St Lucia & safari
Big Five bush and hippo-filled water in one trip
Africa's oldest game reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage wetland, two hours from your hotel door.
Duration
Full day or 2–3 days
Departs from
King Shaka, Umhlanga, Ballito, Durban
Best for
Big Five, hippos, birding, families
Best season
Year-round; May–Sept for game viewing
A sample day
How a full day usually flows
A guide only — we shift the timings to suit sunrise, your energy levels and the animals.
05:00
Collection
We collect you from the airport, Umhlanga, Ballito or Durban and head north with coffee on board.
08:00
Game drive
Enter Hluhluwe-iMfolozi for an open-vehicle drive — rhino, elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard country.
12:30
Lunch at the estuary
A relaxed lunch stop in St Lucia village before the water comes alive in the afternoon.
14:00
Estuary boat cruise
Two hours among hippo pods, crocodiles, fish eagles and kingfishers on iSimangaliso's waterways.
16:30
Cape Vidal option
Add dune forest and empty Indian Ocean beach, or start the easy drive home.
Every tour is custom-designed around your group, dates and interests — we don't publish fixed prices. Chat with us and we'll build a quote for you.
