South Africa · SAFARIS IN DURBAN & KWAZULU-NATAL
Good safaris in Durban & KwaZulu-Natal fill up weeks ahead; the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Sunrise Big Five safari from St Lucia into Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, with ranger spotting, breakfast, braai lunch, transport, and conservation levies.
“It was a fantastic day! Without going into the animals we saw, as that depends on luck, let me share the good and bad points of this tour. Arnaud, our guide, always had a smile on his face, answered every question, and provided a lot of inforRead more”
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Big 5 safari from St Lucia with early sunrise drives, ranger-led game viewing, and a traditional braai lunch.
“We had a beautiful safari tour with Sifiso. It was beyond our expectations! The pickup in St.Lucia was flawless and overall we had a pleasant ride. Sifiso always made sure to take good care of us (it was a rainy day and he kept us dry and warm). The breakfast and lunch were absolutely lovely and delicious. Nothing was missing. As for the tour - he has a lot of experience and knowledge. He told us many interesting facts about the flora and fauna. And also things we wouldn’t think about asking, but were really important and interesting. You can feel the passion he has for the animals and wild…”
Half-day safari from Durban to Tala Game Reserve and the African Raptor Centre, plus hotel pickup, under 6 hours.
“we did the half day Safari very good very informative and can highly recommend this trip to anyone”
Durban half-day safari to Natal Lion Park and Tala Private Game Reserve, with pickup, close lions, rhinos, and big-game sightings.
“This was a wonderful tour! Our tour guide Freddy was thoughtful and really wanted to make sure we had a wonderful experience. At the Nala lion sanctuary we got up close and personal with lions, and even closer with an elephant. At the TRead more”
Night drive safari in iSimangaliso Wetland Park with an English guide, spotlights, and chances to spot nocturnal mammals and Big Five.
“Sakile heeft ons alles goed uitgelegd en deed de moeite om veel dieren te vinden. het was echter aan het regenen en heel koud. Je moet echt de moeite doen om veel te zien. We waren die middag al op dezelfde weg door het park gereden omdat we het strand wilden zien en hebben toen meer dieren gezien als in de avond. Wij zouden deze tour niet meer boeken.”
Big Five safari day trip from Durban to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Reserve with guide, entrance fees, and pickup, starting at 6am.
“Our tour guide Nikolas was amazing. Very knowledgeable and a great person. 10/10 would recommend again!”
A 3-hour St Lucia sunset Jeep safari into iSimangaliso Wetland Park, with expert spotting, big scenery, and wildlife chances for $39.
“The guide was very informative. The drive was nice but would of preferred more off road routes. This particular day the animals where very scarce. Overall experience was a good.”
Durban Big 5 safari to Manyoni Private Game Reserve with early pickup, open 4x4 drives, small-group wildlife spotting, and guides.
“African safari wirh big 5 is always great. Not much animals but enought for good safari. Beautifull nature. We recimanded.”
Durban day tour to Tala Rhino sanctuary, the African Raptor Centre, and PheZulu Village, with a safari drive, raptors, and Zulu dance.
“The tour guide had a very bad attitude and provided service with a gloomy mood—this only changed after we bought drink. Moreover, they took us back before we even finished the itinerary. We requested to stop the trip and get a refund because it is too late, but the company insisted that we finish the remaining part. However, the remaining trip was extremely rushed and totally uninteresting. Later, we found out that the itinerary the company had given the guide was incomplete in the first place. What kind of company is this? It can’t even arrange an itinerary properly. We spent our money just to end up with such an…”
A 12-hour private safari day pairing iSimangaliso Wetlands boat wildlife with Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Big Five drives from Durban.
“Picked up in the morning,in time,and got to see most of the animals ,thanks to ZAMANI,who news all the short cuts and locations. We definitely recomand it .”
Durban to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi for a day-long, closed-vehicle safari with lunch, hotel pickup, and a real shot at rhino country.
“My family and I had the most special day , our guide,Prince ,was especially good . We saw Rhino Elephant ZEbra Giraffee wildebeest Buffalo baboon warthogs and lots of Buck . I definitely want to return and maybe be lucky enough to see some cats next time . Recommend this tour as it was just the 3 of us.”
Durban’s Hluhluwe Big 5 safari mixes early predator spotting, two park sectors, and Zeiss 8x42 binoculars in a small group.
“Everything was very well organised. All guides were very knowledgeable. Topped off by great weather and saw more animals than expected. Thoroughly recommend to others.”
iSimangaliso Wetland Park safari drive plus 2 hours of Cape Vidal snorkeling, with braai lunch and small-group attention for about $92.
“We hadden een heerlijke dat met Shakile en het snorkelteam. Shakile is een supergids met oog voor de grote, maar ook heel kleine dieren én hij deelt met passie zijn kennis over zijn Zulu-achtergrond. De braai was top, de uitzichten en babbels waren top, het snorkelen was een fijne ervaring voor de waterratten van ons gezin (de oceaan was woelig). En Isimangaliso is echt een wondermooi park waar Shakile je uitstekend doorheen voert.”
Open-vehicle safari in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park with local guides, pickup options, coffee, and Big Five chances from KwaZulu-Natal.
“encore un très beau safari à Hluluwe imfolozi avec un super guide passionné et passionnant , Sifiso, qui a pris beaucoup de temps et de patience pour tout nous expliquer et trouver les lieux où étaient les animaux (éléphants, rhinocéros, Girafes, singes, impalas, buffles,), très intéressant merci monsieur Sifiso, Dube. je vous le recommande , il aime son métier et ça se voit”
Big Five safari from Durban with two reserves, dawn rhino spotting at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, then open-vehicle Big 5 action at Manyoni.
“It was great! The private game reserve was excellent! Our driver Tambo and guide Wanda Boy were the best! Highly recommend.”
The mountain, the parks, the coast and the cities — and the best of each.
