Zulu Kingdom Safari & Beach Holiday

A 12 day bush and beach experience to KwaZulu Natal with its stunning game parks and beautiful beaches. This South Africa safari holiday offers a quieter alternative to the Kruger National Park with game viewing that is every bit as good.

Often referred to as the Zulu Kingdom, KwaZulu Natal is a coastal province in the east of the country. It stretches from the sunny temperate coast on the edge of the Indian Ocean to the rugged mountains of the Drakensberg Mountains, one of two World Heritage sites in the province. KwaZulu Natal offers a unique chance to enjoy a traditional safari holiday and also incorporate some time on the beach or do some diving nearby.

The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park spans 280km of coastline and is South Africa’s third largest park. It is made up of around 328,00 hectares of pristine natural ecosystems including swamps, lake systems, beaches, coral reefs, wetlands, woodlands and coastal forest. Fed by five rivers, this is home to a rich diversity of fish, birds and animals. Game such as giraffe, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant can be viewed around the lakes, whilst colouful birds populate the water’s edge.

Just a short drive away, the Sodwana Bay National Park has gained international recognition as being a top dive and snorkelling site due to the variety of coral reefs, excellent visibility and phenomenal sea life. More than 1200 species of fish can be found on and around the various reefs of hard corals, pinnacles, buttresses, caves and blow holes. The diving is good all year round.

Zulu Kingdom & Beach Itinerary:

Day 1: Departure Day
Depart on your evening, overnight flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2: Johannesburg – Rhino Sands Safari Lodge
On arrival you will be met by an Out of Africa Representative who will assist you with the transfer to your flight to Richards Bay. This short hop to the coast will take approx 90 minutes where upon staff from Rhino Sands will be on hand to meet you and transfer you by road the last part of your journey. We promise it will be worth it!

Rhino Sands Safari Camp is an 8-bed luxury tented camp set on a peninsula in the Msunduze River in the Manyoni Private Game Reserve.The entire camp is set under canvas upon wooden platforms within the riverine forest. The main camp area features a reception office, casual bar and seating area, a formal lounge, and both formal and casual dining areas. There is also a large boma enclosure complete with bush oven for guests to enjoy dining fireside beneath the stars.

The suites features a private living area, outdoor shower, and sparkling plunge pool and the canvas walls can be opened completely on three sides so guests can immerse themselves in the wilderness experience. All tents have stunning views of the river bed below. The camp has been designed and decorated with an emphasis on the romance of the classical safari experience, with a nod towards traditional safari styling but including all the modern luxuries.

The experience revolves around two daily safari drives within Manyoni Private Game Reserve. The reserve is one of the premier game-viewing destinations in Kwa-Zulu Natal and is home to the Big 5 along with African wild dogs and cheetahs, as well as large numbers of all the more common African animals. One of the most special moments on game drive are the rest stops, in the morning for coffee and tea and in the evening for sundowner drinks. Guests get a chance to pause and absorb the bush around them while stretching their legs and enjoying refreshments and snacks.

Day 5:  Rhino Sands – Thonga Beach Lodge
A final morning game drive and then you will be transferred to the coast to Thonga Beach Lodge.  The lodge is set on the pristine shores of the Maputuland coast, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is the ideal place to discover one of the most unspoilt wilderness beaches left on the African continent. Mabibi is a magical place of coastal forests, grasslands, bush, shimmering lakes and exquisite sandy beaches. Its crystal clear, warm waters offer South Africa’s best snorkelling and fantastic off-shore scuba diving.

Set above a secluded bay, the Thonga Beach Lodge is nestled into beautiful coastal dune forest with sweeping views of the stunning beach below. The thatched bush suites provide guest privacy and were carefully constructed to ensure minimal impact on the environment. The lodge offers luxurious accommodation, mouth-watering meals and lots of activities for guests. Spend 4 nights at Thonga Beach lodge on a fully inclusive basis.

Day 9: Thonga Beach – Durban
After breakfast you will be driven back down the coast to Durban for your last 3 nights in this cosmopolitan town. You will be staying at the stylish Oyster Box Hotel, just outside the city, located in a popular town on the beach. (B&B basis). The town centre has some lively bars and restaurants for you to explore.

Day 12: Departure Day
On your final day, return to the airport for your flight home.

It is possible to extend this itinerary with nights at a different safari lodge, or to travel onto the Anglo Zulu Battlefields or Cape Town. If you would like more information about this South Africa safari and beach holiday itinerary, speak to our safari holiday’s team on +44 208 249 5919. Alternatively you can contact us here by email.