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12 Day itinerary in South Africa, Africa

Crossing into Zulu territory

South Africa in all its splendour. Its nature will reveal an unsuspected and infinite strength. This exploration invites you to a unique journey to discover the many facets of this rainbow nation. Between endless landscapes, majestic wildlife and ethnic richness, you will appreciate the soul of the ... Read More

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Overview

Physical Difficulty

Easy
help_outline

Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, French

GUIDANCE

Driver as a Guide

starting point

Durban

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Cycling

Kayaking

Skiing/Snowboarding

Hiking

Rafting

Snorkeling/Diving

Visit markets

Meet local people

Rural home stays

Indigenous culture

Outdoors & Nature

Adventure

Culture & Arts

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Durban

2

Kingdom of Eswatini

3

Hluhluwe Game Reserve

4

Kosi bay

Itinerary

Accomodation expand_more

Day 1

place Arrival in South Africa - Durban

Arrival at King Shaka International Airport in the morning (depending on the flight scheduled by you). After collecting your luggage, you will be welcomed by our local representative and assistance. Delivery of travel documents. Transfer to your accommodation and check-in. Lunch at your own charge. Opportunity to take a quick tour of the city of Durban, the capital of the Zulu territory. You can opt for the famous water park of the region, Ushaka Marine. Why not take the opportunity to take a tour of the Golden Mile by Segway. A different way to visit the city, on 2 wheels, but perfectly balanced. Much less tiring than a visit on foot or by bike, it is still sporty, and a short 15 minute training session is always proposed before leaving for the visit. Suggested activity: surfing lessons.Take advantage of the warm waters of the Kwazulu Natal region and discover the surf spots that can accommodate you. You can choose to take a surfing lesson and afterwards rent your own surfboard and ride the waves. Take advantage of the spots near Ushaka Beach, or those located on the North Beach such as Bay of Plenty Beach or New Pier. Dinner included. Overnight at La Petite Provence Guest House in a standard room or similar. Includes: welcome, transfers, dinner, overnight.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Dinner

Day 2

place Durban - St Lucia

After breakfast, drive to the small town of St Lucia. Cruise on the St Lucia estuary, located in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. A must-see in the region, go on a cruise to admire the magnificent hippos in the lagoon, accompanied most of the time by numerous crocodiles. Lunch at your own charge. Dinner included. Overnight at Banghazi lodge in a standard room or similar. Includes: cruise, dinner, overnight.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Accomodation: Bhangazi Lodge
Day 3

place St Lucia - Hluhluwe Park

After breakfast, continue north to Hluhluwe Park. Continue north to Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park. Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is situated on the western edge of Africa's oldest proclaimed game reserve, Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, in northern KwaZulu-Natal. It is the only private lodge in the park. With its four-star accommodation, enjoy this moment in the middle of the African savannah and enjoy spectacular scenery and excellent safari opportunities in the heart of the Big 5 territory, the 5 largest mammals feared and respected by the hunters of old! Lunch. At sunset, your guide will take you to a special area for drinks and snacks, then travel in the evening in search of nocturnal creatures such as leopards, owls and jackals. Return to the lodge and enjoy dinner. Overnight at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge in a standard room or similar. Includes: breakfast, lunch, teas and coffees, end of day game drive, dinner, overnight.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Accomodation: Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Day 4

place Hakuna Matata !

At 06h00, departure for a morning in search of the Big 5: Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Buffalos, Rhinoceroses, they are all present in great numbers in the reserve. The safari is done in open 4x4 to allow a better visibility of the animals. Return for breakfast and free time. Lunch. Free time to rest. Around 15:30, depart for a late day game drive and keep your eyes peeled. If you have not yet had the opportunity to see the Leopard, be on your guard, this could be a very exciting time. If you haven't had the opportunity to see the leopard yet, keep your eyes peeled, as this could be a once in a lifetime experience! Dinner and overnight at the lodge. Overnight at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge in a standard room or similar. Includes: breakfast, lunch, teas and coffees, morning game drive, end of day game drive, dinner, overnight.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Accomodation: Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Day 5

place Hluhluwe - Kosi bay

At 06h00, depart for a final game drive at daybreak. Be patient and see the remarkable Big Five: buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino, as well as other impressive and remarkable wildlife: giraffe, crocodile, hippo, warthog, zebra. The emotion is there when you meet the animals in their natural environment. The park offers an unusual experience in the heart of wildlife, bringing the animal closer to you, leaving you with an unforgettable memory. Return for breakfast. Before you leave, there is an opportunity to meet the community of Mpembeni. A picturesque guided trail winding through Zulu estates where, despite modern appearances, people still live in a traditional way. Grass weaving, cattle rearing and traditional crops for food and medicine are part of the culture. Free lunch on the way. Drive to Kosi Bay. This mixture of lakes, channels and estuaries ranging from fresh to salt water and joining the ocean at the mouth is one of the most fascinating and beautiful lake systems on the African coast. It attracts a remarkable diversity of colourful marine life. Kosi Forest Lodge is situated in the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 20-bed wilderness lodge offers the unique opportunity to explore a pristine wetland by vehicle, guided canoe and boat. Dinner at the lodge.Overnight at Kosi Forest Lodge in a standard room or similar. Includes: breakfast, lunch, teas and coffees, morning game drive, dinner, overnight.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

