KwaZulu-Natal Safaris & wildlife activities

Our most recommended KwaZulu-Natal Safaris & wildlife activities

St Lucia: Hippo and Crocodile Cruise on a 15-Seat Vessel

St Lucia: Hippo and Crocodile Cruise on a 15-Seat Vessel

Witness hippos, Nile crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species onboard a cruise departing from St Lucia. This two-hour safari gets you up close to the residents of the estuary. Discover St Lucia iSimangaliso Wetland Park, one of the largest Estuarine systems in Africa. Travel aboard an exclusive 15-seater vessel with experienced and knowledgable skippers and rangers onboard. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have and furnish you with some incredible facts and information on the area.

Durban: 1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf

Durban: 1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf

Indulge in a leisurely journey aboard one of our boats, including a catamaran, for an unforgettable cruising experience. This activity has gained immense popularity among locals in Durban who seek a taste of the high life. It is a public cruise. As you embark on your adventure, soothing music will accompany you from the back of the boat, creating a pleasant ambiance. This service operates all year round and is weather dependant. Bad sea conditions will mean that we WILL NOT go into the deep sea. The cruise will go out to sea as far as the SKIPPER deems it safe and the rest of the time will be spent in the safety of the port. Our knowledgeable crew members are readily available to provide detailed explanations about the harbor if approached. Many passengers take pleasure in dancing onboard, adding to the lively atmosphere. Immerse yourself in a tour of Durban, joining us as we explore the city from a unique vantage point on the Indian Ocean. Along the way, keep an eye out for pods of dolphins, enhancing your journey with their playful presence. As we navigate through the port, you'll pass by colossal container and cruise ships, offering a glimpse into the bustling maritime activities. Admire the picturesque beachfront from a fresh perspective on the water and discover Wilson's Wharf, a delightful hidden gem that houses an array of restaurants and entertainment options. To ensure your comfort, our boats are equipped with a semi-covered section, shielding you from the sun while allowing you to enjoy the scenic views. Please note that in unforeseen circumstances where the main boat for this cruise is unavailable, we reserve the right to utilize an alternative vessel. Rest assured, we will make every effort to ensure that the advertised boat is accessible. Certain cruises do not have a specific boat assigned to them, as we rely on a selection of available vessels to accommodate fluctuations in weather, seasonal passenger numbers, and planned maintenance. While specific boats cannot be guaranteed for every cruise, we guarantee that you will still enjoy the same exceptional cruise experience on a different vessel.

Durban: Pontoon Boat Harbor Cruise

Durban: Pontoon Boat Harbor Cruise

Head to the meeting point and board a comfortable pontoon boat with plenty of seating space. Then, set out on your cruise and discover the largest and busiest harbor in the Southern Hemisphere. See numerous boats and yachts, pass by colossal container ships, and watch as workers go about their business at this bustling port. As you travel, keep an eye out for local marine life, including birds, fish, and the occasional playful pod of dolphins. End your harbor cruise back at Wilson's Wharf, the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat or enjoy one of the many entertainment options offered here.

Durban: 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

Durban: 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

This tour will take you on an unforgettable trip around Durban. Durban Harbor is the biggest and busiest harbor in the southern hemisphere. The harbor tours are especially educational for kids, as the boat takes them to points of interest in Africa’s largest harbor and shows them the route through which ships enter the harbor, discharge cargo, and exit. The skipper will teach the passengers about the port and its operation. If the weather conditions are favourable, the boat may go further out from the shore. The skipper is in close contact with the passengers and will give you a comprehensive guided tour. The trip will either take you down the Maydon Wharf Channel or to the City and Cor Container terminal.

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi: Big 5 Full or Half-Day Safari

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi: Big 5 Full or Half-Day Safari

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.

Durban Point Waterfront: Luxury Canal Boat Cruise

Durban Point Waterfront: Luxury Canal Boat Cruise

Marvel at the iconic Durban skyline from a unique perspective on a 30 minutes circular journey around Durban point canals. Relax aboard a luxury pontoon boat, which features comfortable luxury seating and a professional tour guide. Pass by Durban’s historic and impressive attractions from the comfort of your boat. Cruise and sail through the canals and take in a unique atmosphere. See historic, impressive, like uShaka and Ithala Trade Centre. Enjoy a relaxing way to do sightseeing in Durban and escape the traffic noise and congestion. Explore the open decks that allow you to feel the cooling river breeze and see the city from many points that offer perfect photo opportunities.

Durban: Gondola Ride

Durban: Gondola Ride

Board an African gondola at the uShaka Marine World and go on a magical ride during the day or at night.  Sit back while enjoying your trip down the scenic canal and back. Relax on the gondola and marvel at the striking surroundings.  Enjoy the picturesque canal and take in the stunning views. Pass by beautiful bridges and admire the unique atmosphere of this activity.

