Tala Game Reserve Natal Park Tour: Rhinos & Elephants

Two game reserves in one morning: rhinos, giraffes and elephants

A half-day tour from Durban combining Tala Game Reserve and Natal Park, with guided game drives and hotel pickup. You'll see rhinos, giraffes, zebras, hippos and other wildlife across Tala's 3,000 hectares, then move to Natal Park for close views of elephants. The tour runs six hours and includes a live English-speaking guide and all transport.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wildlife tour at Tala and Natal Park

• Depart from Durban at 8am
• Game drive in Tala Game Reserve
• Visit Natal Park to see elephants

The experience

The tour departs Durban at 8am and heads straight to Tala Game Reserve, where a guided game drive takes you across open plains, acacia thornveld and wetlands spanning over 3,000 hectares. The reserve's diverse ecosystem supports rhinos, giraffes, hippos, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, elands and numerous bird species. Each drive is a journey of discovery rather than a checklist. If Tala is unavailable on your date, the operator substitutes Gwahumbe Game Reserve nearby, which offers the same quality of wildlife viewing.

After the game drive, the tour moves to Natal Park just outside Pietermaritzburg, where you get close views of elephants in a safe, accessible setting. The park also holds a variety of bird and tree species, rounding out the morning's wildlife encounters. The whole experience runs six hours from pickup to drop-off, with your guide providing insight into the reserves' ecology throughout.

Pickup and drop-off happen in and around Durban, and all areas are wheelchair accessible. The tour suits solo travelers, couples, families and groups, with no health restrictions and no fitness level requirements.

What’s included

• Guided game drive in Tala Game Reserve (or Gwahumbe if needed).
• game drive in Natal Park.
• live English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in and around Durban.
• transport throughout the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 95

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 today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cape Touring

Is this one for you?Six hours leaves the rest of your day free, so you can combine this with other Durban activities or simply return to your hotel by early afternoon. The fixed morning departure means you catch wildlife at its most active, though it rules out a leisurely breakfast beforehand.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

What animals will I see on the game drive at Tala Game Reserve?

Tala Game Reserve is home to rhinos, giraffes, hippos, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, elands and many bird species. The 3,000-hectare reserve's mix of open plains, thornveld and wetlands creates habitats for a rich array of wildlife, and sightings vary by season and time of day.

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

If Tala is unavailable, the game drive takes place at Gwahumbe Game Reserve instead, a nearby reserve offering similar quality wildlife viewing and the same ecosystem diversity.

How much time do I spend at each location?

The tour runs six hours total from Durban pickup to drop-off. The bulk of that time is spent on the game drive at Tala or Gwahumbe, followed by a visit to Natal Park to see elephants.

Does the tour include hotel pickup in Durban?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included in and around Durban, so you don't need to arrange your own transport to the reserve.

Is this tour accessible for wheelchair users?

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible as well. Infants can sit on an adult's lap during the drive.