Game Parks of Northern KwaZulu Natal

The game parks of northern Kwa-Zulu Natal has a variety, from the rolling green hills to high mountains, to the warm Indian Ocean, to its beautiful national parks and private game reserves, and the St. Lucia Wetlands region. It is an amazing trip on this part of Africa and well worth the visit, the culture of the Zulu and the cuisine presented at the different parks and reserves.

The Indian ocean is great to swim in right through the year but be careful and follow guidelines and warnings with beaches in St.Lucia as hippo and crocodile has been seen in the surf more than once before.

Africa wildlife

Please note:

Departure is from Johannesburg early in the morning to avoid the traffic or, should you wish to rather start this tour from Durban’s King Shaka International, we can do so.

Itinerary

Day 1 

We firstly travel along the N4 towards Middelburg, (coffee break) where we turn off towards Ermelo, where we will enjoy lunch. After lunch, it is another 2 hours comfortable drive towards Piet Retief, where we will stay overnight at a lodge or guesthouse.

Day 2

After a wonderful breakfast, we depart along the N2 route, towards Hluhluwe, where we check into the Hluhluwe River Lodge for the next 2 night’s stay. It’s a great base to explore the area from. The conservancy encompasses 80 hectares of beautiful sand forest with a walking trail that will soothe your soul and remind you that walking is still the best way to connect with nature. A light meal will be enjoyed on arrival, and you can also relax and enjoy the lovely gardens and swimming pool.

Day 3

Today we have a leisurely breakfast before we enjoy a full day game drive in Hluhluwe exploring the park looking for the animals. Lunch in Hluhluwe. Returning to camp and a bit of relaxing before we have dinner at the camp.

*** Optional spider walk in the evening with a game ranger.

Northern Natal Boat Cruise

Day 4

After breakfast, we pack up and travel to St Lucia. Today is set aside to explore the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park. It is also known as Isimangaliso. We do a scenic drive towards the town of St Lucia, where we do a morning boat cruise on the estuary to view the crocodile, hippos, wildlife and birdlife that makes the estuary such a great attraction to visit.  After the lovely 2- hour boat-trip it is time for lunch in town.  We then travel to Mkuze. We arrive and check into the Ghost Mountain Inn for 2 nights. It is a beautiful hotel with a lovely history and story. Relax in the beautiful surroundings of the lodge, before dinner.

Day 5

We depart around 10h30 on a game drive into the Mkhuze Game Reserve. This park is well known for its wonderful bird life and viewing of animals and birds alongside the rivers and dams. The game drive is approximately 6 hours, which will also include a lovely picnic lunch at a picnic site in the park.  We return in the late afternoon.

Day 6

Sadly we have to leave this beautiful hotel after breakfast and travel back to Johannesburg.  We enjoy the last lunch on route home and arrive home in the late afternoon.