Durban Big 5 Safari Tour – Three Day
Durban Big 5 Safari Tour
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, St Lucia and Cat Rehabilitation Centre
R 9 250 per person based on a minimum of 2 Clients.
R 16 500 Solo Traveler rate
OVERVIEW
A South African safari is best to be done from Durban as we are fortunate enough in Durban KwaZulu-Natal to have many Wildlife safari parks. Most noted is the Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve a mere 2.5 hours away from Durban city and home to the Big 5.
The big 5 being the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot. Named this way from the old hunting days, they are the Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Buffalo and Leopard.
In Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve you can, if you are in luck, see all of these majestic animals. Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve has some special features that make it a must visit safari park when in South Africa.
On your Durban safari we will collected you from your Durban Hotel and guide you from the beautiful city of Durban to Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve.
Your qualified guide will ensure your Durban Safari Tour will be memorable as he shows off what wildlife Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve has to offer!
Being a Big 5 Game reserve and malaria free, Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game reserve is our most popular Durban Safari Tour and our Tour of choice!
Your Safari Tour with Tim Brown Tours will be unforgettable from beginning to end.
WHY WE THINK YOU’LL LOVE IT
✓ Having the possibility of seeing the Big 5.
✓ Visiting the oldest protected reserve in Africa.
✓ Being in nature where seeing anything is possible while in the capable and safe hands of your qualified and experienced guide.
ITINERARY
Day 1
07.00 am Transportation
only applies to pick-up’s and drop-off’s in Durban City, feel free to contact us if you are unsure as to whether your pick-up location is covered. Should your pick-up location not be covered, we will still collect you, however, there may be an additional charge dependent on where you are based.
07.00 am – appox 10.00
From time of pick-up, it is approximately a 2.5-hour to 3-hour drive to the Cheetah Interaction Tour. During transit, your guide will share a bit of history with you and you are encouraged to ask questions to reap the full benefit of the tour. Rest assured that you will travel in absolute comfort as Tim Brown Tours use a Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Quantum and VW Kombi to conduct all tours. This is subject to availability and Tim Brown Tours reserves the right to make alternative vehicle arrangements.
10.30 am – appox 11.30 am
You will have the opportunity to encounter and learn more about to the fastest 11:30am land mammal, the Cheetah! This has proven a firm favourite with our guests. Please note that participating in this activity is entirely at your own risk. Tim Brown Tours accepts no liability for any and all incidents. (This is optional, if you wish to spend more time in the reserve looking for wild animals we can go straight to the reserve.
11.30 am – appox 12.00 am
From there, it’s on to Hluhluwe Imfolozi.
12.00 am – appox 13.30 am
Once you have reached your destination, Hluhlulwe Imfolozi, your guide will Approx. to attend to the necessary entry requirements into the park, after which you will 13:30pm make your way towards Hilltop Camp. Your guide will educate you on Approx. the history of the area as well as conduct a slow game drive in a closed air-
conditioned vehicle so you can experience the amazing wildlife that Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve has to offer in comfort. Have your cameras ready!
13.30 am
Approximate time of arrival at Hilltop Camp.
We shall stop at Hilltop Camp for lunch and check in(please note that lunch is to your own account. The views from the terrace will leave no doubt in your mind that the name “Hilltop” has been aptly chosen. Here you will also have the chance to view the sightings board which will give you an idea of animals spotted on the day as well as have the opportunity to add your own sightings. Thereafter, your guide will assist with check-in and show you to your room as well as discuss the option of joining a night drive which departs at 17:00pm returning at 20:00. This is an optional extra, the cost of which will be for your own account. Should you wish to go on a night drive, we strongly advise that you make a booking as soon possible in order to avoid disappointment of there being no availability and further advise that this is not a private tour as it is conducted by the camp, with the camp vehicle and you will be sharing with other guests. Alternatively, you are more than welcome to join your guide on a 2 to 3 hour closed vehicle game drive after lunch which is included in the tour price. Should you prefer to stay at camp, there are self-guided walking trails as well as a swimming pool should you wish to cool down.
14.30 am – 18.00 – 20.00 pm
After lunch you have the option of either joining your guide on a 3-4 hour Varying between closed vehicle drive which is included in the safari package or if you prefer you can do a couple hours drive with your guide and get back in time for the open vehicle game drive from 17.00 to 20.00 which is an optional extra.
