Big 5 Safari combined with stunning beaches,snorkeling and close wildlife interaction. This itinerary is designed with families in mind - but is suitable for all travelers, honeymoon couples and disabled travelers.
This itinerary is designed with families in mind - but is suitable for all travelers, honeymoon couples and disabled travelers.
Day 1 A warm welcome awaits you at Durban International airport where you will be met by your friendly hosts. You will be transferred in air conditioned vehicles through Durban, Africa's exciting seaside paradise to your lodge with its luxurious facilities,30 acres of private botanical gardens, 18 ponds, waterways and prolific birdlife.
Located in the rolling hills of Kwazulu Natal and near the Valley of a Thousand Hills this is the perfect place to unwind, relax, and be enchanted by the scenery after your exertions of a long flight.
The beautiful gardens are an oasis with indigenous and exotic plants and provide the ideal backdrop to achieve the desired levels of relaxation for all who visit. Enjoy exploring with your family the 30 acres of gardens incorporating artworks, sculptures, a magnificent Japanese garden, cycad gardens, ponds and meandering pathways leading to waterfalls. Soak up your first day in Africa by spoiling yourself at the Health Spa with its special invigorating and holistic treatment range (BE)(5 Star Lodge)
Day 2 This day holds much excitement as we explore The Golden Mile along the Durban Beachfront with its wonderful mix of cultures, nationalities, stunning beaches, flea markets, restaurants and places of interest. You will visit an exciting attraction Ushaka Marine World Africa's largest aquarium with its seal and dolphin stadium and aquariums where you can touch a starfish and feel the skin of a sea cucumber. Be fascinated by sharks, sea snakes, sting rays and stone fish in different magnificent aquariums. There are snorkeling pools with over one thousand fish and diving pools where you may dive with an qualified diver and watch the stingrays swim by. We have lunch along the Village Walk with its numerous shops and restaurants before heading back to the Lodge. (B)(5 star Lodge)
Day 3 Today we head out for the great African safari to the Umfolozi /Hluhluwe Game Reserve situated in the largest and most spectacular ecotourism region in South Africa.(3 hours drive from Durban) Established in 1895 Hluhluwe/ Umfolozi is the home of The Big Five and Operation Rhino. It became world renowned for saving the white rhino from extinction.You will be sure to spot elephant, buffalo, giraffe, warthog, zebra, impala and wildebeest and many other species during your visit here. The park is also home animals such as Lion, Leopard and Wild Dog. Enjoy a peaceful and safe ambience with Africa and its wildlife in your luxurious, air-conditioned vehicle with your experienced Game Ranger and your host. Your accommodation is in a beautiful setting where the wildlife walk freely around the grounds and plenty of space and activities to keep the family spellbound! .Today's adventures include a visit to Dumazulu Traditional Zulu Village where you will learn of the African Zulu Tribe as you visit its cultural village. Be spellbound by the energetic Zulu Dancing with its awesome rhythm of drumbeats and African dancing (D.B.B) (3 star Lodge)
Day 4 This is the day where the spirit of Africa touches your soul. We embark on leisurely extended game drives to all areas of Hluhluwe Game Reserve There is much to explore! Fot those who are keen photographers this is the perfect time to capture unique photos.Your experienced ranger will help you spot and identify many species of bird and animal life. (The Elephant Coast has more than 500 species of birdlife recorded). With a little assistance most people will be able to distinguish the more common families of birds in no time at all. Look out for the abundant animal life such as black rhino, nyala, kudu, hippo, crocodile, waterbuck, reedbuck, red duiker, baboons, monkeys, hyena, wildebeest, giraffe and often to be seen elephant and buffalo You may also see lion, cheetah, wild dog and other predators. (D.B.B)(3 star Lodge)
