Tour option 1:
Zululand: Kwa Zulu – Natal: South Africa
St. Lucia (4 nights)
Big 5 safari lodge (3 nights)
Price estimation approximately $3,018.00 pp (2 pax) (7nights)
Prices differ per season/ accommodation choice/ exchange rate/ annual adjustments
(Please email shane@wlafrica.co.za)
Includes: St Lucia accommodation – Breakfast (Accommodation may be selected with 3x meals p/day)
Big 5 safari – Luxurious Big 5 Lodge, 3 x meals a day, local alcoholic & soft drinks, 2 x game drives per day,
1 x elephant interaction per person per stay (Depends on selected package / lodge)
Transfers to / from Durban King Shaka international airport, transfers within the tour, WildLandsAfrica guide fee.
Excludes: Flights, St Lucia activities, entrance fees (dependent on tour) additional tours/ activities outside quoted tour price you may / may not wish to partake in) Car hire for big groups, lunches / dinner (dependent on lodge choice) tips
Day 1: Collection King Shaka International airport.
St Lucia Accommodation included in tour price (4 nights)
(Excludes St Lucia activities below, lunch and dinner (Dependent on accommodation selected)
Day 1 – Night 1
On arrival at Durban King Shaka International Airport you will be collected by myself, as we head off for a scenic 2 ½ hour drive to St Lucia for 4 Nights where we book into our 1st leg accommodation. Dependent on accommodation choice, we may head into the town for a lovely dinner or if the accommodation offers such will relax at the guesthouse / hotel for an early night and early morning start. This will be discussed in detail prior to booking.
St Lucia has fast become the top destination in KwaZulu Natal South Africa and for good reasons. In 1999 it was declared as South Africa’s very first world heritage site in recognition of its superlative natural beauty and unique global values. The name iSimangaliso means miracle and wonder, which aptly describes this unique place. Hippo are often seen at night wondering about the town in search of choicey grass to feed on.
Day 2 – Activity – Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Big 5 game park.
We board an open game vehicle and head to Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park which is the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa. It consists of 960 km² of hilly topography and is known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts. It is home to Africa’s Big Five plus other game including the elusive Cheetah, Wild Dog and Nyala. Prime game viewing takes place at hides overlooking pans and waterholes which enable visitors to see animals at close range. Those interested in birding, Zululand birding route has over 600 recorded species of birds, a birders haven, so be prepared to add some lifers to your birding list.
What to bring along:
Camera with spare batteries; binoculars; memory cards; light jacket or pull over; hat; sunscreen; sunglasses; medical supplies if required; comfortable shoes; cash in case you wish to do some shopping on route back (not all vendors have card machines)
Please note– The summer months October – March, Hluhluwe–Imfolozi gets very hot, so please pack accordingly. Early morning winters April – September can be chilly on an open vehicle. (Cater for possible change in weather) the grass (veld) is shorter so game viewing especially cats are generally easier to locate, however there are no guarantees considering the vastness of these reserves.
Estimated cost – excluded in tour price – $95.00 pp (subject to exchange rate) includes park entrance fees, packed breakfast and lunch and beverages.
Day 2 – Night 2
After a full day in the park, we then head back to your place of accommodation to freshen up, relax and prepare for dinner.
Day 3 – Activity
St Lucia Tours hippo/croc boat cruise & Cape Vidal Isimangaliso Wetland Park
Cape Vidal Isimangaliso Wetland Park (Morning or afternoon) We board the open game vehicle to enjoy a game drive in Cape Vidal Isimangaliso Wetland Park. Several excellent game viewing roads traverse the Eastern and Western shores sections of the park. You are almost guaranteed to see hippo on the Pan Loop and the Vlei Loop has very rewarding game sightings.
Numerous hides are found with in this wonderful park, allowing one to disembark, photo opportunities, relax, and enjoy our packed lunch and some beverages.
Estimated Cost – excluded in tour price – $95.00 pp (subject to exchange rate) includes park entrance fees, packed breakfast and lunch and beverages.
Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise(Morning or afternoon) We board St Lucia Tours hippo/croc boat cruise Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise. You will be transferred from your accommodation in an open air 4X4 vehicle. Bring something warm to wear in the winter months. Complimentary coffee, tea and hot chocolate will be served.
Sunset cruise (should one prefer the late afternoon) are fantastic and a perfect way to end the day, allowing for plenty of amazing photo opportunities!
Estimated Cost – excluded in tour price – $25.00 pp (subject to exchange rate)
Day 3 – Night 3
After a full day, we then head back to your place of accommodation to freshen up, relax and prepare for dinner. Might want to head into the town centre for a meal and some shopping.
Day 4 – Optional Activities (Free day)
iGwalaGwala walk – (Easy)
Those interested in an early morning start and would enjoy a beautiful fresh air walk, view some of St Lucia’s birds, then the iGwalaGwala walk is a must. Walk will be conducted with a local guide. It’s a stunning walk and will take approximately 1- 2 hours.
Estimated Cost – excluded in tour price – $20.00 pp (subject to exchange rate) includes guide and walk.
Boardwalk to estuary walk – (Easy)
We take a drive to the beautiful boardwalk that leads through some mangroves to the beach.
The boardwalk is proving to be a popular tourism attraction for visitors with a resident hippos often being seen as well as a wide variety of bird species in the forest and on the estuary’s shore. The 500m boardwalk was rebuilt after Cyclone Gamede severely damaged the structure in March 2007. We can choose to walk along the beach to the estuary mouth, approximately 500m.
There is no cost to take this walk.
Shopping: Those may prefer to do a bit of shopping within the town and find a restaurant for lunch.
St. Lucia Crocodile and Snake Park
Visit the St. Lucia crocodile and snake centre and learn more about the mighty Nile Crocodile and some of the snakes of South Africa.
Situated just outside of St Lucia Village, about 5 Minutes from St. Lucia. The Centre offers guests an exciting and informative experience who would like to know more about the lake system and one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating animals, the crocodile. A series of illustrations depict the Lake St Lucia system, the sea, the beach, dune forests, grasslands and the lake shore.
The St Lucia Crocodile Centre now hosts an impressive collection of snakes. The Crocodile centre is one of only four permit holders that are allowed to keep the impressive Gaboon Viper in captivity. This highly endangered Viper is the world largest Viper and can weigh up to 8kgs with a fang length of 4cm.
Estimated Cost – excluded in tour price – $5.00 pp (subject to exchange rate)
Whale Watching St Lucia (June to end of November)
June to November is whale watching season and Humpback whales might be viewed. Other siting’s may be the Flying Fish, Wale Shark and dolphins. This is approximately a 2-hour long trip out to sea, however, may stretch a bit longer considering transfers from the town to the beach and back. Please note this tour needs to be booked in advance.
Estimated Cost – excluded in tour price – $99.00 pp (subject to exchange rate)
Turtle tours – November to end of February
(Please note this tour needs to be booked in advance) 6/8 hours evening.
The coastline of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is the only remaining major nesting site in Africa where Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles still lay their eggs. These important breeding grounds have been protected by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the conservation partners of the Wetland Park Authority, for over 50 years.
This ancient nesting ritual starts early in November every year. The female emerges from the surf and rests in the wash zone alert for danger – at this point she is easily disturbed. She then moves above the high tide mark to find a suitable site, where the laborious process of digging a nest, down to 1m in depth, commences. After laying a batch of 80-100 eggs, she carefully closes the nest and conceals its presence from foragers like jackals, genets, honey badgers and ghost crabs. The cumbersome journey back to sea follows.
The eggs can take up to 70 days to hatch, with the hatchlings emerging at night and making their way to the sea from January through to March every year. Approximately 4 hatchlings from every 1000 are estimated to reach maturity. Recent evidence suggests that female turtles return to the beaches where they hatched. How they know the route back to the spots they hatched on remains a mystery.
