KwaZulu Natal Active Safari | South Africa | KwaZulu Natal

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 opportunity to engage 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.

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
Other Ideas	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.
Notes	Daily flights London to Durban with SAA or BA from £690 including taxes

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 Zimbali Lodge, Dolphin Coast, Bed & Breakfast
After a last early morning drive you are transferred south to the five star Zimbali Lodge for an overnight stay. The 'Dolphin' Coast is an ideal base for swimming, relaxing and simply enjoying the excellent seafood cuisine of KwaZulu Natal.

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.

Contact us for more information or book your trip by clicking on the appropriate button below. One of our consultants will gladly help you with any questions you may have.