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South Africa

Self-drive / Family / Walking / Romance / General Tours
Horse Safaris / Camping Tours / Victoria Falls extension

KwaZulu Natal Active Safari

The safari introduces you to the contrasting eco-systems of Northern KwaZulu Natal - the Pongola game reserve, the coastal wetlands of the Kosi river and the superb game-viewing in the Phinda private game reserve. It ends with one day relaxing on the Indian Ocean coast north of Durban. The attraction of this safari is the varied terrain and the opportunity to enage in a number of active pursuits such as elephant tracking in Pongola, canoeing on the Maputaland lakes, walking in the Sand Forest, as well as enjoying the more traditional delights of game drives and bush walks with highly skilled and experienced rangers. The tour is easily combined with the rest of South Africa, Mauritius or the Seychelles.

Day 1 : Transfer to White Elephant Safari Lodge, 2 nights, Pongola Game Reserve, Full Board and Activities
On arrival at Durban Airport you are met and transferred to White Elephant. Your safari starts here at the foot of the Lebombo Mountains, overlooking the beautiful Lake Jozini. This part of KwaZulu Natal has been dubbed the "elephant coast" in honour of the pioneering re-introduction of elephant families into the area, which had been wiped out by widespread hunting in the past. Here in the Pongola game reserve you encounter not only elephant but a variety of antelope, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe and hyena as well as loads of activities.

Day 2 : On safari in the Pongola Game Reserve.
White Elephants not only classic game drives in open land rovers but also sunset boat cruises which might involve some fishing, (all are catered for from novices to experienced Tiger fishermen), nature walks, and even unique excursions to track elephant and rhino.

A notable feature is the opportunity to go elephant tracking with The Space for Elephants Foundation, a non-profit making initiative, which aims to create more space for elephants by promoting the coexistence of man and wildlife. The Foundation offers an opportunity to participate in elephant monitoring and research with the resident researcher and to experience first hand the challenges of elephant management. This two day programme can be booked by us at an extra cost.

Day 3 : 2 nights, Kosi Forest Lodge, Coastal Maputaland, Full Board and Game Drives
This morning you are transferred to the Coastal Maputaland region for your two night stay at Kosi Forest Lodge. Coastal Maputaland and its marine reserve stretches 200km from Lake St Lucia in the south to Kosi Bay near the Mozambican border. The Kosi Forest coastal reserve is an unspoilt wilderness region of pristine golden beaches backed by forested dunes and captivating freshwater lakes. This truly is a magical area, untouched by large-scale tourism development.

Kosi Forest Lodge has a very appealing setting, amid the mangroves, swamp figs and ferns of the Kosi lake system. This bush lodge offers eight luxury tents with the most romantic bathrooms, each with a sunken open-air bath for star-gazing.

Day 4 : Activities around Kosi
The lodge practices sustainable tourism with significant local community involvement. Their activities mostly revolve around the ocean and the lakeland system, split between enjoying guided canoeing on the tranquil lakes, nature walks in the ancient raffia forest with iLala palm wine-tasting, and beach activities such as snorkelling for tropical fish, swimming and examining the ancient Tonga fish traps at the magnificent Kosi river mouth. Turtle tracking is a highlight for summer visitors with evening excursions in the summer to view the rare giant leatherback turtles as they lay and hatch their eggs (Oct to February - There's a small additional charge for this.)

Day 5 : 2 nights, Phinda Forest Lodge, Phinda Game Reserve, Fully Inclusive
Today you are transferred to Phinda Game Reserve which lies between the rich game-viewing terrain of the Umfolozi-Hluhluwe National Park and the lovely St Lucia wetlands area.

The accommodation and facilities of Forest Lodge are superb, the buildings being constructed around the existing torchwood trees. The sliding glass walls suites are raised on stilts above the forest floor and give wonderfully uninterrupted views of the surrounding habitat. Each spacious chalet has open glass walls looking out to the sand forest and has a subtle minimalist feel to it with a modern bathroom with separate bath and shower. There is also a wide variety of activities on offer; game walks, canoeing, boats trips, scuba diving and beach trips.

Day 6 : On safari at Phinda
Phinda offers an intimate and informative experience.Game drives in open-vehicle game drives with an experienced ranger and tracker gives you a deeper understanding of the wildlife and the natural cycles of the bush. Drives are in the early morning and late afternoon when game is most likely to be active. The evening meal is often enjoyed in a "boma" or even in the bush around an open fire, which many guests feel is a particularly evocative treat. After an early morning game drive and breakfast you can opt for a guided bush walk with a ranger. This affords guests the ultimate, close-to-the-wild experience, and a chance to focus on the smaller bush inhabitants including birds, insects and butterflies.

Day 7 : 1 night Ballito Manor, Durban North Coast, Bed & Breakfast
After a last early morning drive you are transferred south to Ballito Manor for an overnight stay. The "Dolphin Coast" is an ideal base for swimming, relaxing and simply enjoying the excellent seafood cuisine of KwaZulu Natal.

Ballito Manor is situated in the heart of the Dolphin coast, nestling within the rippling fields of sugar cane with direct access to the golden beaches of the Indian Ocean. It offers a wide variety of entertainment with gardens, an in-house squash court, a health and well-being centre and a half-size Olympic pool. Indoor facilities include a billard room and library.

Day 8 : Transfer to Durban Airport
Today you are transferred back to Durban airport in time for your onward arrangements.

If time permits, we can arrange a morning tour of the city of Durban including the magnificent botanical gardens and the enticing Indian spice markets.

Meals As text
Accommodation Premier to Luxury
Departure Dates On request
Transport Road transfers between lodges
Price Includes Meals and accommodation as shown in text, transfers, services of a ranger, game drives & activities
Price Excludes International and domestic flights, visas, items of a personal nature, meals not specified
Minimum Number Two
Climate Sub-tropical climate - hot & humid summers, warm dry and sunny winters
Best time to go Suitable all year round, especially May to October
Health Requirements Anti-Malarial precautions essential (low risk area). Sunblock essential.

Combines well with Cape Town, the Garden Route, Mauritius and the Seychelles

You can add extra nights at any of the lodges very easily. This tour can also be taken on a self-drive basis for greater flexibility and a reduction in price.

Prices may be based on current exchange rates and are subject to change prior to booking.