Day 1: Arrival Durban – Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park (210km – 2.5 Hrs)
Welcome to beautiful South Africa! Upon arrival at Durban’s King Shaka International Airport, you will be met by the driver and transferred to your accommodation. Drive towards the Dolphin Coast. The dolphins playing in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean have named this part of the coast. They follow the sardine’s schools and can be spotted at different places depending on the season. Numerous beach resorts are nestled along those wonderful beaches. However, next to tourism, the sugarcane industry is the backbone of this area. Today’s destination is the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park, the oldest game reserve in South Africa. It covers 96.000 hectares. The wide range of plant life leads to a diversity of mammals, birdlife, reptiles and amphibians. Besides the big five - elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino - there are elusive cheetahs, rare wild dogs, several antelopes and other bush inhabitants offering visitors an excellent game viewing experience. The park contains some of the largest concentrations of black and white rhinos in the world and more than 300 bird species which make it a bird watcher’s paradise. The game reserve offers visitors self-guided walks and countless routes for game drives. Viewing hides overlook pans and waterholes enabling visitors to see animals at close range. Check in to your lodge and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
Day 2: Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park
Start your day with an exciting game drive conducted in open safari vehicles, guided by experienced rangers, who know where and how to find the Big Five. The Safari drive enables you to experience close encounters and unforgettable moments with various animals. During the outing, your Ranger will explain the flora and fauna of the bush and the way of living of the various animals. Enjoy a tasty cup of coffee during a break in the bush at one of the scenic spots. Upon your return to the Lodge, a substantial breakfast is served. At approximately 4 o’clock, afternoon tea and home-baked treats are served at the Lodge. You will then embark on a late afternoon Safari drive in an open 4x4 vehicle with your Ranger. After a traditional Sundowner at a scenic location, the Safari drive continues into the dusk. A delicious dinner is served in the lodge’s dining area, or in an animal-safe enclosure under the stars of South Africa’s night sky.
Overnight in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
Day 3: Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park – Maputaland Coastline (200km – 4 Hrs)
After another exhilarating early morning game drive, enjoy breakfast at the lodge before making your way to Maputaland’s finest coastline. Expect a small piece of paradise with the Indian Ocean waves calling you for a swim, snorkelling or scuba diving adventure (not included). Enjoy the spectacular landscape en route and discover one of South Africa’s last stretches of untouched coastline with its many pristine beaches, home to a vast array of land-based and marine wildlife. Arrive at your lodge and spend the rest of the day planning your upcoming adventures. The lodge offers a variety of unique experiences, including guided snorkelling and use of snorkelling equipment, guided forest walks, guided kayaking on Lake Sibaya, a cultural tour to the Mabibi community, turtle tracking walks (Nov - Feb) and sundowner experience at Lake Sibaya. Make the most of your time and immerse yourself in all the lodge has to offer!
Overnight in Maputaland.
Day 4: Maputaland Coastline
Begin your day with a tasty breakfast and enjoy the day at leisure. During the months of November to February, the lodge organizes low-tide trips for turtle tracks. On your turtle-tracking safari, one question your guide cannot answer is how these creatures navigate thousands of sea miles and return each year, instinctively to the same beaches where they hatched. Patience and luck are required when tracking sea turtles. Tours commence in the late afternoon, or after sunset. Operators may only be on the beaches two hours before, and two hours after low tide, meaning tours can last from two to seven hours.
Overnight in Maputaland.
Day 5: Maputaland Coastline
Spend another day at leisure along the stunning Maputaland coastline, where the warm waters of the Indian Ocean meet pristine, untouched beaches. Stroll along the golden sands, explore the diverse marine life in the vibrant coral reefs, or relax under the shade of coastal forests, listening to the soothing sound of the waves. For the adventurous, there are opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking, or bird-watching in the nearby wetlands, rich with unique wildlife.
Overnight in Maputaland.
Day 6: Maputaland Coastline – Depart Durban (350km – 5 Hrs)
After a tasty breakfast, travel back to the airport, where you check in for your flight back home or continue your South African journey with your next adventure.
