This Durban Safaris/Tour begins in Durban to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve but also covers areas like Emdoneni endangered Cat rehabilitation center and St Lucia – Isimangeliso Wetland park: South Africa’s first world heritage site.
When I depart Durban city I try and impart knowledge as a Durban Tour Guide to my clients about the area we in of KwaZulu-Natal as well as the History of Durban. There is so much to talk about from the Bushmen, Zulus, British and Dutch to the Plantations and the game reserve of Hluhluwe Imfolozi! It could be a Day of boredom for those that are not interested, fortunately paying clients are interested in this History.
Day 1: Durban 3 Day Safaris to Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve.
We arrived at Emdoneni at 10am for the Cat rehabilitation center tour at 10:30. My clients got to interact with Cheetah, Serval, Caracal and African wild cat. It was an amazing experience for them and from her we moved on to Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve for our Big 5 Durban Safari Tour.
We began well with lots of Giraffe, Zebra and Rhino within the first 15 minutes!
Cheetah at Emdoneni Cat rehabilitation centre on our Durban Big 5 Safari Tour
Cheetah at Emdoneni Cat rehabilitation centre on our Durban Big 5 Safari Tour
Durban Safaris. Giraffe and Zebra pose in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
Durban Safaris. Giraffe and Zebra pose in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
After a great look at these animals we arrived at Hilltop camp for some lunch and to check in to the rooms. Over lunch we chatted about the days safari proceedings.
We departed Hilltop camp to see if we could find any more of the Big 5. We did we spotted Elephant, Buffalo and more Rhino. Our Durban Safari Tour was turning out quite nicely.
Elephant on our 1st Day of our 3 Day Durban Safari tour
Elephant on our 1st Day of our 3 Day Durban Safari tour
We also spotted this amazing scene where a baby Giraffe was running around its mother. I made a video and added it to YouTube: Click Link to Watch: Video
Mother Giraffe watches as baby runs around her during our Durban Safaris
Mother Giraffe watches as baby runs around her during our Durban Safaris
Rhino feeds on Day 1 during our Durban Safari Tour in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
Rhino feeds on Day 1 during our Durban Safari Tour in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
We were so lucky on this Safari that we spotted Hippos, Elephant and a Crocodile from a view sight in the Hluhluwe section of the game reserve.
Crocodile seen on our Durban Safari to Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
Crocodile seen on our Durban Safari to Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
As we continued our Big 5 Safari tour we had some fading light and had to return to the lodge for 6pm when the gates close. We we lucky with the weather is was so nice and hot the whole day for use from Durban to Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve.
Once we returned and had an hour rest it was time to go for some dinner at Hilltop camp.
After a good meal we were all exhausted and went to bed.
Day 2: Durban 3 Day Safaris to Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
We left after the buffet breakfast on a Days Safari down into the Umfolozi section of the reserve. We first spotted some baboons which we feeding near the road.
Baboons on the second day of our Big 5 Safari Tour in Hluhluwe game reserve
Baboons on the second day of our Big 5 Safari Tour in Hluhluwe game reserve
As we got continued our Safari further down south we passed the Nyalazi gate and saw 2 vultures on there nest with there chicks head sticking up. This was good to see, I usually only see the one White backed Vulture and sometimes the chick.
White Backed Vultures with young chick in the nest on our Big 5 Safari from Durban for 3 Days in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
White Backed Vultures with young chick in the nest on our Big 5 Safari from Durban for 3 Days in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
We continued an when we got to the Black Umfolozi river we spotted a Journey of Giraffe and a Buffalo Bull, The Giraffe were posing for an amazing photo and the Buffalo just stuck his head out long enough for a good enough picture.
So far our 3 Day Big 5 Durban Safari Tour was turning out very well!
Durban Safari Tour to Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve. Giraffe males pose for us
Durban Safari Tour to Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve. Giraffe males pose for us
Old Buffalo bull in the Black Umfolozi river on our Durban Big 5 Safari
Old Buffalo bull in the Black Umfolozi river on our Durban Big 5 Safari
We stopped for a short rest room break at Mpila camp before we made our way down to Bhejane hide where we camped out for half an hour waiting for animals to come to drink. Actually we did not have to wait as when we arrived there was already as Rhino, Zebra and Impala.
This picture below I call earth Porn! From the angle I was sitting it looked rather worrying! lol
Rhino drinks at Bhejane hide with Zebra and wildebeest close by during our Durban Safaris 3 day Big 5 Safari
Rhino drinks at Bhejane hide with Zebra and wildebeest close by during our Durban Safaris 3 day Big 5 Safari
At this point we were getting a bit hungry and sleepy so we slowly made our way to the centenary center for lunch, the museum and the curio shop.
After this we headed back to Hilltop camp before heading back out at 16:30 for 1.5 hours to see what else we could find. Sadly not cats but a sunset pick when some clouds blew in.
Sun dropping over the hills on our Durban Big 5 Safari Tour
Sun dropping over the hills on our Durban Big 5 Safari Tour
It was now time for some rest and then some dinner before a good nights sleep and a final Safari push the next day before heading to St Lucia-Isimangeliso Wetland park for a 2 hour boat cruise!
Day 2: Durban 3 Day Safaris to Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
After we had a great breakfast and checked out we left Hilltop camp and and continued our Durban Safari through the Hluhluwe section. It was only a couple minutes and I spotted a Black Rhino one of the most endangered animals in Africa. He was or she was feeding far away on a ridge.
Black Rhino sighting in Hluhluwe game reserve on our Big 5 Durban Safari
Black Rhino sighting in Hluhluwe game reserve on our Big 5 Durban Safari
As we continued our Safari game drive we also spotted a herd of Elephants near to the road moving parallel to our vehicle. It was a beautiful sight so we spent some time with them.
Herd of Elephant near the road on our Durban Safaris 3 Day Safari Tour of Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
Herd of Elephant near the road on our Durban Safaris 3 Day Safari Tour of Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
Once we had left this herd of Elephant, we actually they left us! we continued our Durban Safari and came across a young male Elephant who must have been recently kicked out of the breeding herd. He was showing sights of stress and was actually scared at time and would run away as I rolled closer. We waiting for him to settle down and he began feeding on the road and reached up for some fresh Acacia shoots.
Elephant Bull reaches for some fresh shoots on our last day of Safari in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
Elephant Bull reaches for some fresh shoots on our last day of Safari in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve
We left this male Elephant to play and we spotted more Rhino one of which marked his territory before continuing on his merry way. Our 3 Day Big 5 Durban Safari experience in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve had really been great even though we had not seen any cat on this Tour!
Male White Rhino marks his teritory in Hluhluwe in our Durban Big 5 Safaris Tour
Male White Rhino marks his teritory in Hluhluwe in our Durban Big 5 Safaris Tour
We had to depart Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve for St Lucia – Isimangeliso Wetland Park where we would do a 2 hour boat cruise to view Hippos and Crocodiles before lunch and a departure to Durban.
At St Lucia – Isimangeliso Wetland park we spotted load of Hippos and a handful of crocodile. I decided to put this picture up though of an African Fish eagle.
African Fish Eagle seen on our Durban Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary
African Fish Eagle seen on our Durban Safari Tour to St Lucia estuary
It was time for lunch and seafood was on the cards as we enjoyed Fish and Calamari. Sadly then we departed for Durban after a great Durban Safari which I am sure the clients really enjoyed.