Between 18.00 – 20.00 pm
Dinner shall be after your game drive. The time of which shall vary depending on whether you have chosen to do a night drive with the camp or go on a game drive in one of Tim Brown Tours closed vehicles. Gate closing times will also impact on the time of return as this changes with season allowing for a later return in Summer.
Day 2
approx 06.00 am
.
approx 09.15 am
Return to camp where breakfast will be served in the restaurant, buffet style.
10.00 am – appox 13.30 am
After breakfast, you will have some time to spend as you choose, there is a swimming pool within the camp boundaries and this can offer some welcome relief in the summer months. Also, the self-guided walking trail has proven to be a favourite with our guests. You can also ask your guide to take you back out to look for animals.
13.30 pm
Should you choose to lunch at the restaurant, an a la carte menu provides for most tastes and preferences (please note that lunch is for your own account).
14.30 am – 18.00 – 20.00
After lunch you have the option of either joining your guide on a 2 to 3 hour closed vehicle drive which is included in the safari package or if you prefer, you can do a couple hours drive with your guide and get back in time for the open vehicle game drive from 17.00 to 20.00 which is an optional extra.
18.00 – 20.00 pm approx
Dinner shall be after your game drive. The time of which shall vary depending on whether you have chosen to do a night drive with the camp or go on a game drive in one of Tim Brown Tours closed vehicles. Gate closing times will also impact on the time of return as this changes with season allowing for a later return in Summer.
14.30 am – 18.00 – 20.00 pm
After lunch you have the option of either joining your guide on a 3-4 hour Varying between closed vehicle drive which is included in the safari package or if you prefer you can do a couple hours drive with your guide and get back in time for the open vehicle game drive from 17.00 to 20.00 which is an optional extra.
Between 18.00 – 20.00 pm
Dinner shall be after your game drive. The time of which shall vary depending on whether you have chosen to do a night drive with the camp or go on a game drive in one of Tim Brown Tours closed vehicles. Gate closing times will also impact on the time of return as this changes with season allowing for a later return in Summer.
Day 3
Approx. 06.00am
Depart for an early morning game drive. Again, you will be given the option to join an open vehicle game drive with the camp which will be for your own account or go on a 2-hour game drive in our closed, air-conditioned vehicle which is included in the safari package.
Approx. 08.00am
Breakfast will be served buffet style after which we shall check-out.
09.00am
This is your last chance to spot game within the Imfolozi Hluhluwe Reserve as we depart Hilltop Camp and make our way to St Lucia.
Approx. 10.30am
Once we have reached our destination, St Lucia, and weather permitting you will have the opportunity to go on a 2-hour boat cruise on the world heritage site of Lake St Lucia in Isimagaliso Wetland Park, viewing Hippos and crocodiles making it well worth the experience. Should the weather not allow for a boat cruise, we shall take a walk on the estuary boardwalk instead or both. You may ask your guide if you would like to do both.
13.00pm
We shall stop for a light lunch. Please note that this is for your own account and not included in the safari package.
15.00pm
Dependent on whether we have stopped for lunch, we shall depart for Durban at Approx. Approximately
15.00pm
This is a 2.5 hour drive.
17.30pm
Approximate time of arrival in Durban. (This can vary if we need to book a later boat cruise at St Lucia.
Accomodation
Our usual venue Hilltop camp in Hluhluwe game reserve has deteriorated so much; the quality of the food has also decreased. A number of clients have commented on this and we have decided that it is best that we stay 20 minutes outside the reserve at a lovely Safari lodge which is also home to 4 of the BIG5. This lodge is set in a Sand forest which is a rare habitat and reserve has been proclaimed a World Heritage Site due to being set in a Sand Forest and having two other habitats; Savannah and Wetlands.. We only accommodate at this lodge and have our breakfasts and dinners there. We arrange packed breakfasts for the morning so we can get into Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve early. Daily we drive into Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 game reserve and spend the day looking for Animals and have lunch at Hilltop camp which has a lovely view over the rolling hills.
You may request that we stay at Hilltop camp but there will be a surcharge of R1000 per person per day.
HISTORY
Hluhluwe Imfolozi is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve spanning 96 000 ha. In 1890 the white rhino numbered less than 100 in the areas in and around Hluhluwe Imfolozi and it is mostly thanks to this park, which received formal recognition as a protected wildlife sanctuary in 1895, due to the possibility of extinction of this magnificent creature, that we have the fortune of seeing the white rhino in its natural habitat today. At this stage, there were approximately only 20 Southern White Rhino surviving on earth and they were all within the Imfolozi area.
