Why Choose This 3 Day Safari from Durban?

This safari gives you more time in the bush than a single day safari, which means more opportunities to enjoy the wildlife, landscapes and peaceful atmosphere of northern KwaZulu-Natal.

It is a wonderful option for couples, families, friends and international travellers who want a guided safari experience from Durban with comfortable transport, local knowledge and time to enjoy the journey properly.

Guests enjoy:

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Durban to Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park

Your safari begins with collection from your Durban hotel, guest house, B&B or agreed pickup point.

From Durban, we travel north through KwaZulu-Natal towards the Hluhluwe region. The drive usually takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic and where you are collected from.

Along the way, your guide will share information about Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South African history, local culture, the Zulu nation and the landscapes we pass through. It is a relaxed and scenic start to your safari experience.

Optional Cat Rehabilitation Centre Visit

Before entering Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, guests may have the option to visit a cat rehabilitation centre near Hluhluwe.

This optional stop gives guests the opportunity to learn more about smaller and lesser-seen African cat species such as cheetah, serval, caracal and African wild cat.

This visit is subject to availability and timing, and the entrance fee is for the guest’s own account.

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Game Reserve Safari

After the optional cat rehabilitation centre visit, we continue to **Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park**. The safari begins as soon as we enter the reserve.

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi is one of South Africa’s most respected game reserves. It is known for its rolling hills, beautiful views, excellent wildlife and its important contribution to white rhino conservation.

During the game drive, your guide will help search for wildlife and explain more about the animals, their behaviour, tracks, habitats and the reserve itself.

Possible sightings include rhino, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, nyala, warthog, baboon, monkeys and many species of birds. Lion and leopard also occur in the reserve, although sightings are never guaranteed because this is a natural wildlife area.

Lunch at Hilltop Camp

Lunch is usually enjoyed at Hilltop Camp inside Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park. Lunch is for the guest’s own account.

Hilltop Camp offers beautiful views over the reserve and is a lovely place to relax before continuing with the afternoon safari.

Afternoon Game Drive

After lunch, guests continue with an afternoon safari drive.

The included game drive is done in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with your Tim Brown Tours guide. Windows are opened where possible for photography and wildlife viewing.

Guests who prefer an open safari vehicle experience may choose to book an optional open vehicle game drive, which is for the guest’s own account and subject to availability.

After the afternoon safari, we make our way to our safari lodge accommodation near Hluhluwe for dinner and overnight. 

Day 2 – Full Safari Day in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park

Day 2 is all about spending more time in the bush and enjoying further wildlife viewing in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Game Reserve.

We usually depart the lodge early in the morning, around 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM, depending on the season, weather and gate times. Early morning is often one of the best times for game viewing, as many animals are more active before the heat of the day.

Guests can continue with the included closed-vehicle safari drive with their guide. This is done in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, with windows opened where possible for photography and wildlife viewing.

Guests may also choose to join an optional open vehicle game drive, which is for their own account and subject to availability.

After the morning safari drive, we return to the lodge for breakfast. Depending on the day’s plan and guest preference, a packed breakfast may also be arranged so that more time can be spent inside the reserve.

The rest of the day can be planned according to timing, weather, wildlife conditions and guest preference.

Options may include:

• Spending more time inside Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park
• Having lunch at Hilltop Camp or Centenary Centre
• Returning to the lodge to relax
• Enjoying an afternoon closed-vehicle safari drive
• Booking an optional open vehicle game drive

Lunch is for the guest’s own account.

After the afternoon safari activities, we return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 

On Day 3, we depart the lodge early for a final morning game drive in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park.

This gives guests one last opportunity to enjoy the reserve and search for wildlife before leaving the Hluhluwe area. Every game drive is different, and the final morning often brings new sightings and a last chance to take in the beauty of the bush.

As with the previous safari drives, guests can enjoy the included closed-vehicle safari with their guide. The vehicle is comfortable and air-conditioned, with windows opened where possible for photography and wildlife viewing.

Guests may also choose an optional open vehicle game drive, which is for their own account and subject to availability.

After the morning safari, we return to the lodge for breakfast and check out.

We then travel to St Lucia and iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a beautiful wetland and wildlife area also available as a dedicated St Lucia / iSimangaliso Wetland Park Tour from Durban.

This area offers a very different but equally special wildlife experience. St Lucia is known for its estuary, wetlands, hippos, crocodiles, birdlife and beautiful coastal scenery.

St Lucia Boat Cruise

Weather permitting, guests enjoy a 2-hour boat cruise on the St Lucia estuary.

This is often one of the highlights of the tour. It gives guests the chance to view hippos, crocodiles and birdlife from the water in a relaxed and scenic setting.

If weather conditions do not allow for the boat cruise, an alternative activity such as a walk along the estuary boardwalk may be arranged where possible.

After the St Lucia experience, we stop for a light lunch. Lunch is for the guest’s own account.

We then depart for Durban, with arrival usually in the late afternoon or early evening. Arrival time may vary depending on traffic, weather, boat cruise timing and the day’s schedule.

Weather permitting, guests enjoy a 2-hour boat cruise on the St Lucia estuary.

This is often one of the highlights of the tour. It gives guests the chance to view hippos, crocodiles and birdlife from the water in a relaxed and scenic setting.

If weather conditions do not allow for the boat cruise, an alternative activity such as a walk along the estuary boardwalk may be arranged where possible.

After the St Lucia experience, we stop for a light lunch. Lunch is for the guest’s own account.

We then depart for Durban, with arrival usually in the late afternoon or early evening. Arrival time may vary depending on traffic, weather, boat cruise timing and the day’s schedule.

Wildlife You May See

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park and the surrounding region are home to a wide variety of wildlife.

Possible sightings include:

• Rhino
• Elephant
• Buffalo
• Lion
• Leopard
• Giraffe
• Zebra
• Wildebeest
• Nyala
• Impala
• Warthog
• Hyena
• Monkeys
• Baboons
• Hippos
• Crocodiles
• Excellent birdlife

Please remember that all wildlife sightings take place in a natural environment. No specific animal sighting can ever be guaranteed.

Your guide will always do their best to give you the best possible safari experience, but wildlife moves freely and sightings depend on nature, weather, animal movement and timing.

Why Book with Tim Brown Tours?

With over 20 years of safari guiding experience, Tim Brown Tours understands what guests are looking for when booking a safari from Durban: good planning, honest advice, comfortable transport, local knowledge and a memorable wildlife experience.

An experienced guide also helps make the safari safer and more rewarding by understanding animal behaviour, reading the bush and knowing where to look for wildlife. This local knowledge can make a big difference to the quality of your safari, especially in a large natural reserve such as Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park. Guests looking for more options can also view our full range of Durban tour packages, including safaris, Drakensberg tours, cultural experiences and day tours from Durban.

When booking this 3 day safari from Durban, guests benefit from:

• Over 20 years of safari guiding experience
• Tim Brown Tours operating since 2010
• Local KwaZulu-Natal knowledge
• Professional and experienced guides
• Comfortable air-conditioned transport
• Personalised service
• Carefully planned safari itineraries
• Experience guiding international travellers
• A strong focus on wildlife, conservation and guest experience

This safari is ideal for couples, families, small groups and international travellers wanting a professionally guided Big 5 safari from Durban.

Frequently Asked Questions