Roam among the exquisite wildlife of Africa at the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve. The reserve, established in 1895, is the oldest in South Africa and provides a rare opportunity to see the Big Five of Africa: lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhinoceros, on a single safari. Afterwards, experience Zulu culture unaffected by modernization at DumaZulu Cultural Village.
Start the journey by heading north from Durban to KwaZulu-Natal. After almost three-hours’ drive, you’ll arrive at the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve. On this closed vehicle tour, your experienced guide will show you around a section of the 98,000 hectares of the park in search of diverse wildlife and Africa’s Big Five. The reserve's hilly topography is home to immensely diverse flora and fauna.
The Hluhluwe Game Reserve in the north and the Imfolozi Game Reserve in the south were joined to create the largest reserve in KwaZulu Natal. The Hluhluwe Imfolozi Reserve is noted for its white rhino conservation. Their Centenary Capture Centre is celebrated for its exceptional research in animal capture, rehabilitation and release as well their approach to sustainable ecotourism in South Africa.
You’ll stop for lunch at Hilltop Camp (at your own expense) giving you time to refuel and relax. The restaurant is situated on top of a hill and gives visitors the chance to enjoy the surrounding scenery. After lunch complete your safari and head to DumaZulu Cultural Village.
DumaZulu Cultural Village is located near the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve in the heart of Zululand. Translated to “Thundering Zulu,” DumaZulu is South Africa’s largest Zulu cultural village with over 50 Zulu locals who living and working in the area.
The village depicts Zulu culture before modernization and is considered a living museum. The village is laid out in the tradition Zulu design of beehive huts arranged in a circle around a cattle kraal. You’ll be welcomed to the village by a local DumaZulu tour guide who’ll explain and share interesting traditions and customs of the Zulu people.
You can observe the traditional basket-weaving, spear- and shield-making techniques from the locals as well as watch traditional bone-throwing and Zulu dancing and singing performances.
National parks
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
On this tour we will visit a Lion Park, Birds of Prey Habilitation Centre, Tala Game Reserve for wildlife viewing, visit the cultural Phezulu Cultural (zulu) Village & finally pay a visit to a Reptile Park.
The Mini safari Tour starts at 7.30am where you will be picked up at your hotel in Durban or the Umhlanga area. We then proceed and visit the Lion Park, a breeding scheme for Lions in an enclosed area which we drive through with the windows and doors locked. Here you will have a chance to come into close proximity to Elephants and Lions.
Our next stop is The Birds Of Prey Rehabilitation Center where visitors are introduced to the wild variety of majestic birds. Here a local Guide will explain the lifestyle of the birds, reasons for why the birds are there and when the birds will be set out in the nature.
We then move to Tala Game Reserve where you can experience exceptional game viewing in either our Land Rover 4x4 or Toyota Quantum vehicle. We suggest you carry a picnic basket as we will stop at a picnic area on the lake where you can enjoy your lunch with the view of the Hippo family.
After lunch we continue game driving where it should be possible to spot rhinos, giraffes, zebras and many other wildlife animals. We move through the beautiful Valley of a Thousand Hills to the Phezulu village to enjoy a glimpse of local Zulu culture and dancing at the Zulu Village, accompanied by a local Zulu Guide.
At the end of our tour we visit the Reptile Park where qualified park guides will have you intrigued with facts about the resident crocodiles and snakes. Finally we return to Durban passing through the wealthy area of Durban in the evening.
The trip was fantastic! We saw a lot of animals, got to know different cultures and always felt safe due to our amazing tour guide. The group had a great dynamic right from the start.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Lodge, Tent, Hut
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Oudtsho
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Oudtshoorn, Saint Lucia, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Kruger National Park, Gqeberha, Knysna, Durban