Trip Info
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open-sided 4x4 vehicle
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2-20
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To be provided for during the trip
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Richards Bay
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game drives, walking safaris & beach time
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English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic
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To be provided for during the trip
Overview
Enjoy the best of both adventure and relaxation on this holiday, beginning with a “Big Five” safari in Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park. Guests will be accommodated at a private luxury lodge within the park, offering a perfect base for wildlife viewing. Afterward, you’ll be transferred to a high-end eco-lodge along the Elephant Coast near Mabibi Beach, where you can indulge in leisure activities such as beach walks, snorkeling, and diving among stunning coral reefs.
Highlights
- Luxury tour: This luxury tour uses lodges.
- Private tour: This tour will be organized exclusively for you. However, wildlife viewing activities are run by the lodges/camps and will be shared with others.
- Can start any day: If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
- Can be customized: You can request changes to this tour.
- Suitable for solo travelers: Solo travelers can book this private tour.
- Suitable for all ages: This tour is suitable for children of all ages.
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you will be transferred to the domestic terminal for your connecting flight to Richard's Bay. You will then be met be a Wayfairer representative and driven to you luxury safari lodge in the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park.
After a refreshing drink and a brief introduction to the lodge, you will be shown to your luxurious accommodation (a bush villa, family suite or safari room). You will then be invited down to the lounge to enjoy afternoon tea, before departing for your first game drive in Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park.
Whilst on your game drive, you’ll stop for sundowners to watch the spectacular sunset, and then you’ll continue on your safari, keeping an eye out for nocturnal animals. Returning to the lodge, you’ll have time to freshen up before enjoying a delicious dinner on the deck as you recount the day’s events, accompanied by the night sounds of the bush.
Main Destination: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
Accomodation: Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Luxury lodge located inside Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR
All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)
Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
Today, you’ll enjoy morning and evening game drives in open 4x4 vehicles on private gravel concession roads and Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park roads. Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park is the oldest game reserve in Southern Africa and is home to the "Big Five", plus other game, including the elusive cheetah, wild dog and nyala. The park is also a prime birding destination and is home to 340 bird species.
Between the game drives, you can join a guided walk in "Big Five" territory or conservation areas with the legendary Nunu Jobe, a highly experienced ranger who also goes by the name of “The Rhino Whisperer.” You can also explore the spectacular gorge area below the lodge, which has incredible birdlife and flora.
The lodge can also arrange cultural visits to the local Mpembeni Community, where you can learn a little about the Zulu people and their way of life.
Main Destination: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
Accommodation: Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Luxury lodge located inside Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)
Today, you’ll enjoy two more game drives in the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park with skilled rangers. As the lodge is situated within the park, you won’t waste precious time driving to the park before your game viewing begins. Game drives start from directly outside the lodge and your driver can use the extensive network of roads throughout the park.
Main Destination: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
Accommodation: Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Luxury lodge located inside Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)
Enjoy your final day of safari with morning and afternoon game drives. In between the game drives, the lodge can arrange a visit to Emdoneni Cat Centre, where you’ll learn more about South Africa's wild cats.
The centre runs daily educational tours with feeding during the afternoon and an informative talk by an experienced guide.
Main Destination: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
Accommodation: Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Luxury lodge located inside Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)
After breakfast, you’ll leave Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park. Yyou’ll be transferred to your next accommodation which is located on the unspoilt beach of Mabibi on the Maputuland Coast (also known as "The Elephant Coastline"), part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
With tranquil bays and reefs for swimming and snorkelling, lush coastal forests, stunning freshwater lakes, golden sand dunes and an endless pristine beach, this is a truly idyllic location.
You’ll stay at a secluded eco-lodge, which perfectly captures the essence of a "Robinson Crusoe" hideaway. From the deck of your thatched-roof hut, you can relax and take in the views of the stunning beach below.
