4-Day Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Big 5 & St Lucia Wetland

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrive and Transfer to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve

We’ll collect you from your preferred location, be it King Shaka International Airport, a hotel in Durban, or anywhere else in the province. Departing in the morning, we’ll head north to the renowned Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating stories and historical insights about the region’s rich wildlife and natural beauty.

Upon entering the reserve, your safari begins immediately, tracking wildlife en route to your camp. After check-in, you’ll set out on a sunset game drive. Soak up the golden light and bushveld atmosphere, pausing at the Umfolozi River for sundowners and snacks before returning to camp. Freshen up and gather around the campfire with your guide as a traditional braai (BBQ) dinner is prepared. With a bit of luck, nocturnal visitors like hyenas or bushbabies may make an appearance.

Main Destination:

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve

Best Time To Visit May to September (Dry season)

High Season October to March (The park can get busy)

Best Weather Apr-May and Sep-Oct (Mild and little rain)

Wildlife in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

White RhinoCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestCommon

Show more

HippoCommon

Black RhinoOccasional

LionOccasional

CheetahOccasional

HyenaOccasional

LeopardRare

Wild DogRare

Accommodation:

Mpila Camp

• Mid-range self catering accommodation located inside Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR

Meals & Drinks:

• Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Full -Day Big Five Safari

Rise early for a sunrise game drive, fueled by a hot cup of coffee or tea. This is prime time to spot nocturnal predators before they settle for the day. Midway through the drive, we’ll stop for snacks and another warm drink, perfect for quiet moments in the bush. As the sun climbs higher, zebra, giraffe, elephant, and antelope begin to stir, and your wildlife checklist keeps growing.

Return to camp for a hearty brunch prepared by your guide. Relax, enjoy the views, or take a short rest before heading out again on an afternoon game drive.

As evening falls, take in another stunning sunset and swap stories around the campfire. Dinner is a traditional South African meal, and with no artificial light around, the stargazing is spectacular. Your guide will help you identify constellations as the Milky Way arcs overhead.

Main Destination:

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve

Accommodation:

Mpila Camp

• Mid-range self catering accommodation located inside Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Final Game Drive & St Lucia Estuary Experience

Wake up to the aroma of fresh coffee and head out on your final game drive. Your guide will be focused on tracking down any last sightings before returning to camp for breakfast. After packing up, enjoy a final drive through the reserve as you exit around midday.

We’ll then travel to the St. Lucia Wetland and estuary, home to Africa’s largest populations of hippos and Nile crocodiles. En route, you may choose to stop for an optional experience; either the Bayete Zulu Elephant interaction or a visit to a cheetah rehabilitation center.

In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive through the iSimangaliso Wetland Reserve. Afterward, freshen up at the lodge before heading into the charming town of St. Lucia for dinner. For those with energy to spare, an optional night drive in the reserve offers a chance to spot elusive nocturnal wildlife.

Main Destination:

Isimangaliso Wetland Park

Accommodation:

The St. Lucia EcoLodge

• Mid-range lodge located in St Lucia (Lake St Lucia)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Departure Day

After a relaxed breakfast, we check out and set off on a scenic two-hour boat cruise along the St. Lucia estuary, winding through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Keep your eyes peeled for hippos wallowing in the water, basking crocodiles, a variety of antelope, and an incredible diversity of birdlife.

After the cruise, we bid farewell to St. Lucia and begin the journey back toward Durban. Your guide will drop you off at your preferred location, be it the airport, hotel, or another destination of your choice.

Main Destination:

Durban (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.