  • Accomodation: Kosi Forest Lodge
Day 6

place Relaxation day at Kosi Bay

Breakfast at the hotel. Possibility to go on a full day excursion (payable activity to be booked on site - R575 per person). The Kosi Lake system is a series of interconnected lakes stretching for about 18 km. The best way to see the system is by boat. The full day tour leaves shortly after breakfast and travels through the lake system and estuarine waterways. Guides stop along the way and explain the traditional fishing traps and traditions of the Tsonga community who live in balance with the lake system. A picnic lunch is served on the shores of the picturesque lake. After your meal, you will continue to Bhanga Nek beach where you can enjoy a final swim before returning to the lodge. Dinner at the lodge.Overnight at Kosi Forest Lodge in standard room or similar. Includes: breakfast, lunch, teas and coffees, dinner, overnight.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

  • Accomodation: Kosi Forest Lodge
Day 7

place Canoeing on the Kosi Lakes

Breakfast before heading out for the activity. The highlight for many at Kosi Forest Lodge is the canoe trip on the Kosi Lakes. The best time for this activity is early in the morning and lasts about 2 hours. Guides accompany you in a canoe along the Sihadla channel where the birdlife is very rewarding and the scenery peaceful and breathtaking. You will return for a delicious lunch at the lodge and a nap before embarking on your afternoon activity. In the afternoon, you can enjoy a walk through some of the world's tallest raffia palm trees! Home to the Palm Vulture and Pel's Fish Owl, the area can be explored by birders at their leisure. When you return from your afternoon activity, you will have time to freshen up before enjoying a delicious dinner on the main deck or in the boma. Overnight at Kosi Forest Lodge in a standard room or similar.
 Includes: breakfast, lunch, teas and coffees, dinner, guided canoe trip on the lakes and a walk in the raffia forest, overnight.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

  • Accomodation: Kosi Forest Lodge
Day 8

place Relaxation day at Kosi Mouth

Breakfast. Possibility to go on a full day excursion (activity to be booked on site - R575 per person). Relaxation day where you can enjoy the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Visit Kosi Mouth, the pristine mouth of Kosi. Snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of the rock pools and estuary, nicknamed "the aquarium" because of the abundance of the most amazing marine life, is an exhilarating experience. Diving at Kosi Bay Mouth is a must-do activity when visiting the area. Picnic lunch on site. It's the perfect time to stop thinking about anything else but this moment of pure happiness. Let yourself go as you please! Return to the lodge. Dinner at the lodge. Overnight at Kosi Forest Lodge in a standard room or similar. Includes: breakfast, lunch, tea and coffee, dinner, overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

  • Accomodation: Kosi Forest Lodge
Day 9

place Kosi Bay - The Enchanted Kingdom of Eswatini

Breakfast. Drive to a little-known landlocked country in South Africa: the Kingdom of Eswatini. Once the border is crossed, the road passes through a region of real pastoral beauty: plains, wooded hills, sugar cane fields. Enjoy a day of learning about Swazi culture. Lunch at your own charge. Breathe in the fresh air of this kingdom as you walk through the most picturesque countryside in the country. Visit a village and learn about Zulu rituals and customs. You will share unique moments with the local population. Stop at a local handicraft market where you will find all sorts of items created by the villagers themselves. You will visit the local candle factory which is the pride of the kingdom. Dinner. Overnight at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary in a standard hut or similar. Includes: breakfast, village tour, dinner, overnight stay.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Accomodation: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Day 10

place Climbing Sibebe Rock

Breakfast. Spend the day exploring one of the most impressive geological phenomena in southern Africa. Sibebe Rock is a huge three billion year old volcanic slab, which rises to 1,488m and covers approximately 16,500ha. It is the largest granite dome in the world. It is difficult to appreciate the size of Sibebe from below. We suggest you get the best view of it, so hang on and climb the rock to the top. From there you can appreciate the beauty of the site. Picnic lunch. Then enjoy the scenery and stretch your legs with a short hike. After the effort, relax in a fresh waterfall as pleasant as it is discreet. Dinner is served. Overnight at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary in a standard hut or similar. Includes: breakfast, rock climbing, picnic lunch, dinner, overnight stay.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Accomodation: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Day 11

place Eswatini - Soweto

Breakfast. Return to Johannesburg. Lunch at your own charge. Guided tour of Soweto. Share this unique moment with the locals and discover the most famous suburb in the history of apartheid. Walk down Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world to have been home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Enter Nelson Mandela's former home and view some of his relics. Dinner. Overnight at Lucky Bean Guest House or similar. Includes: breakfast, tour of Soweto, dinner, overnight.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Accomodation: Lucky Bean Guesthouse
Day 12

place Johannesburg - departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time to rest before departure. Possibility to go to a market to buy some souvenirs. Lunch at your own charge. Transfer to OR Tambo International Airport for your return flight. Check-in and flight home. Dinner at your own charge. Included: breakfast and transfer back home.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Kosi Forest Lodge
  • Bhangazi Lodge
  • Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
  • Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Lucky Bean Guesthouse

Meals expand_less

  • Dinner (11)
  • Breakfast (11)
  • Lunch (7)
  • Snacks (4)

Transport expand_less

  • All transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle (depending on the number of people)

Activities expand_less

  • Entrance fees to : Kosi Forest Lodge and Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
  • Conservation fees for lodges : Kosi Forest Lodge and Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
  • The activities included in the above programme

Extras expand_less

  • 24-hour on-site assistance for the duration of your stay
  • Travel documents (electronic version)
  • Reception and accompaniment by a french-speaking guide for the duration of your stay
  • Accommodation in a double room, with bath or shower
  • The meals mentioned in the above programme
  • SATIB financial guarantee
  • Local taxes (15% to date)

Not Included expand_less

  • Visas and PCR tests if required
  • Meals not mentioned in the above programme
  • Suggested optional activities not included
  • Drinks and personal expenses
  • International air tickets and airport taxes
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips to guides, drivers and rangers

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$4,258.00 USD