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Zululand, iSimangaliso
(St. Lucia) Wetland Park & Safari:
| Tour Code: | SDDURDUR |
| Duration: | c) Without private safari lodge extension: 8 days / 7 nights d) With private safari lodge extension: 11 days / 10 nights |
| Routing: | Durban - Durban |
| Includes: | Option a) Arrival transfer in Durban, accommodation as indicated. St. Lucia River Cruise. Full-day safari in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park including Park concession fee. Option b) as above plus private safari lodge accommodation, meals, drinks and safari activities as indicated in itinerary. Meals as indicated B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner |
| Excludes: | Car hire – add car hire rate for desired vehicle type: Option a) 6 days car hire, Option b) 9 days car hire Rental car delivery fee, contract fee and fuel. Optional tours and activities. |
| Notes: | Optional tours should be pre-booked. National Park Concession fees must be paid on site for self-drive safari. Minimum 2 persons travelling together. |
| Accommodation: | Refer itinerary for details. |
Day 1
Arrival at Durban International Airport. Our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel, located in the Umhlanga Ridge area. This is Durban’s new shopping and restaurant area, and the huge Gateway Entertainment Complex is across the road from your hotel.
Overnight: Protea Hotel (or similar), Umhlanga Ridge. (4*)
Day 2
You will be collected at your hotel, for a full day tour:
Durban, once know as the last British Bastion and renowned for its old Colonial homes and architecture, has become a veritable melting pot of culture and intrigue. A melding of history, traditions and beliefs, which totally encompass South Africa’s policy of tolerance and equality for all! This is the true ‘Heart’ of our Rainbow Nation. Allow us to take you on a journey of sight, smell and sound as you drive along the well-known Golden Mile, wander through lush tropical Botanical Gardens, savor amazing Panoramic Views and interact with Local Traders at the famous Victoria Street Indian Market. In the afternoon, visit uShaka Marine World, home to the world’s biggest collection of marine life from the Indian Ocean. uShaka Marine world is an Aquatic Theme Park that was designed under direction from the Disney Theme Parks team, so your enjoyment is guaranteed! The Shipwreck Theme adds something special to this experience!
Overnight: Protea Hotel (or similar), Umhlanga Ridge. (B)
Day 3
Your rental car will be delivered to your hotel in the morning. Drive north, into the heart of Zululand. Arrive in the small town of Eshowe, you may like to stop for a brief visit to see Fort Nonqqayi or take a walk on the “Boardwalk”, high up amongst the tree-tops, in Dlinza forest. Arrive at a Zulu Cultural Village, where the afternoon and evening will give you an introduction to the Zulu way-of-life, as it was 150 years ago, through explanations, demonstrations, dancing and singing.
Estimated driving time (excluding stops): 2 hours.
Dinner and overnight: Shakaland Cultural Village, Zululand. (3*) (B, D)
Day 4
After breakfast, drive to St. Lucia). St. Lucia is the hub of the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park – one of South Africa’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the afternoon, enjoy a River Safari on the St. Lucia Estuary, this offers a good opportunity to see hippos, crocodiles and a large variety of birds.
In the evening, we recommend a pre-booked optional Night Safari on the Eastern Shores.
Estimated driving time (excluding stops): 1˝ hours.
Overnight: Lidiko Lodge (moderate 4*) or similar, St. Lucia. (B)
Day 5
Spend the morning at leisure in St. Lucia, before continuing north to Hluhluwe, a small town which gave name to South Africa’s oldest wildlife reserve: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park. Your lodge is located in natural sandforest bush, on the outskirts of Hluhluwe.
