2-Day Private Tour: iSimangaliso & Hluhluwe from Durban

Game drives through Africa's oldest game reserve, a boat cruise among crocodiles and hippos, and nights in protected wilderness

A two-day private tour from Durban takes you to iSimangaliso Wetland Park (a World Heritage Site) and Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, Africa's oldest proclaimed nature reserve. Day one includes a game drive through iSimangaliso and an afternoon boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary to spot hippos and crocodiles; overnight accommodation in St Lucia is included. Day two brings a 4x4 game drive through Hluhluwe Imfolozi, where all five of Africa's big game animals live, followed by lunch at the Hilltop and a return drive to Durban by 6:30pm. The tour operates with a live guide in English or French, hotel pickup from Durban, and welcomes children from age 6.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit iSimangaliso Wetland Park

• Depart Durban at 6:30am
• Game drive in iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• Boat cruise on St Lucia Estuary
• Overnight in St Lucia

Day 2 — Game drive in Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park

• Breakfast
• Travel north to Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park
• 4x4 game drive in Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park
• Lunch at the Hilltop
• Drive back to Durban arriving 6:30pm

The Experience

The tour departs Durban at 6:30am and heads north to iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a vast protected area along the KwaZulu-Natal coast built around Lake St Lucia. Your first stop is a game drive through the park where you'll look for elephants, buffalo, giraffe, rhino, zebra, kudu and other wildlife across the reserve's open terrain. In the afternoon, you board a boat for a cruise on the St Lucia Estuary—the centrepiece of the park and home to large numbers of hippos, crocodiles, pelicans and flamingos. You overnight in St Lucia, included in the price.

On day two, after breakfast, the drive continues north to Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, 170 miles from Durban. This is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa, spanning 960 square kilometres of hilly terrain and operated by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. A 4x4 game drive takes you through the reserve's most scenic areas to search for the big five and other animals; the landscape here is what draws many visitors back. After the drive, lunch is served at the Hilltop before the return journey to Durban, arriving around 6:30pm.

The tour is private, meaning the vehicle and guide are yours alone for the two days. A live guide speaks English or French and handles all navigation and wildlife spotting. Hotel pickup from Durban is included, so you don't arrange transport to the parks yourself. The itinerary suits all fitness levels, and children from age 6 are welcome.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Durban.
• two days of private 4x4 game drives (one at iSimangaliso Wetland Park, one at Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve).
• entry to both parks.
• a croc and hippo boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary.
• overnight accommodation in St Lucia.
• breakfast on day two.
• lunch at the Hilltop on day two.
• a live guide in English or French.

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by African Saf Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Durban without a car and want to reach two of South Africa's most important game reserves in a single trip—hotel pickup and a private vehicle mean you don't arrange transport yourself, and the overnight stay in St Lucia lets you experience both parks without rushing back to the city the same day.

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Top questions

What animals will I see on the game drives?

The game drives at both iSimangaliso and Hluhluwe Imfolozi target the big five—elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino and leopard—plus giraffe, zebra, kudu and many other species. Hluhluwe Imfolozi is the only state-run park in KwaZulu-Natal where all five of the big game animals can be found, though sightings depend on where the animals are on the day you visit.

What happens on the boat cruise at St Lucia?

The afternoon boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary is a croc and hippo cruise where you watch crocodiles and hippos from the water, along with pelicans and flamingos. Lake St Lucia is home to large numbers of these animals, making it the centrepiece of iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Is accommodation really included, or do I pay extra?

Overnight accommodation in St Lucia is included in the tour price on night one. You stay in St Lucia after the first day's game drive and boat cruise, then travel to Hluhluwe Imfolozi on day two.

How far is Hluhluwe Imfolozi from Durban?

Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve is 170 miles (280 kilometres) north of Durban in central KwaZulu-Natal. The drive from iSimangaliso to Hluhluwe on day two is part of the tour itinerary.

Can I bring my children on this tour?

Yes, children are welcome from age 6 onwards. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, so families with school-age children can book without concern about the pace or difficulty.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English or French. You can request your preferred language when you book.