Tala Game Reserve, Natal Park & Phezulu Safari from Durban

Three reserves in one day, each with a different animal and a different story.

Eight-hour tour from Durban visiting Tala Game Reserve for a game safari, Natal Park to see elephants, and Phezulu Safari Park for a Zulu village tour and traditional dance performance in the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Includes pickup from hotels, airports and cruise ships; a live English-speaking guide; and lunch at a hilltop restaurant with panoramic views. The route is designed to fit families and first-time safari-goers into a single day without dangerous predators.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wildlife and cultural tour in KwaZulu-Natal

• Game safari at Tala Game Reserve
• Visit Natal Lion Park for wildlife
• Enjoy Zulu dance at Phezulu Safari Park
• Tour authentic Zulu village

The experience

The day starts at Tala Game Reserve, where a game drive takes you through grasslands, acacia thornveld and wetlands to spot rhinos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, kudus, hippos and numerous antelope and bird species. The reserve has no lions or other dangerous predators, making it a relaxed setting for close encounters and photography. If Tala is unavailable on your date, the safari moves to the nearby Gwahumbe Game Reserve, which offers the same quality of wildlife viewing.

From there, the tour moves to Natal Park to see elephants in their natural environment, then to Phezulu Safari Park in the Valley of a Thousand Hills. At Phezulu, you watch a live traditional Zulu dance performance (rhythmic drumbeats, colorful attire, energetic movements telling stories passed down through generations), then walk through an authentic Zulu village where a guide explains traditional customs, family structures and the meaning of cultural artifacts. Lunch at the hilltop restaurant overlooks the valley.

Pickup and drop-off are included from your hotel, airport or cruise ship. A live guide in English leads the entire day. The tour is wheelchair accessible throughout, with accessible transportation and surfaces at all stops, and suits all fitness levels.

What’s included

• Game safari at Tala Game Reserve with wildlife viewing.
• visit to Natal Park to see elephants.
• Zulu dance performance and guided village tour at Phezulu Safari Park.
• tour guide in English.
• pickup and drop-off from hotels, airports and cruise ships.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (2 to 10 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 90

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transport

Operated by African Cape Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling with family or visiting a safari for the first time and want three different experiences (wildlife, large animals and cultural immersion) in a single day without the intensity of a big-game reserve. The absence of dangerous predators at Tala makes close animal encounters relaxed and suitable for children.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 10 years); Infant (under 2).

What animals will I actually see at Tala Game Reserve?

Tala Game Reserve is home to rhinos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, kudus, hippos and numerous species of antelope and birds. The reserve has no dangerous predators like lions, so wildlife viewing is relaxed and safe for families and first-time safari-goers.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch at the hilltop restaurant with panoramic views of the Valley of a Thousand Hills is optional. You can add it when you book.

What happens if Tala Game Reserve is closed on my tour date?

If Tala is unavailable, the game safari takes place at the nearby Gwahumbe Game Reserve instead, which offers a similar experience and quality of wildlife viewing.

What is the Zulu village tour like at Phezulu?

After watching a traditional Zulu dance performance with live drumming and storytelling, you walk through an authentic village where the guide explains traditional customs, family structures and the cultural significance of artifacts you see.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from your hotel, airport or cruise ship in Durban.