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This 11-day bush & beach safari holiday takes you through some of the most remote areas of Kwa-Zulu Natal. This is an activity-filled holiday suitable for couples and families alike.

After a short flight from Johannesburg International to Durban/King Shaka International, you’ll collect your hire care and begin the first part of your bush & beach holiday. You’ll be staying overnight at a guest house on the Umhlanga Beach, where you can enjoy some stunning sea views and a breakfast before setting off Hluhluwe Region in the morning.

You’ll be staying outside the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve in an owner run lodge, meaning you have the freedom to explore the surrounding areas during your 2-night stay. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve itself offers some great wildlife sightings, and we also recommend a scenic coastal walk at False Bay, as well as a visit to the nearby wildlife and elephant sanctuaries.

The next part of your bush & beach holiday takes you a little further North to the Tembe Elephant Park, home to Africa’s largest elephants! You’ll be spending 2 nights in the community-run lodge and be treated to 2 afternoon and 2 morning game drives. Tembe Elephant Park also has a private hide, where you can watch the animals, including elephants, lions and antelope, from up close, without disturbing their natural behaviour.

After your visit to Tembe Elephant park you’ll head off to Kosi Bay, where you’ll be met at a meeting point and driven via 4×4 to the camp where you’ll be staying (yes, it’s that wild)! You’ll spend another 2 nights here, spending your days soaking up the sun and relaxing to the sounds of the pristine wilderness, in between fun-filled water activities.

The last stop on your bush & beach safari holiday takes you to the St Lucia Wetlands. St Lucia offers a unique environment, surrounded by the sea and the St Lucia estuary, which is home to many magnificent creatures, including hippos and crocodiles! During your 2-night stay here, you can do as much or as little as you like – you set the pace!

Your Itinerary

Day 1 - Flight to durban

Arrival in Johannesburg International ariport and take a connecting flight to Durban/King Shaka International airport where you collect your hire car, driving a quick 20 minutes to your guest house located on the Umhlanga Beach, just north of Durban, staying at Fairlight Beach House on a B&B basis.

Accommodation

Day 2-3 - Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve

Today the road takes you to the Hluhluwe region where you will be staying outside the park in an owner run lodge providing a great base to either explore the Hluhluwe Reserve on your own or join a game drive.  Nearby is False Bay that offers great walks and there is also a wildlife sanctuary and an elephant sanctuary nearby that you can visit.  Overnight at Umkhumbi Lodge on a dinner, B&B basis.

Accommodation

Day 4-5 - Tembe Elephant Park

The holiday gets a little wilder as you head north to the Tembe Elephant Park, home to Africa’s largest elephants!  The park offers a unique terrain with thick sand so guides will collect you at the gate and  take you to the lodge which is a community run operation.  The stay includes 4 game drives – an afternoon drive on the day of arrival, followed by a morning and afternoon drive the next day, then ending with the last drive on the morning of departure.  We highly recommend that you ask to be taken to their hide which is comfortable and is usually teaming with a variety of game from antelope, elephants, lion and perhaps a stray jackal.  Tembe Elephant Camp includes all meals plus game activities.

Accommodation

Day 6-8 - Kosi bay

After some great game viewing you are off Kosi Bay!  It’s a short drive to the 4×4 meeting point and you will be driven off to the camp by the lodge.  Your stay is very much focused on activities – you are not right by the beach, but can do a full day out on the lakes or or to Kosi Mouth.  A stay here is about getting in touch with the wilderness and enjoying pristine open spaces – with just you – no crowds!  Your stay is full board with a guided canoe trip as  well as a walk in the unique Raffia palm forest.

A tour to Kosi Mouth for some snorkelling or a full-day boat tour is included as well.

Accommodation

Day 9-10 - St Lucia wetlands

The final part of the holiday takes you to St Lucia.  This interesting little ‘island’ village is surrounded by the sea and the St Lucia estuary that leads into the larger lake and is home to hippo, crocs as well as antelope plus great birding opportunities!  Included in your stay is an afternoon cruise on the St Lucia estuary offering fantastic hippo sightings and a great way to end the day.  You can head to Cape Vidal for snorkelling or just explore the village, relaxing at Lidiko Lodge in the heart of the village.  Accommodation is B&B basis.

Accommodation

Day 11 - Back to Durban

Today is your last day and you can travel back to either Richards Bay (approx 1½ hrs drive) or Durban (approx 2½ hrs drive) to meet a connection flight back to Johannesburg to connect with your outbound flight.  Alternatively, why not extend a few days in the Drakensberg to absorb fresh mountain air before taking the road home…

What's included?

Included:
  • Accommodation and meals as specified
  • A Kosi Mouth visit or full-day Boat Trip at Kosi Forest Lodge
  • Car hire (premium insurance & zero excess with unlimited kilometers)
  • All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are fully covered
Excluded:
  • Flights
  • Non-specified meals, drinks, excursions
  • Expenses of a personal nature, i.e. laundry, telephone expenses, gratuities, porterage fees, etc
Details:

Please note that the price is based on low-season rates and all prices are correct at the time of writing.

Flight prices change a lot and for this reason, the flights are not part of the quote.

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