Due to the remote location of the lodge, guests stay on an all-inclusive basis. You’ll enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast and lunch, afternoon tea, and a sumptuous three-course evening meal.
Main Destination: Elephant Coast Route (Highlight)
Accommodation: Thonga Beach Lodge
Luxury+ lodge located inside iSimangaliso Wetland Park
All meals included
All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)
For the next few days, you can enjoy local excursions or adventure activities or simply relax and soak up the tranquillity of this pristine, sandy beach. You may wish to join an early morning guided kayaking trip at Lake Sibaya (Southern Africa’s freshwater lake), where you’ll likely spot hippos and crocodiles. If early morning kayaking doesn’t take your fancy, you can enjoy sundowners on the shores of Lake Sibaya later in the day.
If you’re visiting during the summer months (October to March), you’ll have an opportunity to join a turtle-hatching safari and witness hundreds of baby leatherback and loggerhead turtles scrambling from the sandy beaches to the water’s edge.
We also recommend visiting a Tsonga homestead, school and clinic where you can meet local people and learn about their culture and heritage.
Main Destination: Elephant Coast Route (Highlight)
Accommodation: Thonga Beach Lodge
Luxury+ lodge located inside iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)
After breakfast, your KwaZulu-Natal Safari and Beach will come to a perfect end.
Our representative will transfer you to the small airport at Richard's Bay for your domestic flight to Johannesburg. From there, you will board your connecting international flight back home.
Main Destination: Johannesburg (City)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Non-alcoholic drinks
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation
- (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Cost Excludes
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (No tip expected)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
FAQs
A Kwazulu-Natal, Safari and Beach holiday is unique because it combines two very different but complementary experiences. Visitors can explore world-class wildlife reserves such as Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park for thrilling safari game drives and Big Five sightings, and then relax on pristine beaches along the Elephant Coast or South Coast. This blend of adventure and relaxation sets Kwazulu-Natal apart, offering travelers the chance to experience both the wilderness and the ocean in one seamless journey.
On a Kwazulu-Natal, Safari and Beach holiday, you can expect to encounter Africa’s Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—particularly in reserves like Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park. Beyond these, you’ll also see giraffes, zebras, antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, and an array of birdlife. After your safari, the beach portion of your trip offers the chance to witness marine life such as dolphins, whales, turtles, and colorful fish while snorkeling or diving along coral reefs.
Yes, a Kwazulu-Natal, Safari and Beach holiday is an excellent choice for families. Safari lodges often provide family-friendly accommodations and activities such as guided bush walks, child-friendly game drives, and cultural tours. On the beach side, families can enjoy safe swimming areas, snorkeling, and exploring tidal pools. The region’s variety ensures that both children and adults are entertained, making it a well-rounded family getaway.
The best time for a Kwazulu-Natal, Safari and Beach holiday depends on your priorities. For safari experiences, the dry winter months from May to September are ideal because animals gather around water sources, making sightings easier. For beach activities, the summer months from November to March are warmer and perfect for swimming, diving, and turtle nesting season along the coast. Many travelers combine both seasons to maximize their experience.
During a Kwazulu-Natal, Safari and Beach holiday, you can enjoy a wide variety of activities. On safari, options include bush walks, birdwatching, cultural village tours, and stargazing. At the beach, you can try snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, kayaking, and even whale watching depending on the season. Additionally, Kwazulu-Natal offers cultural heritage experiences, including exploring Zulu traditions and historic battlefields, which enrich your overall holiday.
Accommodation on a Kwazulu-Natal, Safari and Beach holiday ranges from luxury safari lodges and tented camps within game reserves to beachfront eco-lodges and boutique hotels along the coast. Many safari lodges feature private decks, pools, and bush views, while beach resorts emphasize relaxation with oceanfront chalets and spa facilities. This diversity of accommodation ensures that whether you’re seeking adventure, romance, or family-friendly stays, there’s an option to suit your needs.
