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Day 1:
Arrival in Durban, transfer to hotel. Rest of day to relax. Your hotel is located in the hub of Umhlanga Rocks, a popular residential and holiday suburb of Durban. There are shops and restaurants, as well as the beach within easy walking distance from your hotel.
Overnight: Protea Hotel Umhlanga.
Day 2:
The tour starts with a drive to the KZN Sharks Board’s complex in Umhlanga Rocks, a service organization that protects beach users in KwaZulu-Natal against shark attacks. The KZNSB supports and promotes the conservation of sharks. Visit the only organisation of its kind in the world and learn about sharks and the prevention of shark attack. We attend a 25 minute audio-visual presentation on the day to day work done by the KZNSB, as well as on the important role sharks and other animals play in the marine ecosystem. This is followed by a 20 minute dissection. (Only available Wednesdays & Thursdays @ 09h00)
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 Aquarium adds something special to this experience! Sea World is a saltwater aquarium with indoor and outdoor displays and exhibits, a dolphin stadium where you’ll be entertained by the world-famous Gambit and friends, the seal stadium and penguin rookery. To add to the fun, you can enter the Wet ‘n Wild. This freshwater entertainment facility offers thrilling water rides, swimming pools, and other leisure amenities. It’s built for adrenaline pumping action and part of it actually flows through the uShaka ship wreck.
Overnight: Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge.
Day 3:
Your rental car is delivered to your hotel. 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. Get ‘up close and personal’ with real Zulus!
Dinner and overnight: Zulu Cultural Village, Zululand. (B, D)
** 1 or 2 children under 8 sharing parents’ room: free of charge.
** 1 or 2 children 8 – 12 sharing parents’ room: pay for dinner and cultural experience direct to the hotel.
Day 4:
Approximately a 2-hour drive brings you to St. Lucia and your cosy lodge located in the village. St. Lucia is the hub of the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park – one of South Africa’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the afternoon, take 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, a night safari (Cameleon Tour) on the Eastern Shores.
Overnight: Lidiko Lodge (moderate 4*) or similar. (B)
Day 5:
A day at leisure in St. Lucia. Greater St Lucia Wetland Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the conservation of the diversity and natural beauty of this unique portion of Southern Africa’s East Coast. Lake St Lucia stretches over 62km in length and forms the centrepiece of this patchwork of 8 interlinking ecosystems, which have a total of 526 bird species, 96 land mammals and 109 reptile species! The rocky and sandy shores form part of a marine protected area that is 280km in length, extending 5km out The Park comprises a number of conservation areas, the oldest of which is the St Lucia Game Reserve, established in 1895. St. Lucia Estuary is the gateway to the Eastern Shores of Lake St Lucia. The region contains the highest vegetated dunes in the world, extensive and diverse wetland systems, as well as coastal grasslands with an associated fauna which includes the Africa's highest density of common reedbuck. Numerous waterfowl, grassland, forest and sea birds provide an attraction to birdwatchers from around the world. You can take a drive to Cape Vidal for superb swimming in the tropical Indian Ocean, this is also a great spot for snorkeling. Fishing is another option, or you can book a canoe-safari. Your lodge with its swimming pool is also a great place to relax.
Overnight: Lidiko Lodge or similar, St. Lucia. (B)
Day 6:
Today, drive an hour north to Hluhluwe village, and your lodge set amongst the sandforest trees. Antelope often walk through camp, and the birdwatching is also excellent. In the afternoon, your guide will take you for a ‘sunset’ walk along the shores of False Bay. False Bay Park is over 22kms long with an abundance of vegetation of open woodland and sand forests. It’s a great area for wildlife hikes where you will see zebra, cheetah, kudu, warthog and numerous other buck species. Not to forget the mischievous monkeys who frequent the area. Fishing is also very popular here amongst visitors, as well as it being a prime birding spot. Enjoy ‘sundowners’ and explore the area on foot. Early to bed tonight, because tomorrow we leave before sunrise for a full-day safari!
Dinner and overnight: Umkhumbi Lodge. (B,D)
Day 7:
Your guide will wake you before sunrise, and you set off for Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park. This is the oldest of the National Parks in South Africa, and is 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. Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Park is the oldest game reserve in Africa proclaimed in 1895. The park covers some 96 000 ha and an immense diversity of fauna and flora occurs in this region. 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. In excess of 300 species of birds have been recorded. This is not a ‘zoo’ so we never know what can be seen. Often, elephants or buffalos block the road, other times lions and other predators are seen. We stop for a picnic lunch in the park. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight: Umkhumbi Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 8:
A day at leisure at Umkhumbe Lodge. You may like to return to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park on your own with your rental car, for more photo-safari opportunities. Alternatively, the following optional tours can be pre-booked:
• Sodwana Bay full-day tour: 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. Enjoy the beach and the warm Indian Ocean, a picnic lunch is prepared on the beach! For scuba divers, Sodwana Bay is on the list of the World’s Best 10 Dive Sites! For those enjoying snorkeling – colourful fish and other marine creatures are waiting for you!
• Game drive 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 day trip: 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.
• 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: 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.
Enjoy the sunset from the viewing deck of your lodge, maybe some nocturnal creatures will also come out? Your guide will take the children off exploring and looking for small creatures.
Dinner and overnight: Umkhumbi Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 9:
After a leisurely breakfast it is time to say goodbye and head back to Durban for your departure. (B)
Alternatively:
Day 9:
Continue to one of South Africa’s best private safari lodges, for a 2- night (or longer) unforgettable safari experience:
This lodge consists of 8 superbly appointed chalets, with large viewing deck, bedroom, lounge, bathroom with separate WC and shower. The lodge caters for maximum 16 guests, thus ensuring your privacy and excellent service. In the afternoon, set off on your first “game-drive”: This is not a zoo, but a large wildlife reserve. We never know what will be seen, this adds to the magic of a true safari. The reserve is home to elephants, buffalo, lion, leopard, rhino, giraffes, zebra and a variety of other species. The bird-life is also magnificent.
Overnight: Amakhosi Lodge, Zululand. (B,L,D)
Day 10:
You will be woken before sunrise, and after coffee we set out on another safari drive. As the sun rises the predators usually hunt and we may be lucky to spot some of Africa’s “cats”. Return to the lodge for a delicious breakfast. The middle of the day is for resting, enjoying the pool, bird-watching from your private sun-deck or for the energetic – taking a walk accompanied by experienced game rangers. After a late lunch we set out on another open vehicle drive. Stop for “sun-downers”, and as our safari drive continues into the night, spotlights will be used to see nocturnal species. The African night sky with its rich tapestry of stars will add to the magic of the evening. Return to your lodge for dinner, which may be served indoors or outside under the stars.
Overnight: Amakhosi Lodge, Zululand. (B,L,D)
Day 11:
Your last day in paradise, and we take our last game-drive. Return to the lodge for breakfast, and drive back to Durban. (B)
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