iSimangaliso Wetland Park Safari: Coastal Wildlife Route

The return journey is a second safari all the way back to the gate.

An open-vehicle safari through iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal, with your choice of 3-hour, 6-hour or 9-hour tours led by an expert guide. You search for wildlife through pristine ecosystems from Bhangazi Gate, and because of the unique coastal route, the drive back becomes a second game drive: making it one of the most rewarding routes in the region.

Step-by-step itinerary

Safari at iSimangaliso Wetland Park

• Meet guide at Bhangazi Gate
• Begin open-vehicle wildlife safari
• Explore pristine ecosystems
• Search for diverse wildlife
• Experience coastal route safari back
• Return to Bhangazi Gate

The experience

The park sits on South Africa's first declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, and your guide meets you at Bhangazi Gate to lead the search through the wetlands and coastal ecosystems. The open vehicle lets you move freely and scan for wildlife across the landscape. What sets this route apart is not just the animals you might see, but the geography itself: the coastal path means you cover new ground on the return, turning what could be a simple drive back into a second full safari experience.

Three durations let you fit the park into your schedule. The 3-hour option gives you a quick immersion; the 6-hour morning safari includes coffee and rusks at the start, plus time to move deeper into the park; the 9-hour full-day tour adds a traditional South African braai (BBQ) lunch and breakfast before you set out. Your guide handles the wildlife spotting expertise (they know where to look and what to listen for), while you watch the ecosystems unfold. All park entry fees are covered in the price.

What’s included

• Your expert local guide for the entire safari.
• all park entry fees and levies.
• coffee and rusks on the 6-hour morning safari and the 9-hour full-day option.
• a traditional South African braai lunch on the 9-hour tour.

Options for this experience

3 options

3-Hour Wildlife & WetlandsGuide in English · 06:00 and 15:00Lasts 3 hours, with a morning "Sunrise" or an afternoon "Sunset" departure. Coffee and rusks are provided only on the morning safari, while guests on the afternoon safari are welcome to bring their own sundowners. Pickup is included.

6-Hour Wildlife & WetlandsGuide in English · 06:00 and 12:00Lasts 6 hours, with a choice of a morning or an afternoon departure. A picnic breakfast is served only on the morning safari, and guests on the afternoon option are welcome to bring their own sundowners. Pickup is included.

9-Hour Wildlife & WetlandsGuide in English · 06:00Lasts 9 hours, starting early and covering a full day of exploring the park along with the untouched beach at Cape Vidal and Mission Rocks. Breakfast is a picnic, and lunch is a traditional South African braai (barbecue), with complimentary coffee and rusks. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00, 12:00 and 15:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 9

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bushbaby Safaris Zululand

Is this one for you?Pick the 3-hour option if you want a quick wildlife immersion that fits between other activities; choose the 6-hour morning safari to catch peak wildlife activity with breakfast included; book the 9-hour full-day tour if you have time to sit with the park's rhythms and want the coastal route twice, with a braai lunch in between.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

What wildlife might I see on the iSimangaliso safari?

The park's ecosystems support a range of animals, and your guide will search for them as you drive. The coastal route and wetland habitats mean different species appear depending on the season and time of day, which is why the guide's knowledge of where to look makes the difference.

Do I need to book a specific time slot for the safari?

The 6-hour and 9-hour options run as morning safaris, which is when wildlife is most active. The 3-hour tour fits into your schedule more flexibly. Your guide will meet you at Bhangazi Gate at the time you book.

Is lunch included on the longer safari options?

The 9-hour full-day tour includes a traditional South African braai (BBQ) lunch. The 6-hour morning safari includes coffee and rusks at the start. The 3-hour option does not include a meal.

How does the coastal route make this safari different from others?

Most game drives cover the same ground twice: out and back on the same path. iSimangaliso's coastal route means your return journey passes through different terrain and ecosystems, so you get two distinct safari experiences in one outing.