By 1960, their numbers had improved so drastically that intervention was required to avoid over population. Rhinos were relocated to protected areas outside of the park and this initiative was run by the then Natal Parks Board. The relocation process was not always an easy one and there were casualties. However, the operation was considered a huge success. Hluhluwe Imfolozi now has the largest population of white rhino in the world. But, they are under constant siege and it is our duty as protectors of this world, to ensure that we do not face the same catastrophe as we did in the late 1800s.
*Ask your Guide* – There are two different rhino species within the park, the black and the white. Ask your guide on their identifiable traits, habits and see whether you are able to correctly identify the species should you have a chance to see one of these magnificent creatures.
The elephant – gentle, wise and with the ability to walk with such grace considering its size has always fascinated those visiting the park. The males are identifiable by their rounded head, thicker and larger tusks and larger body size. The females have a flat top head which comes down at angle to the trunk. The Big 5 – Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo were classified as such as they were and are the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot, the Buffalo being the most dangerous. Besides the Big 5, and the various other large species of mammal found in the park, the park is home to over some 1200 species of plant, it is abundant in birdlife, reptiles as well as little guys – don’t overlook the little guys. Remember, that here the dung beetle gets right of way.
The St Lucia Wetlands Park, now known as Isimangeliso (meaning miracle and wonder) Wetland Park is an amazing place with 5 different ecosystems ranging from coral reefs and sandy beaches to subtropical dune forests, savannas and wetlands.
Animals occurring in the park include elephant, leopard, black and white rhino, buffalo and in the ocean, whales, dolphins, and marine turtles including the leatherback and loggerhead turtle. The park is also home to approximately 526 bird species making it a bird watchers paradise.
Britain colonised the area in 1895 and turned the place into a wildlife reserve and established the holiday town of St Lucia. St Lucia was first named in 1554 Rio de la Medaos do Oura (River of the Dows of Gold) by the survivors of the Portuguese Ship, the Saint Benedict. At this stage, only the Tugela River mouth was known as St Lucia. Later in 1575 the Tugela River was named Tugela. On 13 December 1575, the day of the feast of St Lucy, Manuel Peresterello renamed the mouth area to Santa Lucia.
Due to the fact that the park is comprised of 5 different ecosystems and its unique global value, the St Lucia Wetlands was named as South Africa’s first World Heritage site, decided upon by UNESCO on 1 December 1999.
PLEASE NOTE
- Group Rates are available on request.
INCLUSIONS
- Dinner Bed and Breakfast
- Entrance Fees
- Listed Activities
- Transport – Pick-up and Drop-off
- Guides
- Bottled Water (We only supply a limited number of bottles per day, should you require additional, this will be for your own account)
EXCLUSIONS
- Items of Personal Nature
- Lunch (Restaurant Available)
- Beverages: Beer; Wine; Cold Drinks
- Gratuities
- Any other items not listed in the Inclusions
- Furthermore, please note that all group activities are not private and you will be expected to share this experience with other paying guests not touring with Tim Brown Tours
PRICING
All prices are based on a per person sharing basis.
The price per person is R12 800.00 per adult sharing and R6400.00 per child sharing
Solo Rate – R19 990.00
Furthermore, please note that all group activities are not private and you will be expected to share this experience with other paying guests not touring with Tim Brown Tours.
ACCOMMODATION
Our usual venue Hilltop camp in Hluhluwe game reserve has deteriorated so much; the quality of the food has also decreased. A number of clients have commented on this and we have decided that it is best that we stay 20 minutes outside the reserve at a lovely Safari lodge which is also home to 4 of the BIG5. This lodge is set in a Sand forest which is a rare habitat and reserve has been proclaimed a World Heritage Site due to being set in a Sand Forest and having two other habitats; Savannah and Wetlands.. We only accommodate at this lodge and have our breakfasts and dinners there. We arrange packed breakfasts for the morning so we can get into Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve early. Daily we drive into Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 game reserve and spend the day looking for Animals and have lunch at Hilltop camp which has a lovely view over the rolling hills.
You may request that we stay at Hilltop camp but there will be a surcharge of R1000 per person per day.