From St Lucia: iSimangaliso Wetland Park Night Drive Safari

From St Lucia: iSimangaliso Wetland Park Night Drive Safari

Start with pickup from your accommodation at 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM and embark on a night drive safari at the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Spend 3 hours in the park and try to spot a variety of nocturnal species who are more active at night. See nocturnal mammals such as bush babies and aardvarks. Go in search of the elusive leopard, who prefers to hunt at night. If you are lucky, witness a herd of elephants congregate in the beautiful glow of moonlight or hear the pounding of buffalo hooves as they gallop across the plains in darkness. Many of the species of the park tend to be bolder at night, so the chances of spotting rare species are higher on a night drive safari. Search for the animals with an expert guide. All vehicles are fitted with spotlights which will allow you to get the best views of any species you find. Gaze at the beautiful night sky and note the constellations throughout the safari.

From Underberg: 4x4 Sani Pass Tour and Basotho Village Visit

From Underberg: 4x4 Sani Pass Tour and Basotho Village Visit

With eager anticipation the tour group departs from the starting point and heads up to the highest pass in South Africa, Sani Pass. Travel through Himeville to the World Heritage Site of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, following the Mkomazana River up the scenic Sani Valley to the South African Border Post (border formalities) and the Lesotho Border. After the Lesotho border formalities at the top of Sani Pass, the group makes its way to a fully functional Basotho village to learn more about these humble people. You even get to taste their home-made bread and the local beer. To reflect on this incredible expedition, the tour then moves to the Highest Pub in Africa to enjoy a hearty lunch and cold beer. After lunch the tours makes its way back down Sani Pass, arriving in Underberg at approximately 4:00pm. make our back down the Sani Pass.

From Underberg: 4x4 Sani Pass Day Trip

From Underberg: 4x4 Sani Pass Day Trip

Depart Underberg in the morning and take in stunning views of the KwaZulu-Natal landscape as you make your way along the Sani Pass mountain road that connects to Mokhotlong in Lesotho. Stop to get breathtaking views from different locations, and at the South African Border Control and Lesotho Border Control posts. Climb to an altitude of 2,874 meters above sea level to enjoy lunch at the Sani Mountain Lodge – the highest pub in Africa. Continue to a village of the ethnic Basotho people and learn about Lesotho and its people from your experienced mountain guide. Try some traditional beer and homemade bread before you brave the drive back down the Sani Pass. Look for wildlife along the road before you arrive back in Underberg in the afternoon.

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What people are saying about KwaZulu-Natal

Overall rating

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6
4.6 out of 5 stars
(55 reviews)
5 out of 5 stars

Unforgettable! It was such an amazing experience and Freddy was an extraordinary guide. He knew exactly how to find each animal and knew everything about their life and habits. He also provided a lot of very interesting information while we were driving and was a great person to spend the day with. He was very friendly, eager to share everything he knew about South African culture and the specificities of Durban. You can see all the animals are happy, they run free in their natural habitat and human beings are very respectful of them. Eg: when we left, a couple of rhinos were standing on the path, and we just waited for them to move at their own pace and when they wanted. That's so respectful and I'm really glad I could witness with kind behaviour. I saw so many animals with Freddy : kuddus, nyalas, waterbucks, wilderbeasts, impalas, mongooses, zebras, austriches, giraffes, rhinos, hippos and so many birds too. A day I will remember forever and I'm very thankful to Freddy too!

5 out of 5 stars

Day trip was amazing. We were picked up by Thabo the driver to take us to the game reserve. He has some amazing South African history knowledge. All the way to the reserve, he told us about different places & their history’s. At the game reserve, our guide was Wonder. He was also amazing. His knowledge about animals, where to find the different animals, & just how to get around the 43 000 Hectare game reserve was really good. We managed to spot a lot of Giraffe, wilder-beast, Rhinos, cheetahs, buffalo, Zebras, Kudu’s, warthogs, baboons, monkeys, Elephants. So out of the Big 5…we spotted 3. Overall a wonderful day out. Highly recommended. The only downside was that we didn’t know it was 3.5hr drive from Durban to the reserve. So be prepared to spend 7 hours to & from the reserve. Definitely worth it though.

5 out of 5 stars

It was great. Despite the rain we were able to see quite a few animals and experience the Zulu culture at Phezulu. I was looks enough to get the same tour guide for both my sani pass tour and this tour which made things so much better

5 out of 5 stars

Perfect trip from St. Lucia to Hluhluwe. Our guide Lindo was so good and made the experience special. Many sightings and a great piece of nature.

5 out of 5 stars

We did not see any crocodiles due to the weather conditions but we saw a lot of hippo pods up close