The tour begins with an early departure from Durban as you travel north into Zululand. The scenery shifts from rolling green hills and sugarcane plantations to the rugged landscapes of the bush. Your destination is the legendary Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park, one of the oldest proclaimed game reserves in Africa and home to the famous Big Five. On arrival, set off on a three-hour guided safari drive, where you’ll track elephants, watch giraffes browsing treetops, and, with luck, see rhinos or even a pride of lions resting in the shade.

After the morning’s wildlife adventure, stop for lunch at a rest camp or lodge, surrounded by the bush sounds of birds and insects. In the afternoon, continue toward St Lucia, the gateway to iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This remarkable reserve protects a dazzling variety of habitats—wetlands, estuaries, forests, dunes, and savanna—supporting an extraordinary range of species. Spend the evening at your lodge in St Lucia, a small town where hippos are known to wander the streets after dark.