From KSh1,437,978 pps
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
KwaZulu-Natal Safaris, South AfricaActivities travellers enjoyed
Conservation projects | Bird watching | Boat excursions | Hiking | Yoga | Spa treatments
HomeDestinationsKwaZulu-Natal Safaris
KwaZulu-Natal Safaris
The safaris of KwaZulu-Natal are the northern reserves: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi and the private land around it, rhino country above all.
Get a quoteKwaZulu-Natal Holidays - Discover KZN
Home to teeming game reserves and echoing battlegrounds, flanked by mountain peaks and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, the province of KwaZulu-Natal has everything that South African holidays are famous for: long golden beaches, abundant wildlife, a diverse and welcoming people, and a sunny sub-tropical climate.
It’s easy holidaying country and if you're looking for an independent-minded self-drive vacation, KwaZulu-Natal is a top choice. Well-maintained roads run right up the coast and into the interior which means you can easily swop the beach for the big game reserves and – unlike the tamer Garden Route – on a KwaZulu-Natal holiday you can also include activities such as scuba diving, battlefield tours and horse riding in the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains.
The north of the province is where South Africa becomes Africa. Wild footprint-free beaches lie alongside some of the country's top game reserves, and traditional Zulu homesteads cluster together on steep hillsides close to historic battlefields. Further south, the landscape softens as country lanes wind through the English shire-like pastures of the Natal Midlands and down to the vibrant city of Durban.
KwaZulu-Natal Safaris
Northern KwaZulu-Natal is one of South Africa's top wildlife destinations with a collection of game reserves known for excellent rhino and big cat sightings, superb bird watching, and beautiful scenery ranging from woodlands and wetlands to palm savannahs and coastal forests.
What's more these reserves lie close to the iSimangaliso / Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, which means a KwaZulu-Natal safari can easily be combined with footprint-free beaches and the best scuba diving in South Africa: teeming coral reefs, whale sharks, dolphins and breeding turtles are among the highlights of the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
Phinda Game Reserve
Cradled between the Lebombo Mountains and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Phinda Game Reserve is Big 5 country and home to healthy populations of other classic African mammals such as black rhino and cheetah. The bird watching here ranks among the best in South Africa with 415 recorded species, and keen scuba divers will be delighted to know that diving adventures can be arranged from Phinda – making it an ideal safari and beach destination.
Being a private game reserve means that Phinda offers a very exclusive and tailored experience. There are no crowds or queues, and the six luxury lodges and exclusive-use villas are famous for their exceptionally high standard of guiding, placing a firm emphasis on giving their guests an interactive wildlife experience.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
A pioneer of conservation, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is one of the oldest and most prestigious wildlife reserves in South Africa, and is responsible for bringing the white rhino back from the brink of extinction in the 1950s and 1960s. Home to all of Africa's Big 5, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi comprises two sections: the northern Hluhluwe area is characterised by evergreen forest and is good for sightings of black rhino amongst the thickets, while the southern Umfolozi section has open acacia savannah making it perfect for predators, elephants, white rhino and giraffe.
Just north of Hluhluwe, Thanda is set on a 14 000-hectare private game reserve and has a well deserved reputation for excellent big game viewing and birding as well as providing sightings of rare species such as African wild dog. A top choice for a luxurious Big 5 safari, Thanda recently won “Africa's leading luxury game reserve” at the 2012 World Travel Awards, and its bush villas and safari-style tented camp are members of the prestigious “Leading Hotels of the World” group.
uMkhuze Game Reserve
The uMkhuze Game Reserve was named after the Mkuze River which forms the northern and eastern boundary of the park. uMkhuze is known for its exceptional bird watching – over 420 species have been recorded – and a walk through the fig forest on the river bank is sure to be a highlight for birders and nature lovers alike. uMkhuze also offers game drives in search of rhino, giraffe, zebra and antelope, and there are a number of hides overlooking pans where fish eagles swoop to catch their prey.
Pongola Game Reserve
Pongola Game Reserve lies in the Lebombo Mountains on the border of Swaziland. This beautiful reserve has four of the Big 5 (no lions) and offers a fantastic mix of KwaZulu-Natal safari activities including game drives, guided walking safaris, boat cruises and tiger fishing on lovely Lake Jozini.
With so much variety on offer, compact and beautiful KwaZulu-Natal really does offer a world of experiences in a single holiday.
What travellers most enjoyed about KwaZulu-Natal
Beaches
Cultural interactions
Scenery
Self-drive
Wildlife and safari
Where to go
- The baseA reserve lodge. The name can change before anything is paid.
- The pairingThe coast if you want the sea after. The Drakensberg if you want a malaria-free mountain instead.
When to go
When to go
May to September is the dry winter and the clearer game viewing. Summer is green and stormy.
Travel advice
Before you travel
See a clinic about the northern parks specifically. A night drive depends on whether you are in the public park or on private land.
KwaZulu-Natal Tours & Safaris
KwaZulu-Natal tours and safaris embrace a part of South Africa well known for its coastline of broad beaches, Big 5 safari reserves and historic battlefields. Add to this the gourmet delights and award-winning spa treatments offered in the Natal Midlands, and world-class scuba-diving along the wild Elephant Coast – and you’ve got a world of experiences in a single holiday.
We have a wide selection of tours around KwaZulu-Natal which explore all the best elements this exciting province has to offer but if you can’t find what you’re looking for, one of our well-travelled African Safari Experts will easily point you in the right direction.
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Best KwaZulu-Natal Accommodation
Offering incredible service, magical locations and fine cuisine, our list of KwaZulu-Natal accommodation includes safari lodges tucked away in remote reserves; seaside hotels and beach lodges; country homes on grand estates; and guest houses overlooking the historic battlefields of Zululand.
KwaZulu-Natal’s famed attractions such as the Drakensberg Mountains, the Battlefields region and the rustic Midlands provide the setting for a selection of exclusive and luxurious accommodation where adventures abound. There is excellent accommodation in big game country too – and several of KwaZulu-Natal’s parks and reserves rank among the best in the country.
Consider combining a few days in KwaZulu-Natal with a Big 5 safari in Kruger or even a lazy beach holiday on the island on Mauritius; our experienced Africa Safari Experts can easily recommend accommodation and itineraries based on your requirements.
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Travellers
CoupleFamilyGroup (2 or more)Solo
Activities
Game drivesNight drivesGuided walking safarisPrivate vehicle with driverSpecialist guidesCultural visitsConservation projectsStar gazingSleep-out experience available
Wildlife Experiences
Historical toursBird watchingGorilla trackingChimp trackingMonkey trackingRhino trackingWhale watchingTurtle nesting excursionsShark cage diving
Food & Drink
Bush diningPicnicsFine dining experiencePrivate dining experienceWine tastingCooking lessons
Aerial activities
Hot air ballooningHelicopter flightsScenic flightsMicro-lightingBungee jumpingSky diving
Water activities
Boat excursionsMokoro trailsFishingCanoeingKayakingSailingWind-surfingKite surfingStand-up paddle boardingSurfingWater-skiingWhite-water raftingSnorkellingScuba diving
Sport & Wellness
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Accommodation Types
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KwaZulu-Natal Safaris stays
1 stay. The rate is per person sharing.
- KwaZulu-Natal Safaris, South Africa
Costs
A northern private reserve is a real safari price. It should not be quoted as if it were a beach hotel.
International flights, visas, and tips sit outside the sample price. Nothing is paid until you accept the quote.