be transferred back to Durban. (Picnic lunch and refreshments included)

Go on the only tour from Durban that takes you into an authentic private game reserve where the number of vehicles at sightings is limited. Take 2 stunning game drives at 2 reserves and encounter Africa's magnificent wildlife up-close. Benefit from included hotel pickup and drop-off, as well as complimentary use of Zeiss binoculars and multilingual wildlife/nature guide books during the tour. Hit the road early with pickup from your hotel at around 5 AM as wildlife, especially predators, are most active around dawn and dusk. Enter the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve at Nyalazi Gate and enjoy a 2.5-hour morning game drive in a Hyundai H1 vehicle. Please note, this is not an open safari 4x4, though you will get that experience later in the day. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is renowned for its White Rhino densities — after all, it saved the Southern White Rhino from extinction. Keep your Carl Zeiss Terra ED 8x42 binoculars on hand, as you never know what's around the corner. After your drive, stop for lunch at Hilltop Camp for a hearty meal with a stunning view. Lunch is at your own expense. Next, it's time to head into one of KwaZulu Natal’s premier private game reserves: Manyoni Private Game Reserve. This reserve only permits travelers staying at one of their luxury lodges to traverse the park, unless you’re with the local partner of course. Meet Manyoni’s most experienced ranger and jump into an authentic open safari 4x4. Then, embark on a 4-hour game drive through this pristine wilderness as you track down Africa’s iconic Big 5 and everything in between. Your ranger is passionate about the African bush and will help you understand the eco-system and the flora and fauna. As Manyoni is a private game reserve, rather than a national park, your expert ranger can go off-road and bring you more intimate sightings of big game. Depart the reserve at 4 PM for return to Durban.

Get up close with Africa's famous Big 5 on a safari tour of the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. Discover the different sides of the parks with one morning and one afternoon drive during which you will be provided with the high-end Zeiss Terra ED 8x42 binoculars and multi-language guidebooks.  Start early at 5 am to catch the wildlife, especially predators, at their most active times which is dawn and dusk. Enter the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve via Nyalazi Gate and explore the Imfolozi side of the reserve on a 3.5-hour morning game drive on our Hyundai H1 vehicle. The southern sector of the reserve is typified by its flat open plains and renowned for elephant and rhino sightings. Time for a spot of lunch at Hilltop Restaurant (at own cost). Enjoy your meal while taking in the panoramic views over the reserve and put those binoculars to test. After lunch, explore the northern sector of the reserve while keeping your eyes pealed for the highly endangered African Wild Dogs and Big Cats. Spend another 3.5-hours traversing the Hluhluwe side of the reserve. Around 4 pm we will start to make our way back to Durban. Your safari tour is in a Hyundai H1 Vehicle. This is not an open safari vehicle. It is a luxury van with large windows. The windows open wide enough for you to take pictures using amateur and professional cameras. All travelers will have access to our high-end Zeiss Terra ED 8x42 binoculars and multilingual safari guide book, available in English, German & French.