This tour departs daily and encompasses wildlife safaris, a Zulu cultural experience and a boat cruise on Lake St Lucia. The lake is situated inside the iSimangaliso world heritage site, and hippo, croc and abundant birdlife can be seen from the boat.
DAY 1 – Zulu Cultural Village – St Lucia – Rhino River Lodge
Our experience of the wildlife and culture of Zululand begins when we travel north towards the subtropical coast and bushveld of Zululand, the place of the mighty Zuku nation and abundant wildlife. Arrive at St Lucia’s village in the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, proclaimed a world heritage site in 1999. We join a boat cruise on Lake St Lucia, a natural paradise around which five complete ecosystems exist. An abundance of birdlife, hippo and crocodiles exist here, and we have a chance to find them. After lunch (not included) we depart for our private reserve and after check-in. Later join an open vehicle safari where close encounters with the African wildlife commences. Return later for a sumptuous dinner. Overnight at the Rhino River Lodge.
DAY 2 – Rhino Reserve – Wildlife and Culture
This morning we join an early open vehicle safari searching for the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) amongst many other of Africa’s amazing wildlife such as giraffe, zebra, kudu, etc. We take a break at a scenic spot in the bush and enjoy a hot cup of coffee and rusks before we continue. On our return, we enjoy a mid-morning breakfast, and you are free to enjoy the scenery around the lodge. A light lunch is served and some free time before we embark on the afternoon safari. We stop for sundowners in the bush at sundown and continue towards the camp for a hearty dinner around a fire in the open Boma under the African starry skies. Retire for a well-deserved rest.
DAY 3 – Rhino River Lodge – Zulu Cultural Show – Durban
After an early rise, and embark on our final open vehicle safari. Then, return for a mid-morning breakfast and visit a Zulu village to complete the wildlife and culture experience. Here we encounter the age-old Zulu culture first-hand. Visit the Sangoma (a diviner also erroneously called the ‘Witchdoctor’) and are treated to authentic tribal dancing.
Then travel to Mtunzini, a village perched on a hill overlooking the beach with a beautiful dune forest and an estuary lined with a mangrove swamp forest. The town is a declared Conservancy with the streets lined with indigenous trees. A forest of Raphia palm trees attract the Palm-nut Vulture, South Africa’s rarest breeding bird of prey – found only here and at Kosi Bay. We take short walks along the Umlalazi River. Visit the estuary and an optional short boat ride if time and weather permits to see the African fish eagle catching a fish. Then we return to Durban, where we arrive late afternoon.
NOTE: Other tours that may interest you:
1 Day Touch of Wildlife (Code: SCDU) – From Durban to Durban
2 Day Wildlife Highlights Tour (Code: SCDH) – From Durban to Durban
2 Day Wildlife Explorer Tour (Code: SCDE) – From Durban to Durban
