Hello and a warm welcome to South Africa!

Need a short break? Not sure South Africa is your cup of tea? With Sport n Safari’s short Beach and Bush Tour, you can have a first taste. The relaxed rhythm and the friendliness of the locals will make you feel at home straight away. Add to that the breathtaking surroundings, luxury accommodation and typical South African cuisine and you have an instant holiday feeling.

On this tour we will take you to play hide and seek with the BIG 5 and be amazed by these wonderful creatures. Discover Saint-Lucia and the iSimangaliso Wetlands, a beautiful world heritage site. Meet the hippos and the crocs, snorkel and observe the colorful underwater world or simply enjoy the isolated beaches. And of course, experiencing the local Zulu culture is a must as well!

This tour takes you on a 7-night self-drive or guided journey through KwaZulu-Natal and gives the opportunity to enjoy several of the most amazing places in South Africa. Have a look at the below itinerary for more details but know that anything can be adapted according to your wishes.

We hope to welcome you soon!

Sport n Safari team

 

Day 1

Transfer – Durban airport to Saint Lucia

Lodge: 4* B&B luxury suite in the village of Saint Lucia
Distance : 2.5 Hours’ transfer

Today starts the first part of your long-awaited journey on African soil! After you pick up your self-drive hire car at Durban airport, you leave for you first drive through the South African landscape (Remember to drive on the left 🙂 ). Two and a half hours later you arrive at your first destination.

Saint Lucia is South Africa’s first world heritage site and for good reason. It has an abundance of wildlife and the iSimangaliso Wetlands are a treat for the eye. Even today, hippos still wander the streets of Saint Lucia at night. Saint Lucia has a pleasant climate all year round which makes it a perfect getaway any time of the year. The warm Indian Ocean and pristine endless beaches are calling.

You’ll be spending 3 nights in a  4* B&B luxury suite in the magnificent coastal village of Saint Lucia, centrally situated for the many activities in the Wetlands.

Once arrived at the accommodation and settled in, you can enjoy a drink by the pool and soak up some sun. Or go for a stroll around the village or even walk to the beach and spend the last hours of daylight enjoying the views over the Indian ocean. It’s a relaxed afternoon after a long journey and ideal to stretch your legs and go for a plunge.

Day 2

Full day of adventure in Saint Lucia

Activity: Explore the iSimangaliso Wetlands
Distance: 1 Hours’ drive

After a good night’s sleep, it all starts for real. You leave early this morning and go on a full-day excursion out in the iSimangaliso Wetlands. The Ranger will pick you up at eight and take you north to Cape Vidal, while showcasing the incredible beauty of the open grasslands, forest and mangroves. You’ll be spoiled by a traditional African braai on the beach and snorkel equipment will be at hand to explore the numerous fish species that frequent the area. In season (June to November), you might even see the gentle giant whale migrating at the horizon.

Back around 15:00 to enjoy the pool or relax on the deck.

Early dinner in Saint Lucia because the rest of the evening is spent in an open game safari jeep for a 2.5 hours’ night safari that unveils the mysterious creatures of the night. See how the guides find the smallest of creatures or the elusive leopard!

Day 3

Meeting the locals – Horse riding around Saint Lucia

Activity: Meet the locals at a typical Zulu village in the morning and go horse riding in the afternoon
Distance : Local

Rise and shine cause today you are meeting the locals on the half day cultural tour at the Nkundusi village. Theo, a renowned local Zulu guide will take you on this journey, and you get to visit the local school, creche and  meet the traditional healer. Lunch is right at the Zulu village. After lunch, you’ll return to Saint Lucia or you can opt for the full-day Zulu experience and help the locals with their daily tasks. You might even learn some Zulu words such as sawubona (hello) and ngiyabonga (thank you). 

Feeling adventurous? Then a horse ride might be what you are looking for, whether you are a novice or experienced rider. There are very few places in the world you can ride in an area as unspoiled and beautiful as the iSimangaliso Wetlands. Now all you have to do is choose between a ride on the beach or a game ride. Indecisive? Just take the combo 😊.

Day 4

From Beach to Bush

Lodge: Full board Private Game Reserve 
Distance: 2.5 to 3 Hours’ drive

The game reserve is situated in the heart of historic Zululand in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, and is one of only two Private Game Reserves in the region where you can view the ‘BIG 5’ – lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, elephant and for bird lovers, nearly 430 species of birds are resident. This is the place with the sound and beauty of water falling seeps into your soul. 

On your way to the lodge, you’ll make a stop for an amazing elephant interaction experience. You’ll get to see, feed and feel them. An encounter you will not forget soon!

Around lunch time, you will be welcomed at your luxury lodge where lunch awaits. Full board which includes three delicious meals a day, luxury accommodation and two game drives per day.

After lunch, hop on one of the 4*4 vehicles and enjoy your first game drive. Put your hats on, take your sun cream but most of all don’t forget the camera! Enjoy!

 

Day 5

Looking for the BIG 5

Activity: Morning and afternoon game drive 
Distance: Local

There is no sleeping in today! Early morning wake-up call by your ranger, a quick coffee/drink and you’re off on your first of two game drives today. The drives are done by experienced rangers in  open 4×4 vehicles searching for the African wildlife icons.

Make sure to take appropriate clothing. It can be chilly in the mornings and layering your clothes is a good idea cause once the sun comes up it warms up pretty quickly. A short stop to have some warm coffee/tea before heading back to the camp.

Back from the drive, a filling breakfast awaits you.

Between the game drives, you can make use of this free time to soak up some sun beside the pool or take a guided safari walk in the reserve. After a late lunch, you’ll leave on the afternoon game drive that lasts till the sun goes down.

Day 6

En route to Pongola and track some rhinos

Lodge: Private Game Reserve, Breakfast and Dinner
Activity: Rhino Tracking
Distance: 1 Hours’ drive

One last time an early rise, so enjoy your last game drive and hearty breakfast. You leave today to your last destination, an extraordinary place that combines the variety of bushveld, mountains and major water bodies and provides a wide range of activities that make the best of all the natural features by which it is surrounded. You can find 4 out of the big 5 here (no lions) and is the perfect birding hotspot.

It’s only a short 1 hours’ drive to the new reserve so you have some time to settle in and absorb the beautiful surroundings of this unique place.

Get ready for the three hour Rhino tracking and join one of the guides while following the spoor of these prehistoric animals and observe them from a concealed spot in the bush. It’s a thrilling moment when you get up close to these orotund animals. Make sure you have proper walking shoes and adjusted attire for this walk, depending on the weather conditions.

Day 7

Full day of animal encounters at Pongola

Activity: Boat trip on the lakes and last game drive
Distance: Local

Late morning, you  leave on a 3 hours’ boat trip on the magnificent lake that is part of the reserve. You will be face to face with some giant crocodiles, hippos and any animal that comes to the lake for a refreshment.

Make the most of this last day in the game reserve and enjoy a last safari opportunity in this beautiful unique reserve.

Day 8

Unfortunately, today you return home. 

Activity:  Back home today or contact Sport n Safari for possibly extending your stay in beautiful South Africa.
Distance: 3hours’ 15

 

 

 

Prices start from R17.600 per person and include all accommodations as mentioned.  Included meals are all breakfasts, two lunches and four dinners. All activities as mentioned in the itinerary are included as well. Flight tickets and rental car is NOT included, but can be arranged on request by Sport n Safari.

This tour can be taken all year round but is ideal for the South African winter months (June – August), as it excludes the mountains.

Prices are subject to change depending on seasonal rate increases.
Activities listed in the itinerary are subject to availability. Booking early is always a good idea.