Day 1: Durban / St Lucia / Hluhluwe
We leave Durban by 09h00, arriving at Mtubatuba by 11h30 where we meet our guide. We change vehicles and transfer to Veyane Cultural Village where we will have the opportunity to learn more about the contemporary way of life of the local Zulu people. We watch and have the opportunity to join in on bead making, mat weaving, and the playing of local instruments. We will meet a sangoma (witchdoctor) and watch traditional Zulu dancing. Veyane is a cultural tourism project that was the concept of a local guide from the area, and is now a thriving tourism attraction that is managed and run by the local community. Veyane is a true reflection of tranditional Zulu life, mixed with the modern Zulu culture.
Following our cultural experience we head into St Lucia before enjoying a boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary, which is a part of the greate iSimagaliso Wetland Park (formerley known as the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park), which is a proclaimed World Heritage Site. You will have the opportunity to see hippo and crocodile, the African fish eagle and a myriad of other bird life... and simply take in your surrounding wilderness vistas as you gently cruise upstream. Following the boat cruise, we continue to our lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Gazebo Lodge or similar.
Day 2: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
A full day's safari awaits you today, which will be conducted in open safari vehicle within the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, renowned for its white rhino conservation, as well as being home to the Big Five, plus an abundance of other animal species including zebra, giraffe, cheetah and wild dog. We depart early morning with breakfast packs prepared and undertake our game drive early when the animals are most visible and active.
We also visit Hluhluwe's renowned Centenary Centre and Museum that depicts the history of live game capture and translocation of game, especially the white rhino that would no doubt be extinct without the creation of this reserve. With a bit of luck there will be an opportunity for a close-up encounter with an animal or two in the capture bomas (enclosures), awaiting their big move to other reserves. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon reminiscing about the day's wildlife sightings.
Accommodation: Gazebo Lodge or similar.
Day 3: Hluhluwe - Imfolozi Game Reserve / Durban
Another early wake-up for your final safari within the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, after which we return to our lodge in time to check-out and connect onto the transfer shuttle back to Durban, arriving in the city at about 16h00. Transfer to Airport for onward flight.
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