Estimated Cost – excluded in tour price – $95.00 pp (subject to exchange rate) Booking in advance essential.
Day 4 – Night 4
After a full day, we then head back to your place of accommodation to freshen up, relax and prepare for dinner. Might want to head into the town centre for a meal and some shopping. Those involved in the Turtle Tours will have catering provided for.
Day 5 – Activity – Zululand Cat Conservation Project – Day visit
We leave St Lucia and drive approximately 65kms for a visit to Zululand Cat Conservation Project
At Emdoneni Lodge with Zululand Cat Conservation Project we have ambassador animals which we use for breeding and the offspring to be released back into the wild hence the reason for the low numbers of animals in our project. A maximum of 12 animals including any offspring per specie.
Join us for an up close and personal tour and learn more about South Africa’s endangered wild cat species. Come and be mesmerized by the beauty of the Caracal (Lynx), enchanted by the playful Serval, astonished by the speed and agility of the Cheetah and delighted by the African Wildcat.
View and photograph these amazing animals at the Zululand Cat Conservation Project. We offer daily educational tours, with feedings during the afternoon tour and an informative talk about the animals and the project by our experienced guides.
The aim of the Zululand Cat Conservation Project is to care for Cheetahs, Serval Cats, African Wildcats and Caracal (Lynx), which have been orphaned or injured in the wild and are in need of care and rehabilitation. We also intend to breed successfully (where possible) with our ambassador animals and release the offspring back into their natural habitat. We pride ourselves on the many successful releases done in the past.
Estimated Cost – excluded in tour price – $20.00 pp (subject to exchange rate)
https://youtu.be/M3KCr6jdAaw
Once we have completed our Cat Conservation tour, we then head off to our Big 5 Safari lodge for 3 nights.
Day 5 to Day 8 (3 nights) – Big 5 Lodge included in tour price.
Includes Luxurious Big 5 Lodge, 3 x meals a day, Local alcoholic & soft drinks, 2 x game drives per day,
1 x elephant interaction per person per stay (Depends on selected package / lodge)
You will be able to relax, enjoy game drives, walking safaris (If offered at the lodge) or just relax at the pool and enjoy the scenery and the African calls.
Please note booking these Big 5 reserves in advance is necessary.
Before booking your Big 5 resort, you will receive a short questionnaire. As a WildLands Guide having visited popular Zululand Big 5 resorts, birding destinations and beautiful beaches in Zululand Kwa Zulu – Natal South Africa, allows me to recommend and plan personalised tours that would suit what you want most from your holiday.
These beautiful Big 5 lodges are stunning and unique in their own way. What is important when planning your tour is time period, preferred accommodations, activities, time of year and budget. This will be discussed in detail so as to ensure your holiday is one to remember.
Optional Big 5 Walking Safaris (not included in tour price)
If never experienced, is an exhilarating experience and something to add to your bucket list. Your five basic senses, vision, hearing, touch, smell and even taste will be enhanced as you experience the beauty & sounds of the African wild.
An experienced armed guide leads such walking safaris with an armed back up trails guide at the rear. Advantages are – small, personalised groups which make it ideal for keen photographers as you get up close.
It’s something you will treasure and be pleased you have accomplished.
An element of fitness is required as we can cover a fair number of kilometres to appreciate the fauna and flora on offer. Walks are offered both early morning or late afternoon. (Dependent of lodge offering)
This is not only a Big 5 walking safari considering other wonderful mammals you will encounter, and over 400 bird species that have been recorded allowing for many lifers to be added to your birding list.
Estimated Cost – excluded in tour price – $45.00 pp (subject to exchange rate)
Day 8 – Departure
We say goodbye to Zululand and head back to Durban King Shaka international airport for your flight back to your next destination you may have planned or back home.
Please note tours may be tailor made as per preference and budget.
For tour 1 option, please email shane@wlafrica.co.za for a quote.