Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Safari & St Lucia Boat Tour from Durban

A river boat and a game reserve in one day: estuary wildlife, then the Big Five on land

This day tour from Durban combines a 2-hour guided boat safari on the St Lucia River estuary in iSimangaliso Wetlands Park with a 3-hour closed-vehicle game drive through Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, South Africa's oldest national reserve. A live guide leads both parts, narrating the history and wildlife of each landscape. Pickup and drop-off from Durban hotels are included, along with all park fees and taxes; the full day runs 12 to 14 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

St Lucia boat and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi safari

• Board river boat in St Lucia
• Enjoy 2-hour guided estuary safari
• Visit St Lucia town and beach
• Drive to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
• Take 3-hour closed vehicle game drive

The Experience

The boat safari comes first. You'll board a river boat at St Lucia and spend 2 hours on the estuary, where your guide points out the animals and birds that live in the wetlands and explains the reserve's history. The iSimangaliso Estuary is a working ecosystem—hippos, crocodiles, fish eagles and wading birds move through it constantly—so the guide's knowledge of where to look and what you're seeing shapes the whole experience. After the boat returns, there's time to walk the town of St Lucia and the beach before heading inland to the game reserve.

The second half is the game drive. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is South Africa's oldest national reserve and holds all the major wildlife species found in the country, including the Big Five. You travel in a closed vehicle—a practical choice that lets you move through the park without startling animals and keeps you comfortable during the 3-hour drive. The guide navigates the reserve roads looking for sightings and explains the behavior and ecology of whatever appears: whether that's a pride of lions, a crash of rhinos, or a herd of buffalo. The reserve is large and sightings are never guaranteed, but the guide's experience and the vehicle's mobility give you real chances to find them.

The day is long—12 to 14 hours total—and the drive to the reserve from Durban is about 2.5 hours each way. Pickup and drop-off at your Durban hotel are included, as are the guide, all park entry fees and the boat safari. The guide speaks English, Portuguese, French or Greek; German and Polish can be requested when you book. Bring water, sunscreen and binoculars if you have them; food and drinks are not included, so plan to eat before the boat or bring snacks for the vehicle.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from your Durban hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a live guide for both the boat safari and the game drive.
• the 2-hour guided boat safari on the St Lucia River estuary.
• the 3-hour closed-vehicle game drive through Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve.
• all park entry fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by 1st Zulu Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this if you want both a river boat experience and a game drive in one day—the estuary tour shows you wildlife from the water while the game reserve drive covers land, giving you two different ways to spot the Big Five.

Traveler reviews

4.70★★★★★★★★★★

40 verified traveler reviews

5 ★32

4 ★4

3 ★4

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What animals am I likely to see on the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi game drive?

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi hosts all the major wildlife species in South Africa, including the Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo. The reserve also holds zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, warthog and many bird species. Sightings depend on where animals are on the day you visit, so the guide's knowledge of the reserve and the vehicle's mobility are what give you the best chance to find them.

How much time do I spend on the water during the St Lucia boat safari?

The St Lucia River boat safari lasts 2 hours. You board at the estuary in the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park and travel with a local guide who narrates the history of the reserve and points out the wildlife—hippos, crocodiles, fish eagles and wading birds—that live in the wetland ecosystem.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included. The tour runs 12 to 14 hours total, so plan to eat before the boat departs or bring snacks to eat during the vehicle drive. Water and sunscreen are recommended.

How long is the drive from Durban to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve?

The drive from Durban to the reserve is approximately 2.5 hours each way. Pickup and drop-off at your Durban hotel are included in the tour price, so you don't arrange your own transport to the starting point.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English, Portuguese, French or Greek. German and Polish can be requested when you book the tour.

Will I be in an open or closed vehicle for the game drive?

The game drive through Hluhluwe-Imfolozi uses a closed vehicle, which keeps you comfortable during the 3-hour drive and allows the guide to move through the reserve without disturbing wildlife.