Our Durban overnight Safari to Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve began in Umhlanga near Durban city where I met my clients.
On route to Huhluwe Imfolozi game reserve I covered the usual things like the history of Durban and KwaZulu-Natal as well as the national park. The Flora and Fauna of Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve is incredible and very interesting.The National park of Hluhluwe Imfolozi is home to the Big 5, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant. Being only 3 hours from Durban it is a must visit with a Guide if you are in the area!
After a quick two and a half hours drive to Nyalazi gate we entered the Big 5 game reserve and we began our Hluhluwe Imfolozi Safari Tour.
I wasn’t sure what to expect as it was already hot at 28 degrees Celsius and this was winter. We headed south to try and find the big cats as the southern section of Hluhluwe Imfolozi is flatter and dryer. This turned out to be a good idea as we spotted Elephants, Rhino, Buffalo and Lions out of the Big 5. This wasn’t all as we saw Zebra, Giraffe, Nyala, Warthogs, Impala and a whole array of birdlife.
Elephant Bull in the Black Umfolozi river resting his trunk of his tusk on our Durban Overnight Safari
Elephant Bull in the Black Umfolozi river resting his trunk of his tusk on our Durban Overnight Safari
White Rhino rests on our Durban Safari from Durban
White Rhino rests on our Durban Safari from Durban
The Lion sighting was the most special as we worked so hard to find them and eventually we spotted them. The best part was we had the sighting to ourselves as the Male Lion wondered around looking at us and then a Lioness got up too and walked around before disappearing behind the grass.
Lion found today on our Durban Safari Tour at Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
Lion found today on our Durban Safari Tour at Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
After all of this excitement we headed back up north to the Centenary centre for some lunch, it was already 2pm but we had done so well we didn’t worry about that.
Our Safari from Durban had just begun as we headed up to Hilltop camp and realised that half the game reserve was burning down… Luckily the team at Hilltop camp had got control of the situation had the fire was being attended too.
Zebra in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve during our Safari Tour
Zebra in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve during our Safari Tour
On route to Hilltop camp we spotted more Rhinos, Giraffe and Zebra. Even the Baboons we out playing today! Our trip from Durban was well worth it!
We arrived at Hilltop camp and checked in to the lodge before an hour rest. At 16:30 we continued our Durban Safari and as we left we spotted a Black Rhino right outside the gate to Hilltop camp.
I couldn’t believe it!
Photo of our Black Rhino on this Durban overnight Safari
Photo of our Black Rhino on this Durban overnight Safari
We the moved on to do a Safari down by the river and it was here we spotted a mother and calf White Rhino near the road.
As the sun began to set the Night Jars came out and we spotted one on the road. It also stayed long enough for its photo to be taken.
Firery necked Night Jar found in Hluhluwe game reserve on our Durban Safaris Tour
Firery necked Night Jar found in Hluhluwe game reserve on our Durban Safaris Tour
It was amazing driving back to camp at dark as the fires we still smouldering and the glow looked incredible. We turned off the engine and listened to the sounds of the night. We even herd Elephants nearby breaking trees. It had been such an exciting Days Safari from Durban.
Sunset in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
Sunset in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
Durban Safaris are not complete if you do not visit the Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve which is Africa’s Oldest and home to Operation Rhino in the 1950’s.
It was time to get back to the lodge for some dinner and rest after what was a great day in the African bush on our Durban Safari to Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve.
Dinner was great and we retired for the night. The following day we would look for more Elephants.
Day 2: Durban Safari in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve.
After waking up and getting a buffet breakfast we checked out and began our final 3 hour game drive Safari in the reserve.
Our Safari Tour of Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve was really going well at this point and now it was the matter of putting the finishing touches on before we headed to Isimangeliso Wetland Park for our St Lucia boat cruise.
Buffalo cow stares us down in Hluhluwe on our Safari Trip from Durban
Buffalo cow stares us down in Hluhluwe on our Safari Trip from Durban
After spotting a few other species we had to call it a day and leave for St Lucia. Before we could leave though there was a surprise waiting at the gate! 2 Bull Elephants had crossed the road in front of us and made there way to the gate were there was some fresh water from the run off of the drains.
Finally we got going to St Lucia – Isimangeliso Wetland Park.
Our Safari Tour from Durban was not yet complete as we had a 2 hour boat cruise on the World heritage site’s Estuary of St Lucia.
The boat cruise was amazing as usual and it was even better as we had a small group on board the boat. We had fantastic sightings of Hippos out of the water and Crocodiles. I also got a great photo of an African Fish Eagle.
African Fish Eagle perched at St Lucia Estuary on our Durban Safari Tour
African Fish Eagle perched at St Lucia Estuary on our Durban Safari Tour
Crocodile at St Lucia Estuary Isimangeliso Wetland park during our Big 5 Safari Tour from Durban
Crocodile at St Lucia Estuary Isimangeliso Wetland park during our Big 5 Safari Tour from Durban
Pod of Hippos resting on the St Lucia Estuarys bank on our Tour from Durban
Pod of Hippos resting on the St Lucia Estuarys bank on our Tour from Durban
Lunch was calling after the boat cruise and we went to my favourite restaurant in St Lucia – Ocean Sizzler where we all had fresh fish!
After lunch we had to leave and continue our Safari Tour, Sadly for us all it was back to Durban city!
We had all had such a great time in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve on our Safari from Durban and had so many memories to take back with us!