Dinner and overnight: Umkhumbi Lodge (or similar), Hluhluwe. (Moderate 4*) (B,D)
Day 6
A full day’s safari in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, which is the oldest game reserve in the whole of Africa. The park extends itself over 96 000 ha and has an immense variety of fauna and flora and is hugely popular not only for its Big Five but for the vast bird life – over 300 species - that exist within the reserve. The Park is also famous for being the park where the “Save the White Rhino from Extinction” programme was carried out. The abundance of white rhino, not only in this park but elsewhere in southern Africa, bears testimony to the success of this project. Larger mammals to be seen include buffalo, blue wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, elephant, and large numbers of impala, waterbuck, common and mountain reedbuck, nyala, kudu, bushbuck, steenbuck, duiker, warthog, black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and jackal. Leave your lodge at sunrise for a full day’s safari in the park. Your knowledgeable guide will interpret and explain as you come across Africa’s wildlife. A stop will be made in the park for a picnic lunch. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight: Umkhumbi Lodge (or similar), Hluhluwe. (B,L,D)
Day 7
A day without a pre-planned programme. You may like to use your own car and return to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park for more wildlife exploration on your own. Alternatively, the following optional tours are available from Umkhumbi Lodge – please note that these tours should be pre-booked:
• Game drives to Mkhuze: 55km north of Hluhluwe, this reputable game reserve has recorded over 600 species of bird life. And is one of the top two most popular birding spots in the country. Established in 1912 the reserve has over 100kms of road, self guided trails, night drives, curio and refreshment shops, a wilderness trial and overnight camping. What’s more is that within the reserve is a natural burial site of local tribe chiefs, which is only accessible by the locals. Some even say that they have heard eerie noises from the mountain slopes in which they were buried. But apart from the ghosts, the wildlife mammals here include rhino, waterbuck, zebra, warthog, cheetah, giraffe, hippo, kudu, baboon, wildebeest, jackal, impala, leopard, monkey, porcupine and many more.
• Ndumo: It may not be the largest reserve in the area, but Ndumo is known as the top birding location in the whole of South Africa. It has a wide range of wildlife that exists here; namely 62 mammal species, 420 bird, 76 reptile, 43 fish and 45 amphibian species recorded - as well as 900 plant species. And if that is not enough, there are over 200 species of trees in Ndumo, as well as a crocodile breeding station.
• Sodwana Bay: Only 45 minutes away, Sodwana is the ultimate outdoor sporting haven. A definite must for snorkelers, anglers and divers alike, this reserve lies adjacent to Africa’s southernmost coral reefs.
• Turtles (November to February only): They may not be as fierce as lions or as graceful as a fish eagles, but their fascinating way of life are fast becoming a popular tourist attraction. Generally secretive animals by nature, the stretch known as ‘Turtle Country’ – from St Lucia to Kosi Bay, offers the unique opportunity to view the magnificent Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles. Especially at high tides during the summer ‘turtle’ season from November to March when the females come ashore to nest. Booking a night-time tour with a local community guide to witness this rare and awe-inspiring event with your own eyes is truly something not to be missed.
• Tiger fishing – Jozini: Lake Jozini is fast becoming one of the most popular fishing spots in the area – especially when it comes to Tiger Fishing. The facilities around the Lake are basic yet provide ample space for picnicking and safe ablutions at the camping grounds.
Dinner and overnight: Umkhumbi Lodge (or similar), Hluhluwe. (B,D)
Day 8
Option a): Return to Durban (approximately 3 ˝ hours driving), and hand back your rental car prior to flight departure. (B)
Day 8
Option b): Drive north from Hluhluwe, and arrive at Amakhosi Lodge. This 5* safari lodge is set in a private 12000 ha wildlife reserve. Check in at Amakhosi Lodge: this is an exclusive yet relaxed and cosy camp (maximum 16 guests in the entire camp which consist of 8 superbly decorated private chalets). After “High Tea” (late lunch), set off on your first safari drive in open 4x4 vehicles, accompanied by a qualified game ranger. Stop for ‘sundowner’ drinks admiring the silence of the ‘bush’, and continue the drive after dark using spotlights to see some of the shy nocturnal creatures. Return to the lodge for a delicious dinner.
Dinner and overnight: Amakhosi Safari Lodge. (5*) (B,L,D)
Day 9 & 10
As this is a private reserve, you will not encounter private cars (as is the case in the National Parks). Each day, you will be taken on two safari drives; one starting just before sunrise and continuing for approximately 3 – 4 hours; the other starting late afternoon and continuing after dark when spotlights will be used to spot some of the shy, nocturnal animals and birds. You will be accompanied by an expert game ranger who will explain the sightings, as well as the interactions between all living things in the African bush. In the middle of the day, you can join your ranger on a bush walk, or sleep; relax by the pool or bird-watch from the comfort of your private terrace. At this lodge, all meals are included, soft drinks, beer and local wine with dinner, as well as all safari activities.
Dinner and overnight: Amakhosi Safari Lodge. (5*) (B,L,D)
Day 11
Your last morning game drive, followed by breakfast. Check out and head back to Durban. Approximate driving time (excluding stops): 5 hours. Hand back your rental car prior to flight departure. (B)
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