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We typically book comfortable national park accommodation, but private lodges in select world-class reserves are also available.
Some target species include the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and both white rhino and black rhino). At the same time, sightings of other mammals, such as African wild dog, cheetah, honey badger, Samango monkey, suni and kudu are likely.
As the home of Operation Rhino in the 1950s and 60s, it has played a crucial role in preserving both black and white rhino populations. It’s also famous for being the royal hunting grounds of past Zulu kings.
As one of only two state-managed parks in KwaZulu-Natal and home to the Big 5 (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard), Hluhluwe-Imfolozi also hosts other notable species, such as African wild dog, cheetah, and spotted hyena. With a varied terrain of hills and river valleys, the park is also a prime birding destination, home to over 340 bird species, including several endemics and specials, as well as many raptors, from large eagles to vultures and accipiters to owls.
St Lucia & Cape Vidal, iSimangaliso Wetland Park
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first World Heritage Site, is 220km north of Durban in eastern Zululand and 3 hours by road. North of the popular tourist town of St Lucia, the reserve features a complex interlinked series of 5 ecosystems that provide diverse game viewing and birding opportunities. Cape Vidal lies on the Eastern Shores.
The reserve is known for its leopard, rhino, buffalo, and hippo populations. A network of waterways provides excellent opportunities for spotting hippo and crocodile in their natural habitat. The scenic area includes a pristine beach and clear water ideal for snorkelling to observe the abundant marine life.
Additionally, the reserve offers rewarding birding. Notable species include Southern Banded Snake Eagle, African Cuckoo-Hawk, Woodward’s Batis, Green Twinspot, Green Malkoha, and Narina Trogon.
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first World Heritage Site, is 220km north of Durban in eastern Zululand and 3 hours by road.
North of the popular tourist town of St Lucia, the reserve features a complex interlinked series of 5 ecosystems that provide diverse game viewing and birding opportunities. Cape Vidal lies on the Eastern Shores.
The reserve is known for its leopard, rhino, buffalo, and hippo populations. A network of waterways provides excellent opportunities for spotting hippo and crocodile in their natural habitat. The scenic area includes a pristine beach and clear water ideal for snorkelling to observe the abundant marine life.
Additionally, the reserve offers rewarding birding. Notable species include Southern Banded Snake Eagle, African Cuckoo-Hawk, Woodward’s Batis, Green Twinspot, Green Malkoha, and Narina Trogon.
Tembe Elephant Park, covering 30 012ha, is notable for its diverse inhabitants, ranging from Africa’s largest land mammal, the African elephant, to one of its smallest antelopes, the suni.
Established as a protected area in 1983 by Chief Mzimba Tembe, the park is situated in Maputaland, approximately 405km north of Durban, a journey of about 4.5 hours by road.
The park is distinguished by its population of the largest elephants in Southern Africa, the most extensive tree diversity in South Africa and sand forest habitats. It’s home to the Big 5 (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard), African wild dogs and numerous other species.
The park offers exceptional birding opportunities, with a recorded list of over 340 species, including many rarities and endemics. Its butterfly diversity is also unsurpassed.
This scenic reserve is situated in northern Zululand, approximately 4 hours and 395km from Durban. It forms part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first World Heritage Site, and is 40 000ha in extent.
Mkuze offers diverse game-viewing opportunities, including the Big 5, African wild dog and cheetah. It includes an exceptional variety of natural habitats, from the eastern slopes of the Lebombo Mountains to broad stretches of acacia savanna, swamps, various woodlands, riverine areas and sand forests.
Mkuze is also renowned as a bird lovers’ mecca with more than 420 bird species on record.