Day 5 Today will be a special excursion will lots of exciting activities geared for the family. You will visit numerous eco/cultural activities available in the area. Visit the ancient World Heritage Site at False Bay, the largest estuarine system formed in Africa formed 140 million years ago. Other attractions include Ilala Weavers with its restaurant where you will enjoy lunch and curio shops featuring traditional Zulu basket weaving and beading. Today we introduce you to the Elephant Interaction A unique and wonderful experience in the heart of Zululand where you get close and interact with these powerful but gentle creatures.Guests seeking deeper meaning to their visit can have close contact and interaction with wildlife. Although little can match the thrill of seeing wild elephants in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, guests are also afforded an opportunity of close contact with 2 mature elephant that were orphaned and hand reared but are now free to range in a private game reserve that is over 2 500 hectares.These two elephant come up to visit the viewing area each morning, for a welcome snack of game pellets. Here you will be able to interact with them in well controlled situations and also enjoy suburb interpretation of the elephant species, which is enlightening and clearly shows the care and concern that is shown. Visit to Cat and Cheetah Rehabilitation Centre Join us for an up close and personal tour and learn more about South Africa's endangered wild cat species. Come and be mesmerized by the beauty of the Caracal (Lynx), enchanted by the playful Serval, astonished by the speed and agility of the Cheetah and delighted by the African Wildcat. View and photograph these amazing animals at this Centre. There are educational tours daily, with feedings during the afternoon tour and an informative talk about the animals The aim of this Centre is to care for the cats which have been orphaned or injured in the wild and are in need of care and rehabilitation. (D.B.B)(3 star Lodge in Game Reserve)
Day 6 We then set off for St Lucia, a picturesque village situated within a nature reserve and which is surrounded by 5 distinct ecosystems and ISimangaliso Wetland Park,A World Heritage Site(St Lucia 4 star Lodge)
St Lucia offers the family an endless wealth of possibilities with its shops, curio and African-ware flea markets, pubs, restaurants, boat trips, and a lovely interpretation centre explaining the ecology of the World Natural Heritage Site. You will spot crocodiles, hippos and abundant birdlife from the shoreline and on your boat trip along the estuary.Dinner at your leisure at one of the numerous restaurants in the village. (B)(4 star Lodge)
Day 7 Today is your day to spend at leisure with your family. You may choose to spend the day in St Lucia or at the beach or visit and snorkel at Cape Vidal with its stunning beaches and reef set in a Nature Park.
Cape Vidal is in the northern part of the Eastern Shores area in the ISimangaliso Wetland Park(A World Heritage Site) of South Africa and is renowned for its sport fishing and snorkeling.
Cape Vidal has the best of both worlds with access to the eastern shores of Lake St Lucia where there is a variety of game including reedbuck, other antelope, hippos, crocodiles and buffalo, spectacular water, forest and grassland birds and the wonderful Indian Ocean shore line with its startling array of marine animals. The marine habitat is the route used by humpback whales on their northerly migration to Mozambique to calve. Other "big game" include migratory marlin, sailfish and dolphins.
In December the loggerheads and leatherback turtles come onto the beach to lay eggs. (4 Star Lodge St Lucia) Day 8 Time to set off for the journey back to Durban and enroute we visit Gateway Theatre of Shopping the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere. Here you may enjoy the South African shopping experience, eat at one of the numerous up market restaurants, watch a show at the magnificent IMAX Theatre or join the surfers at The Wave Pool before returning to your place of accommodation for the night B)(4 star Lodge)
Day 9 Time to prepare for your flight and transfer to Durban International Airport (B)
Price: The price shown is per person based on 2 sharing. children's discounts dependent on age
Included All accommodation two nights 5 star lodge, 3 nights 4 star lodge,3 nights 3 star lodge. All transfers and transport. Full day safaris and personal game ranger, guide/driver. Our ranger has 15 years experience of Hluhluwe Game Reserve and knows exactly where to find the wildlife. All meals as indicated.(D-Dinner,B-Breakfast)
All safaris and activities as indicated except for St Lucia hippo spotting boat ride,Elephant Interaction and visit to Cheetah Centre.(All Optional) Itineraries are flexible. We ensure your holiday will be relaxed and enjoyable and offer highly personalized individual attention.
This safari and holiday suitable for all travelers, families with children,honeymoon couples and disabled travelers.
Not Included Visas, Travel Insurance and International flights. Air flights, Insurance, Refreshments and drinks, St Lucia hippo boat ride(Optional) Elephant Interaction and visit to Cheetah Centre(Optional) Tips and gratuities
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